Must catch events this weekend

Look at colaba in a new lightTickets Rs 200, Rs 300 and Rs 500There's a nip in the air and though Christmas is still over two weeks away, carol singers are already spreading joy through their music. The Festival of Festive Music that takes place at NCPA has become a fixture on the city's social calendar. Now in its 27th year, the fest brings together the best of Christmas choral music, with selected choirs from Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai singing in a range of languages including Polish and Spanish.The line-up this year includes the choir from Happy Home and School for the Blind as well as Muktangan Children's Choir. The grand finale on both the days will witness a performance by the popular Stop-Gaps Choral Ensemble. Their animated performances add in that extra bit of razzmatazz in the ringing of Christmas cheer. What we love about this annual extravaganza is that they invite the audiences to sing along with them. Sepia tinted India, on display From December 11 to 16, 11 am to 5 pm and December 17, 11 am to 4 pm.Where Hornbill House, Bombay Natural History Society, opposite Lion Gate, ColabaIf you fancy burying yourself under tomes of dusty maps, rare books and memorabilia from bygone eras in your free time, we suggest you head to the 8th Exhibition of Rare and Precious Books, organised by the BNHS at the Hornbill House. Browse through 100 titles, most of which are between 100 to 200 years old. Be it Indian history, history of Gujarat and the Marathas or of Mumbai, you are bound to find a treasure trove of fascinating facts and maps. There are books on the Himalayan regions including Kashmir, Tibet and Sikkim. This apart, you can sift through books on the British Raj and India's princely states. One of the star attractions will be lithographs from John Gould's books including Birds of Asia and Game Birds of India by Allen Hume and Marshall (volumes 1-3, written from 1873-99). The books are from BNHS Library and also from private collections. Slip back in time as you marvel at rare photos and paintings from these books to give you a glimpse of those times, the occupation of people, the wildlife and the monuments that still stand today in all their glory. The exhibition has been organised by Dr Ashok Kothari (BNHS Honorary Secretary, editor of three books on wildlife) and Rotary Club of Bombay Seacoast. Go easy on your tortured soulOn Today, 10.30 pm and Tomorrow from 10 pm Where Blue Frog, Mathuradas Mills Compound, NM Joshi Marg, Lower Parel.Call 40332300Entry Rs 700Live House music group Tortured Soul will perform at one of the hippest nightclubs in the city that celebrates turning three tonight. The New York-based band blends elements of soul with modern pop, disco and American R&B to create a sound reminiscent of nu jazz. Fans will find similarities to the music of British jazz funk band Jamiroquai and French artiste St Germain.The band has played in Singapore, Malaysia, and at The Big Chill and Homelands in the UK. The group kicks in the Frog's third birthday celebrations with their up-tempo sound, guaranteed to get more than a few feet tapping. Let there not be lightOn Saturday, 7.30 pm to 8.30 pmWhere All over the city.Call 9909979809log on to www.facebook.com/battibandhWill your beloved care for a candlelit dinner this weekend? Yes, we are suggesting you get cozy in the dark, but for a larger cause. To help save the planet, one bulb at a time.Batti Bandh, the desi version of Earth Hour, urges you to unplug all electrical equipments and switch off all lights for an hour tomorrow. Go out for a walk, switch off the telly and do some real conversing with your parents, meet a friend at a nearby park -- there's a lot that can be done even if the city is plunged into darkness.The guys behind this venture have gone beyond their usual focus and organised other events to keep you entertained during the dark hour. Be part of a human chain from 5.30 pm to 7 pm today at the Marine Drive promenade. This is accompanied by canvas painting where you can pour out your ideas on what can be done for the environment. Tomorrow, Batti Bandh joins The Akanksha Foundation for a street play, canvas painting and games (Maya Nagar in Worli), wall painting in candle light (Cuffe Parade) and wall painting, green walk and an awareness drive (Mankhurd), all taking place between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm. If you are a pedal pusher, be part of a cyclathon from Juhu beach to Marine Drive (starts off at 6.45 pm tomorrow -- you can join in from any point). Snack shack Candies will see live gigs. And for those who wonder how can one person make a difference, Batti Bandh's Facebook page urges you to imagine what could happen if a billion voices echo the same cause. Look at colaba in a new lightOn Sunday, 10 am to 12 noonWhere Colaba.register Alliance Fran aise De Bombay, Theosophy Hall, New Marine Lines.Call 22035993Did you know that the word 'Colaba' comes from 'Kholabhat', a word in the Koli language spoken by the original inhabitants of Bombay? Interesting nuggets of the southernmost part of our city will come alive this weekend, through a guided tour organised by the Alliance Fran aise de Bombay. From the Holy Name Cathedral to Cuffe Parade, walk and hear about the stories of one of the oldest parts of original Mumbai -- Colaba. Don't forget to call and register -- the group size will not exceed 25 and seats are being booked pretty fast.