Ah, December. When the weather is near perfection and the holidays kick into full gear.
Which, of course, means you will be inundated: Friends want the warm climes so they head your way. Kids are out of school. Out-of-town family gathers around your table.
Face it, you need things to do to keep everyone occupied.
And there鈥檚 not much that occupies as well as the arts, whether it鈥檚 museum hopping, seeing a play, checking out a ballet or going to a concert.
So here is our gift to you: A day-by-day guide to art events in the Old Pueblo. And there are so many that we couldn’t include them all. Be sure to check for more, much more.
DEC. 1
- The traditional music of Bali will fill the Galactic Center at 7 p.m. when the 蜜柚直播-based orchestra, Gamelan Dewi Malam, plays the ethereal, and sometimes, thundering, music. It鈥檚 a pretty powerful experience. The center is at 35 E. Toole Ave. $15. , 884-0874.
- Launch December with some glorious music from the Pima Community College Orchestra. Among the pieces you鈥檒l hear: the first movement of Georges Bizet鈥檚 Symphony in C, a movement from Beethoven鈥檚 6th, and selections from Tchaikovsky鈥檚 鈥淭he Nutcracker.鈥 It鈥檚 at 3 p.m. at PCC Center for the Arts, 2202 W. Anklam Road. $6. , 206-6986.
- There鈥檚 little that is as magical as thousands of luminarias lining the paths of 蜜柚直播 Botanical Gardens. Luminaria Nights will also include snowfall in the Exhibit Garden, music, and storytelling with the Grinch. It鈥檚 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 1-2 and Dec. 7-9 at the gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. Children 17 and under are $8; adults, $15. , 326-9686.
People are also reading…
DEC. 2
- 蜜柚直播 Rose Theatre brings us old time radio with its production of 鈥淵es Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.鈥 The Jamie Gorski play combines the true story of an 8-year-old child who wrote the editor of a newspaper asking if Santa was real, with the fictional one of a reporter who faces losing his job if he doesn鈥檛 get out of his writer鈥檚 block. Stick around after the show for some old-fashioned holiday singing. Performances are 2 p.m. this day and Dec. 8 and 9, and at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 and 8 at the theater, 4500 N. Oracle Road, Suite 328, in the 蜜柚直播 Mall. Tickets are $15, $2 more at the door, with discounts available. , 888-0509.
- The 蜜柚直播 Early Music Society brings nationally-known The Aulos Ensemble to 蜜柚直播 for a concert, 鈥淛oyeux Noel.鈥 The Baroque music can be sublime, especially in this ensemble鈥檚 hands. The New York Times called them 鈥淎uthentic baroque performance at its best.鈥 It鈥檚 at St. Philip鈥檚 in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave. at 3 p.m. $25. , 326-0803.
DEC. 3
- Warm up those vocal chords: it鈥檚 time for 蜜柚直播 Sing-In鈥檚 annual 鈥淢essiah Sing-in.鈥 This is the 42nd year for the popular event, which calls on the audience to sing the 鈥淗allelujah鈥 chorus of Handel鈥檚 鈥淢essiah.鈥 Elliot Jones will conduct. Warm-ups begin at 7 p.m. with traditional holiday music. It鈥檚 at Christ Community Church, 530 S. Pantano Road, and it鈥檚 free. , 296-8501.
DEC. 4
- Sure, we鈥檙e in 蜜柚直播. But that doesn鈥檛 mean we can鈥檛 be in Ireland, too. Well, not literally, but close 鈥 An Irish Christmas tour stops at the Fox 蜜柚直播 for a 7 p.m. show. We will be transported to Ireland and indulged with the stories, music and dance of that magical country. The Fox is at 17 W. Congress St. Tickets are $30-$47. , 547-3040.
