Best Bets: Holiday Performances 2012
Published 4:00 pm Thursday, December 6, 2012
Patrick Weishampel / Portland Center Stage
Darius Pierce as Crumpet the Elf in “The Santaland Diaries” by David Sedaris
From the Christmas Revels to The Santaland Diaries, ’tis the season to catch all of your favorite traditional (and untraditional) holiday performances. The producers of Oregon Art Beat have compiled a list of classic favorites and new events you won’t want to miss.
Holidays with the Trail Band
The Trail Band returns for the 19th year of this fabulous showcase, which includes classical, Celtic, swing and country music styles, blended with humorous stories and special guests. Besides their shows at Portland’s Aladdin Theater, this year’s tour includes stops in Canby, Salem, Camas, McMinnville, The Dalles, Forest Grove and Hood River.
December 7-9, Aladdin Theater, Portland
The Christmas Revels: Appalachian Christmas
This year, the Christmas Revels brings early American and Appalachian music, dance and culture to vivid life, with local actors and musicians joining special guest artist Suzannah Park for an unforgettable event.
December 7-9 & December 13-16, Scottish Rite Center Theater, Portland
Rogue Valley Chorale: Christmas with the Chorale, Let it Snow
Enjoy a traditional sing-along holiday program with some of the finest vocalists in the Rogue Valley.
December 8-9, Craterian Theater, Medford
Oregon Children’s Theatre: A WWII Radio Christmas
Written by OPB’s own Pat Kruis, this show for all ages allows the audience to experience a live radio show in Portland during World War II, with true stories, comedic sketches and classic songs.
December 8-16, Oregon Children’s Theatre, Portland
Portland Gay Men’s Chorus: The Most Wonderful Season
Blending traditional and new holiday music with a few seasonal surprises for fun, PGMC’s all-inclusive show returns with songs from Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Solstice.
December 14-16, Newmark Theatre, Portland
Oregon Symphony
Gospel Christmas at the Oregon Symphony
Oregon Symphony: Gospel Christmas/Fiesta Navidad
Charles Floyd and the Northwest Community Gospel Choir once again join the Symphony for a powerful holiday concert. The next weekend, Nati Cano and his mariachi band Los Camperos bring Mexican and American holiday songs to the stage.
Gospel Christmas, December 7-9, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland
Fiesta Navidad, December 15, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland
Michael Allen Harrison: Christmas at the Old Church
Pianist Michael Allen Harrison returns with his annual holiday show, with special guests Julianne Johnson, Haley Johnson and Mac Potts, among many others.
December 14-26, The Old Church, Portland
Central Coast Chorale: Wishes & Candles 2012
The Central Coast’s community chorus presents their annual holiday celebration.
December 14, Newport Performing Arts Center, Newport
December 16, First Presbyterian Church, Newport
Oregon Mandolin Orchestra Holiday Concert
Along with popular holiday music, the orchestra will also feature special guests Gangadeep Singh on mandolin and Josh Feinberg on sitar playing classical music from Northern India.
December 14, Glenn & Viola Walters Art Center, Hillsboro
Miracle Theatre Group: Posada Milagro
This Latin American celebration reflects on Mary and Joseph as they search for refuge, with an original pastorela by Diego Vazquez, live music by the Lara Brothers and folkloric dance by Ballet Papalotl. This free event also includes arts & craft activities and storytelling for the kids.
December 16, El Centro Milagro, Portland
White Album Christmas
Combining a tribute to The Beatles with a holiday circus spectacular, The Nowhere Band plays a live performance of the entire Beatles’ White Album while the Wanderlust Circus provides the visual delights of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and more.
December 21-23, Alberta Rose Theater, Portland
Classical Revolution PDX: Bachxing Day
After a steady diet of holiday music, Classical Revolution PDX offers a reprieve in its day-after-Christmas celebration of all things Bach.
December 26, Someday Lounge, Portland
Artists Repertory Theatre: Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol
The ART’s hit holiday show by Seattle playwright John Longenbaugh is based on one simple question: “How would Sherlock Holmes fare after a Christmas Eve of supernatural visitors and profound reflection?” This creative combination of genres brings the great detective’s deductive powers into play while he faces the trio of ghosts familiar to Ebenezer Scrooge.
Through December 30, Alder Stage, Portland
Portland Center Stage: The Santaland Diaries
Based on David Sedaris’ true-life experience as Crumpet the Elf during a memorable holiday season, this humorous Portland holiday tradition has a brand-new Crumpet in actor Darius Pierce.
Through December 30, Ellyn Bye Studio, Portland
This story originally appeared on Oregon Public Broadcasting.
