Here is a round up of some of the many area holiday seasonal events in the weeks ahead. Multi-day holiday theatrical shows are listed in the "recurring" section. For a longer list of events, go to thegazz.com.
OPEN HOUSE: View the historic McFarland-Hubbard House (1836) dressed for the holidays in an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Located at 1310 Kanawha Blvd. East., the building is now home to the West Virginia Humanities Council. INFO: Call 346-8500 or visit www.wvhumanities.org.
DEC. 6
WOMANSONG: "Season of Dreams" holiday show by womanSong, showcasing Vivaldi's "Gloria" among other works. Music starts 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church United Methodist, corner of Quarrier and Morris streets. INFO: Free with donations of non-perishable food items for area food pantry. INFO: Call 744-4642.
"ZAT YOU, SANTA CLAUS?": Banu Gibson and the New Orleans Hot Jazz present "Zat You, Santa Claus?", a Charleston Community Music Association holiday show starting 8 p.m. at the Municipal Auditorium. INFO: By season subscription or individual tickets: $35 adults, $10 college students, $5 ages 18 and under. Call 744-1400 or visit www.cmawva.org.
CHRISTMAS PARADE: South Charleston's annual event begins at noon at F Street and 3rd Avenue after Santa arrives by helicopter, and proceeds down D Street. Donations of food for area panties welcome in collection boxes at Oakes Field. A Christmas party with refreshments, children's activities and pictures with Santa follows the parade at the LaBelle Theater, 311 D St. INFO: Call 746-5552.
KIDS STUFF: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St., features family holiday activities and crafts with refreshments. At noon, Santa Claus shares stories. (Parents and caregivers with cameras may take pictures of children with Santa after the program.), and at 2 p.m., Jill Oliver-Thornton of the Charleston Ballet Board of Directors reads the "Nutcracker" story. INFO: Call 343-4646 to register.
ST. ALBANS HOMES TOUR: Visit historical St. Albans homes and locations decorated for Christmas from 6 to 9 p.m. The tour includes five houses plus the C&O depot and caboose. INFO: No advance tickers will be sold - get them at the St. Albans Historical Society Building, 404 Fourth Ave., beginning at 6 p.m. Call 727-5972 or 357-2986.
DEC. 7
TEDDY BEAR TEA PARTY: Fundraiser for the West Virginia Symphony League and the Charleston Ballet from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall of Clay Center. Children experience a real tea party with sandwiches and sweets by Embassy Suites chefs, followed by teddy bear fashion show, the "Nutcracker Ballet" read by WSAZ newscaster Penny Moss and two costumed dances by the Charleston Ballet from its upcoming "Nutcracker" performance. INFO: Tickets $25 each. Must be purchased prior to Dec. 1. Call 342-6541. Teddy bears and holiday attire encouraged. Limited seating.
DEC. 9
HOLIDAY MUSIC: Enjoy refreshments and holiday music with pianist John Patrick from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Riverside Public Library, 1 Warrior Way Suite 104, Belle. INFO: Call 949-2400.
DEC. 11
"JOY TO THE WORLD": Annual holiday concert by jazz pianist Bob Thompson with guest vocalist Dwight Lenox, 8 p.m. at Cultural Center Theater, state Capitol Complex. INFO: Advance tickets $20.50 through www.musictoday.com or (800) 594-8499 (TIXX). Tickets at the door $25. NOTE: This show usually sells out well in advance.
MOSCOW BALLET: The world-renowned ballet performs its "Great Russian Nutcracker" at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Auditorium. INFO: Tickets $24 to $63.50. Call 342-5757 or visit ticketmaster.com. For more info, visit www.nutcracker.com.
CASTING CROWNS: The popular contemporary Christian band comes to the Civic Center to celebrate the holidays starting 7 p.m. The show also features Natalie Grant, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, Avalon, Michael English and pureNRG. INFO: Tickets $19.50-$73.50. Call 342-5757 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
DEC. 12
"LITTLE MATCHGIRL": JACDO Contemporary Dance Company presents the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale at 7:30 p.m. at the Cultural Center Theater, state Capitol Complex. INFO: Tickets $15 adult, $10 children. Call 345-5141.
KANAWHA VALLEY COMMUNITY BAND: The group's holiday show featuring secular, sacred and Christmas music, starting 7 p.m. at the LaBelle Theater, 311 D St., South Charleston. INFO: Donations appreciated. Call 746-5552.
