Weekday Warrior
Weekday Warrior: Ho ho holidays bring festive activities to fill your week
How does the old song go? There’s no place like home for the holidays, right? Well, whether you call Austin home, or home-away-from-home, there are a bevy of holiday happenings that are sure to peg your Claus-o-meter. We’ve got yuletide classics hitting the big screens, two takes on a Dickens tale, and a shopping frenzy for your favorite foodies. How on earth do you sift through the seasonal fare? Here’s our weekly guide to keep you busy during the days that don’t start with S.
Monday, December 5th
Big Screen Holiday Classics: White Christmas @ Alamo South Lamar
It couldn’t be a holiday season without a viewing of this Irving Berlin-meets-Bing Crosby classic, which boasts not only some of the best crooners of all time (Rosemary Clooney and Crosby), but dance sequences that’ll inspire more than a few whimsical toe-taps.
The Higball offers an opportunity to make nice with Mondays, with this weekly showcase of the best of the famed sound of Detroit. Throw in a little of your favorite libation, and the week is off to a decidedly soulful start.
Tuesday, December 6th
The Moth: On the Road @ The Paramount Theater
Celebrate the art and craft of storytelling with this long-running (and immensely popular) live show—which to date has brought over 3000 stories to the stage, told on-the-spot and without notes.
Girlie Night: Love Actually @ Alamo Ritz
Girlie Night channels its inner anglophile with this month’s installment showcasing the can’t-help-but-smile contemporary Christmas classic that tugs on those proverbial heart strings like no other. So go ahead, get the gals together, gush over Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, and Andrew Lincoln, and go ahead and bring tissues. Just in cases.
Wednesday, December 7th
The Adoption Coalition of Texas Presents: Misletoe Jam Benefit @ Threadgill’s
Join the Adoption Coalition of Texas and a slew of Austin musicians for a night of music and holiday fun, courtesy of Byrd & Street, Karen Abrahams, George Ensle, Bob Livingston and Leann Atherton, along with special guests. All proceeds will go directly towards helping Texas foster children find their forever families.
Eat Drink Local Week 2011: Local Food Holiday Gift Fair @ The Domain
Sample products from the best in local food and drink and stock up on gifts for your favorite foodies. A smattering of local businesses will participate, including Arte y Chocolate, Fat Belly Pretzel, Texas Hill Country Olive Co, and more.
Thursday, December 8th
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol @ The City Theater
Award-winning actress Bernadette Nelson is back with her one-woman spin on the classic Dickens’ holiday tale, where she breathes life into, well, everyone—portraying the more than 30 characters with ease.
Teatro Vivo Presents: Cuento Navidaño: Bah Humbug in the Barrio @ The Long Center
Take your Dickens’ appreciation in an entirely different direction. This re-telling of the classic brings a new cultural spin. This time around, Christmas Eve takes place in an modern urban Latino community, and Evangelina Cruz has lost touch with her culture and community. Each performance in the four-day run will have special appearances by local celebrities, politicians and guest artists who’ll tackle bit parts in the play.
Friday, December 9th
Ballet Austin Presents: The Nutcracker @ The Long Center
The longest-running holiday dance production in Texas returns for its 49th year, and for good reason. Regardless of age, taking in a live performance of this Tchaikovsky masterpiece is an experience that lifelong traditions are made of.
KGSR’s 21st Anniversary Party @ ACL Live
Louis Shank's Furniture and KGSR present the 21st annual KGSR Anniversary Party, this time featuring music by Dawes, Mat Kearney, Givers, and The Gourds. Tickets are free, but must be won from KGSR.
So, Grinches, it’s time to get over the “too soon for Christmas” argument and soak up the seasonal sentiment, because it’s happening. It’s happening in a big way.