Middle School "Cinderella"
The Bromfield Middle School Drama Club will perform Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. at Bromfield's Cronin Auditorium.
"Cinderella," which features Bromfield Middle School actors, is directed by Martha Brooks, with choreography by Melissa Lynch, and musical direction by Michael Hoffmann. Tom Reynolds will direct the 10-member orchestra. Attendees at the matinee are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Cinderella character. Tickets are $10 for children and seniors and $12 for other adults, and are available at the door. For more information email mbrooks@psharvard.org.
Family Movie Night
The Harvard Public Library will host a Family Movie Night for all ages Friday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. Popcorn and water will be served. Please preregister, so librarians will know how much popcorn to buy.
Harvard Pro Musica Seasonal Concert
Harvard Pro Musica's concert on Saturday, Dec. 3, will feature excerpts from Handel's "Messiah" and other seasonal selections at 7:30 p.m. at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church. Harvard Pro Musica invites listeners to "come for the joyful music...stay for refreshments." For more information visit www.harvardpromusica.org or call 978-456-5039. Tickets are $20 general admission and $16 for students and seniors; children under 12 are free.
Lunch with Santa and Christmas Fair
The Congregational Church of Harvard will hold its annual Christmas Fair Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa will arrive at 11 a.m. and reservations for lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their elves will be available for 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance at the church or by calling 978-456-8788.
The Festival of Trees and Wreaths will display theme-decorated Christmas trees and wreaths to be raffled off. A preview gathering will be held Friday evening, Dec. 2. The fair will also feature handmade crafts and activities for kids, including Gingerbread House decorating. The Tea Room will be open for lunch and snacks. Grandma's Attic will sell gently used treasures. Homemade baked goods and poinsettias will be available. For more information contact Dennis Bradley at 978-660-5854 or DbinNE@aol.com.
Family Holiday Crafting Fair and Puppet Show
Evergreen Garden Playschool and the Oxbow Schoolhouse will host a Holiday Fair Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 270 Barnum Road in Devens. The family event will feature live music, refreshments, and crafts for purchase from local craftspeople. There will be crafts to make appropriate for children 0-12 and those young at heart for a small fee. Admission, which includes a puppet show at 3 p.m., food, drinks, and music, is $5 per person; children under 2 are free. For more information call 978-772-9595 or visit www.evergreengardenplayschool.org.
St. Benedict's Center Singers at the Historical Society
Harvard Historical Society neighbors from the St. Benedict's Center, Brothers and Sisters from the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) school, will present a concert of traditional Christmas carols at the Harvard Historical Society Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. at 215 Still River Road. Brother Peter Mary, who leads the award-winning IHM marching band, will conduct the group. Refreshments will be served. Donations will benefit the IHM school building project and the HHS organ fund. Information is available at www.harvardhistory.org.
Nourishing Your Body with Mindful Nutrition
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, 145 Bolton Road, will hold a talk entitled "Nourishing Your Body with Mindful Nutrition" on Sunday, Dec. 4, from noon to 2 p.m. The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. In this workshop, specific aspects of an eating plan that support well-being will be discussed. Practical tips and recipes will be included, as well as a lively discussion of nutrition controversies such as organic versus conventional foods and dietary supplements. Stephanie Meyers, MS/RD, LDN, CNSD, is senior dietician at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and has lectured throughout the country on this topic. You may register at the door.
Courage and Compassion in the Holy Land
Pat Westwater-Jong will bring her photo exhibition, "Courage and Compassion in the Holy Land," to the Unitarian Universalist church. Her project includes photographs and stories of Jews, Muslims, and Christians who facilitate and celebrate interfaith understanding and compassion in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, and those who are working for respect, equality and justice for everyone, regardless of religion or nationality. Part of this exhibition has previously been displayed at the Harvard University Divinity School, as well as the Austrian Hospice in Jerusalem. The exhibition opening is Sunday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Building and includes a sideshow presentation and an opportunity for people to ask additional questions about the project. Refreshments will be served.
