With the Thanksgiving feast enjoyed, the holiday season is in full swing. Downtown St. George is glowing with beautiful lights strung throughout. There is a chill and a presence of cheer in the air. It is easy to imagine Norman Rockwell himself using the heart of downtown as a setting to capture people enjoying great moments in time as classic and timeless as those he is famous for. And the events being held throughout the month will only bolster this holiday spirit.
The DiFiore Center continues to host too many events to mention individually. Southern Utah Friends, commonly called Quakers, meet each Sunday at 10 a.m. for worship. Joseph Carter’s Gallery Show opens on Dec. 4 with a reception from 6 to 9 pm. Christina Osborn will be performing an intimate musical show, “Christmas Reflections,” on Dec. 22. Matthew Jacobson’s Hollywoodland Gallery Show will open with a New Year’s Eve Gala on Dec. 31.
The Stage Door is presenting “Christmas on Broadway” at the Electric Theater. This original musical trip and holiday romp down Broadway has something for the whole family. This musical is sure to be a Christmas classic. Show dates are Dec. 10 through 12 and 17 through 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults and $15 for seniors and youth and can be purchased online at thestagedoortheater.com or by calling (866) 967-8167.
Downtown Yoga has a number of upcoming events. On Dec. 12 at 6 p.m., they are holding a free Kundalini reunion with a yoga and potluck event. Even bigger news is that they will be the hosting site for founding staff member Elise Mitchell’s 2016 200-hour Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher training. There is a discount for early registration prior to Jan. 1. More information on registration and other studio information can be found on Facebook.
A new monthly event has begun downtown. The St. George Art and Studio Tour is a free self-guided weekend tour in celebration of the St. George art community. The tour began in September and will run the third week of each month until June. Live music will accompany various stops along the route of St. George fine art venues. Cosponsored by the City of St. George Arts Commission, St. George Area Tourism, Art on Main, and Arts to Zion, the event will take a break during December and return in conjunction with the “Arts to Zion” fifth annual tour. More information can be found at ArtstoZion.net.
St. George Musical Theater’s “The Christmas Bus” makes its southern Utah debut this month. This fun holiday family musical offers a wonderful opportunity to take a moment out from the hustle and bustle and truly enjoy the season. The production is directed by Kelly Olsen and features a singing and dancing busload of adventurers. “The Christmas Bus” plays Dec. 3 through 19 on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7 p.m.
St. George Musical Theater also has its annual New Year’s Eve Fundraising Gala this month. SGMT will be hosting an extraordinary and intimate evening with Tony Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller for “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” A dessert reception will also be held in conjunction with the exceptional performances to help southern Utah’s oldest and most beloved community theater. Tickets are $75 and the evening begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets and information for both SGMT events are available at sgmusicaltheater.com or by calling (866) 967-8167.
George Streetfest, the area’s largest monthly event, just keeps bringing the excitement. December’s event with Soul What!?, the Color Country Barbershop Quartet, the Kendama Kids Challenge, the Gingerbread House Tour, and choirs singing holiday songs and carols all night long kick the season into high gear. January’s event sets the stage for the new year. A steampunk machine for the DJ party, great music on the main stage, and Dixieland jazz, Cajun tapas, and champagne in the Jazz Garden will make this first party of the new year worth celebrating. More information can be found at georgestreetfest.com.
This is a magical season, and downtown is beautiful this time of year. One of the above activities or an early dinner with a stroll through the downtown lights and into Town Square Park to follow would offer even Scrooge something to smile about.
See you downtown!
