People
across the Valley this weekend begin to celebrate the holiday season. The
region has plenty of activities for the celebration. Here is a sampling of what
the holidays have to offer.
Chandler
Tumbleweed
Tree Lighting, Parade of Lights and Santa's House
The
Chandler tradition, in its 58th year, features a 25-foot-tall wire frame
covered in nearly 1,000 tumbleweeds painted white, dusted with glitter and
decked with 1,200 lights. Dance and performing-arts groups and an ugly-sweater
contest will entertain you as you await the 7 p.m. Parade of Lights, followed
by the tree lighting by Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and City Council members at 8 p.m.
Santa's House will offer free pictures with Santa and entertainment on various
dates through Dec. 20.
Details:
4:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6; on display through Sunday, Jan. 11. Downtown
Chandler and Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave. Free. 480-782-2735,
chandleraz.gov/tumbleweedtree.
'The
SnowCat'
An ancient
Asian parable lends its title of this family show, a mix of music, storytelling
and visual art created by Arizona jazz flugelhornist and composer Dmitri
Matheny.
Details:
11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave.
$8. 480-782-2680, chandlercenter.org.
Gilbert
'A
Christmas Carol'
Traditional
noels add musical cheer to Hale Centre Theatre's 11th annual staging of Charles
Dickens' classic tale, in which the original holiday humbug, Ebenezer Scrooge,
learns the true meaning of Christmas after a late-night horror show put on by
the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Details:
Thursday, Dec. 4, through Wednesday, Dec. 24. Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page
Ave., Gilbert. $16-$28. 480-497-1181, haletheatrearizona.com.
'Christmas
with the Nelsons'
Ricky
Nelson's twin sons, Matthew and Gunnar, offer a multimedia evening that blends
elements of their touring "Ricky Nelson Remembered" show with
seasonal tunes.
Details: 8
p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. Higley Center for the Performing Arts, 4132 E. Pecos
Road, Gilbert. $34-$60.20. 480-279-7194, higleyarts.org
The
Alley Cats: 'Jingle Bell Rock'
These
doo-wop revivalists got together at Fullerton College in California and landed
their first professional gig at Disneyland's "Blast to the Past."
These days, they're Jay Leno's opening act in Las Vegas. They've also won two
Contemporary A Cappella Society awards: best album for "The Doo-Wop Drive-In
Live" and best song for "What's Your Name."
Details: 3
p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Higley Center for the Performing Arts, 4132 E. Pecos
Road, Gilbert. $22-$43.40. 480-279-7194, higleyarts.org.
Glendale
Glendale
Glitters
Meander
through 16 blocks of historic downtown Glendale, which will be transformed into
a winter wonderland illuminated by 1.5 million lights for the 21st year. Themed
events will be featured 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Saturday, Dec.
20. Lights will be on through the Glitter & Glow Block Party on Saturday,
Jan. 11; there will be free shuttles 4:15-10:15 p.m. to the block party from
the parking lot at Glendale Community College, 6000 W. Olive Ave.
Details:
5-11 p.m. nightly through Saturday, Jan. 10. Glendale and 58th avenues. Free.
623-930-2299, www.glendaleaz.com/glitters.
Mesa
LDS
Mesa Arizona Temple
The annual
Southeast Valley tradition will feature palm trees wrapped from top to bottom
in thousands of lights, a nativity scene and illuminated gardens. Messages can
be heard in English and Spanish, and local music groups and individuals will
perform for 30 minutes at 7 p.m. Dec. 1-25. Early arrival is recommended for
these concerts; space is limited.
Details:
5-10 p.m. nightly through Wednesday, Dec. 31. 525 E. Main St. Free. 480-964-7164,
mesachristmaslights.com.
'Miracle
on 34th Street'
Meredith
Willson, creator of "The Music Man," adapted this classic Christmas
flick for Broadway in 1963 as "Here's Love." Now, it's back to the
original title, but it's the same song-and-dance retelling of the modern
parable about a department-store Santa who claims to be the real thing.
Details:
Through Thursday, Dec. 25. The Palms Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa. $47-$54
including meal; $22 ages 18 and under; $30-$35 show only. 480-924-6260, thepalmstheatre.com.
'Elf'
A boy
grows up at the North Pole to be Santa's tallest little helper in this 2010
Broadway musical based on the hit film comedy starring Will Ferrell. The finale
features the ensemble tap-dancing on its their knees, as no actual elves
auditioned for the show.