Ukuleles with Danno Sullivan
Danno Sullivan, a Harvard resident well-known as a teacher/performer who is leading an unprecedented revival of the ukulele, will lead a joyous musical presentation, accompanied by Ukulele Union players, at the Harvard Woman's Club meeting Monday, Dec. 5, at St. Theresa's Parish Hall. Sullivan will hand out ukes for everyone to try. Bring your own if you have one. The program will begin at 12:15 p.m., following a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome. For membership information, call Sue Guswa at 978-456-8580.
Wolf Talk for All Ages
Michael LeBlanc of Wolf Talk will conduct a one-hour live animal presentation Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 1:30 p.m. at the Harvard Public Library. LeBlanc will teach the audience about wolf behavior in captivity and in the wild, eating habits of wolves, and wolf pack structure. In addition to a live wolf raised by LeBlanc and his wife, he will have an educational visual display of furs, skulls, and more. There will be a question-and-answer session at the end of the program. Wolf Talk is state and federally licensed for education. Preregistration is requested.
Gingerbread Decorating Party
The Village Nursery School will hold a morning of seasonal activities and crafts for toddlers and their caregivers Thursday, Dec. 8, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at 40 Poor Farm Road. At the annual event led by a Village Nursery School teacher, children can enjoy decorating gingerbread treats and a variety of winter-themed activities. There is no cost and additional friends are welcome. To attend, RSVP by Dec. 6 by calling 978-456-3993.
Holiday Bake Sale
Harvard Ambassador Girl Scout Troop 30898 is having a Holiday Bake Sale Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Harvard Transfer Station. All proceeds are to benefit the Abby's House Holiday Gift Program, for mothers and children staying at Abby's House. Visit the bake sale table, enjoy one of the Girl Scouts' homemade pies, cakes or breads, and help them support a worthy cause. Abby's House houses almost 30 mothers and their children who are in need of shelter this time of year.
Lego Club
The Harvard Public Library will host Lego Club for ages 5 and up Saturday, Dec. 10, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the library to have fun building Lego creations with other Harvard Lego fans. Parents are encouraged to join in and to assist with supervision. See the Children's Librarian for more information and to preregister.
Knit Wits
All levels of knitters in grades 4 to 12 are welcome at the Harvard Public Library's Knitting Group, Monday, Dec. 12, at 3:30 p.m. run by teen volunteer Janet Sorrells. Projects will depend on skill levels of group members; more advanced knitters may bring their own projects. Limited to 12; preregistration is requested.
Annual Christmas Pageant
The annual town Christmas Pageant, presented by the children of the town's three churches and their friends, will be held Sunday, Dec. 11, at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist church. Doors will open at 3:15 and 4:20 p.m., with reserved seating for seniors available at the first performance. Local musicians will provide Christmas music after both performances at the Congregational church Fellowship Hall, where hot chocolate and cookies will be served until 6 p.m. Following the pageant's second performance, residents are invited to sing carols, with music provided by the Harvard Town Band, at the town Christmas tree lighting on the Common at 5:15 p.m.
Holiday Cookie Decorating for Teens
The Harvard Public Library will host a Holiday Cookie Decorating afternoon for students in grades 6 and above Thursday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m.
Jacqueline Scwhab in Concert
Jacqueline Scwhab will perform a concert of holiday music Saturday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m. at the Harvard Public Library. Scwhab is best known for soundtracks she did for Ken Burns documentaries. Seating is limited and advance reservations are a must. Call the library at 978-456-4114 to reserve tickets. Admission is free, but donations will be appreciated.
OUT OF TOWN
Masonic Breakfast
The Ayer Masonic Association will hold it's monthly fundraising breakfast Sunday, Dec. 4, from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Ayer Masonic Center, 11 Sculley Road in Ayer. Eggs Benedict and a Mexican omelet have been added to the usual menu of pancakes or eggs and potatoes with bacon or sausage.
Music at St. Matthew's
Music at St. Matthew's will present soprano Maria Ferrante and keyboard artist Dr. Marjorie Ness Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, 435 Central Street, Acton. Advance tickets are $12.50 and $10 for seniors/students and can be reserved by calling 978-263-9735 or the church office at 978-263-2822. Tickets will also be available at the door for $15 and $12.50. For more information, contact the church at 978-263-2822 or office@saint-matthews.org or visit www.saint-matthews.org.
