Thanks to the Tacoma Philharmonic, the Oregon Symphony under Carlos Kalmar makes an appearance here this weekend, playing Ravel, Mozart, Elgar and Walton, with a Shakespearean touch provided by actors including David Ogden Stiers.

The program “Mozart and Shakespeare” fuses just those two greats. The first half juxtaposes Mozart’s “Prague” symphony with Ravel’s “Menuet Antique,” while the second half includes two English works: Elgar’s “Falstaff” and Walton’s “Embarkation from Henry V.” Integrated with the music will be excerpts from the Bard read by actors David Ogden Stiers (“M.A.S.H.,” various Burns documentaries, etc), Chris Murray and Leif Norby.

Pre-concert …

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Young, stylish and completely virtuosic – it’s the 5 Browns, a family piano sensation fresh out of New York’s Juilliard music school and shaking up the classical music world. Three sisters and two brothers, each playing a Steinway grand, the 5 Browns have toured America and Europe to huge media acclaim, which you’d have seen if you were watching their PBS special on KBCT last night. And this Saturday night they’re playing the Pantages, courtesy of the Tacoma Philharmonic.

From a Mormon childhood in Utah to symphonic debuts at age 9 to being the first family simultaneously accepted …

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Animals on the walls at TAM

As well as an animal-themed concert, Tacoma Art Museum opens an animal-themed art exhibit tomorrow, “The Secret Language of Animals.” Opens 5:30-8 p.m. Jan. 23, then Sundays noon-5 p.m., Wed-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., third Thursdays 10 a.m.-8 p.m. through June 27. $9/$8/free for five and under and third Thursdays. 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. 253-272-4258, www.tacomaartmuseum.org

Teddy Bears’ Concert

Kids under seven will enjoy singing along with Lisa and Linda at “The Teddy Bears’ Musical Picnic,” a classical kids’ concert presented by Tacoma Philharmonic. Bring your own stuffed animal, too. 10 a.m. and …

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New York Chamber Soloists play “Water Music”

Appropriately enough for a rainy November, the New York Chamber Soloists are in town courtesy of Tacoma Philharmonic to play Handel’s “Water Music,” plus three Mozart works. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20. $32.50-$62.50. Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma. 253-591-5894, www.tacomaphilharmonic.org, www.broadwaycenter.org

MLKBallet does another Move!

Move! #15 features a stellar line-up, including MLKBallet with Vicci Martinez, Spectrum Dance, Barefoot Collective, Tacoma Dance Collective and Coriolis. Proceeds go to this downtown tuition-free ballet school. 7 p.m. Nov. 20, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 21. $12 advance/$15 at door. SOTA Theater, 1118 Commerce St., …

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Visit the “Haunted Theater” at Tacoma City Ballet

Dancers from TCB present haunted backstage tours and eight “eerie ballets” at the Merlino Building for Halloween. Treat bags given; suitable for all ages. 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30, 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. Oct. 31. $5 at door. 253-272-4219, www.tacomacityballet.com

 Kids’ concerts kick off with Tacoma Philharmonic

Finally, a classical music series for kids in Tacoma! Lisa and Linda of “Let Your Music Shine” will clap and sing symphonic classics with the under-eight set, with a costume contest also.10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., Oct. 31. $5. Theatre …

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Of all the instrument makers in history, none have attracted so much attention as Antonio Stradivari. This Saturday Tacomans will get a chance to see and hear not one but four instruments made by this iconic Italian craftsman three centuries ago when the Swiss Stradivari Quartet play the Pantages courtesy of Tacoma Philharmonic. The four musicians will tell the stories of the famous folk who owned their two violins, viola and cello (a la “The Red Violin”) as well as playing Schubert, Turina, Bartok and Brahms.

Says Philharmonic director Andy Wood: “After 300 years the …

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