By Jan Broberg
This holiday season, the Art Village Plaza and Center for the Arts at Kayenta will glow with seasonal cheer. December kicks off with a concert featuring the Dixie State University Chamber Singers, the Snow Canyon High School Jazz Band, and the Madrigal Choir. These award-winning musical groups will perform a selection of holiday favorites! Honored as Best Jazz Band in several regional competitions and touted as the finest singers in southern Utah at numerous festivals, both Snow Canyon High School groups have performed throughout Utah and California, including being featured at the Disneyland theme park! Under the direction of Dr. Roger Hale, the DSU Chamber Singers are establishing a unique tradition of tonal beauty bringing complex harmonies and soaring highs and lows that will give you goosebumps — not caused by the winter chill in the air but by the exceptional voices that come together to deeply move an audience. We will finish off the evening of music with an audience singalong that will usher in the spirit of the holiday season. In a unifying experience, we will share our common humanity through song. Join us for a joyful musical experience Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for students, and $5 children 13 and under.
Celebrating 30 years of “A Kurt Bestor Christmas,” Kurt Bestor will bring the joy of the season alive in this very rare performance at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta. To offer this intimate holiday performance with Kurt, a renowned Emmy Award-winning composer, singer, songwriter and entertainer, is such a priveledge for us, and to be so up close and personal in the theater with him will be absolutely thrilling. With carolers in the lobby and magic in the air, theatergoers can enjoy a preshow boxed dinner provided by Harmon’s on Saturday night. Other beverages and snacks will be available Friday. Support Kony Coins for Kids and Toys for Tots by bringing a donation or unwrapped gift and get a free warm beverage! A Kurt Bestor Christmas lands center stage Dec. 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40–$60.
With magic in the air, the village trees will glisten as vendors offer warm drinks, light bites, and sweet treats on the Center for the Arts Plaza with Many Miles performing a selection of holiday tunes. The days grow shorter, but the imagination grows brighter with a new collaborative event presented by Kayenta Arts Foundation and Diamond Talent Productions: A Holiday in Kayenta featuring A Diamond Holiday, a dance and music concert; and The Enchanted World of Dolls, a walkthrough experience showcasing dolls that magically come to life in our windows on the plaza in a celebration of holiday traditions from around the world.
According to director Alexei Syssoyeva of Enchanted Dolls, “The audience moves through a series of stages, viewing the exceptional talents of young actors and dancers who represent various countries throughout the world. Moving as though they were mechanical dolls, this is a magical interactive experience for young and old.”
The festivities then take us inside the theater where A Diamond Holiday dance and music concert will captivate the audience in the spirit of the season. This spectacular holiday show filled with beautiful dance and music is a wonderful way to bring the worldwide spirit of understanding, unity, and joy to every heart. Diamond Talent performers are highly trained students and professional dancers as well as singers, many of whom have gone on to perform on Broadway and attended prestigious schools like Julliard. This spirited show features Suzi Snowflakes, Santa Claus fun, March of the Toys, great traditional Christmas songs, the best of “The Nutcracker,” and an angelic climax that will thrill both young and old as the nativity is revealed, a truly inclusive worldwide celebration of many faiths and holiday traditions from around the world.
The Enchanted World of Dolls promenade and Plaza offerings will be open with continuous tours starting at 5:30. The last tour begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.
A Diamond Holiday follows in the theatre from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15–$35
Performance dates are Dec 14–16 and 21–23 including matinees on Dec. 16 and 23. Tickets are $15 (includes both shows). A limited number of premium seats are available for $35.
The Center for the Arts and the Lorraine Boccardo Indoor Theatre are located in the Kayenta Art Village. For more information and tickets, visit kayentaarts.com.
Articles related to “The holidays come alive in Kayenta with magic, music, and dance”
Introducing southern Utah’s all-new intimate theatrical experience
The Independent December 2017 (.PDF) featuring a Kayenta Holiday
