When this time of year rolls around, there’s a different feel to the entertainment world.
It seems like every performance, concert and film is geared toward Christmas, snow and some good old holiday spirit. So with this being the “gets ready for the holidays” issue, we figured why not see what the local spots for entertainment had in store for the next few weeks.
We know you’re going to be busy, so we decided to stretch out our time frame a bit so you have plenty of time to plan your schedule.
You’re welcome.
The AudiLast weekend, the Friends of the Audi decorated the place for the season and on Sunday, the annual holiday open house will help usher in the holidays.
The community is invited to share some holiday greetings at a true pot luck, featuring the “famous Audi punch.” Sounds fancy.
The Concord Vocal Octet will provide the entertainment.
The Audi will host two performances of The Nutcracker. On Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. the Turning Pointe Center of Dance (Pembroke) presents its 36th annual performance. On Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. the New Hampshire School of Ballet (Hooksett) presents its full production of the classic ballet.
And finally, Symphony N.H. returns to fill the Audi with the sounds of the season with a Holiday Pops Concert on Dec. 11 at 3 p.m.
Hatbox Theatre
A Christmas Carol is a classic holiday performance and Hatbox Theatre has weekend performances each week through Dec. 18.
In this original adaptation, the Charles Dickens’ classic has a slight twist. Taking Scrooge’s statement, “You may be an undigested bit of beef . . .” – a line in the original story – at face value, the show is crafted from the perspective that this may, indeed, be all a bad dream that ultimately leads to redemption.
Audience members, too, will wonder if they are dreaming when they are immersed in sound, lights and effects that bring out some eerier aspects of Scrooge’s fateful night.
Audiences looking for a traditional A Christmas Carol will be pleased with period costuming, accents and settings reflecting the Victorian roots of the story, but will also be delighted by the new experience from a story they thought they knew.
Shows are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $16.50 or $13.50 for members, seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased at hatboxnh.com and by calling 715- 2315.
Cap CenterThe Twelve Days of Christmas will be performed Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2 p.m., and features more than 100 talented performers from across New Hampshire, and includes students of Eastern Ballet Institute, Concord Community Music School’s Purple Finches Children’s Chorus, live musicians and aerial dance artists.
Complementing the vivid choreography and costumes will be a spectacular 18-foot, light-up pear tree with a dancing partridge in her nest, as well as everyone’s favorite holiday tunes.
Tickets are $17.50, and $13.50 for students, seniors and members.
On Dec. 18 at 4 p.m., the full Capital Jazz Orchestra will take the stage to ring in the holiday season, along with special guests. They’ll perform The Christmas Song, Let It Snow, Jingle Bells and Sleigh Ride. There will be a rendition of The Night Before Christmas, and the festivities also include a traditional sing-along to put the entire family into a holiday spirit. Tickets are $20 to 45.
St. Paul’s SchoolIn the spirit of the holiday season, the St. Paul’s School Ballet Company will present The Nutcracker: Act II. Performances are scheduled for Dec. 9-10, at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. in Memorial Hall.
This abridged version of The Nutcracker is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Each show will last approximately one hour and all ages are welcome.
Although not required for admission, performance goers can bring toy donations for holiday distribution to local children through Concord charitable organizations. Donated toys should not exceed $25 in value and should be unwrapped.
Music SchoolMake your holiday season merry and bright with an evening of holiday music and folk favorites on Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Concord Community Music School.
Folk duo Susie Burke and David Surette will join with Kent Allyn for an uplifting night of musical entertainment. The concert will take place in the music school’s Recital Hall.
The concert will feature a number of selections from the musicians’ holiday CD release, “Wonderland,” along with folk and acoustic fare from their standard repertoire.
Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. For more info, call 228-1196 or visit ccmusicschool.org.
Insider staff
