Out and About: Nov. 28-Dec. 4

Last updated Wednesday, November 26, 2008 6:26 PM CST in Weekend

By THE MORNING NEWS

For more information or tickets, visit www.liveonstagenwa.com or call 855-9997.

'Tis the Season Through Dec. 31

EUREKA SPRINGS -- The Great Passion Play has turned on its holiday lighting display. Each evening at 5 o'clock through Dec. 31, more than 100 lighted figures are illuminated on the mile-long drive through the grounds. Admission is free. Also, the Passion Play's Christmas music show begins today. Showtimes are 5 p.m. weekends until Dec. 20, and the show features The Texans and B.J. & Elizabeth. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 18. Information: (866) 566-3565.

Dec. 13-14

ROGERS -- A Christmas tradition for almost 15 years, Ballet Westside Performing Company will once again present "The Nutcracker." More than 85 local children from ages 4 to 18 will perform this classic ballet at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 in the auditorium at Rogers High School. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 12 by calling 636-6678.

On Stage Dec. 5-7

FAYETTEVILLE -- University Theater will present Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," co-produced by the Walton Arts Center, at 7 p.m. Dec. 5; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6; and 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at the WAC. Tickets range from $14-$22 and are available by calling the Walton Arts Center at 443-5600 or online at www.waltonartscenter.org.

Dec. 6-7

ROGERS -- Rogers Little Theater will present "A Christmas Story" at 8 p.m. Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. Dec. 7 and again at 8 p.m. Dec. 12-13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14. Humorist Jean Shepherd's memoir of growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Information: 631-8988.

Dec. 12-14

SPRINGDALE -- Arts Center of the Ozarks will present "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12-13 and 3 p.m. Dec. 14 on the ACO mainstage. Tickets are $12 for ACO member adults, $8 for member children, $16 for non-member adults and $9 for non-member children by calling 751-5441.

Dec. 12-14

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arts Live Theatre will present "Christmas Carol High School," a contemporary look at a classic tale, at 7 p.m. Dec. 12, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Center for Continuing Education on the Fayetteville square. Tickets are $8 for children and $12 for adults by calling 521-4932.

Auditions Monday-Tuesday

SILOAM SPRINGS -- The Sager Creek Arts Center will hold auditions for "The Lion in Winter" at 7 p.m. The cast calls for a royal couple (Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, age 50-plus), four young men ages 17 to 30 and one young woman, age 17 to 26. Rehearsals will begin in January with performances in February. Information: 524-4000.

Dec. 6-7

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arts Live Theatre, Northwest Arkansas' only dedicated children's and youth theater company, will hold auditions for Disney's "Alice In Wonderland" from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7 at 1378 N. College. Auditions are open to young actors ages 7 to 18. No previous experience is necessary. Those auditioning should prepare a song to be sung acapella and will read from the script. Production dates are Feb. 27-March 1. Information: 521-4932.

Dec. 15-16

SPRINGDALE -- The Arts Center of the Ozarks will hold auditions for "A Murder Is Announced," an Agatha Christie Miss Marple mystery, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15-16 at the theater. Scripts are available two weeks before auditions with a $10 deposit (refunded if returned in 24 hours from checkout). Performances are Feb. 6-8 and 13-14. Information: 751-5441.

Jan. 5-6

ROGERS -- Rogers Little Theater will hold auditions for Cole Porter's "Kiss Me Kate" at 7 p.m. Jan. 5-6 at the Victory Theater. Director Ed McClure, musical director Lisa Welty-Auten and choreograpers Martina Peacock and Dru Wiser are looking for actors, singers and dancers 16 and older for performances in February. Audition packets are available after Dec. 1. Information: 631-8988.

Festivals

Laugh Out Loud

Night Life

Dec. 6

EUREKA SPRINGS -- The annual Christmas Ball and silent auction to benefit the Eureka Springs Historical Museum is set for 7 to 11 p.m. Dec. 6 at the 1905 Basin Park Hotel ballroom. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and include food, wine, and dancing to the music of the J M Combo. Information: 253-9417.