Concert Series at the Bull Run
The Bull Run Restaurant on Route 2A in Shirley continues its concert series with:
- Friday, Dec. 2: The Kennedys/Pete and Maura Kennedy
- Friday, Dec. 2: Stephen Donovan
- Saturday, Dec. 3: Tom Rush
- Saturday, Dec. 10: Bill Kirchen's Honky-Tonk Holiday;
- Sunday, Dec. 11: The Dublin City Ramblers' "Christmas In Ireland"
- Friday, Dec. 16: Savoy Brown with Kim Simmonds
- Saturday, Dec. 17: Paul Geremia
- Saturday, Dec. 17: James Montgomery
Ticket prices and more information at tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com.
"Glass Menagerie"
Former Bromfield theater teacher Michael McGarty is directing a production of Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" at the Acme Theater at Art Space, 61 Summer St. in Maynard. Harvard residents James Turner and Steve Hayward perform in the production. The play runs Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 10, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17 adults/$15 students and seniors. To order, visit Acmetheater.com or call 978-823-0003.
Annual Acton Jazz Benefit
Littleton jazz pianist Molly Flannery will host her fourth annual Holiday Extravaganza to benefit Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry Saturday, Dec. 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Acton Jazz Café at 452 Great Road in Acton. All are welcome in exchange for a donation of canned foods, new and unwrapped toys, gently used jewelry, and/or $10.
"In a Manger" Exhibit
The tenth annual "In a Manger" Nativity Exhibition will be held Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Parish Hall at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 7 Faulkner St., Ayer. More than 300 Nativity sets from around the world will be on display. The public is welcome to display favorite Nativity scenes and ornaments by dropping them off at the Parish Hall before noon on Friday, Dec. 9, with pickup after noon Sunday, Dec. 11. Admission is free. For more information or directions call 978-772-2615 or visit www.standrewsayer.org.
Holiday Concert in Ayer
The Nashoba Valley Concert Band will perform a joint concert with the Ayer-Shirley High School Chorus Saturday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. in the Ayer Town Hall. The free concert for all ages will feature traditional holiday music. The Nashoba Valley Concert Band comprises over 40 musicians from many local towns. For more information www.nashobavalleyconcertband.org.
Guitarist Eric Baldwin and Friends
Guitarist Eric Baldwin and friends will perform Sunday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. at Indian Hill Music School, 36 King St. in Littleton. Admission is free. For more information call 978-486-9524, ext. 114, or visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
Nashoba Youth Orchestra Concert
Nashoba Youth Orchestra will perform Monday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Blanchard Middle School in Westford. The concert will include selections performed by the Nashoba Youth Orchestra Camerata Strings Orchestra, the Sinfonia Apprenticeship Program members, and the Nashoba Youth Orchestra Sinfonia Strings Orchestra. The snow date is Dec. 19. Admission is free.
Bach's Lunch Concert
Indian Hill Music School's free monthly faculty series will present an all-Bach program, with harpsichordist Joseph DiMarino, at two performances Thursday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at 36 King St. in Littleton. Coffee, tea, and cookies will be served; bring your lunch. For more information visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
Voice Soiree
Indian Hill Music School Voice Department students will perform a variety of classical and popular songs with a nature theme Friday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m, at 36 King St. in Littleton. Light refreshments will be served. Donation is $5 at the door. For more information, call 978-486-9524 or visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
Concord Women's Chorus Concert
The Concord Women's Chorus will present its annual holiday concert, Lights of Memory, Saturday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm St. in Concord. The snow date will be Sunday, Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. Tickets for Lights of Memory are $25 general admission, $20 for seniors (65) and students, and $15 for children under 12. Reserving tickets in advance is highly recommended. To order tickets, call 978-852-4239. Further information about the chorus can be found at concordwomenschorus.org.
Family Holiday Sing-along
Indian Hill Music School's Early Childhood Department will present its free annual Holiday Sing-Along for young families Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. at 36 King St. in Littleton. All ages are invited to sing, dance, play instruments, and celebrate songs and stories of the season. Call 978-486-9524 or visit www.indianhillmusic.org for more information.