TODAY: One-Woman BandWith a repertoire of over...

TODAY: One-Woman Band

With a repertoire of over 500 songs, Teresa Russell could play until the place closes. Even longer. See for yourself when she rocks tonight at the Hungry Hunter in Thousand Oaks.

With a collection of guitars and the proper programming technology, Russell can sound like a whole band, but has an easier time dividing the money at the end of the night. From rock to country to blues, she can do it all. She even takes requests. Russell, who grew up in Westlake, started learning Jimi Hendrix songs when she was 10 years old and has been playing professionally since she was 11.

Don’t ask Russell about prime-time television--she works several nights a week. The free 9 p.m. Hungry Hunter gig (487 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, 497-3925) is just the beginning. On Friday and Saturday, look for Russell at the Shores Restaurant (1031 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard, 984-5533). Sunday and Tuesday Russell is at the Lobster Trap Restaurant (3605 Peninsula Road, Oxnard, 985-6361). And she’s not off on Monday either: She’ll be at the Whale’s Tail (3950 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard, 985-2511).

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FRIDAY: In a Nutshell

The Sugar Plum Fairy is alive and well in Ventura County thanks to the Channel Islands Ballet Company. The troupe, directed by Clarissa Boeriu, returns with Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” for four performances beginning Friday at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center.

Galina Mezentseva, the prima ballerina of the Kirov Ballet, will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Paul Polivnich returns to conduct the 44-piece Channel Islands Symphony. Show times: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday.Tickets: $11, $17, $23, $28. The arts center is at 800 Hobson Way. For more information, call 658-8091.

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SATURDAY: ‘Messiah’ on TV

‘Tis the season for Handel’s “Messiah,” the perennial oratorio often presented in “sing-along” concerts. This year, the Los Robles Master Chorale is doing a sing-along “Messiah” with a media twist, broadcasting their concert at the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks on television, courtesy of TCI cable.

Viewers will be able to watch, or sing along, from the comfort of their living rooms. For those who prefer the live experience, the concert takes place at the Civic Arts Plaza Auditorium, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., at 8 p.m. Tickets: $20, $10 children 12 and under. Call 482-2866.

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UP THE COAST

Folkloric dance ensemble Ballet Folklorico Alma de Mexico will perform its holiday program, “Navidad en Mexico” (Christmas in Mexico), at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido, Santa Barbara. The Christmas show will include live music by the Conjunto Jarocho Catemaco band, performing music from the regions of Veracruz, Guerrero and Michoacan. Show times: 7:30 p.m. today and Friday. Tickets: $15, $10 for children 12 and under. Call 963-0761.

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GLANCE AHEAD

The Conejo Valley Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Howard Sonstegard, will present “The Sounds of Christmas” on Dec. 14 at the Civic Arts Plaza Auditorium, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. and includes special guest appearances by the Sherwood Singers, the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra and maestro Elmer Ramsey. Tickets: $15-$35. Call 241-7270.