Doing it Up December Style in Rhode Island

As the Holiday season winds up and winds down in December the state puts its best foot forward with offerings in every genre of art for every age. Pick you pleasure and get out there and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season as it rolls through the state from Newport to Burilville.

THEATER

12/1/2006 - 12/10/2006 "A Christmas Carol"
Perfomed by the Encore Repertory Company.
Stadium Theatre 28 Monument Sq. Woonsocket 401-762-4545 www.stadiumtheatre.com

12/1/2006 - 12/17/2006 "A Christmas Carol"
A fresh approach to a classic tale.
Granite Theatre 1 Granite St. Westerly 401-596-2341 www.granitetheatre.com

12/1/2006 - 12/10/2006 "Little Women"
Louisa May Alcott's classic performed by the Swamp Meadow Community Theatre. Bring canned good or toy for charity drive.
Captain Issac Paine School Foster Center Rd. Foster 401-397-4740 www.swampmeadow.org

12/8/2006 - 12/9/2006 "Coppelia"
Set to music by Leo DeLibes, the entire family will be captivated by the betrothed Swanhilda and Frantz, a mysterious toy maker named Dr. Coppelius, life-sized dancing dolls and the unhappily forever after wedding celebration. Coppelia is the enchanting love story of a dancing doll.
Auditorium in Roberts Hall, Rhode Island College 600 Mount Pleasant Ave. Providence 401-334-2560 www.stateballet.com

12/11/2006 & 12/15/2006 Cinderella's Christmas
Presented by Kaleidoscope Theatre. Cinderella's story gets a holiday twist.
Auditorium in Robert's Hall, Rhode Island College 600 Mount Pleasant Ave. Providence 401-456-8144 www.kaleidoscopetheatre.com

12/15/2006 - 12/17/2006 "The Nutcracker"
The magical treat with Tchaikovsky's unforgettable score; a lavish and thrilling holiday production for the entire family. Performed by the Festival Ballet.
Providence Performing Arts Center 220 Weybosset St. Providence 401-421-ARTS www.festivalballet.com

12/16/2006 - 12/17/2006 "The Nutcracker"
Performed by Heritage Ballet.
Stadium Theatre 28 Monument Sq. Woonsocket 401-762-4545 www.stadiumtheatre.com

ARTS/CRAFTS/BAZAARS

12/1/2006 - 12/2/2006 Artcraft Show and Sale
A plethora of high quality and edgy handcrafted gifts by professional Rhode Island and area artists.
Courthouse Center for the Arts 3481 Kingstown Rd. West Kingston 401-782-1018 www.courthousearts.org

12/2/2006 A Country Christmas Bazaar
Country bazaar with rooms featuring a country store, a Christmas shop with handmade ornaments and live greens in a pantry. Gift baskets, pictures with Santa a silent auction and more.
Greenwood Community Church 805 Main Ave. Warwick 401-737-1230 www.gccp.org

12/2/2006 Holiday Bazaar at Babcock-Smith House
Volunteer docents' handiwork is on display and for sale.
Babcock-Smith House 124 Granite St. Westerly 401-596-5704 www.babcock-smithhouse.com

12/3/2006 Christmas Bazaar
Gifts, food, baked goods, games, raffles and more.
Msgr. Clarke School 5074 Tower Hill Rd. Wakefield 401-789-0860

12/7/2006 - 12/17/2006 25th Annual Foundry Artist Show and Sale
Handcrafted jewelry, paintings, textiles, scrapbooks, jams, spa products, furniture and more for sale (with no sales tax). Silent auction to benefit the armory.
Pawtucket Armory Building 172 Exchange St. Pawtucket www.foudryshow.com

DECORATIONS/TOURS

11/24/2006 - 12/30/2006 Christmas at Blithewold 2006
Upstairs, downstairs, all through the house, Blithewold rings in the season with a fantasy of silver bells, twinkling lights, ribbons galore, and lots of decorated trees and garlands. Visitors this year will be swept up in the magic of Christmas at Blithewold the moment they set foot inside the front door. The 18' tree in the entrance hall sets the scene with the glow of thousands of white lights reflected on silver filigree bells and crystal drops, and silver and red ribbon cascade through snowy branches. Live music adds to the festivities. The Holiday Gift Shop offers unique gifts and seasonal decorations and is open the same hours as the Mansion.
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum 101 Ferry Rd., Rte. 114 Bristol 401-253-2707 www.blithewold.org

