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NewslettersGet in the holiday spirit with these local events
thager@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5534
As if your holidays weren't busy enough -- what with family and shopping and shopping and more family -- there are so many options to help get you in the spirit.
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From a Festival of Trees to Gullah holiday events to "Nutcracker" performances to a Light Up the Night boat parade, the Beaufort area is not shy when it comes to public celebrations.
Here's a quick roundup of just some of the holiday happenings over the next few weeks. Check back Sundays and Tuesdays for an updated list in our Around Town section. Events are subject to change, so call ahead:
•The Beaufort Orchestra's 2008-09 concert season continues at 8 p.m. Thursday and at 3 p.m. Sunday with "Voices from Above."
This concert will celebrate the holidays featuring the Lowcountry Children's Chorus at the University of South Carolina Beaufort's Performing Arts Center, 801 Carteret St.
Single tickets are $30 for adults and $5 for youth through high school.
Details: 877-548-3237 or beaufortorchestra.org.
•A turkey shoot fundraiser for the Town of Yemassee Fire and Rescue is from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; Dec. 11-13; and Dec. 18-20 at U.S. 17-A South, across from Harold's Country Club in Yemassee.
A shotgun giveaway is planned at 8 p.m. Dec. 20. All proceeds go toward building a new training facility and day room for fire and EMS training. Details: 843-589-2565.
•The Beaufort Art Association's Holiday Boutique is open through Dec. 23. The Beaufort Art Association Gallery, 1001 Bay St., in the Elliott House, features the works of 80 member artists.
Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Details: 843-379-2222.
•The Thomas Heyward Jr. Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution "Christmas is Coming" Tea is at 3 p.m. Thursday at the home of Regent Elaine Bailey, 522 Island Circle East, Dataw Island. Details: 843-838-7082 or 843-521-0134.
•Beaufort holiday events begin with A Night On The Town from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in downtown Beaufort. Applications are being accepted for area non-profit organizations for food vendors. For details, call 843-525-6644.
The Light Up The Night Boat Parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday. Applications for boaters -- big and small -- are being accepted. For details, call 843-812-8613 or 843-522-3634.
The Christmas Parade begins at 3 p.m. Sunday. Details: 843-525-6644.
•A Lowcountry Christmas on the Sea Islands of Beaufort begins Friday. "Gullah Christmas Fo' Da' Chillun," a musical featuring Aunt Pearlie Sue and Gullah Kinfolk with dancing and storytelling, is at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the University of South Carolina Beaufort Performing Arts Center, 801 Carteret St.
The cost is $5 for students. Reservations may be made. Details: 843-986-1102.
•Penn Center will sponsor a Holiday Art Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the York W. Bailey Museum at Penn Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, St. Helena Island.
A meet and greet is planned for 3 p.m. with the 2008 artist of the year, Amiri Geuka Farris, who will debut his latest work, "Lowcountry Dreaming," a new book of art and poetry based on the Gullah traditions of the Sea Islands.
Door prizes, original paintings, prints, holiday cards, books, T-shirts and collectibles will be on sale. The art exhibit closes Jan. 9. All gift items are tax free every day. Details: 843-838-2432 or penncenter.com.
•The Exchange Club of Beaufort will host its Pancakes with Santa fundraiser to benefit the Child Abuse Prevention Association from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Baptist Church of Beaufort fellowship hall, 600 Charles St. Breakfast is $6 for adults and $3 for ages 3 to 12. Participants may have their pictures taken with Santa for $5. Details: 843-524-4350.
•"The Gullah Kinfolk Chris'maas Wish ... Freedom Comin' " show is at 5 p.m. Saturday in the University of South Carolina Beaufort Performing Arts Center, 801 Carteret St.
This show is based on historical accounts. A 10-year-old girl named Binda finds herself in the belly of a slave ship headed for Barbados and arriving in Charleston.
