PRIME'S Holiday List

Editor's Note: For the past several years, we at PRIME have devoted a portion of the December issue to a listing of area holiday events. This year, with the help of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and tourism, we've expanded that listing to include selected holiday events happening throughout the state. We hope you'll use the list to get out and enjoy some favorite traditions . and maybe create some new memories . this holiday season! Dec. 9- 23, A Christmas Carol. Presented by the Berkshire Theatre Festival, Stockbridge. For performance times and ticket information, visit www.berkshiretheatre.org or call 413-298-5576. Nightly Dec. 13-Jan. 1 Bright Nights at Forest Park, Forest Park, Springfield. Now entering its 12th season, "Bright Nights at Forest Park" is New England's single most-popular holiday destination. Come drive through one of the largest holiday lighting displays of its kind while listening to festive music. Great way to celebrate the season with your family. Info: 733-3800; www.brightnights.org. Through Jan. 1 Spirit of the Season at Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge. The festively decorated Village of Old Sturbridge sets the stage for you to discover the evolution of Christmas traditions over time. Capture the spirit of the season by day and experience the coziness of candlelit houses and shops in the evening during "Christmas by Candlelight." Six evening programs (Dec. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17, from 5-9 p.m.) Bring your skates and take a spin around the skating area on the Village Common. Info: 508-347-3362; www.osv.org. Through Dec. 29 (Saturdays-Mondays) Lantern Light Tours, Mystic Seaport, Mystic. One of New England's most popular experiences, the Lantern Light evening will bring you back to scenes of Christmas past with horse-drawn carriage rides. The beautiful scenery and a visit with Old St. Nick. Call in advance: 888-973-2767; www.visitmysticseaport.com. Through Dec. 31 Nantucket Noel. Holiday festivities extend throughout the month and include caroling, holiday craft shows, exhibitions, and performances. Horse drawn carriages, a gingerbread house contest, and the world famous Christmas Stroll (Dec. 1-3) give this event an old fashioned New England atmosphere. Info: 508-228-1700; www.nantucketchamb er.org. Through Jan. 1, 2007 Martha's Vineyard Holiday. It's an island wide celebration that awaits you. Events include Tisbury's "Come Home for the Holidays," "Christmas in Edgartown," and the Vineyard's New Year's celebration. Info: 508-693-0085; www.mvy.com. Through Jan. 1, 2007 Holiday Festival of Lights, South Carver. The largest holiday lights display in New England. Antique and replica trains travel through illuminated displays and cranberry bogs on the 5.5 mile ride. Edaville USA, South Carter. Info: 877-EDAVILLE; www.edaville.com. Throughout December Christmas on Cape Ann. Enjoy the numerous seasonal activities throughout the area. Open houses, Christmas strolls, tree lightings, parades, Santa arriving by boat and much more. Info: 978-283-1601; ww.capeannvacations.com. Through Jan. 1, 2007 LaSalette Shrine Festival of Lights. Come see the largest religious Christmas display of lights in the east; Attleboro. Info: 508-222-5410; www.lasalette-shrine.org. Through Dec. 10 The 33rd annual Festival of Trees and Traditions, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art Dec. 2-10. This time, the theme is "Winter Wonderland." Contributing designers are creating trees, wreaths, garlands, and tabletop decorations, which will be arranged in Yuletide vignettes on the first floor of the museum. The Silk City Model Railroad Club, in collaboration with the Time Machine Hobby Store in Manchester, is creating a 160 square-foot G Scale train display for Festival of Trees and Traditions and an accompanying hands-on play station. Festival of Trees and Traditions is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and when the museum remains open until until 8 p.m. on Dec. 7 Individual admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors (62+), $8 for students, $3 for children ages 12 and under, and $3 for museum members (except where noted). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more with reservations; call 860-838-4046. Dec. 7 & 8, The Capitol Steps. Fifth annual appearance of this popular group, which brings its political musical satire to Chapin Auditorium at Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, for two performances, at 7:30 p.m. each evening. This show is part of the 45th anniversary celebration for public radio station 88.5 WFCR. Tickets are available at the UMass Fine Arts Center Box Office, 413-545-2511 or 800-999-UMASS and at www.wfcr.org. Dec. 8 Small Works: A Holiday Art Show and Sale Reception, Old Courthouse Gallery, 99 Main St., Northampton. Regular hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Enter through 15 Gothic St. Special hours: Reception and art walk participant: Dec. 8, 5-8 p.m. Enter at 99 Main St. In celebration of the holidays, the Old Courthouse gallery will host a delightful variety of small works and miniatures by a dozen of the Old Courthouse Gallery's artists. Dec. 9 Christmas Tree Sale. Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop #110, Florence Congregational Church, 130 Pine St., Florence, 9 a.m. until sold out; $20-$30 per tree. Dec. 9, The Irish Rovers Christmas Show. 8 p.m. at the Calvin Theatre, King St., Northampton, MA. Music for the entire family by the Ambassadors of the Emerald Isle, including {Grandma got Run Over by A Reindeer." Info: 413-586-8688. Dec. 9 & 10 Scrooge!. 7:30 p.m. Presented by the Exit 7 Theater, Chestnut St., Ludlow. A wonderful family-friendly retelling of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" featuring Oscar-winning songs. Tickets: $10, $12, $15. Info: 583-4301. Dec. 9 & 10 Hartford Symphony Holiday Pops. Get in the festive spirit with two performances, featuring guest appearances by the Hartford Chorale, the Middletown Chorale and the Connecticut Children's Chorus. Both performances will take place at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, in Hartford, Conn. Dec. 9 performance is at 8 p.m., Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. At 2 p.m. on Dec. 10, The Bushnell will present a variety of children's interactive musical activities, including the HSO's Instrument Zoo, holiday crafts, games and a pre-concert performance by the Hartt School community Division. Free with ticket. Tickets range from $23-$63, with children's tickets priced at $10. Call 860-244-2999 or buy online at www.hartfordsymphony.org Dec. 10 Arrangements by Catherine Jensen-Hole. The UMass Amherst Vocal Jazz Ensemble concert on Dec. 10 will focus on new arrangements made by Prof. Catherine Jensen-Hole. Jensen-Hole's arrangements include: The Gift by Ferreira/Antonio/Webster, Day Dream by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, You Stepped Out of a Dream by Kahn and Brown, and No Moon at All by Evans/Mann. An a cappella arrangement by Paris Rutherford of the be-bop tune Suddenly (In Walked Bud) will also be performed. The concert begins at 8 p.m. in Bezanson Recital Hall. Tickets are $3 for UMass Amherst students; $5 for other students, senior citizens and children under 18 years of age; and $10 for the general public. Tickets are available at the Fine Arts Center Box Office (545-2511) or at the door of Bezanson Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 10. Dec. 10 New England Chamber Choir and Chamber Ensemble, 4 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Suffield at 81 High Street in Suffield, Connecticut (860-688-7223), Richard Wm. Donohue, Conductor. Music of Bach, Britten, Donohue, Holst, Lassus, Mendelssohn, Gregorian chant and carols sung in six languages. A reception will follow the concert. Admission to the concert is free; donations to benefit the work of the New England Chamber Choir are appreciated. To learn more about this concert or the New England Chamber Choir in general, visit www.NEChamberChoir.org or call 860-363-0157. Dec. 10 , Pioneer Valley Capella: A choral Flourish. at the Wistariahurst Museum, 238 Cabot St., Holyoke. Enjoy four centuries of choral cappella music, including the Four Motets for Christmas by Francis Poulenc. Suggested donation: $5/students & seniors, $10 general admission. Dec. 12, JCC Nifty 90s Chanukah Party. 1:30 p.m. at the Springfield Jewish Community Center, Dickinson St., Springfield. This annual event honors greater Springfield residents who have turned 90 in the past year. Entertainment, traditional refreshments, special gifts and citations from the Massachusetts State Legislature are part of the celebration. Tickets $3/JCC member,, $5/non-member. Call Nancy, Barbara or Bobbie at 739-4715 for more information. Dec. 12 Fa-La-La Follies, 8 p.m., at the Academy of Music, Northampton. Don't miss this first annual new vaudeville extravaganza featuring dozens of your favorite variety acts by your very own homegrown artists such as Christopher Ishii, Paula Kimper, Elaine Valby, Wilde Irish Women Repertory Co. and Old Deerfield Productions. Tickets: reserved seating $15, general admission $10, students and seniors $5 Info: 584-8435 or www.tix.com. Dec. 14 Holiday Choral Festival, 7 p.m. at the Academy of Music, Northampton. Presented with the Northampton Community Music Center, come celebrate the spirit of the season with choral performances by the Northampton Community Music Center, Hampshire Choral Society, Hilltown Cooperative Charter School, Berkshire Hills Music Academy, and more. All ages, are welcome, and sing-along sheets will be provided. Admission by free-will donation (suggested $10 adults, $5 students/seniors, $25 families). Info: 584-8435 or www.tix.com. Dec. 14, The Bobs Christmas Show. 7 p.m. at the Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton. An a capalla music group, MassLive says The Bobs are unique, hilarious and extremely entertaining. Info: 413-586-8688. Dec. 14, Holiday Choral Festival. 