Lots of holiday events
Cherokee chorus celebrates the holidays
The Cherokee Community Chorus will present a Christmas Cantata “O Holy Night” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center on the Cherokee School campus.
The Community Chorus is under the direction of J. Gilbert and piano accompanist is Sharon Bradley. The 30-member chorus is comprised of community members from around the Cherokee area. All churches, the public, family and friends are welcome to attend.
Free.
828.497.5350 or 828.497.3671.
‘Night Before Christmas’ rolls into Waynesville
“A Night Before Christmas” will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, on Main Street in downtown. Hundreds of luminaries line the sidewalks. Enjoy carolers, live music, Santa, storytelling, and old fashioned wagon rides. Stroll through the Tour of Bethlehem with a live nativity and bustling first century marketplace.
Beverly-Hanks Real Estate will have Song Spinners at 6 p.m., Signature Winds at 7 p.m. and hand bells by the First Methodist First Ringers at 8 p.m. The Jingle Bell Bash Christmas Carol Sing-a-long will be at 7 p.m. at The Classic Wine Seller. Betina Morgan will be singing and playing her harp at the Burr Studio. The Strand at 38 Main will host holiday music with Sax Wassail at 6 p.m. and Brass Reflections at 7 p.m. MusicWorks will be in the Town Hall.
Guitarist Mike Pilgrim will perform at Twigs & Leaves Gallery. Land of the Sky barbershop quartet will be at Affairs of the Heart. Singer/songwriter Ginny McAfee will perform at Earthworks Gallery. The Junaluska Music Studio students will be at Adorabella. Holiday refreshments will be offered at Ellie May’s, The Jeweler’s Workshop, Sunburst Market, Mast General Store and Ye Olde Brick House. Face painting will be at the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority.
Lights & Luminaries returns to Dillsboro
The Festival of Lights & Luminaries will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 13-14 in downtown Dillsboro.
With more than 2,500 candles in white bags lining the streets, Dillsboro will create a winter wonderland at the corner of Front and Webster streets. In addition, the town’s merchant “elves” trim their buildings, many of which date to the late 1800s, in traditional white lights. Shopkeepers also stay open late and serve coffee, warm cider, hot chocolate and homemade goodies to visitors. There will be sing-a-longs throughout town, horse-and-carriage rides, plus Santa and Mrs. Claus setting up shop in Town Hall.
On Friday, Oak’s Gallery will have Pick & Play Dulcimer Group and George Frizzell will talk about C.J. Harris & Jackson County in the late 1880s and early 1900s at the C.J. Parlor. Bradley the Talking Bear will be at Bradley’s General Store; Melissa & Willy will play at Country Traditions; Nancy Tut’s Christmas Shop will host Larry Hasket Greenery & Tree Wreaths along with Carmela Brooks & Chrystal Deitz.
On Saturday, Marshall Ballew will be at Riverwood Pottery; organists Urs V. Tolotti will be at Mountain Tunnel Crafts; Bradley the Talking Bear will be at Bradley’s General Store; Courtyard Christmas carol entertainment will be provided by guitarist John Morgan. Tut’s will again host Hasket, with Brooks & Deitz.
Free, with parking and shuttle transportation available at Monteith Park.
Bryson production celebrates the season
“The Christmas Shoes” stage production will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12-13 and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre in Bryson City.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.488.8227.
Holiday toy making in Bryson
Appalachian toymaker and storyteller Tim Hall will be demonstrating his craft at The Storytelling Center across from the Train Depot in Bryson City.
Toy making will take place at 11 a.m. Dec. 4-7, Dec. 10-12, 1 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20, and at 2 p.m. Dec. 14-19 and 21-24. As well, the center is also putting up their “Children’s Tree.” Each time a child comes into the center, they make a paper ring to place on the tree. Hall has collected over 2,700 rings, which will be strewn around the tree. All names and rings will be noted online at their Facebook page (search: The Storytelling Center of the Southern Appalachians in Bryson City).
828.488.5705 or www.greatsmokies.com.
Civic orchestra holiday show in Sylva
The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra will hold its 4th annual Community Christmas Concert on Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.
There will be an open house at 5 p.m. hosted by the Jackson County Genealogical Society, the Jackson County Historical Association and the Jackson County Arts Council. The musical celebration will begin with caroling on the library steps, led by Gayle Woody. The group Brassoon will play Christmas music from the balcony. The Civic Orchestra concert will start at 7 p.m. with a baroque Christmas Concerto, “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven, and seasonal favorites. Everyone will be invited to join in the jingling of bells and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
The orchestra is supported in part by a Grassroots Grant from the Jackson County Arts Council, with funding from the North Carolina Arts Council. The event is sponsored by the Jackson County Library, Jackson County Arts Council and Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.
Free.
www.fontanalib.org or 828.586.2016.
