If you’re looking for a respite from holiday shopping, Rochester is offering several opportunities to enjoy live performances and events beginning at the end of November and lasting throughout the month of December. Here are a few. For more events go to http://eventful.com/rochester/events/december.
Karen Barber and Linda Taggart, members of Striking Strings Hammered Dulcimer Ensemble, will be performing in the Central Library – Arts, Music and Recreation Division, 2nd floor Bausch and Lomb Public Library Building. Stop by and watch, ask questions, and enjoy the beautiful sounds of this fascinating traditional instrument from 1-3 PM.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol returns to the Geva Theatre Center on Friday, November 23. Guy Paul reprises his role as Ebenezer Scrooge and Jim Poulos portrays Bob Cratchit in Mark Cuddy’s adaptation of the classic. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Shows continue through Dec. 23. Call (585) 232-4382 or go to gevatheatre.org.
The Rochester Folk Art Guild’s Holiday Festival of Crafts, featuring pottery, wooden furniture and turnings, weaving, toys, hand-blown glass Christmas ornaments, rugs and more by guild artisans is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at The Harley School in Brighton. Admission is $2. For details, go to folkartguild.org.
Garth Fagan Dance returns on Tuesday, November 27 to the Nazareth College Arts Center in Pittsford. The acclaimed contemporary dance company will showcase selections from its more than four decades of performances as well as a new piece that includes choreography by Garth Fagan and music by Wynton Marsalis. Shows begin 7:30 p.m. Nov. 27; 8 p.m. Nov. 28 to 30; 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Tickets are $40 to $55. Call (585) 389-2170 or go to artscenter.naz.edu.
Tony Award-winning musical Memphis, set in the 1950s about a white DJ who falls in love with an up-and-coming black club singer, opens Tuesday at Rochester’s Auditorium Theatre. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 27 to 29; 8 p.m. Nov. 30; 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 1; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Tickets ($27.50 to $67.50) are available by calling (800) 745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker 20th Anniversary production overflows with a spectacular new “Dove of Peace” performed by 2 dancers, Christmas tree that grows to 7 stories tall, 40 top Russian dancers, falling snow, charming silk puppets, 200 lavish costumes, and 9 hand-painted backdrops all set to Tchaikovsky’s complete score. Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker – 20 years of soaring holiday spirit! Wednesday, December 5 at 7:30 pm at the Auditorium Theatre. For tickets click here.
This Thanksgiving weekend, do something truly special with your family: join the Rochester City Ballet and the RPO, along with the Bach Children’s Chorus, for Rochester’s only full-length, live-music performance of an enchanting classic, The Nutcracker. It’s a dazzling, heartwarming spectacle that will leave all ages delighted—a brilliant start to the holiday season. Nov. 23-25, Kodak Hall. For more holiday family concerts click here.
Vivaldi’s timeless classic, The Four Seasons will be performed December 13 and 15 by the RPO’s concertmaster, Juliana Athayde. For more, call (585) 454-2100 or go to rpo.org.
The Holiday Laser Show, featuring popular holiday songs choreographed with dancing laser light against a starry background, can be viewed at 11 a.m., 4:30, 7 and 8 p.m. Nov. 24; and 3 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Rochester Museum & Science Center’s Strasenburgh Planetarium. Admission is $7 ($6 for seniors, students with ID and ages 3-18). Go to rmsc.org.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra will be performing their acclaimed rock opera, “The Lost Christmas Eve” live at the Blue Cross Arena on Wednesday, December 5 at 7:30 PM. The Lost Christmas Eve is the fourth album by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
More Fire Glass Holiday Show and Sale includes glass blowing demonstrations and displays. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Dec. 1 and 2. Admission is free. Call (585) 242-0450 or go online to morefireglass.com.
Central Library Arts Division. Rochester, New York 