On Campus

Wednesday

FAYETTEVILLE -- Italian saxophonist Mario Ciaccio will appear in a lecture-recital on Italian classical music for the saxophone at 4:30 p.m. in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall at the University of Arkansas. The recital will follow at 7:30 p.m. in the recital hall as a part of the university's Guest Artists Concert Series. Italian pianist Simone Miotto will be collaborating with Ciaccio and performing two solo piano works by contemporary Italian composers as well. Admission is free. Information: 575-4701.

Thursday

FAYETTEVILLE -- The University of Arkansas Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble will appear in concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall on campus. The ensemble will be performing pieces by Pavel Tchesnokov, Vaclav Nelhybel, Johannes Brahms, J. S. Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, Fisher Tull and John Stevens. The ensemble is made up of current tuba and euphonium students and is directed by Benjamin Pierce. Admission is free. Information: 575-4701.

Got Talent?

On Film

In Concert

Dec. 7

SPRINGDALE -- The Arts Center of the Ozarks Children's Choirs will present "Sounds of the Holiday Season," featuring the ACO Camerata Choir and the ACO Children's Concert Choir, at 3 p.m. Dec. 7. The children's choirs are under the direction of Denice Parkhurst and are accompanied by Denise Richards. The concert will include traditional holiday selections as well as selections from other cultural traditions. Tickets for the concert are $6 for ACO member adults, $4 for member students, $8 for non-member adults and $6 for non-member students. Information: 751-5441.

Dec. 20

SPRINGDALE -- The Arkansas Winds community concert band will present a holiday concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks. The program will feature "Peter and the Wolf," "A Christmas Festival" by Leroy Anderson, Third Suite for Band by Robert Jager, "Carnival of the Animals" by Camille Saint-Saens and "Carol of the Bells" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in the Mannheim Steamroller arrangements. Admission is free. Information: 751-5441.

Meetings & More

Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE -- Author Deanna Wisely will sign copies of her children's book, "Dear Santa, My Letter Is a Little Different this Year," from 2 to 4 p.m. at Hastings Books, Music & Video. Information: sunnie@tatepublishing.com.

Monday

SPRINGDALE -- LifeWriters, a group for people interested in writing the stories of their own lives or those of family and friends, will meet at 10 a.m. Monday and again Dec. 15 in the General Store at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Information: June Jefferson at 790-2588.

Thursday

ROGERS -- The public of all ages is invited to A Holiday Reading and Reception by LifeWriters of Arkansas from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Rogers Adult Wellness Center, 2001 W. Persimmon St. Local memoir writers will share seasonal stories from their own lives or those of family or community. LifeWriters encourage audience participation in these holiday reminiscences. The Wellness Center will hold introductory classes in 2009 teaching these LifeWriting Methods of preserving your personal history. The instructor is June Jefferson, an Arkansas native and leader of writing workshops and classes since 1994. Information: 631-3333 or June Jefferson at 790-2588.

Thursday

SPRINGDALE -- Karen Swenson, a member of Quilters United in Learning Together, will speak at 7 p.m. at the combined November and December QUILT meetings. The evening begins with a social time at 6:30 p.m. at the Springdale Holiday Inn. Swenson is making her debut on the lecture circuit with a trunk show and lecture called "Diversity is the Spice of Life." Guests are welcome to attend their first meeting at no charge. Information: 619-2527.

Dec. 9

ROGERS -- Join the Friends of the Rogers Public Library for the monthly Lunch & Learn at noon Dec. 9. This month's topic is "Reading Is for Giving." Children's Director Rebecca Willhite and Reader's Advisory Librarian Lesley Knieriem will be discussing titles that make excellent gifts for all ages. Come prepared to share some suggestions of your own, and bring a sack lunch. Information: 621-1152.

Road Trip

Saturday

FORT SMITH -- Moscow Ballet will perform its "Great Russian Nutcracker" at 3 p.m. at the Fort Smith Convention Center. The world-renowned troupe celebrates its 16th anniversary "Great Russian Nutcracker" tour, performing in 70 cities across the United States and Canada. For information and tickets, visit www.nutcracker.com or call (800) 737-4040.

To be included, your event must be open to the public. Deadline for the WEEKEND section is noon TUESDAY for Friday publication. To submit an event, e-mail Becca Bacon Martin, Entertainment editor, at bmartin@nwaonline.net or send a fax to 872-5055. All submissions must be in writing. Questions? Call 872-5054.

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