12/1/2006 - 12/31/2006 Christmas at Linden Place Mansion
Tour the nineteeth-century mansion adorned for the holidays. Fomr the four-story spiral staircase to the Buckingham chandelier, this mansion tour delights young and old with its charm, architecture and well-known hospitality.
Linden Place Mansion 500 Hope St. Bristol 401-253-0390 www.lindenplace.org

12/1/2006 - 12/31/2006 36th Annual Christmas in Newport
Month long festival of more than seventy-five events featuring concerts, dance, house-tours, inn tours, tree lighting ceremonies and children's events all to highlight the Christmas season in historic Newport.
City-wide Newport 401-849-6454 www.christmasinnewport.org

12/1/2006 - 12/4/2006 Festival of Lights
The charm of this historic colonial village comes alive as thousands of beautiful white lights transform it into a winter wonderland. A tree lighting, window decorating contest, hayrides, music and entertainment will be a part of the festivities.
Downtown Wickford Brown and Main Sts. Wickford 401-295-5566

12/1/2006 Newport Historical Society Holiday Open House
Enjoy live seasonal music, view antique toy exhibits and make an ornament to take home. Weather permitting, tours of the nearby Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, decorated for the season, will depart from the Colony House throughout the evening. At the Museum of Newport History, obtain shopping discounts at the Newport Historical Society Store and view exhibits on Newports history.
The Newport Colony House and the Museum of Newport History Top of Washington Sq. and 127 Thames St. Newport 401-846-0813 www.newporthistorical.org

12/1/2006 - 12/3/2006 Rhode Island Festival of Trees
Public display of approximately 100 sparkling, one-of-a-kind, professionally decorated trees which will be for sale to the general public, a showcase of hand-crafted wreaths and quilts, daily musical entertainment by students from local schools, gift shop, children's activities area and Opening Night Preview Party with live and silent auctions.
Rhode Island Convention Center 1 Sabin St. Providence

12/1/2006 - 12/10/2006 2nd Annual Sleighs for the Holidays: To Grandmother's House We Go!
Exhibit of toys, skates, sleds, sleighs and surprises.
South County Museum Strathmore St. Narragansett 401-783-5400

12/2/2006 Bowen's Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting
Frosty the Snowman, carol-singing, Santa and Mrs. Claus and the lighting of the Bowen's Wharf Christmas tree.
Bowen's Wharf America's Cup Ave. Newport 401-849-2243 www.bowenswharf.com

12/2/2006 - 12/3/2006 Christmas at the Castle
Smiths Castle will host its annual Christmas at the Castle on Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3 from 12 to 4 p.m. Enjoy traditional decorations and refreshments as you enjoy a walk through the first floor of this beautifully restored home built in 1678. Come share the holiday spirit with friends and family and learn more about a local historic treasure.
Smith's Castle 55 Richard Smith Dr. Wickford 401-294-3521 www.smithscastle.org

12/2/2006 - 12/3/2006 Holiday House Tour
Experience the elegance of another age; step back to 1890 and enjoy the holiday season.Enjoy a tour of the 1870s gothic Victorian mansion built for Elizabeth Ives Slater on her marriage to Alfred Augustus Reed Jr. Holiday music, food and festivities.
Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum 4157 Post Rd. Warwick 401-884-4550 www.cloudshill.org

12/2/2006 - 12/17/2006 Keeping Christmas with the Whitehornes
Glimpse the simple traditions that surrounded Christmas in the 1800s on a visit to the historic Whitehorne house. Meet two of the Whitehorne daughters, played by local theater majors, as they prepare for a holiday meal. Enjoy this interactive program complete with a chance to sample historic flavors and take home souvenir recipe cards for colonial holiday dishes. Offered Saturdays & Sundays, December 2-17. Admission is $5 for adults; $2 for children under 16.
Whitehorne House 416 Thames Street Newport 401-849-7300 www.newportrestoration.org

12/2/2006 - 12/17/2006 Pawtucket's Winter Wonderland
Stroll among hundreds of decorated trees, a miniature village, Santa and Mrs. Claus, train rides, hay rides, carousel rides, puppet shows, face painting, food booths.
Slater Memorial Park Pawtucket 401-728-0500 ext. 251 www.pawtucketwinterwonderland.org

12/2/2006 Tree Lighting
Annual Tree Lighting and Caroling in the center of Wakefield Village.
Wakefield Village Main St. Wakefield 401.783.6110 www.wakefieldvillageri.com

12/4/2006 Adult Holiday Tea at Blithewold
Enjoy a holiday tradition among the lavish decorations of Blithewold mansion. Menu includes tea sandwiches, scones and a wide variety of sweets. Reservations required.
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum 101 Ferry Rd. Bristol 401-253-2707 www.blithewold.org

