PERFORMANCES SET THE STAGE FOR DECEMBER.

Byline: Fred Shuster Daily News Music Writer

You're tired of sitting there watching the Jell-O jiggle.

Yes, we know you've got a computerized breadmaker, indoor electronic putting green, 200-channel TV and Nintendo galore. Still, there's really no reason to stay home throughout the holiday season yet again.

This is the time to get out there, grit your teeth and soak up some culture. There's a holidaze of top attractions in the theaters, clubs, galleries and concert halls from now until the end of the year.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic, for example, offers a varied list of symphonic programs while the Los Angeles Opera has ``Countess Maritza,'' a lavish production with dance numbers from a bygone era.

In the clubs, lounge icon Joey Altruda holds forth, while Dwight Yoakam, that local yokel who landed a much-lauded tough-guy role in ``Sling Blade'' last year, hosts his annual charity bash.

The bigger rock venues offer the long-awaited return engagements of Bjork and Portishead. And rock legend Bob Dylan, hot with his new, critically acclaimed album, hits the El Rey for five dates in mid-December.

In the theaters, the biggies this season continue to be ``Ragtime,'' ``Phantom of the Opera,'' ``Rent'' and ``Dreamgirls.''

And, of course, don't forget the unveiling of the Getty Center after a dozen years of planning, building and acquiring.

Here's a selection of seasonal picks.

Classical

L.A. Opera presents ``Countess Maritza,'' Nov. 29 (matinee), Dec. 2, 5 and 7. Emmerich Kalman's operetta tells the tale of a wealthy countess (soprano Ashley Putnam) who keeps a secret in order to avoid marriage as suitors get in line. The production features a mix of Viennese waltzes and Hungarian folk melodies; Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Call for times and prices: [phone].

L.A. Philharmonic presents ``Andre Watts Plays Schubert,'' Dec. 1, with the great pianist in a Schubert-only recital that includes the ``Impromptu'' in C minor; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Tickets: $30 to $60. Info: [phone].

Music at the Museum: Members of the L.A. Philharmonic and L.A. Chamber Orchestra (the Xtet) perform works by Igor Stravinsky and Toru Takemitsu on Dec. 1; Romanian violinist Irina Muresanu offers pieces by George Enescu, Arnold Schoenberg and others on Dec. 10; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Call for times and prices: [phone].

Tango Apasionado featuring Yo-Yo Ma, Dec. 5. The cellist recently released an album of his interpretations of tango composer Astor Piazzolla's works, and he performs those pieces in concert at the Wiltern Theatre, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets: $47 to $55. Info: [phone].

L.A. Philharmonic presents ``A Winter Celebration,'' Dec. 13, an orchestral holiday evening featuring the Los Angeles Children's Chorus in works by Vivaldi, Mozart and Rimsky-Korsakov; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Call for times and prices: [phone].

L.A. Philharmonic presents ``20th-Century Classics,'' Dec. 16 with a program of Prokofiev, Villa-Lobos and Bartok; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Call for times and prices: [phone].

Dance

Los Angeles Classical Ballet presents ``The Nutcracker,'' Tchaikovsky's beloved seasonal fairy tale, in 11 performances only, Dec. 12-24. Andrei Ivanov will dance the role of the Nutcracker Prince in the company's 14th annual production under artistic director David Wilcox. Long Beach Terrace Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. For performance times and dates, call [phone].

Pop and jazz

Juliana Hatfield, Dec. 3, ``Please Do Not Disturb,'' Boston rocker Hatfield's new EP, contains a track called ``Trying Not to Think About It,'' about the drowning death of her friend, Jeff Buckley; Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. Call for times and prices: [phone].

Joey Altruda, Dec. 6. The lounge-core star plus his band, Cocktails with Joey, perform in the perfect environment - Atlas Bar & Grill, 3760 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. Call for times and prices: [phone].

Michael Brecker Quartet, Dec. 7. The seven-time Grammy-winning tenor saxophonist has recorded with Horace Silver, Pat Metheny, McCoy Tyner, Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette in the past year. Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Tickets: $25 to $35. Info: [phone].

Bjork, Dec. 8. The eclectic Icelandic dance-pop star adds electronics to her presentation at the Shrine Auditorium, 665 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles. Call for times and prices: [phone].

John Hiatt and the Nashville Queens, Dec. 12. Nashville's most literate singer-songwriter presents an evening of oldies and new material. Bring the family; El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Call for times and prices: [phone].

Bob Dylan & His Band, Dec. 16-20. Still relevant after all these years, Dylan has been getting raves for his new album and this tour. El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Doors open at 7 p.m.; shows start at 8 p.m. Call [phone].

Portishead, Dec. 18. This icy British trip-hop collective's self-titled album was one of the year's most compelling releases; Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Call [phone].

Dwight Yoakam, Dec. 21. The country star's annual benefit concert for the L.A. Mission was originally slated for a month earlier. It will also be Yoakam's first live show all year. Audience members are asked to donate new blankets for the homeless, which will be collected at the door; Billboard Live, 9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Call [phone].

Theater

``Ragtime,'' Tuesdays through Sundays. Even at three hours in length, this epic of turn-of-the-century America, based on E.L. Doctorow's novel, commands attention; Shubert Theatre, 2020 Avenue of the Stars, Century City. Tickets: $35 to $75. Call [phone].

``Phantom of the Opera,'' Tuesdays through Sundays. Andrew Lloyd Webber's blockbuster is back; Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Tickets: $17 to $72. Call [phone].

``Rent,'' Nov. 29 plus Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28. Award-winning musical about young New Yorkers in the age of AIDS; Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Call [phone].

``Dreamgirls,'' Dec. 2 through 21. On tour prior to moving to Broadway; Wilshire Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. Call for times and prices: [phone].

``Peter and Wendy,'' Tuesdays through Sundays. New York City's acclaimed experimental theater company Mabou Mines adapts J.M. Barrie's classic children's story about the boy who can fly. Actress Karen Kandel, aided by a troupe of puppeteers, portays all the characters, from Wendy to Captain Hook; Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Call [phone].

Art

The Getty Center opens Dec. 16. Be among the first to see the city's newest cultural attraction; free admission; great hilltop views. Parking reservations: [phone].

``Mexican Masterpieces,'' an exhibition of more than 90 recently acquired works by Mexican modern masters Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Frida Kahlo, Carlos Merida, Jose Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, open every day but Wednesday, 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Call [phone].

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

Photo: (1) Performances of ``Peter and Wendy,'' adapted from J.M. Barrie's classic ``Peter Pan'' tale, continue Tuesdays through Sundays at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood.

(2) Britain's Portishead stops Dec. 18 at the Hollywood Palladium.

(3) Singer Juliana Hatfield performs Dec. 3 at the Troubadour.