Tickets are $25 and $30 in advance or $35 at the door and $10 for younger than 18. The evening includes the show, a Taste of Gullah buffet and art exhibit. Tickets are available through the Beaufort County BlackChamber of Commerce. Details: 843-986-1102 or bcbcc.org or beaufortsc.org.
•The Ninth Annual Candy Cane Classic will be hosted by the Sea Pines Country Club on Saturday.
More than 140 golfers will join together at Sea Pines Country Club for a continental breakfast, a round of golf, luncheon buffet and auction. Tennis players will enjoy a double round robin, luncheon buffet and auction. Tennis entry fee is $100 a person.
An auction will include art, wine collections, travel opportunities and the fourth special handmade Candy Cane Classic Santa. This is a one-of-a-kind Santa created by Nancy Butts. Details: 843 689-3646.
•LowCountry Children's Chorus, an auditioned community treble ensemble, will present its Seventh Annual Holiday Concert at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Baptist Church of Beaufort.
This year's concert features many of the great choral classics from the renaissance to the contemporary including composers Praetorius, Byrd, Vivaldi, Mozart and contemporary Canadian composer Rupert Lang.
Admission is free. Donations are encouraged. Details: 843-252-4104.
•The Hilton Head Choral Society celebrates its 24th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The best of Lowcountry living will be on festive display with six homes wrapped in their holiday best.
Holiday refreshments will be served at the Rose Hill Golf Club's Villa Rosa Ristorante with a special concert by the Youth Choir at 1:30 p.m. and music by Choral Society Ensemble at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at door and are available at Lowcountry outlets including Burke's Pharmacy, Christie's Hallmark; Group 3/Pyramids; Markel's Gift Shop, Paper & Party Plantation, Pretty Papers, Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center and Villa Rosa Ristorante on the day of the tour. Details: 843-341-3818.
•Friends of Caroline Hospice's 20th annual Festival of Trees opens with a reception from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Charles "Lind" Brown Center (formerly Greene Street Gym), 1001 Greene St.
Tickets for the reception are $35 and available at the Friends of Caroline Hospice office, Grace and Glory, The Gallery, Cravings, Four Winds Gallery, Lulu Burgess and Bay Street Trading Co.
The festival is from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9-12 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 13. Details:843-524-3255 or festivaloftreesbeaufort.com.
•A Gullah Caribbean Christmas Dinner Theater is at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Sea Island Conference Center, 178 Sams Point Road, Lady's Island.
Gullah Caribbean cuisine will be served by candlelight in an intimate setting along with a live variety show and reggae music for dancing. Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for youth younger than age 18.
Details: 843-986-1102.
•The third-annual Gingerbread House Program is at 1 p.m. Dec. 13 and at 5 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Lobeco Branch of the Beaufort County Library, 1862 Trask Parkway, Lobeco. Participants will learn about the history of gingerbread, hear stories and decorate their own gingerbread houses. The program is free and open to all ages, but preregistration is required. Details: 843-846-3937 or gmolter@bcgov.net.
•The Baptist Church of Beaufort presents "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." The cast is comprised of 17 children and 10 adults from the congregation accompanied by a children's chorus of about 40 shepherds and angels.
The play is based on the book by Barbara Robinson and is staged as a play within a play. The story is fraught with mishaps, comedy and tender moments, as the birth of Christ becomes very real to everyone in this adventure.
The community performances will be at the Baptist Church of Beaufort at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 6 p.m. Dec. 14. There's no admission fee, but donations are encouraged. Details: 843-252-4104.
•First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort will hold the "Blue Christmas Service: A Service for Healing and Hope" at the church (corner of North and Church streets) at 7 p.m. Dec. 22.
The Rev. Ashley Rogillio will preside over the service, which is intended for anyone for whom the holidays bring conflicting emotions or painful memories. Everyone is welcome.
If you'd like to get your Holiday Happening in the Around Town section, send a description of the event 10 days in advance to features@beaufortgazette.com.
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