December 2009 - Events Calendar

Below is a list of what is going on in Johnny Appleseed Country during the month of December. If you are aware of an event that is going on in our region that is not listed here, email it to us, we will be glad to put it on for all our visitors to see!

3 Thursday, 4:30–6 pm. Artist Demonstration and live music, holiday marketplace. Art and fine handcrafts for sale for the holiday season. Rollstone Studios, 633 Main St., Fitchburg. Free live music, artist demonstration. Free admission. 978-348-ART1.

4 Friday, 8 pm. Bill Kirchen performs at the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley. Bill Kirchen IS American roots music, celebrating an American musical tradition where country music draws upon its origins in blues and bluegrass, and in the Western swing of Texas and California honky tonks. 978-425-4311.

4-5 Friday, 4 – 8 pm, Saturday, 10-5 pm. Holly Berry Faire at the Fitchburg Art Museum, 25 Merriam Parkway, Fitchburg. Find a special gift for that distinctive person at our holiday craft fair. Visitors can purchase unique, hand-made crafts while enjoying art, music and refreshments. Take in a workshop on Saturday. $7 adult, $5 seniors/students (13 ). 978-345-4207.

4-5 Friday & Saturday, 8 pm, Sunday 2 pm. Gifts of the Magi at Stratton Playhouse, 60 Wallace Avenue, Fitchburg. A joyous musical retelling of two O. Henry stories. Jim and Della are very much in love, but can barely afford their apartment, let alone Christmas gifts for each other. Each conceives a way to get the other the perfect gift, with surprising and touching results. Meanwhile, Soapy, down on his luck and homeless, decides spending Christmas Eve in a warm jail cell with a hot meal is just the ticket, but getting arrested is not as easy one might think! A holiday musical for the whole family. Tickets $15. 978-345-6066. Repeats Dec. 11-13, 18-20.

4-6 Friday & Saturday, 7 pm, Sunday, 2 pm. A Child’s Christmas in Wales at the Cornerstone Performing Arts Center, First Parish Church, 923 Main Street, Fitchburg. See Nov. 20 listing for details. $18 adults, $15 students/seniors. 978-345-2915 or visit cpacfitchburg.org. Repeats Dec. 11-13.

4-6 Friday & Saturday, 8 pm, Sunday 2 pm. Peter Pan at Theatre at the Mount, 444 Green St., Gardner. See Nov. 27 listing for details. Tickets $20; students $10; matinees $15. Call 978-632-2403.

4-6 Friday & Saturday, 8 pm, Sunday, 2 pm. “It’s a Wonderful Life”, by James W. Rodgers at Barre Players Theater, 64 Common Street, Barre. The heart-warming saga of George Bailey, the Everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls. It is Christmas eve, and George’s guardian angel descends to save him from despair. Tickets, $14, seniors $12, students $10, 12 and under, $7. 978-355-2096. Repeats
Dec. 11-13.

5 Saturday, 8 am – 5 pm. Country Roads Christmas in Templeton, Phillipston, Winchendon Petersham and Barre. Fifteen stores and farms are participating in this local shopping event with specials and treats offered at each stop Pick up a card at any location to get stamped for a drawing of three large prizes at the end of the event. Visit countryroadschristmas.com for list of participants. Call 978-939-5460 weekdays.

5 Saturday, 11 am–4 pm. Fitchburg Historical House Tour. Visit eight private homes throughout the city. Many of the homes are over 100 years old and have been maintained and restored in keeping with the original architecture and historical value. Tickets, $15; $18 pre-sale and $20 on the day. Call the Fitchburg Historical Society, 50 Grove St., Fitchburg, 978 –345-7757.

5 Saturday, 1–4 pm. Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting in downtown Leominster. A parade, holiday decorations, hayrides, snacks, entertainment — and, of course, the lighting of the tree — highlight this family-centered event.

5-6 Saturday 10 am–3 pm, Sunday, 9 am – 1 pm. Holiday Fair sponsored by St. Martin’s Church, at the American Legion Hall, 3 Central St., Baldwinville. Holiday handcrafts abound at this church fair that features a “Polish Auction” of gift baskets, along with a major prize raffle, fres hand-decorated wreaths and other holiday greens, Chinese auction home-made candies and baked goods, and a visit by Santa. Coffee, bakery items and light lunch available both days. Call Pat Gale at 978-939-5588.

5-6 Saturday & Sunday, 1–4 pm. A Christmas Carol: Victorian Paper Crafts and Tea at Hands On 4 Kidz, 44 Main St., Gardner. Join us as we create cards and other crafts while listening to A Christmas Carol. The afternoon fun will feature a tea party. Cost, $10; recommended for ages 8 and up, adults welcome. Call 978-632-2815for more info or for reservations.

