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Spirit of the Season

Get festive with these cultural and holiday-themed events

by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson

November 21, 2012

holiday concert

It's official: The holiday season is underway. Dickinsonians can get into the spirit through a host upcoming arts, cultural and holiday-themed events.

Major arts events: 

Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2
Dickinson Collegium Holiday Concert
Saturday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m.: Rubendall Recital Hall, Weiss Center for the Arts
Sunday, Dec. 2, 4 p.m.:  St. John's Episcopal Church (1-A North Hanover Street) 
The Dickinson College Collegium, under the direction of Professor of Music Blake Wilson, will perform a concert of seasonal choral music. Freewill offerings at both events will benefit Project S.H.A.R.E. View photos and video from last year's concert.

Nov. 27 through Dec. 7
Opening Reception: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 5 to 7 p.m.
Senior Studio-Art Seminar: Works in Progress
Goodyear Gallery, Goodyear Building (Cedar Street entrance). Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 3 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m.
Senior studio-art majors will exhibit works in a variety of mediums, including sculpture, drawing, painting, photography, video and ceramics. During the opening reception, the artists will be available to discuss their ongoing work, which will culminate in an April exhibition at The Trout Gallery. View photos from the 2012 Senior Art Exhibition, The Necessity of a Wandering Consciousness.

Thursday, Nov. 29
Noonday Concert
Rubendall Recital Hall, Weiss Center for the Arts
This concert features students in Dickinson's performance-studies program.


Lend a Hand! 

UHMC Giving Tree
Children at Mechanicsburg's United Methodist Home for Children (UMHC) list items they would like to receive with an average cost of $20 or less. Ornaments representing each child's wish are placed on the Giving Tree (in the HUB).

To participate, take an ornament from the Giving Tree, buy the gift it represents and place the unwrapped gift in a gift bag with the tree ornament attached. Then deliver the gift bag to the Office of Community Service and Religious Life (HUB, lower level) by 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3. Contact: volunteer@dickinson.edu.

NOLA Coffee Fundraiser
All proceeds help fund winter-break service trips to New Orleans. Coffees include organic fair-trade Guatemalan blend and Southern-style French-roast coffees (both blends available in regular and decaf, beans and ground). The coffee is $13 for a one-pound bag.

Stop by the Office of Community Service in the lower level of the HUB to place an order by Nov. 26. Payment is due when you order; cash or check (payable to Dickinson College) are accepted.  Contact: volunteer@dickinson.edu

Sandy Relief Donations  
The Yarn Garden (52 W. Pomfret St.)  is collecting thermal hats, blankets, gloves, etc. to be sent to Long Island residents hit hard by the storm. 

Learn more about community service at Dickinson, including winter service trips.

Want to help a local nonprofit this holiday season? Here are a few:

Holiday cheer at Dickinson: 

Mon. Nov. 26
Fair Wares Market
HUB Social Hall, 11 a.m.
Mindful holiday shopping is a breeze, thanks to this annual, on-campus event. See photos of the market and view details.

Sat., Dec. 1
Global Gastronomy Group Fundraiser
Britton Plaza, 6 p.m.
Get your homemade crepes and holiday cookies here!

Sat., Dec. 1
Student Event: Hanukkah Party
Asbell Center, 11 p.m.
Channel your inner Adam Sandler and celebrate those eight crazy nights. More info:  717-254-8963 or loudonl@dickinson.edu.

Sunday, Dec. 2
Crescendevils Fall Concert
Anita Tuvin Schlechter Auditorium, 8 p.m.
Dickinson's newest a cappella group takes to the stage.

Monday, Dec. 3
Clarinets, Cookies and Cheer
HUB Social Hall Lobby, 6 p.m.
Gather 'round the Festivus pole, sample free cookies and join in the fun as the Cork Grease Clarinet Ensemble presents a program of traditional carols. More information: 717-245-1568. 

Wednesday, Dec. 5
Octals Winter Concert
Anita Tuvin Schlechter Auditorium, 8 p.m.
Dickinson's all-male a cappella group returns to the sage.  

In the community:

Saturday, Dec. 8
Holiday Music and Movie Festival
Carlisle Theatre, 6:15 p.m.
Enjoy live music by St. Paul's Brass and a special screening of the classic film White Christmas, plus appearances by Santa, Mrs. Claus and Buddy the Elf. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children. More information: 717-258-0666 or carlisletheatre.org.

Dec. 8-9 and 15-16
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
The Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet presents this holiday classic Dec. 8-9 at The Whitaker Center and Dec. 15-16 at the Hershey Theatre. Learn more.

Friday, Dec. 14
Eaken Piano Trio Benefit Concert
St. John's Episcopal Church (1 N. Hanover Street)
A classical Christmas concert to benefit families in need through Project Share. Reception immediately following the concert. Learn more.

Through January 1
Holiday Trains and Trees Display and Student Art Science Christmas Display
The Whitaker Science Center for Science and the Arts
Decorated trees, toy-train sets and hands-on activities for children of all ages; 12 Christmas trees showcase ornaments by area school students. Free with Science Center admission. Learn more.

Various Dates
IMAX and 3-D Holiday Movies
The Whitaker Science Center for Science and the Arts
Showing Santa vs. the Snowman and The Polar Express. View show times.