WHAT’S GOING ON THIS WEEK
Celtic Woman at casino Thursday
THURSDAY, DEC. 10
Ladies of the Emerald Isle New Age sensations Celtic Woman — a female Irish vocal ensemble — bring their ethereal sound to Caesars Windsor (377 Riverside Dr. E.) on Thursday night. They’ve been described as the Riverdance of vocal groups, with a polished, large-scale presentation and a feel-good message. Fans of Enya, take note: They do a heck of a cover of Orinoco Flow. Thursday’s Christmas-themed concert will also feature songs of the season.
Show begins 8 p.m. Ticket prices start at $20, available via caesarswindsor.com, www. ticketmaster.ca, or the casino’s box office. All ages welcome. Visit celticwoman.com.
A St. Clair Christmas
Students of St. Clair College’s music theatre performance program offer Yuletide sentiments this weekend at the Chrysler Theatre (201 Riverside Dr. W.). Holiday tunes will be performed in the styles of different musical eras of the 20th century, from barbershop quartet to female harmony to jazz.
Shows take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. Saturday matinee show happens 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, $5 for children under 12. Purchase at the box office, online via www.chryslertheatre.com, or by calling 519-252-6579.
Doin’ the Louvre continues
Still hunting for unique holiday gifts? The annual Doin’ the Louvre art sale continues at Artcite Inc. (109 University Ave. W.). Featuring dozens of original items ranging in price from 99 cents to $99.99, all contributed by local artists. Hours are noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday. Sale continues all the way until Christmas Eve.
FRIDAY, DEC. 11 Peter Pantomime
It’s pantomime time with Windsor’s Korda Artistic Productions (2520 Seminole St.). This year’s show is Peter Pan(to) — an alloriginal comedic retelling of the classic Neverland adventure. Featuring an ensemble cast, colourful costumes, silly songs, and family-oriented humour.
Shows take place Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Admission is $15 general, $12 for seniors, $10 for students, $40 for families. Cash only at the door. Additional performances will take place the weekend of Dec. 17 to 20. More details at kordazone.com.
Literary festivities
Celebrate local literature with Windsor’s Biblioasis at the indie publisher’s holiday party on Friday night. There’ll be readings by local wordsmiths Marty Gervais, Michael Januska, and Kate Hargreaves, as well as the official launch of Bob Duff ’s latest hardcover hockey tome: 50 Greatest Red Wings. Plus: door prizes, free refreshments, and 15 per cent off all books. Happens 7 p.m. at the store (1520 Wyandotte St. E.). Admission is free.
It’s a Wonderful Life in Kingsville
Frank Capra’s classic 1946 Christmas movie gets adapted for old-time audio entertainment by Kingsville’s Migration Hall Productions starting this weekend. It’s a Wonderful Life — The Radio Show will be performed at the hall (170 Main St. E.) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. George Bailey, Zuzu’s petals, Old Man Potter — it’s all being done in costume with vintage equipment.
Friday and Saturday shows begin 8 p.m. Sunday matinee begins 2 p.m. Tickets are $25. Students and children pay $20. Call 519-733-6200 or visit migrationhall.ca. Additional performances
will take place the weekend of Dec. 18 to 20.
More art gifts for Christmas
It’s the Mistletoe and Snow show at Artspeak Gallery (1942 Wyandotte St. E.). Arts Council Windsor & Region members will be exhibiting and selling unique locally-made pieces at the gallery until Dec. 18. Free reception happens Friday at 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, DEC. 12 Greek gods and Halifax legends
Toronto indie/retro rockers Zeus are playing Venue Music Hall (255 Ouellette Ave.) on Saturday night. The Arts & Crafts-label band (who have ties with Broken Social Scene’s Jason Collett) have been described as Beach Boys meets Thin Lizzy.
But promoter Tom Lucier (the show is being presented in co-operation with Phog Lounge) says the hidden story about this concert are the openers: TUNS, a band comprised of Halifax indie rock royalty: Chris Murphy from Sloan, Matt Murphy of The Super Friendz, and Mike O’Neill of The Inbreds.
“They’re a bit of a mystery,” Lucier says. “One song online.... These legends are in a new band. They haven’t toured or released music broadly yet.”
Doors open 8 p.m. Tickets at the door are $25. Advance tickets are $20, available at Phog Lounge or via www.ticketweb.ca. 19 and older.
Land of the Beats
Windsor Dance eXperience presents its annual “urban retelling ” of the Nutcracker story on Saturday and Sunday at the Capitol Theatre (121 University Ave. W.). The school’s teen, preteen and child-age students will be showing off a variety of styles in their Land of the Beats production, from hip-hop to jive to modern dance.
Performances happen on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 general audiences, $15 for children ages
12 and under. Order online via www.windsordanceexperience.ca or call 519-253-2466.
Come Sail Away
Kings of 1970s power ballads Styx visit Caesars Windsor (377 Riverside Dr. E.) for a show on Saturday night. Count on them to play all its hits of yesteryear: Come Sail Away, Lady, Mr. Roboto, and more. Concert begins 9 p.m. Ticket prices started at $25, available via caesarswindsor.com, www. ticketmaster.ca, or the casino’s box office. 19 and older.
Christmas at Mackenzie Hall
Windsor’s Purple Theatre Company offers a show for the kids on Saturday at Mackenzie Hall (3277 Sandwich St.). Lost and Found Christmas is a quirky retelling of the Nativity story with the help of puppets and scenery. Show begins 2 p.m. General admission is $7.50. Family rate is $25. Call 519-255-7600. A second performance will happen on Dec. 19.
Later Saturday at the hall, you can enjoy a meal and laughs with the Merry Holiday Muddle: a comedic dinner theatre presentation about a wish-granting snow globe. Dinner begins 6:15 p.m., show begins 8 p.m. Ticket price is $43 for dinner and the show, or $15 for just the show. Call 519-255-7600 for more information and to order tickets. An additional performance will take place Dec. 18.
Crafty Christmas gift ideas
Struggling with your gift list? Check out the fourth annual Handmade Christmas Extravaganza on Saturday and Sunday at the WFCU Centre (8787 McHugh St.).
More than 100 local vendors will be setting up in the community complex to offer a wide variety of items, from apparel to accessories to edibles. There’ll also be prize contests, photos with Santa, and children’s activities.
Hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but monetary donations to the
Canadian Mental Health Association are appreciated. Presented by C.C.’s Events.
Banjo Christmas
Yearning for a different take on Christmas tunes? The Windsor Banjos ensemble present their renditions of popular holiday songs at a concert on Saturday at the Moose Lodge (777 Tecumseh Rd. W.). Featuring jazz arrangements and early 20th century styles performed on banjos, ukuleles, tuba, piano, guitar and drums.
Performance begins 2 p.m. Admission is $2 and a canned food item (to be donated to the Downtown Mission). Go to windsorbanjos.com for more.
Santa comes to Essex
It’s the last Santa parade of the region arranged by the Windsor Parade Corporation. This Saturday’s event takes place in the town of Essex at 6:30 p.m. The route begins at Talbot Street South and Fairview Avenue, heading north on Talbot. Visit www.santaparade.org for further details.
SUNDAY, DEC. 13 Jazzy Christmas
Swing into the holidays with the Greater Windsor Concert Band’s annual Jazzy Christmas Celebration, happening Sunday at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch (12326 Lanoue St. in Tecumseh).
Concert begins 3 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students. Family rate is $30.
There’ll be a bake sale, prize giveaways, and — of course — jazzy renditions of popular songs of the season. Call 519-977-3375 for more information.