Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Imagine if Queensrÿche were to perform something called “Operation: Nütcracker” and you’re in the ballpark of what the Trans-Siberian Orchestra might have to offer. Since 1996, Paul O’Neill, Robert Kinkel and ex-Savatage vocalist (we just had to mention that) Jon Oliva have been slicing, dicing and mostly shredding traditional holiday music to create their unique spin on the seasonal standards. By pairing heavy-metal guitars and drums with full orchestration, the TSO have sold millions of albums and become something of a seasonal standard in their own right. It’s definitely not your mother’s Christmas music, but it might appeal to your mullet-haired, Camaro-driving older brother.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra will bring some holiday cheer—along with smoke machines and firepots, we expect—to the Pepsi Arena tonight (Thursday, Dec. 23). Tickets for the 7:30 PM performance range from $30 to $50. For more information, contact the box office at 487-2000.

Junior Museum

It’s time for the grand reopening of the Junior Museum at its new location in the Rensselaer Technology Park. After a four-month-long hiatus, the museum is ready to go and will be hosting a special Sneak Peek Week. The main features of the old location will be up and running, including the Lally Planetarium, GE Animal Nursery and Hudson River Interpretive Exhibit. As before, the layout is designed to emphasize the hands-on nature of the museum.

Sneak Peak Week at the Junior Museum (250 Jordan Road, Rensselaer) begins Monday (Dec. 27) and continues through Jan. 2 (closed Jan. 1). For more information, call 235-2120, or visit www.juniormuseum.org.

G.I. Joe: America’s First Action Hero

We remember running home from school to catch G.I. Joe (the cartoon) every afternoon from, like, 1984 to sometime around last summer, but as it turns out, our man Joe actually celebrated his 40th anniversary in 2004. Oh, how time flies.

G.I. Joe (the action figure) has gone through many stages and faces—from foot-tall U.S-military-themed dolls (people lost interest around the same time as that whole flower-power thing was kicking into high gear) to the code-named special-forces types that inspired the cartoon series (the “Real American Hero” team we’ve come to know and love). Several hundred figures and accessories from various stages of Joe’s development are now on display at the New York State Military Museum. We’re not sure if Cobra will be on hand, but we’re certain that if they are, Joe will be there to foil their dastardly plot. Yo Joe!

G.I. Joe: America’s First Action Hero will be on display at the New York State Military Museum (61 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs) through March 2005. For hours, or for more information on the exhibit, contact the museum at 581-5100. Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.