Column: Eileen Nelson Ness, Eye on the Arts

’Tis the season to be jolly! The month of December has a plethora of arts activities for the month.

As I think of all of the programs, concerts and church activities, I think you could hear and see something exciting and new just about every day of the month. Albert Lea is blessed to have so many wonderful and talented musicians and artists in our community. Directors have been hard at work, and ensemble members have spent hours practicing to bring us polished and marvelous programs.

This is such a treat for the citizens of Freeborn County. If you have never been to the Festival of Trees put on by the Albert Lea Art Center, this is the year to definitely check out the beautifully-decorated trees. This yearly tradition, the Festival of Trees, is the result of a collaboration of service groups and people who delight in decorating a holiday tree to be showcased at the Art Center and enjoyed by the community. This year’s show features trees with varying themes including nature, books, animals, dolls, birds, snowmen, paper craft, knitting and toys.

While some trees have themes, others are simply the designer’s own beautiful rendition of the much-loved traditional symbol of the holiday season. The Festival of Trees opens on Friday and runs through Dec. 31. Hours for the exhibit are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The open house for the Festival of Trees is on Sunday from 1-3 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Additional information on the Festival of Trees and other upcoming events may be found at www.thealbertleaartcenter.org.

 

Noon Advent Recitals

For the four weeks of Advent, you have the opportunity to attend to Noon Advent Recitals.

Albert Lea’s The United Methodist Church, 702 Hwy 69 S., will have its Noon Advent Organ recitals on Tuesdays 12:15-12:45 p.m. Guests organists are:

• Tuesday: Robert Tewes

• Dec. 13: Gail Thurnau

• Dec. 20: Eileen Nelson Ness with cellist, Scott Ness

I also performed on Nov. 29.

First Lutheran Church has its Noon Advent Recitals on Wednesdays at 12:15-12:45 pm.

Following will be the guest musicians:

• Wednesday: Orrie Jirele, violin

• Dec. 14: FLC Women’s Chorus

• Dec. 21: Sue Jorgensen, vocal

Bob Tewes played the organ on Nov. 30.

 

‘A Christmas Carol’

ACT will be bringing this wonderful show, “A Christmas Carol,” back to Albert Lea after a long hiatus.

Based on Charles Dicken’s classic, this one is called “The Dickens Christmas Carol Show,” and it tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly, nasty old man who has followed his passion for riches above anything else. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by his old dead partner, Jacob Marley, and three spirits who teach him lessons he missed in life. After reliving events in his life, Scrooge comes to realize what he has missed in his life and vows to reform himself and become a caring Christian human being!

Come and see Glen Parsons as Scrooge and a cast of more than 45 people bringing this show to life at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center in downtown Albert Lea on Dec. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 4. Tickets are available by going online to actonbroadway.com, or by stopping by the Ross Center’s box office 3:30-6 p.m. on Nov. 28, 29 and 30. On show days the box office is open 3:30-7:30 p.m., on Saturdays it’s open 5:30-7:30 p.m., and for the Sunday matinee, the box office will be open 1-2 p.m. This is a great family show with lots of delightful characters and songs, with lots of kids and energy! It will be a great way to light the fire in your Christmas traditions!

 

‘Story That Never Grows Old’

“The Story That Never Grows Old” will be presented on at 7 p.m. this Sunday in the sanctuary of First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea.

Join the Southeastern Minnesota Chamber Orchestra, FLC Chamber Chorus and the Albert Lea Community Chorus as they present a concert filled with music of the season.

Music will range from “The Messiah” to “Polar Express.” Tickets are available now at First Lutheran Church, Marshall Street Music and Doyle’s Hallmark.

Advance purchase prices are adults $10, seniors $8 or $12 at the door. A $100 donation gives you two free tickets and you can select your seats. (This is available only at First Lutheran.)

 

Other highlights

The Lighthouse Event Center and Brock A. Bess Productions once again bring the music of Mannheim Steamroller to Albert Lea at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8-10 at the Lighthouse Event Center, 621 Marshall St., in Albert Lea. Featured will be Brock Besse, Merle Krause, Holly Dalager, Lilah Aas and Jamie Kyllo. Tickets are available at Coffee House on Main in Austin, Hy-Vee, Stadheim Jewelers and the Lighthouse Event Center in Albert Lea. Advance tickets are $10, $12 at the door.

Don’t forget the annual Albert Lea High School holiday concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 in the auditorium. All of the choirs from the high school plus the Chorale and Caroliers will join to bring you music of the season. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

What’s Christmas without the sound of a band playing carols? The Albert Lea Community Band will perform a holiday concert at the Albert Lea American Legion at 1 p.m. Dec. 10. It is great to see people of all ages making music together. This concert is free to the public, so come on out to hear your friends.

Harmony Junction Barbershop Chorus is preparing for its annual Christmas concerts. This year the concerts are on Dec. 18. There will be two concerts, 3 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Albert Lea and at St. Theodore’s Catholic Church at 7 p.m. Both traditional and contemporary carols will be performed by the chorus and member quartets, along with other guests. An offering will be taken to be given to a local charity.

I am sure that there are more events happening in Albert Lea and the surrounding areas that I have not listed. If you or your organization would like to have your programs and concerts highlighted in “Eye on the Arts,” please contact Susie Peterson at the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, susie@albertleatourism.org. Just give her the name of your contact person, email address or phone number, and it will be put on the list of contacts.

May your Christmas holidays be joyful and may you partake in the sweet, sweet sounds of the season.

 

Eileen Nelson Ness is the director of music the United Methodist Church of Albert Lea.