KENNY G: Holiday concert with the Grammy Award-winning saxophonist at 7:30 p.m. at the WVU Creative Arts Center, Morgantown. INFO: Tickets $55 to $65. Call 342-5757 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
DEC. 13
SINGLES DANCE: SpeakEasy Singles hosts its annual Christmas dance from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Dunbar National Guard Armory with music by DJ Libby Jo of Electric 102.7. This alcohol-free event has an average attendance of 130 people ages 35-65. Also includes a game room. INFO: Members $8, non-members $10. Call 345-7810 or visit www.speakeasysingles.com.
DEC. 14
ICE SKATING: The Charleston Figure Skating Club performs "The Nutcracker on Ice" at 6 p.m. at the South Charleston Memorial Ice Arena (behind Target in Southridge). INFO: Tickets $8 adults, $4 seniors and children 11 and under. Call 744-4423.
DEC. 16
B.E. TAYLOR: The singer returns to town for his popular annual Christmas pop-rock concert at the Municipal Auditorium, starting 7:30 p.m. INFO: Tickets $22-$32. Call 342-5757 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
- COMPILED BY DOUGLAS IMBROGNO AND AMY ROBINSON
To suggest additions, e-mail g...@wvgazette.com.
Here is a round up of some of the many area holiday seasonal events in the weeks ahead. Multi-day holiday theatrical shows are listed in the "recurring" section. For a longer list of events, go to thegazz.com.
Recurring
"MARY": The Contemporary Youth Arts Company's annual holiday show tells the story of the nine months leading up to Jesus' birth through the eyes of his mother. Shows are 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Dec. 4-6 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday at the Capitol Center Theater, 123 Summers St. INFO: Tickets $9.50 adults, $5.50 students and seniors. Call 342-6522 or e-mail cyac2...@juno.com.
LIGHTS DISPLAY: Coonskin Park's winter lights display begins at dusk Friday. The show features hundreds of thousands of lights and dozens of displays, including a penguin village with five animated scenes. It runs from dusk to 10 p.m. nightly through Dec. 31. INFO: Free, with donations encouraged. Call 341-8000.
"BABES IN TOYLAND": A cast of 58 children bring to life the holiday show in a Children's Theater of Charleston production at the Civic Center Little Theater. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Dec. 4, 5 and 6, with a 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 6. INFO: Adults $10, seniors and students $8. Call 346-0164 or visit www.ctoc.org.
"JOYTACULAR": Holiday show by Charleston improv comedy troupe No Pants Players at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6, at LaBelle Theater, 311 D St., South Charleston. NOTE: Bring new clothing item (to be donated to Covenant House) to be entered into raffles for gifts by area businesses. INFO: Admission $6. Call 1-877-IMPROV9 or visit www.nopantsplayers.com.
"APPALACHIAN COAL TOWN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL": Events at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine include aboveground and underground light displays, marshmallow roasting, horse and buggy rides and music. INFO: Tickets $10 adults, $7.50 children. Call 256-1747, NOTE: The lights display will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday starting today and ending Dec. 20.
NATIVITY DISPLAY: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 839 Chestnut St. in South Charleston, opens its annual show featuring more than 500 nativities from around the world. Exhibit also includes "A Walk Through Bethlehem" and live music from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Hours are 6:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 5 and 7, 9-11 and 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6. INFO: Free. Call 343-6749. NOTE: This is a non-denominational event.
"THE SNOW QUEEN": River City Youth Ballet presents a production of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Snow Queen," with original choreography set to the music of Sergei Prokofiev, with cast of 50 young dancers. Show opens 7 p.m. Dec. 5, at the Cultural Center Theater, state Capitol Complex with 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 6 and a 7 p.m. performance at WVU Institute of Technology in Montgomery on Dec. 13. INFO: Admission $12 adults, $8 children. Call 925-3262 for reservations or visit www.rcyb.org.
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: The event at Craik-Patton House, 2809 Kanawha Blvd. E., includes refreshments and a display of antique teddy bears. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 7. INFO: Free. Call 925-5341.
"THE SANTALAND DIARIES": Scott Eubank reprises his role in this one-man comedy of elf employment by acclaimed satirist David Sedaris. Presented at 8 p.m. Dec. 11, 12, 13 by Charleston Stage Company at Capitol Center Theater, 123 Summers St. INFO: Adults $15, students and seniors $10. Call 343-5272 or visit www.charlestonstagecompany.com.
"A CHRISTMAS CAROL": A cast of nearly 50 local actors stages the Charles Dickens classic. Presented by the Kanawha Players at the Civic Center Little Theater at 8 p.m., Dec. 12, 13 and 19 and 20. INFO: Adults $16, children 18 and under $10. Call 343-PLAY or visit www.kanawhaplayers.org.
