top 7 things to do in December

1. Crow Collection of Asian Art Opening. Decembers 5. Trammell Crow bought his first piece of jade almost 30 years ago; now, his collection consists of more than 500 pieces from China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia. The grand opening will feature Asian food, music, and dance. Trammell Crow Center, 2010 Flora St. 214-979-6430.



2. Faust. December 11, 13,16,19. A dark drama for the sometimes saccharine holiday season. The Dallas Opera production inspired by Goethe’s legendary poem features Robert Lloyd as the aging Faust, eager to regain his youth in exchange for his soul. The Music Hail at Fair Park. 214-443-1006.



3. Neiman Marcus/Adolphus Children’s Parade. Decembers 5. Gel ready for (he hyperactive frenzy. The “Miracle On Commerce Street” transforms downtown into a bustling center of floats, marching bands, and guest celebrities, including Batman and Robin and Winnie the Pooh. The parade travels down Commerce to Ervay, continues south to City Hall Plaza, and then heads west to Akard. Downtown Dallas. 10 a.m.



4. White Rock Marathon. December 13. If you can’t run the race, at least cheer on those hearty souls who can. Dallas’ annual marathon starts and ends downtown, with treks through Turtle Creek and Highland Park and nine miles around the newly dredged lake. White Rock Marathon. 214-528-2962.

5. Joe Ely. December 27. The roadhouse rocker from Lubbock is on lour with a new album by his new band, Los Super Seven, a Tex-Mexican American Group. Belter wear your boots. Caravan of Dreams, 312 Houston St., Fort Worth. 817-4294000.



6. Self-Taught Artists of the 20th Century: An American Anthology. Through January 24. No art school graduates allowed. Two hundred-fifty works-painting, sculpture, tracts, and built environments-will be on display at the Amon Carter Museum and the Modem Art Museum of Fort Worth. Amon Carter Museum and Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. 817-738-1933.



7. The Miser. Decembers -January 10. Christmas is the time to give, but Moliere’s play is all about taking-a refreshing twist for the season. Director Jac Alder’s adaptation puts the action in post-Civil War New Orleans. Theatre Three. 2800 Routh St. 214-871-3300.