In September, jazz singer CURTIS STIGERS got the chance to front his hometown symphony orchestra with maestro Robert Franz. Stigers performed with the Boise Philharmonic at its inaugural outdoor pops series. His next local gig is the “Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza,” Stigers’ annual benefit variety show. It features performances by some of the best musicians in town. This year’s efforts will again benefit the Interfaith Sanctuary Housing Services. The show is 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17. Tickets are $30 at EgyptianTheatre.net and CurtisStigers.com.

Writer ALAN HEATHCOCK received a Whiting Foundation Grant in October. The award is given to “writers of exceptional talent and promise in their early career.” Heathcock was one of two Idaho writers to be honored at the ceremony. Playwright Sam Hunter, who grew up in Moscow, also received one of the $50,000 awards.

The TREY MCINTYRE PROJECT unveiled the culmination of its DanceMotionUSA tour of Asia with a new ballet, “The Unkindness of Ravens,” that featured three dancers from the Korean National Contemporary Dance Company. They did a world-premiere preview in Boise. The official world premiere was at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Nov. 16.

Writer TONY DOERR is finishing his next novel. “I have been working 12-hour days,” Doerr says, “and my eyes are starting to seep out of my head.” Doerr’s travel article about his trip to the remote Waimanu Valley on Hawaii’s Big Island is in this month’s issue of Conde Nast Traveler.

MICHAEL HOFFMAN was in London last week for the premiere of his film “Gambit,” which due out in the U.S. in 2013.

IDAHO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL early-bird season tickets go on sale Nov. 22 at IdahoShakespeare.org through December. Early-bird packages run $95 to $155 general; $45 to $60 for students.

Singer and songwriter EILEN JEWELL, who made a name for herself in the indie folk/rock world while living in Boston, is back in her hometown. She and her husband, drummer Jason Beek, will run the band from Boise. Earlier this month, the band performed their side project, Butcher Holler, a Loretta Lynn tribute, at Pengilly’s Saloon, and they also will perform May 4 as part of Boise Contemporary Theater’s music series. Tickets are $20 at BCTheater.org.