Details:
7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 2-3. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St.
$40-$80. 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com.
Dave
Koz & Friends Christmas Tour
The
smooth-jazz sax man has made a tradition out of his seasonal tour. This year,
he's joined by '80s survivor Christopher Cross, jazz singer Maysa and and
guitar whiz/vocalist Jonathan Butler.
Details:
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. $52-$82.
480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com.
An
Irish Christmas
This
year's special guests include Kevin Horton and "Riverdance" and
"Magic of the Dance" stars Ciaran Maguire and Collette Dunne, known
as "the fastest feet in the business." The show promises
"dancing through the generations over brooms, on half doors, around butter
churns and shoemakers, into the world of mythology and out again; singing that
spins itself out of the mists and into the familiar 'Silent Night,' 'Little
Drummer Boy' and 'Carol of the Bells,' and superb music of the pipes, flutes,
fiddles, button accordion and bodhráns."
Details: 8
p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. $33. 480-644-6500,
mesaartscenter.com.
Symphony
of the Southwest
Selections
from Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" suite highlight the holiday program
by this community orchestra formerly known as the Mesa Symphony Orchestra.
Details:
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. $19. 480-644-6500,
mesaartscenter.com, symphonyofthesouthwest.org.
Christmas
Lights at Red Mountain Community Church
You can't
miss 500,000 lights illuminating this church if you're traveling Loop 202/Red
Mountain Freeway at about Recker Road. Stop and see the lights up close,
including lighted animals, a horse-drawn sleigh and wagon. Hot chocolate and
cookies are served Friday and Saturday nights. When you arrive, a sign will
provide the FM dial position where you'll hear narration. Lights will remain on
through Dec. 30 but may be off if it rains.
Details:
5-10:30 p.m. nightly through Dec. 30. 6101 E. Virginia St., Mesa. 480-807-5868,
rmcchurch.org/events.
Salt
River Brass
Founded in
1988, the Tempe-based community ensemble's annual holiday pops program mixes
popular tunes, such as "Jingle Bells" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer," with classical selections, such as Bach's Toccata and Fugue in
D minor, Shostakovich's "Festive Overture" and Biebl's "Ave
Maria." That's Franz Biebl, the 20th-century German composer, not Justin
Bieber.
Details: 3
p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. $15-$22. 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com,
saltriverbrass.com.
Phoenix
ZooLights
The
Phoenix Zoo will be lit with 3.8 million lights and 700 dazzling displays.
Music in Motion shows featuring tunes from the movie "The Polar
Express" and "Carol of the Bells" by Arctic Express are new this
year. A 300-pound block of ice will be sculpted into an animal on select
nights. Available for an additional fee are a new multisensory 4-D theater with
fog, snow and wind; a carousel; wagon rides; and the Stingray Bay touch tank.
Alcoholic beverages are offered Friday and Saturday nights. Avoid the crowds
and go Mondays-Wednesdays, before Dec. 14 or visit in January.
Details:
5:30-10:30 p.m. nightly through Sunday, Jan. 11. 455 N. Galvin Parkway. $8-$12
value tickets (some dates excluded)CQ, $14-$18CQ "any night" tickets,
free for 2 or younger; additional fee for activities. 602-273-1341,
phoenixzoo.org/zoolights.
Las
Noches de las Luminarias
Following
the Hispanic Christmas tradition, brown bags containing lighted candles line
the garden's paths, creating a peaceful and romantic glow amid the saguaros and
other desert flora. Mariachi Pasión, Pick and Holler, the Sahnas Brothers and
handbell ringers are among the performers you'll hear throughout the garden
each night. Bars are stationed around the garden for those 21 or older. Dine at
Gertrude's restaurant; a buffet and cafe also are available.
Details:
5:30-9:30 p.m., Nov. 28-29 and Friday-Saturday, Dec. 12-13; Friday-Sunday, Dec.
19-23 and 26-30. Dec. 5-6 is for garden members only. Desert Botanical Garden,
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. $10-$30. 480-481-8188, dbg.org/luminaria.
