By Sean-Edward Hall
Calvin Coolidge said, “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy,is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”
December is all about holiday celebrations, productions, and music. Here are just a few activities in our diverse Artistic Community that will uplift your Christmas and Holiday Spirit:
The Jacksonville Symphony and Chorale will not only be joining their voices with the Jacksonville High School Choir, but also the Laurel UMC Choir for “Christmas In The Air”. The concert will be full of musical classics and favorites, will feature soloists from both the community and from Laurel, and the audience will be given the opportunity to add their voices to the spectacular sounds. Abby Musgrove, Chorale Manager, said, “This concert is a great way to bring the entire family to a concert and introduce them to the orchestra and chorale and there might even be a visit from Santa, not to mention the delicious and amazing offerings at the Bake Sale.” The concert is December 13th at 3:00 p.m. at Rammelkamp chapel and is free to children.
LLCC’s Theatre Troupe will be performing instructor Ken Bradbury’s new play, “Oh, Ho, Snow!” at Playhouse On The Square on December 13th at 5 and Sunday Dec 14th at 2:30. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for youths 12-16 and free for those under 12 and can be purchased at LLCC, Times Square Sewing and County Market. Illinois College Choirs and instrumentalists surround the audience in Rammelkamp Chapel on December 13th at 7:30 p.m. This free, beautiful candlelit service will not only contain the usual favorites but will offer a Sufi Islamic chant for peace and and early American shape-note hymn. MacMurray College will be holding it’s annual “Lessons and Carols” on December 7th at 5:00 p.m. in Annie Merner Chapel.
Jacksonville Theatre Guild brings “Christmas Chaos” to the Nichols Park Pavillion December 5th-7th and 12th – 14th . Characters from Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” are brought to life when a professional touring company isn’t able to come to a small town and the local theatre company decides that the “show must go on”. Director Barb Gatlin is proud with her cast: Kory Shepard, Donna Stare, Gracie Smith, Sarah Judy, Brooklyn Carter, Kate Doyle, Tammy Guthrie, Chris Proffitt, Shawn Smith, Darin Gehrke, Jan Williams, Gracie Jackson, Nick Hester, Brian and Abbie Hymes, Katie McDannald, and Mike Schneider. Auditions for “Cinderella, Cinderella”, directed by Stephanie Pallay, are upcoming, so watch their website or call 217-245-1402 for more information.
Playhouse On The Square is giving back this Holday Season by bringing some of the season’s BEST music and humorous stories and poetry offerings from Our Town Books’ Poetry Group in “Christmas Favorites”, sponsored by The Source. Performances are December 5th and 6th at 7:30 and the 7th at 2. Playhouse will also be accepting non-perishable food stuffs and donations for the Jacksonville Food Pantry.
