Chorale 50th anniversary

Chorale concert today

Golden Christmas is the theme for the 50th annual holiday concert of the Oneida Area Civic Chorale to be held Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. in the Oneida High School, 560 Seneca St.

The 105-voice community chorus will be under the direction of Kimberly Nethaway of Rome. A 21-piece orchestra will accompany the concert. The choir will perform “Coronation Mass” by W. A. Mozart along with a collection of traditional carols titled “Christmas Canticles” by Benjamin Harlan.

Tickets are $10 and are available from chorale members and by calling (315) 761-9701.

Hamilton Library

Feeling crafty? Children and adults have opportunities to make some crafts at the Hamilton Library this December. On Monday, Dec. 4, children of all ages are invited to stop by between 3:30-4:30 p.m. for a fun winter craft and an after school snack provided by the Friends of the Library. Adults are invited for a holiday craft time that evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to create their own holiday cards for

family and friends and learn to turn a paperback book into a festive tree! Get ready to celebrate Chanukah -- children are invited to join on Monday, Dec. 11 from 5-6 p.m. to share a special story and craft, make their own menorah and enjoy fresh latkes! This special holiday program is sponsored by Chabad of Hamilton.

Music at Lorenzo

Lorenzo in Cazenovia will shine once again as it celebrates “Gilded Glamour.” Join them Monday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 10 from 1-4 p.m. in historic Cazenovia. Highlights by Candlelight on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 7-8 from 7-9 p.m. each night. Groups of eight or more are welcome to pre-register for weekday tours throughout the month of December.

Lorenzo has a special entertainment lineup this year. Laine Gilmore will “tickle the ivories” as she plays holiday favorites on the piano Thursday evening, Dec. 7 in the Drawing Room. Friday evening, Dec. 8 and Saturday afternoon, Dec. 9 the Belle Aire Handbell Trio will be on site ringing in the holidays. Also Saturday afternoon, Dec. 9 Joyful Noise Children’s Choir of St. James Catholic Church will be singing traditional holiday carols. Sunday, Dec. 10 John and Sondra Bromka of Bells and Motley will take center stage in the mansion evoking the warmth and spirit of Christmas past and Merry Mischief’s “Mr. and Mrs. Claus” will be present to delight visitors of all ages.

Parents are invited to tour the Visitors Center and Gift Shop; sample wassail, peanut brittle and sweets; and enjoy sleigh rides (weather permitting) on Friday evening and booth weekend days.

Amodest admission price of $6 for adults and $2 for children 12 and younger is charged for the holiday experience. For more information about Christmas at Lorenzo activities or to preregister groups of eight or more please call (315) 655- 3200 or visit www.friendsoflorenzo.org.

WomenofSong

Canastota Public Library will present the Women of Song Holiday Concert on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in the library’s Children’s Room.

Sherrill LightContest

All Sherrill residents and businesses are encouraged to brighten the city and share in the holiday spirit by participating in the city’s light display contest.

Light up your home on Dec. 8 by filling out the form given by the city and return it to City Hall. Then on Dec. 11 and 12 make sure your lights are on by 6 p.m. and remain on throughout the evening. The Sherrill Commissioners will look at all decorations and choose three finalists for each category. Pictures of the homes will be posted on the City of Sherrill Facebook page and a list will be available at City Hall. The public will be able to vote for the winners Dec. 14-18 on Facebook or by filling out a ballot at City Hall. Winners will be announced Dec. 20. Categories are Most Festive, Most Cre-

ative and Overall Favorite.

Holiday Fair

The annual American Indian Holiday Craft Fair will be held Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Turning Stone Resort Casino in the retail corridor near Oneida Sky (first floor).

Featured will be American Indian jewelry, bead work, carvings and artwork. For more information, call (315) 829-8338.

Winter at the Palace

Winter at the Palace: A New York State of Mind is a gala evening of fine entertainment, food and spirits to benefit Arts at the Palace on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 7-11 p.m. at 19 Utica St., Hamilton.

Experience the flavors of New York from Manhattan to Upstate along with NYS wine, beer and specialty cocktails. The highly popular oyster bar will be returning for this year’s gala and will be featured alongside boiled shrimp with sauces, lobster cocktail, snow crab claws, and salmon with dill souffle. A charcuterie table with fresh vegetables, meats, pate and cheese will be featured on the main floor along with mini reubens, lamb lollipops, blini with caviar or apple butter, and mini knishes. For dessert, mini cheesecakes with assorted toppings, biscotti and mini cannoli will be served.

The evening will feature a live and silent auction with exciting and intriguing items. Opportunities include:

•A six-day South African photo safari for two: a tantalizing taste of the wild in the heart of South Africa’s richest conservation, valued at nearly $6,000. Includes food and lodging.

•A Night in NYC: two tickets to a show at the City Winery and $100 in food vouchers.

•An outdoor movie at a location of your choosing with dinner for 50 from Ray Brothers BBQ. •Red Sox box tickets. Silent auction items include:

•Two museum passes to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

•Dinner for six by a local chef using all locally made products.

•Tickets and backstage tour at Saturday Night Live.

Live music will be performed by the JJ Murphy Sextet, featuring Jessica Brown, Bobby Tisdale will be the evening’s master of ceremonies. Tisdale is a writer and actor, known for “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” “Due Date” and “The Wrong Coast.” Bobby co-hosts and produces a weekly stand-up comedy cabaret in NYC’s Greenwich Village with fellow actor/comedian Eugene Mirman called “Invite Them Up.”

Tickets for Winter at the Palace are $50 per person ($60 at the door) and include a delicious selection of hors d’oeuvres, dessert and NYS beer and wines. Food and drinks are provided by Chartwells, Winter at the Palace title sponsor. The evening is also sponsored by Syracuse Banana Co. Inc. and Purdy & Sons, as well as D’Arcangelo & Co., Village Wines and Spirits, the Hayner Hoyt Corporation and Bill Steely.

HarlemChoir to perform

The Harlem Girls & Boys Choir Alumni Ensemble will be in Oneida on Saturday, Dec. 9 sponsored by Oneida Performing Arts. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Oneida High School Auditorium.

The choir will also perform at the Tri-Valley YMCA’s 4th Annual Prayer Brunch at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.

Individual tickets are still available for $30. Packages are still available for the remaining three performances in the Oneida Performing Arts series. To purchase tickets visit www. oneidaperformingarts.com or www.ymcatrivalley.org.

For more information on the Harlem Girls & Boys Choir Alumni Ensemble, visit alumniensemble.com.