Contributions should be sent to jim.lowe@rutlandherald.com or jim.lowe@timesargus.com at least two weeks in advance.
A Winter’s Eve
EAST MONTPELIER — Now in its 12th year, “Stories for a Winter’s Eve” creates the magic and warmth of gathering around the fireplace with friends and family to share stories and songs of the season. Featuring four original short stories by Vermont authors and songs by Vermont musicians Patti Casey and Susannah Blachly, this truly local production will grace the stage of the Old Meeting House, 1620 Center Road, on Saturday, Dec. 23, for two shows, at 3 and 7 p.m.
Former Vermont Stage Company Artistic Director Mark Nash is joined by wife and actress Kathryn Blume to share funny, poignant and heartwarming tales of friendship, generosity, and community — stories that remind us of the connections we feel during this special time of year. Ornamented by Casey and Blachly’s music, “Stories for a Winter’s Eve” brings warmth to the season’s long, cold nights and celebrates the turning from dark to light in the north country.
Although this is a family-friendly event, small children may find it difficult to sit quietly through the stories. Refreshments will be available at intermission.
Tickets are $18, $15 in advance (advance four-pack for $50), $10 for children 12 and younger; go to www.oldmeetinghouse.org online.
VSO Brass & Counterpoint
The Vermont Symphony Orchestra presents the VSO Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Chorus in holiday favorites: Each concert features a blend of brass and voices with seasonal fun. The program includes two world premieres: “The Christmas Truce” for chorus by Saxtons River-based composer Carol Wood, based on the World War I Christmas ceasefires, and a brass composition by Leela McCann, a U-32 School District and Music-COMP student (Music Composition Mentoring Program). The concert is rounded out by traditional carols, arrangements by Robert De Cormier (founder of Counterpoint and the VSO Chorus), compositions by Bach, Gabrieli and Farnaby, and fun holiday tunes such as “Frosty the Snowman” and “Santa Baby.” In Manchester, chorus members of the Burr and Burton Academy will join in song.
Remaining performances are:
— Saturday, Dec. 16: Grafton — Community Church, 7 p.m. (sold out; waitlist: 802-843-2447)
— Sunday, Dec. 17: Manchester — First Congregational Church, 4 p.m.
For tickets or information, go to www.vso.org online.
Kat & Brett’s holiday
MIDDLEBURY — At 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, Town Hall Theater presents Kat Wright and Brett Hughes, two of Vermont’s most beloved songbirds, for their 10th annual holiday show. A cash bar available throughout the show.
Joined this year by Tyler Bolles on stand-up bass and Will Seeders on pedal steel, banjo and fiddle, you can look forward to a decidedly non-denominational holiday romp, replete with Hughes’ originals, that plumb the depths of our collective seasonal longing and sentimental optimism, and great holiday classics, brought to life in a wholly unique and heartfelt new way. It’s a beauty of a show, intimate and funny, sad, sentimental and joyful all at once.
“This show is a holiday gift and the launch of THT’s winter music series featuring high-quality artists sure to cure the winter blues. We’re thrilled to welcome back Kat & Brett and celebrate their 10th anniversary holiday show in THT’s intimate lounge formation, flickering with candlelight.” said THT Executive Director Lisa Mitchell.
Tickets are available by calling 802-382-9222 or at townhalltheater.org online.
‘A Winter’s Carol’
MIDDLEBURY — The third annual solstice pageant, “A Winter’s Carol” will be presented at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at Town Hall Theater. Actors, dancers, puppets and revelers bearing lanterns will lead the audience in a ritual celebrating the shortest day of the year and the coming of the light. Once again, THT are teaming up with No Strings Marionettes to assist in the making of music, lanterns and puppets.
Throughout December, families and friends ages 6 through adult are crafting lantern puppets of all sizes that will guide the audience through multiple installations outside around THT and ultimately inside the theater to warm up with hot cider and a solstice blessing. The event is free and especially designed for the whole family.
According to THT Education Director Lindsay Pontius, “Through this pageant, we want to celebrate community. We encourage our audience to bring a lantern if you have one. We will also have some fun light sources on hand so we can really make this parade sparkle.”
An ensemble of revelers ages 9-13 is rehearsing historic dances and poetry to bring to life the story of the Holly King passing the torch and making way for the Sun Queen to reascend to her throne.
Information is available by calling 802-382-9222 or at townhalltheater.org online.