DEC. 5
- The Sons of Orpheus鈥 benefit concert for the Community Food Bank of Southern 蜜柚直播 is an annual must-see. The male choir, led by Grayson Hirst, never fails to infuse audiences with a holiday spirit. The event features performances by the 蜜柚直播 State School for the Blind elementary students and the Sonido de Mexico band. It鈥檚 at 7 p.m. at the Berger Center of the Performing Arts, 1200 W. Speedway. It鈥檚 free, but a donation of cash or a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank is welcomed. , 449-8336.
DEC. 6
鈥淐loud Soup鈥 by Wolfe Bowart combines illusion, comedy and multimedia.
- Physical theater artist Wolfe Bowart doesn鈥檛 need words to tell a story 鈥 his movements, his facial expressions, say it all. The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre presents the nationally-known Bowart in 鈥淐loud Soup,鈥 the tale of a tailor who discovers the adventure he wants is right at his feet, in his pile of laundry. This is a good one for kids and adults. Performances are 7:30 p.m. this day and on Dec. 7, and 2 and 4 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9 at 738 N. Fifth Ave. $28, with discounts available. , 448-3300.
- It鈥檚 hard to resist a play that鈥檚 touted as a 鈥渄reamlike story of love and quantum physics.鈥 That鈥檚 how Something Something Theatre Company explains the Nick Payne play 鈥淐辞苍蝉迟别濒濒补迟颈辞苍蝉.鈥 It opens at 7:30 p.m. at The Community Playhouse, 1881 N. Oracle Road, and continues through Dec. 23. $25. , 468-6111.
DEC. 7
"Chin Finger" oil by Bailey Doogan, on view at the Bernal Gallery at Pima Community College.聽
- This is your last chance to catch this blockbuster exhibit at Pima Community College鈥檚 Bernal Gallery. The line-up reads like a who鈥檚-who of 蜜柚直播 artists: Fred Borcherdt, Bailey Doogan, Tom Philabaum, Barbara Rogers and Jim Waid. Hurry: the gallery is open only from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. It鈥檚 at the PCC Center for the Arts. It鈥檚 free. , 206-6942.
- The music from the play 鈥淪pring Awakening鈥 is infectious and kind of brilliant and deserved the Tony Award it won for Best Original Score. So any chance you get to hear it live, grab it. And here鈥檚 your chance: Winding Road Theater Ensemble is presenting a concert version of 鈥淪pring Awakening鈥 at 7:30 p.m. this day and Dec. 8. And here鈥檚 the best part: it鈥檚 a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood 蜜柚直播. It鈥檚 at the YWCA, 525 N. Bonita Ave. $25 suggested donation. , 401-3626.
DEC. 8
Ryan Green, left, and Cameron Hood are Ryanhood.
- Acoustic duo Ryanhood is taking a break from recording and touring to bring a gift to the town they call home: A free concert is planned for 7 p.m. at the Fox 蜜柚直播. A suggestion: Get there early. They are immensely popular. , 547-3040.
- Get a taste of 蜜柚直播 history by candlelight. Presidio San Agustin del 蜜柚直播 Museum, 196 N. Court Ave., hosts Luminaria Nights this day. Luminarias, of course, but hot chocolate, cookies, a Christmas tree lighting and docent-led tours are on deck, as well. Not a good day? It鈥檚 also Dec. 7. It鈥檚 4-7:30 p.m. $5. , 837-8119.
DEC. 9
- DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun celebrates the patron saint of Mexico with La Fiesta de Guadalupe. Mariachi and folklorico groups, pi帽atas, Yaqui Deer Dance ceremony and, of course, the DeGrazia artwork. It鈥檚 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 6300 N. Swan Road. And it鈥檚 free. , 299-9191.
