Sunday, December 21, 2014

Christmas Yule


So the shortest day came,
And the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the
Snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing, behind us - listen!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends, and hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now - 
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!

~Susan Cooper

Thursday, December 11, 2014

December 12, 13, 14 Events

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Here is a list of events happening in our area this weekend, including the Glenn Miller Orchestra performing In the Christmas Mood at Fitchburg State University on Saturday, December 13, at 7:00 p.m. For more information visit www.fitchburgstate.edu.
12-14 Friday & Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday 2pm. A Christmas Homecoming at the NPTG Center for the Performing Arts, 15 Rollstone St., Fitchburg. The New Players Theater Guild presents a classic homecoming event showcasing iconic Christmas music. Repeats Dec. 19-21. Tickets $15, $12 senior/student. Call 978-345-6570.
12-14 Friday-Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday 2pm. Amahl and the Night Visitors at Barre Players. A Christmas Musical by Gian Carlo Menotti. Directed by Sandy Pickens.    Musical Direction by Julie Rawson. The story of a poor, but imaginative young boy and his mother, who are visited one night by three Kings on their way to Bethlehem to give gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold to the newborn King.  They ask to stay the night. The mother, having nothing to give them to eat, sends Amahl out to call the shepherds and shepherdesses to bring food, gifts and the entertainment of dance.  After the excitement, the mother, Amahl and the Kings settle down for the night.  But, the mother is tempted by the gold and reaches for it, only to be attacked by the Page.  When Amahl sees this, he attacks the attacker.  All is well when both the mother and Amahl want to know more about this King the Kings seek.  Amahl wants desperately to send a gift to this King and offers his most important possession - his crutch.  When he does that, he finds himself able to walk.  “...I walk Mother, I walk Mother". For more information, visit barreplayers.homestead.com.
12-14 Friday-Saturday 8pm, Sunday 2pm. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie at Stratton Players. The 20th century's most popular writer brings her personal favorite character to life in this adaption of the novel. When a murder is announced in the tiny English village of Chipping Cleghorn, most people assume it's simply an excuse for a party. But this party turns deadly when the crasher turns up dead! It's up to kindly innocent spinster Jane Marple to solve the most baffling case of her career.  Directed by John Williams, tickets $15. For more information, visit www.strattonplayers.com.
12 Friday 8pm. Savoy Brown featuring Kim Simmonds at the Bull Run Restaurant. One of the earliest of British blues bands, SAVOY BROWN (with founder guitarist Kim Simmonds at the helm) helped launch the UK blues/rock movement that paved the way for such acts as Led Zeppelin, becoming part of the framework that launched the rock and roll music of the 1970’s.  For more information, visit www.bullrunrestaurant.com.
13-14 Saturday & Sunday 11am-4pm. Living Gift Market at Heifer Farm, 216 Wachusett St., Rutland. What do you buy the person who has everything? How about a goat, a llama or a water buffalo? At Heifer International’s Living Gift Market, learn how sponsoring animals like these can provide food and income for hungry families. You get a handsome card to give and a hungry family gets hope. Take pictures with the animals and purchase gifts from around the world in our fair-trade Shop@Heifer. Enjoy hot cocoa and cider, make gingerbread animal cookies and warm yourself by a bonfire. Admission: Canned goods which will be donated to a local food bank. Visit heifer.org/farm.
13 Saturday noon-6pm. Clearview Farm Christmas Festival. Free Admission. For more information, visit www.clearviewfarmstand.com.
13 Saturday 3pm. 6th annual Pink the Rink fundraiser at Cushing Academy, 39 School St., Ashburnham. Games feature Cushing Varsity Girls’ Hockey vs. Exeter at 3pm and Cushing Boys’ Varsity Hockey vs. Exeter at 4:30pm. We’ll have t-shirts and other great merchandise, a 50/50 and fabulous raffle prizes. Proceeds to benefit Dana-Farber and the Robin Cook Milligan Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation.
13 Saturday 7pm. In the Christmas Mood with the Glenn Miller Orchestra at Fitchburg State University’s Weston Auditorium. With its celebration of swing and jazz, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time. Coupled with traditional, holiday jingles like Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells and Let it Snow they will surely get you In the Christmas Mood. Featuring an ensemble of 18 musicians, this holiday concert spectacular brings the season to life with timeless sound and iconic melodies of Miller’s unmistakable music. Tickets: $28 adults, $5 students. www.fitchburgstate.edu.
13 Saturday 7:30pm. Music for the Season at The Boulder Coffeehouse, 923 Main Street, First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Fitchburg. The music begins at 7:30 p.m. with an hour of open-mike performances. Enjoy a selection of fair-trade coffees and teas and baked goods in a smoke-free environment. There is a freewill suggested donation of $5, and non-perishable foods are welcome.
13 Saturday 8pm. Bill Kirchen at the Bull Run. For more information, visit www.bullrunrestaurant.com.
14 Sunday 8am-1pm. Breakfast and Pictures with Santa at Hollis Hill Farm, 340 Marshall Hill Rd., Fitchburg. Come for their Farm to Table breakfast including pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, and lots of toppings from 8am-1pm. Bring a canned or non perishable food item to be entered to win a Hollis Hill gift certificate and gift basket.
14 Sunday 10am-1pm. Breakfast with Santa at the Bootlegger Restaurant, 50 Mass Ave. Lunenburg. Photos with Santa as well. Call (978) 342-7711 for more information.
14 Sunday 6:30pm. Swing Dance and Lessons at the Leominster Elks, 134 N. Main St., Leominster, with Reminisce Doo Wop Group. Beginner jitterbug swing group lessons at 6:30 and a swing dance at 7:30. Admission, $14. Visit dance2swing.com or call 978-263-7220.
14 Sunday 8pm. John Pizzarelli at the Bull Run. For more information, visit www.bullrunrestaurant.com.