Christmas and New Year's Eve in Roanoke, Virginia

On December 14, The Salem Civic Center is hosting The GAC Country Christmas Tour. Country singers including Deana Carter, Julie Roberts, BlueCounty, Steve Azar and Buddy Jewel are in the lineup. Portions of ticket prices go to World Vision, which is a Christian-based organization that assists children, families and communities around the world suffering from poverty. Tickets are $25. For more information, visit salemciviccenter.com.

Dec. 16

Tired of the same old ballet every year? Well, "Visions of Sugar Plums", performed by the Roanoke Ballet Theatre, mixes modern dance pieces and the second act of "The Nutcracker" into something that promises to be pretty interesting. The cost is $15 for adults, $10 for children. There will be standing room only at 1318 Grandin Road, Roanoke, so be prepared. Call 345-6099 for more information.

At the Grandin Theater, Dr. Suess's classic story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas will be shown on Saturday, December 16, and admission is FREE.

December 17, "Songs of the Season" will be the 20th annual concert for the Roanoke College Children's Choir. The concert will be performed at the Jefferson Center. Call 345-2550 or log on to jeffcenter.org for more details.

A Christmas Carol at Mill Mountain Theater, November 21 through December 22, 2006. A synopsis from Mill Mountain Theater's website: "Four homeless street people tell the story of Scrooge to pass the time, huddled around a fire on a cold winter night. One by one, they hop into the story. Twenty-six actors play more than 50 roles." Tickets cost between $29 and $35. For more information, visit www.millmountain.org.

In nearby Bedford is the annual display of Christmas Lights at the Elks National Home. In this majestic display, over 50,000 lights and different Christmas scenes cover the lawn and buildings of the Elk's Home. The display runs from December 8 through the 31^st from 5:30 to 10:00 pm.

Saturday, December 23^rd, Roanoke's Historical Grandin Theater will be showing its annual midnight showing of A Christmas Story. Who doesn't remember the classic line, "You'll shoot your eye out"? All Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot, Range Model Air Rifle, but every adult has the same thing to say: "You'll shoot your eye out!" Dad is focused on his "major award" and his poor friend gets his tongue stuck on a flagpole. The show starts at midnight on Saturday, December 23^rd and admission is $5.25.

Midnight on the Market

Roanoke's Midnight on the Market is a big New Year's Eve event in Roanoke. This year's event will be held at the Railside Amphitheater and costs $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Designated drivers are charged $12 irregardless of time of ticket purchase. There will be entertainment from the 80's with music by The Reflex. They cover all areas of 80's music. Beverages will be served at a price of $4 for beer or wine and $7 for Irish Coffee or Martinis. You must be 21 or older to attend. For tickets, visit http://www.midnightonthemarket.org/html/tickets.html.

New Year's Eve Gala

Historical Hotel Roanoke and ConferenceCenter is hosting a local New Year's Eve Gala. The cost is $150 per couple. This package includes a night of dancing, music by The Kings, a dinner buffet, champagne for the toast at midnight and a balloon drop after the countdown. Hotel accommodations are not included in this package. The great thing is the proceeds go to local Roanoke charities, such as the Roanoke Rescue Mission, Turning Point, the Bradley Free Clinic, and Habitat for Humanity. For reservations, call (540) 344-8817 or (540) 342-5089.