DEC. 10
Dec. 12 If you鈥檝e been in 蜜柚直播 more than two seconds, you know the event of the year is the Christmas at San Xavier concerts, featuring classical and popular holiday tunes performed by the Sons of Orpheus and the 蜜柚直播 蜜柚直播 Boys Chorus. It is a glorious time 鈥 and it raises funds for San Xavier.聽
- Today is the first of a series of perhaps the most in-demand concerts of the year: Patronato鈥檚 Christmas at San Xavier joins the voices of The Sons of Orpheus and the 蜜柚直播 蜜柚直播 Boys Chorus for a concert in the San Xavier mission. Tickets are pricey and in demand. And proceeds are dedicated to the preservations of the mission. This concert is a special one that begins with a 5 p.m. dinner at the 蜜柚直播 Inn and then transportation to the mission for the 7 p.m. concert. Tickets are $250. Subsequent concerts are 6 and 8 p.m. Dec. 11-13. The tickets for those are $100-$125. The mission is at 1950 W. San Xavier Road. , 407-6130.
DEC. 11
- Multiple Tony winner (and host of PBS鈥檚 鈥淢asterpiece Mystery鈥) Alan Cumming brings his cabaret show, 鈥淎lan Cumming: Legal Immigrant鈥 to the Old Pueblo. It鈥檚 the tale, in song and story, of what brought him to this country and how he became a citizen. This is a big deal 鈥 the guy is the consummate entertainer. And with any luck, he may perform a song or two from 鈥淐abaret鈥 鈥 he won one of his Tonys for his performance as the emcee in that. It鈥檚 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fox. $32-$77. , 547-3040.
DEC. 12
Johnny Sanchez in his Chicano Power shirt, 1973 by Danny Lyon. Etherton Gallery, 135 S. Sixth Ave., has over 35 never exhibited vintage and modern photographs.
- An exhibit of Danny Lyon鈥s photographs is a treat, but the current one at Etherton Gallery is especially so: More than a dozen of the Lyon photos on view have never been exhibited before. Do yourself a favor and go. Etherton is at 135 S. Sixth Ave. It鈥檚 free. , 624-7370.
DEC. 13
True Concord Voices & Orchestra Conductor Eric Holtan.
- The Grammy-nominated True Concord Voices & Orchestra鈥榮 annual holiday concert 鈥淟ove鈥檚 Pure Light鈥 blends old carols with new ones in this candlelit performance. It鈥檚 7:30 p.m. at Christ the King Episcopal Church, 2800 W. Ina Road. Check the group鈥檚 website for additional concerts at other locations. Tickets are $25-$40. , 401-2651.
DEC. 14
- Noche de Flamenco brings a trio of astounding guitarists together: Gabriel Ayala, Domingo DeGrazia and Ismael Barajas. They perform at 7:30 p.m. at The Sea of Glass Center for the Arts, 330 E. Seventh St. Proceeds benefit scholarships for the University of Ascension Science and the Physics of Rebellion and internships for Avalon Organic Gardens & EcoVillage. $30. , 398-2542.
DEC. 15
Robert Shaw in "Blue Christmas" at the Gaslight Music Hall.聽
- Robert Shaw curls his lips and wiggles his hips again for his 鈥淏lue Christmas: A Rock 鈥榥鈥 Roll Holiday Extravaganza.鈥 You鈥檒l believe he is Elvis himself. Shows are at 2 and 6 p.m at The Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road. , 529-1000.
- A bit more subdued but just as entertaining will be the 蜜柚直播 Women鈥檚 Chorus Winter Concert. The a cappella group鈥檚 event is dubbed 鈥淗oly Days 鈥 Prayers and Celebrations.鈥 It鈥檚 7 p.m. at St. Mark鈥檚 Presbyterian Church, 3809 E. Third St. $15. , 310-7591.
- This is the last night for Tohono Chul鈥檚 Holiday Nights. A million twinkling lights line the paths along the botanical garden. Wander through, catch the entertainment (this night, that will include the Gracie Jessop Duo, County Line, Gabriel Ayala and Cirque Roots), and end the evening with a visit with Santa. It鈥檚 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte. Admission is $16 ($12 for members), and children 12 and under are $3. , 742-6455.
Revelers walk through the decorated walkways during the 2014 opening night of Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul Park.
DEC. 16
- Pianist and composer Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks will perform classic and original Jewish music. And he鈥檚 bringing some friends along to help him out. It鈥檚 at 2 p.m. at the 蜜柚直播 Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Road. $10. , 299-3000.