12/6/2006 Downtown Holiday Stroll and Luminaries
Bundle up and enjoy an evening's stroll through the historic downtown Westerly-Pawcatuck with shop fronts decorated in full holiday splendor. Sidewalks lined with luminaries, carolers and Christmas festivities.
Downtown Westerly-Pawcatuck Westerly 401-596-7761 www.westerlychamber.org

12/8/2006 - 12/9/2006 Providence Preservation Society Holiday Festival 2006
Friday, December 8th will be a Patron's Reception at the Nightingale-Brown House at 357 Benefit Street from 7pm to 10pm. Saturday, December 9th, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm will be the day tour of Benefit Street, and then stay for the evening and enjoy the Benefit Street Stroll from 4:oo pm until 8:00pm for carolers singing along the streets, horse-drawn carriages taking passengers for rides, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate, holiday shopping, activities for the kids, a door-decorating contest and a tree lighting ceremony.
Old State House 150 Benefit Street Providence 401-831-7440 www.ppsri.org

12/9/2006 - 12/28/2006 UnDecked Halls: A Glimpse Behind the Shutters at Rough Point
Its not beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Newport. Doris Duke, who enjoyed Christmas far away in sunny Hawaii, left behind a mansion shuttered and shrouded for the season. Experience this quiet house, decorated only by small tree in the staff wing, and hear about Miss Dukes tropical holiday. This new program provides an authentic view of a Newport mansion in winter and a first-ever glimpse at Rough Point's winter traditions that have remained the same for the past half-century. Tour the first floor and enjoy refreshments in the staff dining room, not normally open to the public. Tours offered every hour from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm on Sat Dec 9, Sat Dec 16, and Thur Dec 28. Admission is $10 for adults; $7 for children.
Rough Point, Doris Duke's Newport Mansion 680 Bellevue Avenue Newport (401) 849-7300 www.newportrestoration.org

12/10/2006 Bed and Breakfast "Home for the Holidays Tour"
Tour the enchanting bed and breakfast establishments of South County decorated for the holidays.
212 Shore Rd. Westerly 401-596-6384 www.southcountyri.com

12/10/2006 Christmas Open House
Visit Westerly's historic house during the holiday season.
Babcock-Smith House Museum 124 Granite St. Westerly 401-596-5704

12/10/2006 Christmas Open House
Visit Westerly's historic house during the holiday season.
Babcock-Smith House Museum 124 Granite St. Westerly 401-596-5704

MUSIC

12/1/2006 - 12/1/2006 End of Semester Jazz Session II
Experience a wide range of jazz styles from the roaring 20s to the virtual 21st century.
University of Rhode Island, Fine Arts Center 105 Upper College Rd. Kingston 401-874-2431 www.uri.edu/arsci/mus

12/2/2006 A Venetian Christmas: Works of the Gabriellis and Monteverdi
The chorus recreates the sounds of "A Venetian Christmas" with antiphonal brass, choir and organ.
Church of St. John the Evangelist Washington and Willow sts. Newport 401-682-1630 www.swanhurst.org

12/2/2006 Holiday Concert
The music department's annual program of holiday favorites.
University of Rhode Island, Fine Arts Center 105 Upper College Rd. Kingston 401-874-2431 www.uri.edu/arsci/mus

12/3/2006 "Grand Illumination"
Performed by the Rhode Island Philharmonic.
Burnside Building 400 Hope St. Bristol 401-253-7000 www.bristolri.us

12/3/2006 URI Student Composers
The works of URI student composers performed by students and faculty.
University of Rhode Island, Fine Arts Center 105 Upper College Rd. Kingston 401-874-2431 www.uri.edu/arsci/mus

12/6/2006 URI Guitar Ensemble
Guitar music from around the world.
University of Rhode Island, Fine Arts Center 105 Upper College Rd. Kingston 401-874-2431 www.uri.edu/arsci/mus

12/7/2006 End of Semester Jazz Session IV
Big Band and invited guest performer.
University of Rhode Island, Fine Arts Center 105 Upper College Rd. Kingston 401-874-2431 www.uri.edu/arsci/mus

12/9/2006 Newport Navy Choristers "Christmas in Song"
Proceeds from this concert benefit Fort Adams Trust.
St. Lucy's Church 909 West Main Rd. Middletown 401-849-4823 www.newportnavychoristers.org

