Lego Club
The Harvard Public Library will host a Lego Club for children age 5 and older Saturday, Dec. 12, from 1:30 to 3 p.m at the library. Participants should bring their own Lego and/or Duplo bricks. Creative building is encouraged; the library will have Lego books available for inspiration. Parents are encouraged to join in the fun and assist with supervision. Pre-registration in the Children’s Room is requested. Enrollment is limited to 20.
Candlelight Vigil for Climate Change
A candlelight vigil will be held on the Harvard Common Saturday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m. to demonstrate public support for climate change action at the current talks in Copenhagen. The event is one of many vigils planned throughout the country. For more information contact Eric Broadbent at 978-456-9570.
Town Christmas Celebration
The annual town Christmas pageant will be held Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Unitarian Church in two performances at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. Doors will open at 3:15 and 4:20. p.m., respectively. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the Hildreth House after both performances from 4 to 6 p.m.
The lighting of the town’s Christmas tree on the Common, with candlelight carol sing and music by the town band, will follow the pageant’s second performance. Anyone interested in attending the lighting should be at the Common by 5:15 p.m.
Early Release Day Movie: Star Trek (PG-13)
The Harvard Public Library will host an early-release day movie, Star Trek (PG-13), Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 1 p.m. at the library.
Adolescent Prescription Drug Abuse
Shari VanHook, director of Adolescent Substance Abuse Research at Children’s Hospital in Boston, will present a program on prescription drug abuse Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. in Cronin Auditorium. VanHook will address how parents can identify possible prescription drug abuse issues and how they can respond constructively. Parents of children of all ages are invited to the free event.
Zombie Prom
Seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-graders at the Bromfield School will present Zombie Prom Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11 and 12, at 7 p.m. in Cronin Auditorium. Directed by Martha Brooks, with musical direction by Talia Mercandante and choreography by Melissa Lynch Hoffman, Zombie Prom is a campy romp through America’s atomic age and the golden age of horror comic books.
Irving Berlin: The Voice of Everyman
Harvard Friends of the Arts will host “Irving Berlin, The Voice of Everyman,” Saturday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Volunteers Hall. The show, by Bobbi Carrey and Will McMillan, with Doug Hammer on piano, will offer songs by Irving Berlin and stories about him. Seating is limited; call the library at 978-456-4114 to reserve seats. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. For more information visit www.harvardpubliclibrary.org.
Community Messiah Sing
The town’s 45th annual Messiah sing will take place Sunday, Dec. 20 (snow date Dec. 27), at 5 p.m. at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church. This long-standing tradition offers an opportunity for the community to sing Handel’s Messiah with professional soloists and a chamber orchestra under the direction of Ted Johnson. Both singers and listeners are welcome. Bring your own score or purchase one at the door for $10. This annual event is supported by the Harvard UU Church and generous donations to Friends of the Community Messiah Sing. Suggested donation is $10. For more information visit www.uuharvard.org.
Christmas Bird Count
The 110th Christmas Bird Count, coordinated by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, will be held Sunday, Dec. 20. Some bird-watching experience is helpful, but expertise is not required. Persons interested in participating should contact Ned Toll at ntoll@charter.net or 978-772-9221.
OUT OF TOWN
Gifts of the Magi
The Stratton Players will present Gifts of the Magi, a musical retelling of two O. Henry stories, Dec. 11, 12, 18, and 19, at 8 p.m, and Dec. 13 and 20, at 2 p.m. at the Stratton Playhouse, 60 Wallace Ave. in Fitchburg. The cast of the holiday family musical will include Harvard resident Mary Helan Turner. Tickets are $15. For more information and reservations call 978-345-6066 or visit www.strattonplayers.com.
Concord Band Holiday Pops
The Concord Band’s annual Holiday Pops concerts will be held Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden St. in Concord. Guest vocalist Rene Pfister, will lead the audience holiday sing-along. The program also includes holiday favorites like “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Table seating is available at $20 per person and $15 for children younger than 12. For reservations, call 978-897-9969, e-mail reservations@concordband.org, or visit www.concordband.org. The snow date for both nights is Sunday, Dec. 13, at 2 p.m.
Dance Performance at Icon Museum
The Museum of Russian Icons, 203 Union St. in Clinton, will host a performance by Con Brio Piano Duo, “Dance of the Russian Soul,” Saturday, Dec. 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. A wine and cheese reception with the artists will follow. Admission is $10 for members, $12 for nonmembers. For more information call 978-598-5000.
Holiday Sing-Along
Indian Hill Music School’s Early Childhood Department will present its free annual holiday sing-along for young families Saturday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at 36 King St. in Littleton. People of all ages are invited to sing, dance, play instruments, and celebrate the songs and stories of the season. Parents are invited to bring their cameras for photos with “a special guest.” Snow date will be Sunday, Dec. 13. For more information call 978-486-9524 or visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
ChanuKarnival and Silent Auction
The fifth annual ChanuKarnival and silent auction will take place on the second day of Chanukah, Sunday, Dec. 13, from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the Fenn School, 516 Monument St. in Concord. Activities will include game booths, face-painting, crafts projects, a magic show by Boston’s Peter O’Malley, entrance to a silent auction, and more. Admission is $7. In case of bad weather, the carnival will be postponed to Sunday, Dec. 20. For more details and to see a list of some of the auction items, visit www.ActonConcordChabad.org or call 978-929-2513.
Handbell Holiday Concert
The Bells of St. Matthew’s, under the direction of Susan Lee, will present a concert of holiday music Sunday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 435 Central St. in Acton. Using five octaves of handbells and four octaves of handchimes, the ringers will use many different techniques besides ringing to play some familiar favorites, with an opportunity for audience participation. For more information call the church office at 978-263-2822 or Sue Lee at 978-263-2246.
Nashoba Valley Concert Band
The Nashoba Valley Concert Band will present a free concert Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mall at Whitney Field food court in Leominster. The 40-piece volunteer band will perform holiday favorites. For more information visit www.NashobaValleyConcertBand.org.
About A Boy
The Groton Grange, with support from the Groton Cultural Council, will show About A Boy (PG-13) Friday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Groton Grange. About A Boy, based on the novel by Nick Hornby, is the story of a cynical, immature young man who is taught how to act like a grown-up by a 12-year-old boy.
Boston Holiday Stroll
Beyond Twilight will present “Ghosts of Christmas Past: A Holiday Stroll through Boston as It Was” Fridays and Saturdays, through Dec. 19, at 1 and 4 p.m. at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. Walkers can saunter through 19th-century Boston and discover how Christmas as we celebrate it today came be. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and children age 10 and younger. For reservations call 978-269-4237.
Footloose the Musical
Starz-N-Lightz Repertory Theatre’s Teen Ensemble will present Footloose, The Musical, Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 8, 9, 13, and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, Jan. 10 and 15, at 2 p.m. at Littleton High School Auditorium, 56 King St. in Littleton.
This high-energy musical is about a father longing for the son he lost and a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. Tickets, which are $13 and $11 for students and seniors, will be available through MKTix.com, at West Acton Market, and Danny’s Place, and by calling 978-760-3116 or e-mailing Tickets@StarzNLightz.org.