7 Monday, 7:30 pm. Annual Winter Choral Concert at Kent Recital Hall, Fitchburg State College, 160 Pearl St., Fitchburg, featuring the Fitchburg State College Choir and Chamber Singers. Free admission.

8 Tuesday, 7 pm. Opening reception for Faculty Show: What’s New? At Hammond Campus Center, Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg. Free admission.

9 Wednesday, 7:30 pm. Annual Winter Ensemble Concert at Weston Auditorium, Fitchburg State College, 160 Pearl St., Fitchburg, featuring the FSC bands. Free admission.

10 Thursday, 7 pm. Dance Club Winter Show at Weston Auditorium, Fitchburg State College, 160 Pearl St., Fitchburg. Tickets $5.

11 Friday, 7:30 pm. Concert in Clinton Town with the Clinton Middle School Symphony Singers and the Thayer Symphony Orchestra. Call 978-466-1100.

11-13 Friday & Saturday, 8 pm, Sunday, 2 pm. “It’s a Wonderful Life”, at Barre Players Theater, 64 Common Street, Barre. See Dec. 4 listing for details. Tickets, $14, seniors $12, students $10, 12 and under, $7. Call 978-355-2096.

11-13 Friday & Saturday, 8 pm, Sunday 2 pm. Gifts of the Magi at Stratton Playhouse, 60 Wallace Avenue, Fitchburg. See Dec. 4 listing for details. Tickets $15. Call 978-345-6066. Repeats Dec. 18-20.

11-13 Friday, 7 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 2 pm. A Child’s Christmas in Wales at the Cornerstone Performing Arts Center, First Parish Church, 923 Main Street, Fitchburg. See Nov. 20 listing for details. Tickets, $18 adults, $15 students/seniors. 978-345-2915 or visit www.cpacfitchburg.org.

12 Saturday, 4:00 pm. Con Brio, piano hands with Sima Kustanovich and Olga Rogach “Dance of the Russian Soul” concert at the Museum of Russian Icons, 203 Union St., Clinton. 978-598-5000.

12 Saturday, 7:30 pm. Holiday Family Concert with the Salisbury Singers at Dukakis Performing Arts Center at Monty Tech, Route 2A, Fitchburg. Due to popular demand by the audience, over one hundred musicians, Thayer Symphony Orchestra instrumentalists and the Salisbury Singer’s Voices join in celebration of the holiday music. Call 978-466-1100.

12-13 Saturday & Sunday, 11 am-4 pm. Celebration of Living Gifts at Heifer International’s Overlook Farm, 216 Wachusett St., Rutland. Heifer International’s Overlook Farm, 216 Wachusett St., Rutland. Take pictures with the animals and purchase gifts from around the world. 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. 508-886-2221.

12-13 Saturday & Sunday, 1-4 pm. A Christmas Carol: Victorian Paper Crafts and Tea at Hands On 4 Kidz, 44 Main St., Gardner. Join us as we create cards and other crafts while listening to A Christmas Carol. The afternoon fun will feature a tea party. Cost, $10; recommended for ages 8 and up, adults welcome. Call 978-632-2815.

18-20 Friday & Saturday, 8 pm, Sunday 2 pm. Gifts of the Magi at Stratton Playhouse, 60 Wallace Avenue, Fitchburg. See Dec. 4 listing for details. $15. Call 978-345-6066.

19 Saturday, 8 pm. Natalie MacMaster: A Christmas in Cape Breton at Weston Auditorium, Fitchburg State College, 160 Pearl St., Fitchburg. Cape Breton’s Celtic fiddling virtuoso heats up the Christmas season with her fiery fiddle and down-home charm. Tickets $32; call 978-665-3347.

19 Saturday, 8 pm Roomful of Blues at Bull Run Restaurant, Route 2A, Shirley. Roomful, which is famous for their Jump blues style, is universally referred to as the “best little big band in America.” $18 in advance. Call 978-425-4311.

19-20 Saturday & Sunday, 1–4 pm. A Christmas Carol: Victorian Paper Crafts and Tea at Hands On 4 Kidz, 44 Main St., Gardner. Join us as we create cards and other crafts while listening to A Christmas Carol.
The afternoon fun will feature a tea party. Cost, $10; recommended for ages 8 and up, adults welcome. Call 978-632-2815for more info or for reservations.

20 Sunday, 2 pm. “The Wright Brothers” at Top Fun Aviation Toy Museum, 21 Prichard Street, Fitchburg. Museum Curator Rosalie E. Dunbar will talk about the Wright Brothers and how their invention of the airplane changed the world. Regular Museum admission ($5 for an adult, which also admits one child free) includes the program. 978-342-2809.

31 Thursday, 6–10:30 pm. Starry, Starry Night in downtown Orange. New Year’s Eve celebration with comedy, magic, live music, ice sculpture, parade, and fireworks throughout Orange center. Indoor and outdoor events for all ages.