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Holiday parades and performances take participants beyond the frenzy of shopping
Weary of rubbing elbows with Grinch-like shoppers or cruising crammed parking lots? Sounds like you need a bit of cheer! Join us for some special events that will lift your mood and make you feel the holiday spirit.
'LA PASTORELA'
Clueless shepherds, a devilish fiend, and a heroic archangel engage in a search for the Star of Bethlehem and, of course, laughter in this enduring comedy, presented by the Cultural Coalition, Inc. James Garcia, Colores Actors/Writers Workshop, dips his pen in acid satire to update the play, which stars Zarco Guerrero as El Diablo. Look for a cameo by radio talk show host Alfredo Gutierrez. Two 7 p.m. shows are scheduled Dec. 15 and 16 at the Mesa Arts Center. Info: (480) 644-6500.
TRADITION IN THE FOOTLIGHTS
This month, Ballet Arizona's artistic director Ib Anderson presents a revamped Nutcracker: new choreography (Anderson), scenery (Carey Wong), costumes (Fabio Toblini) and lighting (Michael Korsch) with a world premiere Dec. 9 at Symphony Hall. Info: visit www.balletaz.org or call (602) 381-1096.
In Tucson, guest dancers from the San Francisco Ballet return to the Convention Center Hall to perform A Southwest Nutcracker, accompanied by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. This original, full length ballet translates the traditional Nutcracker, to Tucson in the 1880's complete with coyotes, cavalry and rattlesnakes. Info: visit www.tucsonaz.gov or call (520) 321-1000.
HOLY FUN!
Sister's Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi's Gold, asks the burning question, "Who's the culprit who made off with the gold coins and left Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus in that lousy stable without any chance to upgrade to a suite?" Playwright MariPat Donovan wrote this new production (which stars Patti Hannon), billed as "CSI goes to Bethlehem." The show runs through New Year's Eve at theater 4301, in the Galleria Corporate Centre, 4301 N. Scottsdale Road. Show info: visit www.scottsdaleperformingarts.com or call (480) 994-2787.
BELTIN' IT OUT
Looking for a holiday tradition that's a bit more grownup? Check out iTheatre's Christmas Cabaret at the Herberger Theater Center. Billed as an intimate evening of holiday songs, the show includes some interesting and unique points of view. Performed in a New York cabaret-style setting (minus the cigarette smoke), guests can sip holiday beverages or enjoy dessert while listening to lyrics of the season. For show reservations, tickets and info: (602) 347-1071. Runs Dec. 8 - 22.
ONE VERY COOL QUEEN
A chilling tale of good vs. evil, The Snow Queen, reigns at the Herberger Theater Center while The Nutcracker plays nearby at Symphony Hall. Modern dance ballet company Center Dance Ensemble presents Francis Smith Cohen's choreography set to music by Sergei Prokofiev. Now in its 16th year, the production began as a 20-minute piece; as Cohen added scenes and characters, it evolved into a full-length two-act ballet. The show's dance professionals will be supported by about 150 young dancers ages 8 - 17 from around the Valley. Show times, dates and tickets: (602) 252-8497 (Herberger Box Office) or (480) 784-4444 (Ticketmaster).
RED & WHITE TWINKLING LIGHTS
Someone flipped the switch on Sedona's 16th Annual Red Rock Fantasy a few weeks ago - and they'll stay on through New Year's Day to the delight of thousands of visitors. The festival opens at sundown each evening (weather permitting). This year, children's activities, concerts, carriage rides and special events will be available. Admission is $6 (adults), $5 (seniors), $4 (children ages 4-12) and is complimentary for children 3 and younger. Info: (800) 521-3131.
ANGELIC VOICES
The lilting sounds of Phoenix Girls Chorus fills Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 100 W. Roosevelt, for a 7 p.m. Holiday Classics Concert Dec. 18. Ranging in age from 7 to 18, the singers' vocal performances will resonate with listeners long after the concert has ended. Tickets: $8 to $15. A second 7 p.m. holiday family concert on
Dec. 9, "Hearthsongs," is scheduled at Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E.
Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley. Info: visit www.girlschorus.org or call (602) 252-5562.
CAN YOU EVER GET ENOUGH MARIACHI MUSIC?!
Boasting three mariachi groups (Mariachi Sol de Mexico de
Jose Hernandez, Mariachi Estrella de Jalisco, and Mariachi Plata),
the Ballet Folklorico San Juan, plus special guests Angeles Ochoa and hot jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, and you've got the makings of a memorable evening. The annual musical lovefest is slated for U.S. Airways Arena. Show and ticket info: visit www.ticketmaster.com or call (480) 784-4444 (Ticketmaster) or (520) 321-1000.
GLENDALE'S LIGHT OBSESSION
One of the most charming and old-fashioned free events of the season takes place every Friday and Saturday in downtown Glendale when the city hosts Santa, seasonal singers, holiday crafts and horse-drawn carriages for visitors to enjoy while shopping around Historic Murphy Park. The weekends culminate in the Glitter and Glow event Jan. 7, which takes off with hot-air balloons lighting up the night. Info: visit www.ci.glendale.az.us.
A WESTERN LIGHT PARADE
A hometown-style Parade of Lights starts at 6:30 p.m. in Wickenburg, west of Phoenix. Illuminated stagecoaches, floats with Santa's helpers clad in cowboy boots - this is definitely a southwestern view of the holiday season. Caroling and cookies plus visits with Santa
follow. Get into town early to walk around the historic district downtown to shop and try one of the local restaurants. Applications to be part of the parade are taken through the week before the event. Info: visit www.ci.wickenburg.az.us or call (928) 684-5479.
GLOW OF THE SEASON
If you aren't lucky enough to already have tickets for the extraordinary luminaria-lit evenings at the Desert Botanical Gardens, there are other places you can walk among those gentle lights. In Tubac, for example, the village streets are lined with thousands of the traditional lights during its Fiesta Navidad Dec. 8-9. Luminarias are lighted at sunset and extinguished at 9 p.m, allowing shoppers to wind their way through small stores and boutiques. Info: visit www.tubacaz.com or call (520) 398-2704.
COURTHOUSE CELEBRATION
Here's another free event that rocks: the City of Prescott's Christmas celebration on Dec. 9 at Courthouse Plaza is a heady mix of western hooplah and Dickensian tradition - and it works! At sundown (about 5:30 p.m.) there'll be fireworks, kicking off a "magic" snowfall.
Carriage rides, carolers, and booths featuring food, gifts and ornaments will be available for sale. Then there is the 12-foot-high Christmas Tree Man, Santa's Post Office, and workshops where kids can make toys and decorate stockings. The man in the red suit arrives at 5 p.m. to talk and pose with children. Info: (928) 777-1349.
TOGETHER AGAIN
Well, there's something about hometown hero Alice Cooper that makes people want to jump up and down and scream. The rocker's annual Christmas Pudding show starts at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Dodge Theatre. Members of Cooper's original band, Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades, will play together for the first time in 30 years - but that's not all! Members of Tesla, California Transit Authority, Ace Young from American Idol, Brandon Reid, plus winners of the Proof Is In The Pudding talent search will be performing. The show is packed, but there'll be room for the infamous "Passing of the Pudding," thanks to Mark Tarbell of Tarbell's Restaurant. Proceeds benefit Solid Rock Foundation, a Christian nonprofit organization that plans to build a youth center at Grand Canyon University. Info: visit www.livenation.com or call (480) 784-4444 or (520) 321-1000 (outside Phoenix).
