Community Happenings November - December 2008   November 15 – December 24  Santa’s Arrival - 10:00 a.m. at the Upper Valley Mall.  Visit www.simon.com for more information.   November 21  Winter Dance Party: A Tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper - Since 1999, this critically acclaimed tribute concert starring John Mueller (as Buddy Holly), Ray Anthony (as Ritchie Valens) and Jay Richardson (as the Big Bopper and his real life son), has re-created the original Winter Dance Party tour of 1959 that was tragically the last for this trio of stellar recording artists. You’ll be transported back in time to this great era of rock-n-roll with “That’ll Be The Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “La Bamba,” “Donna” and “Chantilly Lace.”   The show begins at 8:00 p.m. and will be held in Kuss Auditorium.  Please visit http://pac.clarkstate.edu or call 1-866-PAC-TKTS (1-866-722-8587) for ticketing information.   November 26 – January 4  Holiday Season Tours at the Westcott House – Tours will be enhanced by a special decor reminiscent of the times when the Westcott family resided at 1340 East High Street.  Please visit www.westcotthouse.org for more information.   November 28 – December 21  Cut Your Own Christmas Tree at Young’s Jersey Dairy – Re-live your family tradition or start one of your own as you cut your own Christmas tree this year.  They offer Scotch Pine, White Pine, Douglas Fir, Southwestern White Pine, Canaan, Blue and Fraser Fir trees.  Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  For more information, call 937.325.0629 or visit www.youngsdairy.com.   November 29 – January 1  Clifton Mill’s Legendary Light Display – 3.5 million lights adorn the old mill, falls, trees, covered bridge and more.  A large, animated Christmas village with an outdoor train set and antique toy collection compliment this amazing view.  Clifton Mill is located at 75 Water Street in Clifton.  Visit www.cliftonmill.com or call 937.767.5501 for more information.   November 29 – January 1  Ramar Estates Christmas Light Display – Located between Springfield and Clifton, nearly every house in this neighborhood is decorated with lights.   November 29  Holiday in the City – Kick off the 2008 holiday season in Downtown Springfield with this annual tradition.  From 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the core block of Springfield will be filled with fun for all ages – Santa Land, the Christmas Village, arts and crafts, carriage rides, musical performances, The Great Tree Auction, the Grand Illumination Celebration and a spectacular fireworks display by Rozzi’s.  For more information, go to www.HolidayintheCity.com or call 937.325.3005.   November - December  Traditions Over Time at Piatt Castle – This historic site features festive seasonal decorations, a collection of 600 antique Christmas ornaments and lights, and exhibits of historical toys and Christmas cards. All are featured in a unique holiday experience, Traditions Over Time. This program traces the origins and evolution of decorating trees at Christmas, caroling, gift giving, holiday games, and family gatherings. Visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy a game from the past, make a holiday card, share a favorite memory, and leave a letter in Santa’s mail box at Mac-A-Cheek Castle.  Visit www.piattcastles.org or call 937.465.2821 for more information.   December 4  Holiday Evening Reception at the Westcott House – Family and friends will surely enjoy the festive hors d'oeuvres, wine, live music and entertainment in a beautiful space of the Westcott House.  Advance reservation is required.  Please call 937.327.9291 for more information.   December 5, 6, 12 and 13  Springfield Stageworks Presents 2008 Holiday Film Festival - Holiday classics "A Christmas Carol" and "MIracle on 34th Street" will be shown at the historic State Theatre.  For more hours and pricing information, go to www.springfieldstageworks.com.   December 6  The Springfield Museum of Art Holiday Open House - Bring your entire family to visit the museum, participate in art activities, buy Christmas gifts from artists, and meet Santa.  This is a free event and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Please visit www.springfieldart.museum for more information.   December 6  The Springfield Preservation Alliance presents History, Hymns and Holly - Looking for a unique and inspiring holiday experience? Join the Springfield Preservation Alliance for an evening of music, art, and architecture at the sixth annual History, Hymns & Holly tour. The Springfield Preservation Alliance is excited about this year’s slate of landmark buildings along historic East High Street. The tour begins inside the Asa and Ellen Ludlow Mansion, a remarkable design by New York architect Robert H. Robertson. This Richardsonian Romanesque Mansion is one of Ohio's best examples of the style. There will also be wonderful music, delicious hot cocoa, and snacks for guests to enjoy!  For more information, go to www.restorespringfield.org.   December 6  Breakfast With Santa - Held at the Springfield Courtyard by Marriott Downtown, all will enjoy this breakfast with Santa.  Seatings are at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.  Please call 937.671.3543 for more information.   December 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14  The Maiden Lane Church of God presents The Living Christmas Tree - Please visit www.maidenlane.org for more information.   December 7  The Springfield Symphony Orchestra presents Gloria by Vivaldi and Many Moods of Chirstmas by Robert Russell Bennett and Robert Shaw with pre-concert talk by Professor Beth Cram Porter of Cedarville Universtiy -  Celebrate the season with Peter Stafford Wilson and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Chorale in a unique afternoon matinee concert. The Chorale, under the leadership of Basil Fett, will be featured on Vivaldi's Gloria and the wonderful setting of Christmas carols by master arrangers Robert Russell Bennett and Robert Shaw – Many Moods of Christmas. The show begins at 3:00 p.m. at the Clark State Performing Arts Center, with the pre-concert talk starting at 2:15 PM.  For more information, call 937.325.8100 or visit www.springfieldsym.org.   December 10  The Springfield Arts Council presents Leahy: A Celtic Christmas - Celebrate the season with a bit o’ the green (mistletoe and holly!) as musical powerhouse Leahy unwraps their Celtic Christmas charm for the holidays! In this special program of traditional carols and Christmas memories past and present, these eight brothers and sisters from Lakefield, Ontario bring their unique family blend of Celtic music-making to the season.  The show begins at 8:00 p.m. at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.  For tickets, call 937.328.3874 or visit www.springfieldartscouncil.org.   December 13  Ohio Lyric Theatre Christmas Pageant - Since its beginnings in 1987, the Ohio Lyric Theatre Christmas Pageant has become a beloved holiday tradition in the Springfield area. Presented in Clark State Performing Arts Center's Kuss Auditorium, this annual Christmas Pageant includes performances by the Community Chorus and the Springfield Children's Chorus, and features a live Nativity Dramatization performed by members of the community.  For more information, please go to www.ohiolyric.org.   December  History, Hymns and Holly - Join the Springfield Preservation Alliance this December for an evening of music, art, and architecture, a downtown holiday tour. This year’s tour will include the historic Covenant Presbyterian Church, Shultz and Weaver's News-Sun Building, and more, complete with holiday hymns and hot cocoa.  For more information, visit www.restorespringfield.org. December 19 – 20  The Nutcracker - The nineteenth annual Springfield production of this holiday classic comes to the Kuss stage, featuring a cast of over 150 local students of the arts, professional dancers, and community members.  This production is presented by the Ohio Performing Arts Institute.  Please visit www.ohio-performing-arts.org for more information.