December Calendar

December 7
A One of a Kind Artistic Event Coming to Sapinsley Hall at RIC on December 7th, 2011 at 1pm and at 7:30pm featuring rising-star performers, composers, and lyricists Fresh new songs. Innovative collaborations of lyricists and composers. Professional performers from New York City and Boston. All this under the musical direction of Dr. Judith Lynn Stillman, Artist-in-Residence at Rhode Island College, and with commentary and discussion on the creative process led by Trinity Repertory Company's Artistic Director, Curt Columbus. These are some of the things you'll be experiencing in concert format at Musicals in the Making: entertainment, excitement, education, and fun -- all rolled into one! Stillman and Columbus, two artistic powerhouses, have joined forces to present excerpts from new musical theatre works and to explore their development, and what they've produced is nothing short of phenomenal.

December 9 - 11
Festival Ballet Providence, Rhode Island’s premiere ballet company, presents THE NUTCRACKER. This beloved holiday tale of a Nutcracker doll given to Clara takes the young girl from a grand Christmas party, complete with puppet theater, dancing dolls and a tree that grows 25 feet in height, to a midnight battle of toy soldiers vs. giant mice lead by their villainous Mouse Queen. Clara’s protector, a life-sized Nutcracker, leads her through a snow-covered forest and dozens of dancing Swarovski snowflakes to the luscious Kingdom of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier introduce the couple to brightly-costumed dancers from around the world. THE NUTCRACKER, featuring a return performance by Archie THE NUTCRACKER dog, is a holiday gift not to be missed. Ticket Information: Tickets are available for purchase online, by phone at (401) 421-2787, or at the PPAC Box Office located at 220 Weybosset Street in downtown Providence. Regular Box Office Hours are now in effect and are Monday – Friday, 10A–5P; Saturday, 10A-2P and through curtain time(s) on show days.

December 13 - 18
CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE is "so full of energy it could end our dependence on oil," according to the New York Daily News and "stuffed with so much holiday cheer and audacious acts, Scrooge would exit with a big ol’ smile on his face," proclaims the Erie Times News about this "Broadway-worthy spectacle". Renowned director Neil Goldberg, creator of the groundbreaking Broadway hit CIRQUE DREAMS JUNGLE FANTASY, reimagines the holiday season with CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE. An international cast of over 30 multi-talented and brilliantly costumed artists come to life and perform astonishing feats of disbelief. Experience gingerbread men flipping mid air, toy soldiers marching on thin wires, snowmen daringly balancing, icemen powerfully sculpting, penguins spinning, puppets dancing and reindeer soaring high above a landscape of holiday wonderment. An original music score and some seasonal favorites accompany hundreds of spectacular costumes and holiday dreams in a setting of gigantic gifts, colossal candy canes and 30-foot towering soldiers. The perfect way to come in from the cold, forget the holiday stresses and rediscover the magic of the season. Tickets are available for purchase online, by phone at (401) 421-2787, or at the PPAC Box Office located at 220 Weybosset Street in downtown Providence. Regular Box Office Hours are now in effect and are Monday – Friday, 10A–5P; Saturday, 10A-2P and through curtain time(s) on show days.

December 17
Twas the Night Before Christmas! Sugar Plums will dance, Reindeer will prance, and all the familiar characters take to the stage in Providence Ballet Theatre's playful adaptation of Clement C. Moore's classic poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas! This colorful performance with original choreography and a hip-style is the perfect addition to your Holiday season. Fun for all-ages, come experience the traditional story in a whole new way! Performed in the beautiful Sapinsley Hall in the Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, Rhode Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, RI 02908. Admission: $30 general, $20 seniors, $15 students and children. Showtimes: Saturday December 17, 7:30pm; Sunday December 18, 1:00pm and 6:00pm. Tickets on sale at the RIC Box Office; please call the Box Office at (401) 456-8144 or go to www.ric.edu/pfa to purchase tickets online. Call Providence Ballet Theatre for more information at (401) 861-4842 or visit their website at www.ProvidenceBallet.org.

December 17
Fête, New England's premier live music venue, will host the incredibly talented R&B and soul singer-songwriter and producer, Dwele on Saturday, December 17th. Dwele is known for his work with a variety of notable hip-hop artists including with Slum Village, J Dilla and Kanye West. To date Dwele has release four albums and his most recent studio album, W.W.W (Wants.World.Women), was released in 2010. Dwele has a vast catalogue of material currently unreleased that die-hard fans revere as some of his best work. Be sure to check out Dwele at Fête for an unforgettable night of neo-soul. Tickets are now on sale for Dwele at www.fetemusic.com or at Fête Box Office Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12-8PM, Tuesday and Thursday 12-5PM, and Saturday 4-9PM (401) 383 1112 . Tickets are $18.00 in advanced $20.00 Day of Show.

December 18
"Carol Service" - Candlelight Service of Christmas Music on Sunday, December 18 at 4 p.m. Central Congregational Church will be presenting a "Carol Service" - Candlelight Service of Christmas Music -The story of the Birth of Christ in scripture and song, beginning with the Creation in the Garden of Eden, followed by a Silver Tea. Free and open to the public, the event is handicapped accessible. Central Congregational Church is located at 296
Angell Street, Providence, RI 02906. For more information please call 401-331-1960 or visit www.centralchurch.us

LIST YOUR EVENTS ON THE CALANDAR PAGE, EMAIL INFORMATION TO: FHGADS@COX.NET BY THE 20TH OF THE MONTH (Example: February deadline is January 20th, etc.)