WEEKENDER BLOG

There are still plenty of holiday activities to partake in before St. Nick arrives and time is spent with the traditions, family and friends that make Christmas so special to each of us.

A couple of plays are going on in the Cedar Valley, both filled with special meaning and laughter, music and song. Christmas Crackers is being performed by the Waterloo Community Playhouse at the Hope Martin Theatre, 225 Commercial St. in Waterloo. This holiday show by Patricia Stilwill features all of your favorite Christmas songs as well as some you haven't heard in years. Show times are tonight and tomorrow, December 14^th and 15^th, at 7 pm. And Sunday, December 16^th at 2 pm. Call the box office at 291-4494 to reserve your seats. Toys in the Attic is a Christmas adventure on stage at the Lampost Theatre, 204 W. Seerley Blvd. in Cedar Falls. This is their annual Christmas Dessert Theatre. A handful of forgotten toys come to life for a Christmas Eve adventure on this brand-new musical comedy. But hurry, tickets are selling out fast! Performances are scheduled for December 14^th, 15^th, 20^th, and 21^st at 7 pm; December 15^th and 16^th at 2 pm. Please call for ticket availability at 277-8034.

There is nothing quite like seeing a classic holiday movie on the big screen! As part of their Inspiration Film Series the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, 8201 Dakota St. in Cedar Falls, is offering It's A Wonderful Life December 15^th, perhaps one of our most beloved of American films. This story of George Bailey and his hometown of Bedford Falls helps us all discover the true meaning of Christmas. Showtime is 2 pm, call 273-4849. The Oster Regent Theatre at 103 Main St. in Cedar Falls is offering Movie Magic December 15^th also, with The Santa Clause at 10 am. This classic feature is fun and full of cheer at one man's transformation into the 'real' Santa.

Let someone else do the caroling to you with these special musical performances. Steve Angrisano, sponsored by the St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center, presents his Christmas concert – Celebrate the SPIRIT of Christmas – in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at 7 pm on December 14^th. Jim McDonough's Holiday Grande 2012 is also in the Gallagher-Bluedorn on December 16^th at 2:30 pm. Tickets for both performances can be made by calling 273-4849. The Cedar Valley Singers will perform at the Hearst Center for the Arts, 304 W. Seerley Blvd. in Cedar Falls on December 16^th at 2 pm. This period-specific holiday concert is free and open to the public. Call 273-8641.

There is still plenty of hoopla going on in downtown Cedar Falls! Santa's workshop is open the 15^th, 20^th and 22^nd of December. Baby It's Cold Outside is December 20^th, a night of ice and magic from 6-8 pm! Watch Ice Sculptors create works of ice art with their chainsaws. Enjoy the sounds of fabulous choral and instrumental groups while dining and shopping. Horse-drawn trolley rides will be leaving from the Cedar Falls Community Center, the live nativity will be open and Santa will be in his workshop. Santa's workshop will also be open Saturday, December 22.

Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride into the woods December 15^th and 22^nd and enjoy breakfast with Santa & his helpers during Breakfast with Santa at Heritage Farms, 7731 Zanetta Dr. in Hudson. After breakfast, the sleigh continues on to PaDaddy's 100-year-old barn for more farm fun. The first sleigh leaves at 9 am. Reservations can be made by calling 988-3734.

Hopefully you will have time to make magical holiday memories at some of these happenings, but especially find magical happenings of your own! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Vicki S. Bailey

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