WEST VIRGINIA SYMPHONY: The symphony teams with the Appalachian Children's Chorus and Parkersburg Community Chorus for "Home for the Holidays" featuring seasonal favorites. Starting 8 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13 at Clay Center. INFO: Tickets $5 to $51. Call 561-3570 or visit www.wvsymphony.org.
"THE NUTCRACKER": A performance of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" by the combined forces of the West Virginia Symphony and Charleston Ballet at the Clay Center at 7:30 p.m. Dec.19 and 20, with 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 20. INFO: Tickets $11.50 to $53.50. Call 561-3570 or visit www.wvsymphony
.org.
Day-by-day schedule
FRIDAY
HOLLY DAY: Family Fun Day activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clay Center, including reindeer hat craft (all day), ornament making ($2 per ornament, noon to 4 p.m.), story time (11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.), science demonstrations (1, 2 and 3 p.m.) and visits with Santa (noon, 2 and 4 p.m.). INFO: Adults $7, children $5.50. Call 561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org.
SATURDAY
HILLBREED BENEFIT SHOW: The show starts 6 p.m. at Sissonville High School and features Brenda Good, Once Blue, Hogan's Goat, The Earl of Elkview and The Hillbreed. INFO: Donations are accepted to benefit needy children in the area. Call 988-3629.
MONDAY
TREE LIGHTING: The annual "Joyful Night" celebration at the state Capitol Complex begins at 6 p.m. It features the lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree by Gov. and First Lady Manchin, a color guard ceremony by the 130th Air National Guard and performances by the Appalachian Children's Chorus, Martin Luther King Jr. Male Chorus, Covenant School Chorus, Doddridge County Elementary School Chorus, Mountainaires Barbershop Chorus, John Marshall Fife and Drum Corps, Winfield show choir, St. Albans jazz band, First Presbyterian Church bell choir, Vocal Tapestry Madrigal Singers, RM Dance Productions' jazz "Nutcracker" and the Cabell Midland and Hampshier County marching bands. Info: Free. Guests are encouraged to bring new toys for the Toys for Tots bin in the Rotunda. Call 558-0220.
DEC. 5
CHARLESTON CHRISTMAS PARADE: The parade steps off at 7 p.m. at the old Farmer's Market. The route runs east on Virginia Street from Court to Capitol Street, north on Capitol to Washington Street and across Washington back to the Farmer's Market. INFO: Free. Call 345-1500, ext. 220.
APPALACHIAN CHILDREN'S CHORUS: Appalachian Children's Chorus' "Holiday with Friends Concert," featuring all six ACC Choirs, the Martin Luther King Jr. Male Chorus and Randall Reid-Smith. The Kanawha Valley Ringers perform a prelude concert. Show starts 7:30 p.m. at the Clay Center. INFO: Tickets $12 at theclaycenter.org or call 561-3570. For more info, visit www.wvacc.org.
MOUNTAIN LAUREL ENSEMBLE: The vocal/instrumental ensemble presents the Christmas concert "Angels and Sugar Plum Fairies," featuring "Ave Maria," "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" and more. Starting at 7:30 p.m. at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 36 Norwood Road. INFO: Free, with donation of non-perishable food item. Call 550-1582 or visit www.mountainlaurelensemble.com.
TREE LIGHTING: Mayor Frank Mullens and Santa light the South Charleston Christmas tree at 5:30 p.m. at the Mound. The South Charleston High School band provides music, and there will be refreshments. INFO: Call 746-5552.
CHRISTIAN SINGLES DANCE: SoLife, a local Christian singles group, will hold a Christmas dance at 7 p.m. at Elizabeth Memorial United Methodist Church, 108 Oakwood Road. There will be music by singer/DJ Andy Colagrosso, door prizes and refreshments. Wear holiday attire. INFO: Admission $10. Visit www.solife.org.
OPEN HOUSE: View the historic McFarland-Hubbard House (1836) dressed for the holidays in an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Located at 1310 Kanawha Blvd. East., the building is now home to the West Virginia Humanities Council. INFO: Call 346-8500 or visit www.wvhumanities.org.
DEC. 6
WOMANSONG: "Season of Dreams" holiday show by womanSong, showcasing Vivaldi's "Gloria" among other works. Music starts 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church United Methodist, corner of Quarrier and Morris streets. INFO: Free with donations of non-perishable food items for area food pantry. INFO: Call 744-4642.
"ZAT YOU, SANTA CLAUS?": Banu Gibson and the New Orleans Hot Jazz present "Zat You, Santa Claus?", a Charleston Community Music Association holiday show starting 8 p.m. at the Municipal Auditorium. INFO: By season subscription or individual tickets: $35 adults, $10 college students, $5 ages 18 and under. Call 744-1400 or visit www.cmawva.org.