APS
Electric Light Parade
The
streets of central Phoenix will be filled with floats, each covered in 2,000
dazzling lights in a Holidays in Toyland theme. You'll also see marching bands,
lighted balloons, performance units and Santa. Grab a seat early along the
parade route, which starts at Central and Montebello avenues, travels south to
Camelback Road, then east to Seventh Street, where it turns south again and
ends at Indian School Road. Blankets, chairs and coolers are permitted, but
glass containers, pets and alcohol are not allowed. If you take the light rail,
exit Central/Camelback. Get a sneak peek at motorized entries lit up for
judging just north of the church 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5; kids can enjoy
activities and meet Santa Claus.
Details: 7
p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Parade begins at North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 N.
Central Ave. Free. 602-534-3378, phoenix.gov/parks.
Ballet
Arizona: 'The Nutcracker'
Artistic
director Ib Andersen, among the last protégés of the great choreographer George
Balanchine, reconceived his company's annual holiday treat in 2006. The $1.8
million production, of course, features lovely dancing, but the emphasis is on
spectacle, with 260 costumes, 25 backdrops, 200 pounds of falling
"snow" and 100,000 Swarovski crystals to make the blizzard really
sparkle. Reviewing the new version's premiere, The Republic's Richard
Nilsen raved, "Over and over, some coup de theatre leaves the audience
gasping, as when the entire back of the stage drops away in a skein of floating
red silk to reveal the Sugar Plum Fairy behind."
Details:
Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 28. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St.,
Phoenix. $15-$168. 602-381-1096, balletaz.org.
Festival
of Lights Display
Thanks to
the dedicated efforts of volunteers and the Ahwatukee Foothills community, more
than a million miniature white LED lights again will illuminate the desert
landscape and treetops along Chandler Boulevard through New Year's Day.
Details:
Display 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, nightly through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Along
Chandler Boulevard from 24th Street to Desert Foothills Parkway, Phoenix. Free.
folaz.org.
Pinal County
Holiday
Festival and Parade
The Boys
& Girls Clubs of the East Valley Queen Creek branch and the Kiwanis Club of
Queen Creek host this annual festival and parade. The festival kicks off at 2
p.m., followed by a parade at 3 and tree lighting ceremony at 6. More than 80
vendors, a petting zoo, food and Santa Claus will be featured.
Details:
2-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Queen Creek Library, 21802 S. Ellsworth Road. Free.
480-313-3329, queencreekparade.org.
Loop of
Lights
More than
80 households in one San Tan Valley subdivision decorate with displays that
range from small to those covering a property. A Neighborhood Loop Light Parade
is 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, unless it rains. The loop will close to vehicle
traffic Dec. 13-25 (with some exceptions), but parking is offered at nearby
schools on Pecan Creek Drive. A new trolley shuttle will transport you from
nearby J.O. Combs Middle School on select nights and booths operated by
"Loopateers" will feature Santa and such snacks as popcorn and hot
cocoa. Donations are encouraged and will go to Johnjay and Rich's Christmas Wish
program.
Details:
6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5-Wednesday, Dec. 25; parade 7 p.m. Friday, Dec.
19. Waverly Subdivision, Pecan Creek Drive and Carolina Avenue, San Tan Valley.
Free. loopoflights.com.
Tempe
Fantasy
of Lights Boat Parade
Stake out
your spot on the shores of Tempe Town Lake for this event featuring as many as
50 boats decorated in dazzling holiday-light displays. Park sidewalks and paths
will be lit by more than 1,000 luminaria, preparing for Santa Claus' big
arrival at 6 p.m., followed by the boat parade at 7. Fireworks will top off the
evening. No viewing will be allowed from the Mill Avenue Bridge. There will be
food and beverage vendors.
Details: 5
p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Tempe Beach Park, Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway.
Free for spectators. 480-355-6060, downtowntempe.com.
Mannheim
Steamroller
The
project began as an alias for producer/composer Chip Davis, whose calling card
at that point was earning a co-writing credit on "Convoy," a novelty
hit about CB radio slang by C.W. McCall. But this new project was nothing like
country — a blend of classical, light jazz and rock. The first Steamroller
album, "Fresh Aire," hit the streets on Jan.1, 1975, going on to be
certified gold. But it wasn't until Davis hit on the idea of taking that
approach to Christmas that things really started taking off with
"Christmas" becoming the first of four multiplatinum seasonal
efforts.
Details: 8
p.m. Friday, Dec. 26. ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. $36-$101.
480-965-3434, ticketmaster.com
Pollack
Tempe Cinema Shopping Center
Valley
real-estate mogul Michael Pollack promises, "This year's holiday display
will absolutely be the most outrageous and over-the-top display I have ever
done at my Tempe Cinemas." Hundreds of thousands of festive LED lights and
several large animations will be lighting up the southeastern corner of
McClintock Drive and Elliot Road nightly through Jan. 1.