DEC. 17
- About six 蜜柚直播ans step up to tell stories about their holidays. It鈥檚 part of the 蜜柚直播 Storytellers project, hosted by the Star and This is 蜜柚直播. These brave souls have stories that are funny, heartbreaking, hopeful 鈥 and all true. It鈥檚 at 6:30 p.m. at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway. $10. .
DEC. 18
鈥淚n the Christmas Mood鈥 features the talents of Katherine Byrnes, Brian Levario, Chach Snook, and Crystal Stark.
- 鈥淚n the Christmas Mood鈥 should be a special event 鈥 it brings Brian Levario back from New York to his hometown to perform. And he is joined by immensely talented singers Chach Snook, AnneMarie Rosano and Crystal Stark for this Khris Dodge Entertainment concert. It鈥檚 7:30 p.m. at DesertView Performing Arts Center, 39900 S. Clubhouse Drive in SaddleBrooke. Tickets are $30. , 825-2818.
DEC. 19
The Gaslight Theatre鈥檚 鈥淪crooge鈥 returns. Good news: Joe Cooper, standing, is back. So brace yourself.
- If you haven鈥檛 seen The Gaslight Theatre鈥檚 鈥沦肠谤辞辞驳别!鈥 you might want to hurry 鈥 it ends Jan. 5. This day鈥檚 shows are at 2, 5 and 7:30 p.m. It鈥檚 got good ole鈥 rock 鈥榥鈥 roll songs twisted slightly to fit the roll-your-eyes-and-slap-your-knees stories, so thick with corn you鈥檒l think you are in the middle of Iowa. Gaslight is at 7010 E. Broadway. $22.95. , 886-9428.
DEC. 20
Kehinde Wiley鈥檚 鈥淓questrian Portrait of the Count-Duke Olivares鈥 is based on a Diego Vel谩zquez painting of the same name.
- Your days are also numbered to catch the 蜜柚直播 Museum of Arts鈥 stunning 鈥30 Americans鈥 exhibit. The show features works by 30 of the most important African-American artists of the last four decades. And there are some impressive names among them, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Xaviera Simmons and Kehinde West, who painted Barack Obama鈥檚 official portrait. The exhibit continues through Jan. 13. TMA is at 140 N. Main Ave., It鈥檚 open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on this day. $12, with discounts available. , 624-2333.
DEC. 21
- Celebrate the Winter Solstice with music, art, video screenings, tarot readings and even a bonfire. It鈥檚 all happening at the Museum of Contemporary Art 蜜柚直播, 265 S. Church Ave. It鈥檚 from 8 to 11 p.m. and it鈥檚 free. , 624-5019.
DEC. 22
You can look, but we are sure you won鈥檛 find anything like this 蜜柚直播 tradition: The Arroyo Cafe Holiday Radio Show.
- The Arroyo Cafe Holiday Radio Show, from the sometimes bizarre, always fun mind of the Star鈥檚 political cartoonist David Fitzsimmons, has become another holiday tradition in the Old Pueblo. Fitzsimmons gathers friends such as Crystal Stark, the Grandsons of the Pioneers and Mariachi Aztlan for a live taping of the show. Be forewarned: You will laugh. Hard. And have your heart warmed a bit, as well. It鈥檚 at 2 p.m. at The Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Tickets are $15-$20. , 740-1000.
DEC. 23
- Christmas is getting closer. All the kids are out of school. You and they need a stress buster. You can get it at Unscrewed Theatre鈥檚 improvised comedy show: 鈥淓lves Gone Bad.鈥 How bad? That鈥檚 the thing, audience participation is encouraged, so you get to tell them. This is the last day to catch the show. It鈥檚 at 12:30 p.m. and it鈥檚 geared toward kids 4-8 years old. It鈥檚 at 4500 E. Speedway. $5. , 289-8076.