Christmas in Appalachia
Bryson City
• The Nanta Claus Christmas Children’s Benefit will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Nantahala Brewing. Attendees asked to bring toy donations. Several holiday craft beers to be on tap and worst sweater contest. Free. www.nantahalabrewing.com.
• An Outdoor Christmas Concert with the Victory Baptist Church will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Swain County Visitor Center. www.greatsmokies.com.
• The Polar Express themed train is now running at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot. The classic children’s book comes to life as the train departs for a special visit to the “North Pole.” Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. The train arrives to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa boards the train, greeting each child and presenting them with their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the depot. For times and prices, click on www.gsmr.com or 800.872.4681.
Cherokee
• The Cherokee Lights and Legends Christmas will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 3 at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held Nov. 28. Interactive displays of Cherokee legends, ice skating, carnival rides, and more. Performers include an Elvis impersonator at 7 p.m. Dec. 6, 20 and 31 and Balsam Range (bluegrass) at 8 p.m. Dec. 13. Tickets for the celebration are $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-12 and free for children under age 5. www.visitcherokeenc.com.
• The Holiday Homecoming will be Dec. 20 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Old-fashioned Christmas music, holiday crafts, cider, cookies and more.
• Trace Adkins: The Christmas Show will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Harrah’s Cherokee. The production is a reverent, theatrical production, featuring songs from Adkins’ Celtic Christmas album, “The King’s Gift.” It combines fireside storytelling with performances of classic carols. Adkins’ trademark baritone has powered countless hits (“You’re Gonna Miss This,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” “Songs About Me,” “Every Light In The House,” and “Just Fishin’”) to the top of the charts. Tickets start at $24.50.
Clyde
• The inaugural Hometown Christmas Celebration will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, in the auditorium at Haywood Community College. A night of local music, artisan crafts and gifts, and holiday treats featuring appearances from McKayla Reece, Tim Surrett of Balsam Range, Eddie Rose & Highway Forty, Subject 2 Change, Matthew Curry & The Carolina Two, Sheriff Greg Christopher, and Mr. & Mrs. Santa Clause. Get your child’s photo with Santa from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5:30 to 8 p.m. A $4 donation per family is requested for photographs. Bring your own camera. Tickets for the performance are $8 and can be purchased at Sid’s on Main in Canton and at Ammon’s Drive-In & Dairy Bar and The Mountaineer, both in Waynesville. All proceeds benefit Next Step Ministries, a member organization of the new Haywood Pathways Center in Hazelwood. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.356.5432.
Cullowhee
• A holiday-themed spin on the hit production “GRITS: The Musical!” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University. The all-new musical “Cinnamon Grits: Christmas in the South” will stage as part of the 2014-15 Galaxy of Stars Series at WCU. In addition to some of the holidays’ all-time favorite anthems, the show features songs including “The Christmas ‘BELLE’ Medley,” “You Gotta Re-Gift,” “The Crazy Aunt Blues,” “Yes There is a Santa Claus” and “The 12 Yummy Days of Christmas.” Ticket are $21 for adults, $16 for WCU faculty and staff, $15 apiece for groups of 20 or more, and $7 for students and children. The show is sponsored by Bear Lake Reserve. www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 828.227.2479.
Fontana
• The “Christmas in the Smokies” holiday celebration will run through Dec. 31 at Fontana Village Resort. Winter fun, holiday festivities and events. 828.498.2211 or www.fontanavillage.com.
Franklin
• NewSong’s “Very Merry Christmas” featuring John Wilson, Jamie Grace and Sanctus Real will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at $15. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.
• The “At the Christmas Dessert Tasting” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 14, at the Hospice House on Maple Street. Fundraiser for The Hospice House Foundation of WNC. Raffle for handmade quilt, donations are $5 per ticket or three for $10.
Maggie Valley
• The inaugural Maggie Valley Santa’s Workshop will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 13 at Sassy Kreationz. Refreshments will be provided. Non-perishable items will be accepted for donation.
Sylva
• The choir of First United Methodist Church, Sylva will present its annual Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, in the church sanctuary. A reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages will follow in the Asbury Room. This program will be a musical journey titled “Darkness into Light,” and will feature the talented chancel choir, narrations of the Bible Christmas Story, and solos by individual choir members. The choir will be accompanied by organ and piano music. “Darkness into Light” is the story of how Jesus came into the world to bring life and light to all mankind. The coming of Christ brought hope, peace, joy and love, and turned the darkness into light. This musical program will also be featured during the 11 a.m. church service on the same day. 828.586.2358.
• The East Sylva Baptist Church Adult Choir will perform their annual Christmas Musical Celebration at 11 a.m. Dec. 14. Music from “Bethlehem Morning” and more. The children/youth production of “Chris-myth Busters” will be at 6 p.m. The musical is about a young boy finding the truth about Jesus and the first Christmas.
Waynesville
• The classic holiday production of “A Christmas Carol” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 13, and 3 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6 for students. www.harttheater.org or 828.456.6322.
