Classic days of radio coming to the stage

It's true! There was life before television. And Canadian homes were filled with the excitement of radio! But it wasn’t just the latest hit parade songs people were enjoying.

News, comedy and quiz shows were staple ingredients. And so was radio drama.

Many dramas were our first soap operas — remember Ma Perkins? Others were heart-stopping thrillers — remember Orson Wells?

And some were heart-warming family dramas like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” leading up to Christmas.

Now Lethbridge audiences have an opportunity to relive some of the magic of live radio plays.

Drama director extraordinaire Fran Rude and a cast of seven will re-create that story as part of the local Rotary clubs’ 100th anniversary.

No costumes are required for radio, so audience members should readily recognize the players: Mark Campbell, Morgan Day, Tony Deys, Stephen Graham, McKade

Hogg, Jordana Kohn and Sheila Matson.

They’ll be offering three performances, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and then next Saturday at 2 p.m. in Immanuel Lutheran Church on Rocky Mountain Boulevard West just off University Drive.

Tickets are available at the two Ticket Centre locations, with the Rotary Club of Lethbridge Sunrise earmarking proceeds to community projects.

••• Of course there are more signs of the upcoming season. The Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden

opens its Winter Lights Festival tonight and Sunday, 6 to 9 p.m.

The gates will open each weekend through the season, and next weekend horticulturalist Lyndon Penner will offer the first in a series of “the garden in winter” presentations.

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For family activities, the Galt Museum has planned a number of hands-on events, including a session making holiday cards today (1 p.m.), on the “botany of Christmas” Sunday at 2 p.m. and on holiday ornaments on Wednesday (10:30 a.m.) and Friday (1:30 p.m.) with more to follow.

And young musicians will be front and centre at Casa next Friday, Dec. 7, when students in the Conservatory Academy Ensemble present seasonal selections at 12:15 p.m. Listeners are invited to bring a bag lunch to enjoy along with the music during the no-charge “First Friday” concert.

••• Organizers of the annual

Festival of Nativities say concerts by community groups will again be part of their nocharge event, Dec. 13-16. More than 400 nativity scenes will be on view in the LDS Chapel next to the Enmax Centre, with doors open 1 to 9 p.m. on the Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the Saturday and 2 to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. that Friday, then 3 and 7 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

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And for the 20th year, the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association will be hosting a “community Christmas dinner” with everyone invited. It’s set for Dec. 15, from 3 to 6 p.m., at the Multicultural Centre.

“There are no boundaries or cultural borders dividing those in need,” says spokesperson Richard

Odei-Wontumi, and there’s no charge.

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For diversion, no-charge film series continue at both library branches. “Awkward family encounters” is the theme at The Crossings, with “The Royal Tenenbaums” scheduled for Tuesday, “Death at a Funeral” on Dec. 11 and “Crazy Rich Asians” on Dec. 18, all at 7 p.m.

Downtown, the Friday night lineup has “Won’t You Be My Neighbour” on Friday, then “The Greatest Showman” on Dec. 14, both also at 7 p.m.

And there more this month in the university’s free New Media series, also at the downtown library.

“Birdman” will be featured on Wednesday, then “The Science of Sleep” on Dec. 12, both at 6:30 p.m.

And speaking of films, selections from the latest Banff Mountain Film Festival will be screened here on Jan. 10, 11 and 12.

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Tickets for the Banff selections — now on sale at the library — could make a worthwhile gift, and so could tickets for the Lethbridge Symphony or New West Theatre.

The symphony orchestra’s Christmas presentation, on Dec. 16 and 17, will feature folk artist

Lizzy Hoyt with selected Celtic carols. Then on Dec. 18, New West will open its seasonal show, “Hit Parade” for a threeweek run at the Yates.

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Congratulations this week to Bill Spenceley, president of Flexahopper Plastics Ltd. At its annual convention in Montreal, the Association of Rotational Molders inducted him into its Hall of Fame for his ongoing efforts to improve the industry’s “global image and sustainability.” He’s also been a strong supporter of research and development, his colleagues point out.

And a tip of the hat to Jane and Keith Hitchcock, who’ve now operated the Humpty’s Restaurant in downtown Lethbridge for 25 years. As well as greeting customers, Keith has also worked with Lethbridge Minor Hockey for many years.

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Last minute! On Tuesday, meanwhile, a “studio showcase” will conclude the semester’s Music at Noon series at the U of L, with a nocharge concert at 12:15 p.m. in Recital Hall.

The Integra Contemporary Electroacoustics Ensemble will perform Thursday, 7:30 p.m., in the university’s Recital Hall.