CHRISTMAS PARADE: South Charleston's annual event begins at noon at F Street and 3rd Avenue after Santa arrives by helicopter, and proceeds down D Street. Donations of food for area panties welcome in collection boxes at Oakes Field. A Christmas party with refreshments, children's activities and pictures with Santa follows the parade at the LaBelle Theater, 311 D St. INFO: Call 746-5552.
KIDS STUFF: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St., features family holiday activities and crafts with refreshments. At noon, Santa Claus shares stories. (Parents and caregivers with cameras may take pictures of children with Santa after the program.), and at 2 p.m., Jill Oliver-Thornton of the Charleston Ballet Board of Directors reads the "Nutcracker" story. INFO: Call 343-4646 to register.
ST. ALBANS HOMES TOUR: Visit historical St. Albans homes and locations decorated for Christmas from 6 to 9 p.m. The tour includes five houses plus the C&O depot and caboose. INFO: No advance tickers will be sold - get them at the St. Albans Historical Society Building, 404 Fourth Ave., beginning at 6 p.m. Call 727-5972 or 357-2986.
DEC. 7
TEDDY BEAR TEA PARTY: Fundraiser for the West Virginia Symphony League and the Charleston Ballet from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall of Clay Center. Children experience a real tea party with sandwiches and sweets by Embassy Suites chefs, followed by teddy bear fashion show, the "Nutcracker Ballet" read by WSAZ newscaster Penny Moss and two costumed dances by the Charleston Ballet from its upcoming "Nutcracker" performance. INFO: Tickets $25 each. Must be purchased prior to Dec. 1. Call 342-6541. Teddy bears and holiday attire encouraged. Limited seating.
DEC. 9
HOLIDAY MUSIC: Enjoy refreshments and holiday music with pianist John Patrick from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Riverside Public Library, 1 Warrior Way Suite 104, Belle. INFO: Call 949-2400.
DEC. 11
"JOY TO THE WORLD": Annual holiday concert by jazz pianist Bob Thompson with guest vocalist Dwight Lenox, 8 p.m. at Cultural Center Theater, state Capitol Complex. INFO: Advance tickets $20.50 through www.musictoday.com or (800) 594-8499 (TIXX). Tickets at the door $25. NOTE: This show usually sells out well in advance.
MOSCOW BALLET: The world-renowned ballet performs its "Great Russian Nutcracker" at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Auditorium. INFO: Tickets $24 to $63.50. Call 342-5757 or visit ticketmaster.com. For more info, visit www.nutcracker.com.
CASTING CROWNS: The popular contemporary Christian band comes to the Civic Center to celebrate the holidays starting 7 p.m. The show also features Natalie Grant, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, Avalon, Michael English and pureNRG. INFO: Tickets $19.50-$73.50. Call 342-5757 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
DEC. 12
"LITTLE MATCHGIRL": JACDO Contemporary Dance Company presents the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale at 7:30 p.m. at the Cultural Center Theater, state Capitol Complex. INFO: Tickets $15 adult, $10 children. Call 345-5141.
KANAWHA VALLEY COMMUNITY BAND: The group's holiday show featuring secular, sacred and Christmas music, starting 7 p.m. at the LaBelle Theater, 311 D St., South Charleston. INFO: Donations appreciated. Call 746-5552.
KENNY G: Holiday concert with the Grammy Award-winning saxophonist at 7:30 p.m. at the WVU Creative Arts Center, Morgantown. INFO: Tickets $55 to $65. Call 342-5757 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
DEC. 13
SINGLES DANCE: SpeakEasy Singles hosts its annual Christmas dance from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Dunbar National Guard Armory with music by DJ Libby Jo of Electric 102.7. This alcohol-free event has an average attendance of 130 people ages 35-65. Also includes a game room. INFO: Members $8, non-members $10. Call 345-7810 or visit www.speakeasysingles.com.
DEC. 14
ICE SKATING: The Charleston Figure Skating Club performs "The Nutcracker on Ice" at 6 p.m. at the South Charleston Memorial Ice Arena (behind Target in Southridge). INFO: Tickets $8 adults, $4 seniors and children 11 and under. Call 744-4423.
DEC. 16
B.E. TAYLOR: The singer returns to town for his popular annual Christmas pop-rock concert at the Municipal Auditorium, starting 7:30 p.m. INFO: Tickets $22-$32. Call 342-5757 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
- COMPILED BY DOUGLAS IMBROGNO AND AMY ROBINSON
To suggest additions, e-mail g...@wvgazette.com.
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