7 p.m., Academy of Music, Northampton. The area's finest choral groups perform. Sing-along sheets provided. Admission: $5/person, $10 family. Info: 413-587-1247. Dec. 15, History To Go: the Scents and Traditions of Winter Greenery. Noon, at the Wistariahurst Museum, 238 Cabot St. Holyoke.Come learn the history of holiday herbs and greenery from master gardener Deborah Long-Smith. Bring lunch. Coffee provided. Admission: $3. Dec. 15 The Baltimore Consort, performing their holiday program "Wassail, Wassail" at the First Church in Deerfield. Tickets purchased in advance are $23 for adults and $9 for children/undergraduate students. At the door, tickets are $30 for adults and $9, children/undergraduate students. Venues are handicapped accessible. Tickets may be ordered by 774-4200; on the web at www.musicindeerfield.org or by mail, Box 736, Greenfield, MA 01302. Dec. 15 & 16, Scrooge!. 7:30 p.m. Presented by the Exit 7 Theater, Chestnut St., Ludlow. A wonderful family-friendly retelling of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" featuring Oscar-winning songs. Tickets: $10, $12, $15. Info: 583-4301. Dec. 17, Family Holiday Celebration at Wistariahurst. Free event from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Museum, 238 Cabot St., Holyoke. Come explore how different cultures observe the holiday season through craft projects, ornament making, and traditional customs. Dec. 18 Great Russian Nutcracker. Moscow Ballet will present its Great Russian Nutcracker at UMass Fine Arts Center at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Box office: 545-2511 or 800-999-UMAS. With its all-Russian cast, renowned for exquisite dancing, spectacular scenic design by Valentin Fedorov, and a new, large-than-life Dancing Matrioshka, the Great Russian Nutcracker is the must see production of 2006. The Moscow Symphony will accompany the ballet under the direction of Maestro Andrei Yakovlev. Dec. 26 & 27 , Trans Siberian Orchestra. This extraordinary holiday music show has two local performances, Dec. 26 at the Hartford Civic Center, Dec. 27 at the DCU center. Contact the venues for ticket availability Dec. 28 New England Chamber Choir and Chamber Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Broad Street in Plainville, Connecticut (860-647-6825), Richard Wm. Donohue, Conductor. Music of Bach, Britten, Donohue, Holst, Lassus, Mendelssohn, Gregorian chant and carols sung in six languages. A reception will follow the concert. Admission to the concert is free; donations to benefit the work of the New England Chamber Choir are appreciated. To learn more about this concert or the New England Chamber Choir in general, visit www.NEChamberChoir.org or call 860-363-0157. Dec. 31 First Night Jr., downtown Holyoke. First Night Jr. has all the fun of New Year's Eve that the kids can enjoy too. This afternoon celebration welcomes in the New Year complete with ball drop and fun activities for parents and kids. Don't miss this fun event. Info: 534-1723. Dec. 31 First Night Chatham. Bring the whole family and enjoy the traditional noise parade, musicians, storytellers, clowns, poets and dancers. Fireworks at midnight at Oyster Pond. Info: 508-945-5100; www.firstnightchatham.com. Dec. 31 First Night Worcester. The largest celebration of its kind in central Massachusetts. Many downtown venues will host festive family activities, concerts, food and more. Fireworks at 7 p.m. and midnight at Lincoln Square. Info: 508-799-4909; www.firstnightworcester.org. Dec. 31 First Night New Bedford. Join the city as they present a wide variety of family-oriented events. Everyone will enjoy the fantastic musical entertainment, breathtaking fireworks display on the waterfront, tasty food and fun. Info: 800-508-5353. Dec. 31 First Night Boston 2007. First Night Boston is the country's oldest and largest New Year's arts celebration. On Dec. 31 from 1 p.m. to midnight, First Night presents a day-long festival of art, music, dance, ice sculpture, fireworks, and more. First Night is an alcohol-free event that welcomes children, families and revelers of all ages to celebrate community and unity through the arts. First Night 2007 will feature over 1,000 artists in 250 exhibitions and performances in over 40 locations in downtown Boston. Listed below are some of the highlights of this year's festival. All First Night outdoor events are free, though supported by sales of the First Night button, which is the ticket for admission to all indoor events. Buttons are just $15 (children under four are free) and will be available beginning Nov. 24 at Boston-area Shaw's and Star Markets, Store 24, L'il Peach, Tedeschi's, Au Bon Pain and dozens of other locations. For a complete list, see www.firstnight.org. Buttons can be ordered online now from www.firstnight.org. Information about all performances and exhibits at First Night Boston 2007 will be available at www.firstnight.org.