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Goodfellows Follies

December 9 – 10

http://www.chapmanculturalcenter.org/calendar.php

David Reid Theatre at Chapman Cultural Center

Cost: $20 for all ages, includes post-show reception

Goodfellows, the Spartanburg Herald-Journal’s nonprofit organization that has provided food to tens of thousands of Spartanburg-area disadvantaged families since 1947, will celebrate its 65th anniversary Dec. 10 and 11 with a return of the Goodfellows Follies comedy/variety show. Twenty-two members of the original Follies cast that has entertained folks with knee-slapping comedy since the 1950s will be joined by comedian, actress, talk radio host and columnist Pam Stone in both shows at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg. In the Dec. 11 afternoon performance, the Marshall Tucker Band’s Doug Gray and Rick Willis will surprise attendees with a song that will take folks way back in Spartanburg’s music history. Also going on stage for the Follies show will be the Palmetto Statesmen Barbershop Chorus and Quartet, the Southern Dance Academy Clogging Champions of America, Young News and Shawny Wright of 627 Music, Miss Spartanburg Hannah Barfield and many other talented performers. For more information, contact Lou Parris, The Stroller columnist for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, at either [email protected] or 864-497-7323.

  Gaffney High School: “To Kill A Mockingbird”

Gaffney High School Theatre

December 8 – 10

Cost: $5 for students and $6 for adults

http://www.cherokeebuzz.com/calendar/

http://www.showtix4u.com/index.php?search=sc&fb_source=message

  Ballet Spartanburg: “The Nutcracker”

December 9 – 11

http://www.chapmanculturalcenter.org/calendar.php

For tickets and reservations call: 596-9725

Twichell Auditorium at Converse College

As Spartanburg’s treasured holiday classic, The Nutcracker is a dazzling journey to a magical land where dolls, toys and snowflakes come to life with over 100 dancers under the spell of Tchaikovsky’s memorable score. With new choreography and special effects this entertainment jewel captivates the imagination of children and nostalgia seeking adults everywhere. New this Year: SNOWFALL OVER THE SEATS AS WELL AS ON STAGE! NEW SECTIONS & CHOREGRAPHY! Children’s Nutcracker Sweets Party Saturday, December 10 1:00 p.m. $40 (includes ticket) Children can enjoy a magical backstage tour, meet the Nutcracker, the Sugar Plum and other character as they enjoy delectable sweets on the stage. Limited availability. For more information call 864-583-0339 or visit www.balletspartanburg.com

  Spartanburg Little Theatre: “The Santaland Diaries”

For mature audiences only; leave the children at home!

December 9 – 17

The Showroom at HUB-BUB

http://www.hub-bub.com/

Cost: $12 in advance $15 at the door

This hilarious one-person play chronicles a man's experience working as an elf at Macy's Santaland. Witty, sardonic and unpredictable, David Sedaris's "The Santaland Diaries" mercilessly points out what crazy things we do during the holidays.

  West Main Artists Coop: Holiday Open House

December 10th and 12 - 17

https://www.facebook.com/events/234204386646331/

Over 45 Artists Represented in One Place. Everything from Jewelry to Ceramics . Acrylic , Oil and Mixed Media Paintings including Acrylic Monotypes and Photography. Plus Some great and unique Gift Ideas. Come Check us out. and Remember to BUY LOCAL this Holiday Season!!

  Upstate Pride Holiday Collection Drive

Benefits Piedmont Care and Ellen Hines Smith Girls’ Home

https://www.facebook.com/events/255808174475096/

December 1 – 19

Drop-off site is The Coffee Bar in Spartanburg

  Piedmont Care: 52 year old male; Clothing: Shirts: XL,  Pants: 38 waist, 34-36 length. Wish list items: Lowe’s gift cards, Bi-Lo gift cards, Toiletries

Ellen Hines Smith Girls’ Home Girl A: Clothing: Shirts: M-L, Pants: 9-10, Shoes: 6.5. Wish list items: Hair straightener, Hello Kitty items, digital camera with memory card, clothes, MP3 player, white Nike AirForce shoes Girl B: Clothing: Shirts: S, Pants: 0, Shoes: 9. Wish list items: MP3 player, portable DVD player, Madea movies, McDonald’s gift cards, black Nike AirForce shoes, clothes, Gamecock items Girl C: Clothing: Shirts: 2XL, Pants: 18-20, Shoes: 9-10. Wish list items: Portable DVD player, MP3 player, socks, hair straightener, Madea movies, headbands

  The Haven Holiday Fair

Benefits the Haven Homeless Shelter for Families and Women

December 15th

https://www.facebook.com/events/188301761257148/

The Duncan Estate, 840 Union Street  

Join The Haven Homeless Shelter for Families & Women this holiday season and enjoy an evening of cheer, cookies and handmade gifts created by local artists. 20% of the evening's sales will benefit The Haven.  http://thehavenshelter.com/ http://duncanestate.com/blog/

  Holiday Lights Trolley Tour in Spartanburg

December 9 – 12 and 16 – 23

http://www.mainstreettrolley.com/Tours.html

Ticket prices are $8.00 per person. Tour begins at the Magnolia Train Depot in downtown Spartanburg. Reservations are required. Contact Main Street Trolley at 864-574-9876 or e-mail us at [email protected].

