Here’s a Nutcracker with a twist. The young production company, What if Works, will present a different take on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker featuring a string quartet, a special narrative with dance, and artwork by Miami-Dade County’s middle school students. The art will be projected on stage as part of the scenery.

Collective proceeds from the performances at different locales will go toward the Children’s Movement of Florida, the ROXY Performing Arts Center scholarships, and the Hurricane Sandy New York/New Jersey Relief Fund.

Devised and directed by Phillip M. Church, this one-act version of the holiday classic will introduce the newly formed WiW String Quartet in their debut performance under the musical direction of Amernet String Quartet Member Marcia Littley. Musical arrangements are by Carlo Martelli.

The musicians in the quartet are Kyle Meerbott of Coral Reef High School on cello, Meagan Slattery of the Florida International University School of Music on violin, Colin Lee of Westminster Christian High School on viola, and Jorge Vasquez of the FIU School of Music on violin.

“We are very excited about college and high school students working and creating together in a professional world,” Church said. “WiW will be developing more projects with young musicians in the near future.”

All performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. On Dec. 9 the event is at Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 De Soto Blvd. in Coral Gables. Cost is $10 and $5 for children under 12. On Dec. 13 it is at Roxy Performing Arts Center, 1645 SW 107th Ave. Cost is $10 for all. And on Dec. 14, the show is at Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 SW 57th Ave. The cost is $10 and $5 for children under 10. For more, call Church at 305-271-1073 or visit www.whatifworks.com.

GIVE MIAMI DAY

Want to help a cause but not sure how to do it? On Dec. 12, for 24 hours, the community of South Florida can join in the inaugural Give Miami Day, hosted by The Miami Foundation. More than 300 local organizations are already registered to participate.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami, South Florida Art Center and American Red Cross of Greater Miami & The Keys are just a few of the groups involved in the Give Miami Day. The Miami Foundation, with support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, is launching the event to help build a greater Miami through philanthropy.

During the 24-hour fundraiser members givers can search profiles for nonprofits across Miami-Dade at www.GiveMiamiDay.org. They can see the mission, work and impact of each organization. Every donation between $25 and $10,000 received on Dec. 12 through the website will be partially matched by The Miami Foundation.

“From social networks to the media, Miami is abuzz as residents and organizations spread the word about our inaugural Give Miami Day,” Javier Alberto Soto, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation, said in a release. “Our Give Miami site lets donors find and give to organizations doing the work they believe is best for Miami-Dade. It’s a new and easy way to support the causes most important to them.”

Donors can make charitable gifts to local nonprofits beginning at midnight on Dec. 12 and ending at midnight on Dec. 13.

"We’re excited by the prospect of new digital tools making it easier for residents to connect more deeply with nonprofits in the community," said Matt Haggman, program director/Miami at Knight Foundation. "By making it easier to donate online, we hope to merge people’s personal passions with needs in the greater Miami area."