Details:
Through Jan. 1. 1825 E. Elliot Road, Tempe. 480-345-6461,
pollacktempecinemas.com.
'Junie
B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!'
America's
favorite first-grade brat is back at Childsplay, Tempe's acclaimed professional
theater for young audiences. Based on the popular picture books by the late
Barbara Park, this kiddie comedy finds Junie faced with a tough decision when
she reaches into the Secret Santa hat and pulls out the name of her archenemy,
Tattletale May.
Details:
Through Sunday, Dec. 28. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway.
$12-$25. 480-350-2822, childsplayaz.org.
12th
annual Organ Christmas Concert
Kimberly
Marshall, Arizona State University's Goldman professor of organ and the 1985
winner of the St. Albans Competition, shows off her keyboard skills — and those
of her students — at Organ Hall, home to a Fritts & Co. organ with 1,900
pipes, as well as an Italian Baroque organ built by Domenico Traeri in 1742.
Details:
2:30 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6; 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. Organ Hall, ASU School
of Music, Mill Avenue and Gammage Parkway, Tempe. $8-$19. 480-965-6447, music.asu.edu/events.
Valley wide
Phoenix
Symphony: Handel's 'Messiah'
New music
director Tito Muñoz takes his first turn leading the orchestra and the Phoenix
Symphony Chorus in annual performances of this oratorio about the life of Jesus
by Baroque composer George Frideric Handel. "HAAAAA-le-lu-jah!"
Details:
602-495-1999, phoenixsymphony.org.
7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec.10. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second
St. $29-$49.
7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec.12. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. $25-$49.
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec.13. Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise
Valley. $39.
3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec.14. Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale.
$49.
A
Phoenix Boys Choir Holiday'
The
acclaimed chorus, which has been performing since 1949, performs the
multicultural "A World of Carols," Handel's "Hallelujah"
chorus and an enactment of the classic poem "A Visit From St.
Nicholas," aka " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas."
Details:
$18-$28. 602-264-5328, ext. 21; boyschoir.org.
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec.13. St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix.
6:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec.15. American Lutheran Church, 17200 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City.
7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec.19. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St.
7:30
Saturday, Dec.20. Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise
Valley.
5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec.21. Chaparral Christian Church, 6451 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale.
Orpheus
Male Chorus of Phoenix: 'Holidays with Orpheus'
The chorus
is older than the state, having made its debut in 1900. The group now boasts
more than 75 members. The group's holiday shows usually include such familiar
fare as "Carol of the Bells" and "Sleigh Ride."
Details:
$15-$20; free for age 12 and younger. 602-271-9396, orpheus.org.
7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 9, Velda Rose United Methodist Church, 5540 E. Main St., Mesa.
3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 14, Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise
Valley.
7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, All Saints Lutheran Church, 15649 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. $15-$20;
free for age 12 and younger. 602-271-9396, orpheus.org.
Ballet
Etudes: 'The Nutcracker'
Founded in
Gilbert in 1986, Ballet Etudes is the best-known of several dance schools that
mount an annual production of Tchaikovsky's Christmas classic.
Details:
balletetudes.net. Friday, Through Sunday, Dec. 7. Chandler Center for the Arts,
250 N. Arizona Ave. $25-$29. 480-782-2680, chandlercenter.org.7 p.m. Friday,
Dec. 12; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Mesa Arts
Center, 1 E. Main St. $23-$28. 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com.
Vestar
Holiday Displays
Holiday
displays and entertainment are offered for shoppers tackling their lists at
these three Vestar-managed properties: Tempe Marketplace at Loop 202 and
McClintock Drive; Desert Ridge Marketplace at Loop 101 and Tatum Boulevard in
Phoenix; and Westgate Entertainment District at Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue in
Glendale. Huge trees are decorated and will be lit at all three through New
Year's Day. Falling snow, a snow day, Menorah lighting, ice skating, carriage
rides, live music, story times and coat drives for charities are among the
activities depending on the center you visit.
Details:
tempemarketplace.com/holiday, shopdesertridge.com/holiday,
westgateaz.com/holiday.
The
Republic | azcentral.com 6:01 a.m. MST November 28, 2014
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