On board, enjoy hot chocolate, Christmas music and some historic story-telling while enjoying our very best local Christmas light displays.

  Easley’s Foothills Playhouse: “The Littlest Angel”

December 2 – 11

http://easleyfoothillsplayhouse.com/onstage/2011/08/07/the-littlest-angel/

Cost: Adults $16; Seniors $14; Students/Children $9

This classic Christmas story of a little angel who is transformed from a celestial pest to the toast of the Heavenly Host is brought magically to life in this humorous, touching, and, above all, inspirational musical. Filled with melody and mirth, the story follows the adventures and misadventures of the Littlest Angel, from his reluctant entry through the Pearly Gates to the triumphant conclusion when his gift to the newborn Christ Child is miraculously transformed into the shining Star of Bethlehem.

  F.I.R.E Fountain Inn Repertory Experience: A WONDERFUL LIFE December 1 - 11 Fountain Inn Civic Center http://www.ficiviccenter.org/a-wonderful-life Cost: $17/ $14/$8 Adult/ Senior/ Student (special group price)

FIRE presents the Upstate premiere of the Frank Capra’s film classic brought to vibrant theatrical life through the remarkable collaboration of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner Sheldon Harnick and Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo. The story of George Bailey and his wonderful life in Bedford Falls remains a timeless fable of dreams, disillusionment and the power of love. An uplifting chronicle of the extraordinary lives of ordinary folk, A WONDERFUL LIFE exhilarates the mind and heart as it celebrates the innate goodness in us all.

  First Baptist Church of Lyman: “Messiah” Sing-a-long

December 13th

http://www.chapmanculturalcenter.org/calendar.php

David Reid Theatre at Chapman Cultural Center

The public is invited to sing the well-known parts of Handel’s Messiah at the Chapman Cultural Center Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Lyman, Messiah is George Frederic Handel's most popular and widely performed oratorio, composed in 1741. Its most famous movement is the Hallelujah Chorus, which traditionally ends the performance with the audience standing. During the one-hour long event, only Part I and Hallelujah Chorus will be performed with the church providing a live orchestra and local soloists. There is no charge to participate in the singing or to just listen in the 500-seat David Reid Theatre. The Rev. Jim Carey, minister of music, suggests that participants dress casually and bring a copy of the score (words and music, which can be found online). For more information, please call Rev. Carey at 439-8721, ext. 104, or (205) 534-9205.

  Music Sandwiched In: Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra Brass

December 14th

Spartanburg Library Headquarters, Barrett Room

http://www.spartanburgphilharmonic.org/msi.html

Come get into the Holiday spirit by coming and listening to the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra Brass perform several Holiday favorites. This free lunchtime concert series showcases regional talent at the Spartanburg County Public Library Headquarters (Barrett Community Room, 12:15-1:00 pm) on selected Wednesdays. You can Brown Bag it or Purchase a Box Lunch. For more information, call The Music Foundation of Spartanburg: (864) 948-9020.

  Pacolet Christmas Parade

December 10th

A Village at Christmas/Pacolet Express Train Ride

Pacolet Amphitheater

December 16 -31

http://visitspartanburg.com/calendar/scvb-main-calendar.htm

For additional information, please call the Pacolet Town Hall at 474-9504 or email [email protected].

  Art Walk Spartanburg – every 3rd Thursday

December 15th

Downtown Spartanburg and beyond.

Maps are available at each gallery in this self-guided tour.

http://www.carolinagalleryart.com/default2.asp

  Retail Therapy - every 3rd Thursday

December 15th

http://www.downtownspartanburg.com/

Downtown Spartanburg - Various Shops/boutiques open evening hours offering special discounts and other surprises

  Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (GAIHN) Carriage Rides for the Homeless

December 16 and 19-23

Depart from JB Lacher Jewelers

http://www.gaihn.org

In 2011, for the tenth consecutive year, GAIHN (Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network) will provide horse-drawn carriage rides through the streets of downtown Greenville during the Christmas/Hanukkah Holidays. All proceeds from the carriage rides are used to help provide emergency assistance for homeless families with children.

On December 16 and 19-23, a horse-drawn carriage will depart from JB Lacher Jewelers on a fifteen minute carriage ride through downtown Greenville bedecked in its holiday splendor (each carriage seats four adults comfortably). Cooper Farm Carriage Service is our excellent carriage company.

Reservations will be taken starting on October 15. Visit the website’s RESERVE YOUR SPOT page. Select the date and time that you would like to ride. Make sure you have your credit card handy (all reservations are prepaid) and thank you for your donation to help homeless families in our area! (This is a not a tax-deductible donation. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to GAIHN, click on the "Donate Now" button.)

Our Goal: This year we hope that 1,200 people will enjoy the festive ride through the streets of downtown Greenville and help us raise about $10,000 dollars for GAIHN's ministry of hospitality with homeless families.