DEC. 24
- Here鈥檚 a plan while you wait for the jolly one to slip down the chimney: The Gaslight Music Hall鈥檚 鈥淛ingle Bell Rockin鈥 Revue.鈥 Lot鈥檚 of rock 鈥榥鈥 roll holiday tunes. And rumor has it Kris Kringle may stop by before he heads to your house. It鈥檚 1 p.m. at the Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road. $21.94, with discounts available. , 529-1000.
DEC. 25
- The Winterhaven neighborhood is chock full of creative folks. You can tell just by strolling through its Festival of Lights. Be prepared to be awed at how beautifully elaborate some of the exhibits are. Winterhaven is bordered by East Fort Lowell Road on the south, North Country Club Road on the east, East Prince Road on the north, and North 蜜柚直播 Boulevard on the west. This is a walk-through night; the only night you can drive through is Dec. 26. The lights are on from 6-10 p.m. Bring your good cheer. It鈥檚 free but donations of food or money for the Community Food Bank of Southern 蜜柚直播 are welcome. .
DEC. 26
Casita Bonita exhibit at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures.聽
- Sure, Christmas is over. But here鈥檚 a chance to extend it: this time of year is a magical one at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, with a pretty wonderous Wee Winter Wonderland exhibit. It鈥檚 open this day from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and the exhibit continues through Jan. 6. Admission is $9, with discounts available. The museum is at 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive. , 881 0606.
DEC. 27
- Head out to Trail Dust Town for a bit of Old West tomfoolery. 鈥淎 Fist Full of Christmas鈥 has a goofy deputy charged with pulling in the bad, bad outlaws. She has special gifts, however, that just may help her save the day. It鈥檚 at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. at 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road. $5. , 398-5618.
DEC. 28
- Rendezvous is made up of musicians who have played 鈥 or still play 鈥 together. Once a year, they get together to cover some of their favorite songs from other artists. Musicians from Kool Shades, Steff and the Articles and Lucky Devils Band are among those who will be on the Club Congress stage at 8 p.m. This is a 21-and-over event and at $5 it鈥檚 a bargain. It鈥檚 in the Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. , 622-8848
DEC. 29
The cast of Live Theatre Workshop鈥檚 鈥淪noopy!!鈥
- The joyous 鈥沦苍辞辞辫测!!!鈥 comes alive on the Live Theatre Workshop stage. It鈥檚 based on the Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz, and its got music, comedy and, of course, Snoopy. This is your last chance to see it. It鈥檚 7 p.m. at Live Theatre, 5317 E. Speedway. Tickets are $12, with discounts available. , 327-4242.
DEC. 30
蜜柚直播an Nate Wiley, who plays Winthrop in 鈥淭he Music Man,鈥 gets fitted for a River City marching band uniform for 蜜柚直播 Theatre Company鈥檚 production of 鈥淭he Music Man.鈥
- Here鈥檚 another last chance: 蜜柚直播 Theatre Company鈥檚 production of 鈥淭he Music Man鈥 ends with a 2 p.m. matinee today. The Meredith Willson musical takes us to River City, Iowa, as we follow flimflam man Harold Hill as he tries to bilk the town. It鈥檚 at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Tickets are $46-$80. , 622-2823.
DEC. 31
A mesquite tree sculpture lights up the Exhibit Garden at the 蜜柚直播 Botanical Gardens鈥 Luminous exhibition, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
- End the year with an evening stroll through the 蜜柚直播 Botanical Gardens where you can check out the 鈥淟耻尘颈苍辞耻蝉鈥 exhibit, illuminated sculptures by 蜜柚直播 artist Mykl Wells, who used the flora and fauna of our the Sonoran Desert for inspiration. The handmade lanterns will be an enlightening (get it? So sorry) end to the year 鈥 or beginning to your New Year鈥檚 Eve celebrations. It鈥檚 open 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 2150 N. Alvernon Way. Admission is $15 鈥 $8 if you are a member. Children 4-17 are $8, $4 for members. , 326-9686.
Contact reporter Kathleen Allen at kallen@tucson.com or 573-4128. On Twitter: @kallenStar
Kathleen Allen
Reporter
