ArtPlay Presents ‘Yuletide in Dogtown’
“Yuletide in Dogtown,” an original theatrical production for families, will be presented Dec. 17 by ArtPlay, the home for arts education from UAB’s Alys Stephens Center.
Shows are at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Stephens Center. Holiday treats will be served after each performance. Guests can bring cameras to have pictures made with the show’s costumed characters.
The interactive play, created by Birmingham’s Jerry Sims, tells the story of four dogs who learn the real meaning of the season. Audience members can sing along with the show’s songs.
Returning this year are several veteran ArtPlay performers, including Ron Bourdages as the show’s narrator and musician, Lee Griner as Beauregard Bloodhound, Ginny S. Loggins as poodle Fifi Latour and Darryl Revel as Scotty Mactavish, mayor of Dogtown. Kimberly Kirklin is Felicity Feline, and Sims is Spike the Bulldog.
Tickets are $8 for children and $10 for adults. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
Winter Wonderland Returns to McWane
The McWane Science Center’s Winter Wonderland exhibit is open through Jan. 8.
This holiday experience gives families a chance to learn about the science of the season as they play in the snow, go ice fishing, and watch toy trains zip around the tracks.
Inside the snow room, children can make snow angels, build snow castles and more. They also can catch fish through the ice in the ice fishing area, sled down the giant slide between the third and second floors in the museum or try the zip line.
For more information, visit www.mcwane.org.
McWane Plans Pajama Party
Young guests can wear their pajamas and treat themselves to hot chocolate, cookies and a visit with Santa at the McWane Science Center’s Polar Express Pajama Party Dec. 18.
The holiday film “The Polar Express” will be shown at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., with the party between showings from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Children wearing pajamas will receive a special treat. Those who attend can bring cameras to make pictures with Santa.
Tickets are $11 for adults and $10 for children. Reservations are required; call 714-8414.
Breakfast at Santa’s Workshop Is Dec. 17
McWane Science Center’s final Breakfast at Santa’s Workshop for the 2011 Christmas season will be Dec. 17 from 8 to 10 a.m.
Adult tickets are $15; children’s tickets are $12. For members, adult tickets are $12, and children’s tickets are $10. Tickets include museum admission.
The event includes breakfast, holiday crafts, visits with Santa and the Winter Wonderland exhibit.
Reservations are required; call 714-8414.
‘Nutcracker’ Continues Through This Weekend
This weekend marks this year’s final performances of George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” by the Alabama Ballet at the Leslie Stephen Wright Center on Samford University’s campus.
Show times are Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 2:30 p.m.
Alabama Ballet is one of only six companies in the world, and the only one in the Southeast, licensed by the Balanchine Trust to perform this production.
Set to Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s score, Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” features choreography by Balanchine and props and scenery ranging from an 18th century German home to a snowstorm to a dream-like Kingdom of Sweets.
The 150 costumes were originally designed by legendary New York City Ballet costumer Barbara Karinska for the 1954 premiere. They have been painstakingly replicated by the Alabama Ballet’s costume shop.
The production includes the company’s entire roster of 35 dancers in alternating roles and more than 80 Community Cast members from the Alabama Ballet School and the Birmingham community.
To buy tickets, visit www.alabamaballet.org.
Clothes Tree Hosts Charity Event
The Clothes Tree by Deborah and inBham.com will host “Making a Christmas Possible: A Black Tie Affair” Dec. 15 from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Miss Alabama Courtney Porter will be at the Clothes Tree on Rocky Ridge Road in Vestavia Hills for the event, which will benefit Toys for Tots.
The event includes catering by Ashley Mac, complimentary wine, live entertainment and valet parking. New holiday fashions will be showcased.
Ten percent of all sales at the Clothes Tree Dec. 15 will be donated to Toys for Tots.
Tickets are available at the Clothes Tree and online at inBham.com/events.
Choral Society Plans Holiday Concert
The Magic City Choral Society will host its fifth annual holiday concert, “Sure on this Shining Night,” Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center at Samford University.
The concert, presented by Patty McDonald, features the men’s and women’s choruses. Admission is free.
Dr. Joseph Paul Dease is the MCCS artistic director and conductor.
Musical selections performed by the choruses will include a variety of religious and secular holiday songs in addition to seasonal carols, African drumming and the annual sing-a-long.
Josh Coble, organist at Mountain Brook Baptist Church, will lead the audience in singing some of the season’s best-known carols.
Aldridge Gardens Has Holiday Atmosphere
Aldridge Gardens will be decked out for the holidays Dec. 2-22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Greenery swags and velvet bows will adorn lamp posts, structures and the front gate.
Volunteers will transform the Aldridge Gallery and Museum, adding a Christmas tree and other festive decorations. The gallery will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Decorating committee members are Janet White, Sharon Hill, Angie Ballew, Carol Griffin, Diane McKinnon, JoEllen Vansword, Ruby Duncan, Earlie Stowe, Ruth Reichwein, Mildred Mathews, Laurie Ogle, Mary Carter, Wanda Anderson, Phyllis Giles and Susan Eagan.
Admission is free to the gardens and gallery. For more information, call 682-8019 or visit www.aldridgegardens.com.