12/9/2006 URI Preparatory Program Junior Division Student Recital
Young music students from the southern Rhode Island community coached by URI students and faculty in performance.
University of Rhode Island, Fine Arts Center 105 Upper College Rd. Kingston 401-874-2431 www.uri.edu/arsci/mus

12/9/2006 University Chorus
Sixty-voice choir performing works from the standard repertoire and seasonal favorites.
University of Rhode Island, Fine Arts Center 105 Upper College Rd. Kingston 401-874-2431 www.uri.edu/arsci/mus

12/10/2006 Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Band
A variety of pieces, both classic and contemporary, performed by winds and percussion.
University of Rhode Island, Fine Arts Center 105 Upper College Rd. Kingston 401-874-2431 www.uri.edu/arsci/mus

12/10/2006 Undergraduate Honors String Quartet
Select student chamber ensemble performing works from the standard repertoire.
University of Rhode Island, Fine Arts Center 105 Upper College Rd. Kingston 401-874-2431 www.uri.edu/arsci/mus

12/11/2006 "Lively Experiment"
A select group of URI voclaists presenting an eclectic mix of music from the standard repertoire to selections newly composed.
University of Rhode Island, Fine Arts Center 105 Upper College Rd. Kingston 401-874-2431 www.uri.edu/arsci/mus

12/17/2006 Christmas Pops
Festive decorations and jubilant voices singing traditional and contemporary carols usher in the holiday season. Performed by the Chorus of Westerly and the Boston Festival Orchestra, conducte by George Kent.
George Kent Performance Hall 119 High St. Westerly 401-596-8663 www.chorusofwesterly.org

JUST FOR KIDS

12/2/2006 Gingerbread Fest
Discover an array of gingerbread castles, cottages and cabins, bedecked with sugar icicles and candy wreaths. Kids help decorate a large gingerbread house with frosting and candy, and decorate their own gingerbread cookies to take home.
Providence Children's Museum 100 South St. Providence 401-273-KIDS www.childrenmuseum.org

12/2/2006 Santa on the Town Common
Santa arrives by fire truck. Children and parents alike enjoy holiday music, refreshments, gifts and more.
Burrillville Town Common Main St. Harrisville 401-568-9470 www.burrillville.org

12/3/2006 - 12/24/2006 Cookies, Cocoa and Photos with Santa
Enjoy cookies and cocoa, have your photo taken with Santa in his sleigh, enjoy the campfire, visit the petting zoo, take a horse-drawn hayride and more.
Chepachet Farms 226 Tourtellot Hill Rd. Chepachet 401-568-9996 www.chepachetfarms.com

12/11/2006 - 12/18/2006 Children's Holiday Teas at Blithewold
Just like a grownup tea with special treats to appeal to young guests. Reservations required.
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum 101 Ferry Rd. Bristol 401-253-2707 www.blithewold.org

12/26/2006 Keith Munslow
Sing along with this popular children's singer and storyteller with his original songs and fast-paced rhymes.
Providence Children's Museum 100 South St. Providence 401-273-KIDS www.childrenmuseum.org

12/26/2006 - 12/30/2006 School Vacation Activities
Visit the Audubon Environmental Education Center this school vacation. There will be fun and educational activities through out the week. Call for a daily schedule.
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Environmental Education Center 1401 Hope St., Rte. 114 Bristol 401-245-7500 www.asri.org

12/27/2006 Toe Jam Puppet Band
Popular, hilarious performance filled with songs, stories and music. Kids are invited to dress up and become part of the show.
Providence Children's Museum 100 South St. Providence 401-273-KIDS www.childrenmuseum.org

12/28/2006 Diane Postoian
This storyteller performs "Diaries of a Frog," a set of earth stories that include the animated voices of each of the animated characters. Stories include "The Name of the Tree," by Celia Lottridge and "The Empty Pot," by Demi.
Providence Children's Museum 100 South St. Providence 401-273-KIDS www.childrenmuseum.org

NEW YEARS EVE

12/31/2006 Bright Night Providence
Bright Night Providence is an artist-run arts oriented New Year's Eve Celebration. Rhode Island's biggest and best New Year's Eve Party! Featuring hundreds of the best local singers, actors, dancers, acrobats, musicians, magicians, and clowns to celebrate Rhode Island's most important cultural asset - its artists.
Various sites throughout Providence 401-621-6123 www.brightnight.org

12/31/2006 First Night Newport
Ring in the New Year at this non-alcoholic, family-oriented celebration of arts and culture in Newport!
Citywide Newport 800-976-5122 www.firstnightnewport.org