jFiddle-playing Americana artist Carrie Rodriguez returns to one of her favorite rooms — the

jFiddle-playing Americana artist Carrie Rodriguez returns to one of her favorite rooms — the Kent Stage — at 8 p.m. tonight. Rodriguez was named Folk Songwriter of the Year by the Roots Music Association (listen at myspace.com/carrielrodriguez). Opening the show is the equally memorable Kaiser Cartel. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. For more information, go to kentstage.org

or call (330) 672-8012. The next tour stop is Friday night at Club Cafe in Pittsburgh, but that show is sold out.

Greek-American funnyman Basile is big in these parts. He makes a return visit to the Funny Farm — his second this year — this weekend. Shows are 8 p.m. tonight, and 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Funny Farm is at 5580 Youngstown-Warren Road in Niles. Call (330) 652-4242.

Kent-Trumbull Theater presents “Little House Christmas” at 7 p.m. (additional shows at 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, photo below). The theater is at 4314 Mahoning Ave. N.W. in Champion, on the campus. Call (330) 675-8887.

“A Sanders Family Christmas” opens at 8 p.m. at Salem Community Theater, 490 E. State St., Salem (additional shows are at 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday). Call (330) 332-9688.

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” continues this weekend at New Castle Playhouse (showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday), 202 E. Long Ave., New Castle, Pa. Call (724) 654-3437.

“Finding Columbiana’s Christmas” is a new holiday-themed musical written by local jazz artist Jim Couchenour. It makes its premiere at 8 p.m. Friday at Main Street Theater, 5 N. Main St., Columbiana. Call (330) 482-9647.

Youngstown kicks off the holiday season at 4:30 p.m. with the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree on Central Square, downtown. It will also be a chance to start thinking about First Night Youngstown, the family-friendly celebration of the arts on New Years Eve. Acts who are scheduled to perform will give a taste of their talent. And if that isn’t enough — there will be hot chocolate!

The Butler Institute of American Art’s annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Fine quality, one-of-a-kind art is offered in this popular event. The Butler is at 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown. Call (330) 743-1107.

Celtic music-inspired sibling act Leahy joins the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra in a holiday pops concert at 8 p.m. at Powers Auditorium, 260 W. Federal St., Youngstown.

The McDonough Museum of Art, 525 Wick Ave. (that’s across the street from the Butler), is also having its annual holiday fine arts and crafts sale. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Call (330) 941-1400.

To the best of our knowledge, Debby Boone (“You Light Up My Life”) and rock band Hinder have never been on the same stage together. That won’t be happening any time soon, either. But both will be in Youngstown in the same week, when Boone comes to Stambaugh Auditorium Dec. 14 and Hinder comes to the Wedge in Austintown Dec. 18. Ticket info: Debby Boone, (330) 743-2717; Hinder, surfthevalley.com, the Wedge box office and Chili’s in Boardman.