  The 17th Annual Anderson Lights of Hope Drive-Thru Christmas Light Display

Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Day

Darwin Wright Park in Anderson, just off I-85 at Exit 21 / Liberty Hwy, open nightly at 5:30pm

http://andersonlightsofhope.org

Admission: Cars / Mini Van / SUV  -  $5.00; Mini Bus / Church Van / Nursing Home - $10.00; Large Bus - $20.00

The Anderson Lights of Hope annual light display has become a regional attraction during the Holiday season. Many visitors average 5 visits to ‘Lights of Hope’ and the arrangement of the lights changes every year. It has become a tradition in many families for many years. Using over 3.5 million light bulbs Anderson lights of Hope volunteers turn the Darwin Park into a fantasy of lights, enchanting for all ages. The park hosted over 47,000 visitors in 2010 and hopes to increase that number in 2011, keeping the students rather busy. The 2010 proceeds donated to local area charities from this event, including the additional donations of toys, blankets, canned food, eye glasses, cell phones helped make it possible for hundreds of children and adults in the Anderson community to receive life-changing services.  

    Spartan Photo Exhibit at Chapman Cultural Center

November 16 – December 15

https://www.facebook.com/spartanphotocenter

http://www.chapmanculturalcenter.org/calendar.php

Spartan Photo Center has recently hosted their first annual photography contest open to the general public. With the great success of the college student contest earlier in the year they discovered quickly that many people were eager to show off their impressive skills and passion. Spartan Photo ended up with nearly 100 entries for the public’s viewing and voting pleasure. All photos have been displayed in the second floor Stairway Gallery of the Chapman Cultural Center (open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) on East Saint John Street in downtown Spartanburg, directly across the street from Spartan Photo Center and is open to the public for voting. Every person is free to choose their top ten favorites (there is a form and voting box in the gallery) and the top ten will be further voted on by the online Facebook crowd with the winners to be announced in December 2011.

Pack a lunch, grab the kids, and enjoy a picnic at Barnett Park, voting on the photos and visiting the various exhibits at the Cultural Center, and stop by Spartan Photo Center for a free cup of coffee and some good conversation. We are excited to meet you. Spartan Photo Center, Inc. has been expertly supplying photographers in the Spartanburg/Greenville area with new product information, the newest techniques, repairs, accessories, upgrades, and photo printing for over 25 years. If you would like more information about this topic or to set up an interview with Owner, Mike Wojcik, call Hannah Bingham at (864) 583 – 6835 or email at [email protected]

  Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg: "The Uncovery" by Walter Bethea

December 3- 21

http://www.chapmanculturalcenter.org/calendar.php

FREE

The Artists' Guild of Spartanburg presents “The Uncovery,” a collection of 20 small (2" x 3") pencil drawings on paper and eight oil/acrylic paintings on wood panels by member Walter Bethea. The exhibit is on display in the Guild Gallery at the Chapman Cultural Center through Dec. 21, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and is free for public viewing.

  Spartanburg County Regional History Museum’s Christmas in Spartanburg: The 1960s

November 29 – January 28

http://www.spartanburghistory.org/

Cost: $4 Adults, $3 Seniors & Vets, $2 Kids

Step back in time to Christmas in the 1960s with glitz and glam, not to mention aluminum trees, electric lights, holiday albums, and television specials. Remember again, or experience for the first time, the era’s authentic toys and vintage ads in an exhibit featuring ‘60s-era furniture. Make an ornament inspired by the many Christmas wreaths during the time of JFK, the Apollo missions, The Beatles, the Civil Rights Movement, and Vietnam. Converse College Intern Alexandria Brown was the student curator for the exhibit and will offer a gallery talk at the December 9 reception. Join us at between 5:30 and 7:30 that evening for an evening of refreshments, learning and nostalgia!

  CALENDARS:

Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau: http://visitspartanburg.com

Spartanburg Culture calendar and blog: http://spartanburgculture.com/

Spartanburg County Public Libraries: Events, Exhibits and Programs: http://www.infodepot.org/zS1/Events.asp

Spartanburg Downtown Association Events: http://www.downtownspartanburg.org/events.php

Spartanburg Parks: http://www.spartanburgparks.org/

Converse College: http://www.converse.edu/calendar

USC Upstate: http://www.uscupstate.edu/event/

Wofford College: http://www.wofford.edu/newsroom/story.aspx?id=450521

City of Greenville: http://www.greenvillesc.gov/calendar/calendar.aspx

Fete Greenville: http://www.fetegreenville.com/

What's the BUZZ in Cherokee County? http://www.cherokeebuzz.com/

Greenwood's Cultural District: http://www.emeraldtriangle.sc/ArtsCouncil/default.aspx

Upcountry South Carolina: http://www.theupcountry.com/

South Carolina National Heritage Corridor includes the Mountain Lakes Region: http://www.sc-heritagecorridor.org/

Saluda, Tryon, Columbus NC calendar http://www.nc-mountains.org/events/

Asheville Event and Festival calendar: http://www.exploreasheville.com/event-calendar/index.aspx

Mountain Xpress – Asheville and Western NC: http://www.mountainx.com/