A plethora of activities > Theater
“Lost Highway: Hank Williams”: Replacing “A Christmas Carol” as its holiday treat, the San Diego Rep presents this musical biography of the legendary country-western singer. Runs 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays; through 2 p.m. Dec. 17. San Diego Repertory Theatre at Lyceum Stage, Horton Plaza, downtown; $34-$40; (619) 544-1000 or www.sandiegorep.com.
“It’s a Wonderful Life: Radio Play”: Joe Landry’s warmhearted drama, inspired by the classic American film with Jimmy Stewart and directed by Sean Murray, plays as a 1947 radio show performed with sound effects by versatile actors. Runs at Cygnet in the College Area at 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays; runs Saturday through Dec. 24; $17-$29; (619) 337-1525 or www.cygnettheatre.com.
“Plaid Tidings”: Broadway/San Diego presents this spinoff from the wildly popular “Forever Plaid,” about a nerdy close harmony quartet peaking before The Beatles landed. The plaid lads perform a holiday “TV special” at the Spreckels Theatre downtown. Through Sunday; $17-$63; (619) 220-TIXS or www.broadwaysd.com.
“Michael Moschen: Touching the Kinetics Continuum”: Moschen gives two performances of magical juggling and other feats of amazement at the Poway Center for the Arts. 8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 10; 15498 Espola Road, Poway; (858) 748-0505.
“The Wonderbread Years”: The production celebrates nostalgia and boomers, Etch-A-Sketch, the Slinky and all things pop culture. Former “Seinfeld” writer Pat Hazell wrote and performs the show at the Theatre in Old Town, 4040 Twiggs St., Thursday-Sunday afternoons through December; (619) 688-2494 or www.theatreinoldtown.com.
“Festival of Christmas: All I Want for Christmas”: Set in San Diego’s Little Italy in 1949, this production from writer Kerry Meads, director Deborah Gilmour Smyth and the Lamb’s acting ensemble brings a changing San Diego to life – with music and laughter. At the Lamb’s resident space in Coronado, today-Dec. 30; (619) 467-0300 or www.lambsplayers.org.
“It’s a Fabulous Life”: This revises the Jimmy Stewart classic for an age of diverse family values. A gay kid who wishes he weren’t learns a fabulous life in community theater can be a good thing after all. Directed by David Brannen, now-Dec. 17 at Diversionary’s University Heights space, 4545 Park Blvd.; (619) 220-0097 or www.diversionary.org.
“Sister’s Christmas Catechism”: This Little Theatre production sends patrons through their religious paces as a daffy old-school nun leads audiences on a mystery hunt for the Magi’s gold. Theatre in Old Town, 4040 Twiggs St., Sunday through Wednesday nights, now for an open-ended holiday run; (619) 688-2494 or www.theatreinoldtown.com.
“The Eight Reindeer Monologues”: From Jeff Goode, this production serves as Sixth@Penn’s holiday offering, at the storefront theater, 3704 Sixth Ave., Hillcrest. “It’s our kind of show,” says producer Dale Morris, directed by Jerry Pilato, now-Dec. 23; (619) 688-9210 or sixth@penn.com
A plethora of activities > Classical music
San Diego Saxes holiday concert: Led by David Hayes, the saxophone ensemble brings a festive close to the Coastal Communities Concert Band 2006 concert series. 1 p.m. Saturday; Museum of Making Music, 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad; $5 suggested donation; (760) 438-5996 or on he Web: Museum of Making Music http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org
“A Piper’s Nol”: The San Diego Early Music Society’s Christmas program features Ciaramella, a Pasadena-based octet, which will showcase voices and wind instruments, including organ. 8 p.m. Dec. 8; St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla; $20 (half-price for students at the door); (619) 291-8246 or www.sdems.org.
La Jolla Symphony and Chorus’ Christmas Messiah Sing: Add your voice to the Christmas portion of Handel’s oratorio. 4 p.m. Dec. 10; St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 6628 Santa Isabel St., Carlsbad; $12 general admission; $10 for seniors; $8 for students; (858) 534-4637 or www.lajollasymphony.com.
Westwind Brass Holiday Program: The versatile brass quintet presents classical and folk works from around the globe. 7 p.m. Dec. 11, Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, La Jolla; 7 p.m. Dec. 14, San Diego Museum of Art’s Copley Auditorium, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park; 4 p.m. Dec. 17, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 700 D Ave., Coronado; $15 general admission, $10 for students; (619) 501-3562 or www.westwindbrass.org.
San Diego Chamber Orchestra’s “Messiah”: New artistic director Jung-Ho Pak conducts the chamber orchestra, Cappella Gloriana and Bach Collegium of San Diego in Handel’s masterwork. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, 120 Stevens Ave., Solana Beach; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla; 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd.; $35; (858) 350-0290, ext. 7, or www.sdco.org.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion’s Annual Holiday Sing-along: Warm up your vocal cords and enjoy singing seasonal favorites in an outdoor program hosted by Johnny Hochgraefe, with civic organist Carol Williams playing the illustrious Spreckels organ, 2 p.m. Dec. 17; Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2211 East Pan American Road, Balboa Park; free; (619) 702-8138 or www.sosorgan.com.
Nutcracker (Men in Tights!): A singing, dancing spoof of Tchaikovsky’s classic by the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego. 8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 17; Sherwood Auditorium in the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla; $30 and $25; (619) 57-GMCSD or www.gmcsd.com.
Salute to Vienna: Start your New Year’s Eve celebrations early with this effervescent romp featuring vocal soloists, former members of the Vienna State Opera Ballet, and the Strauss Symphony of America. 8 p.m. Dec. 30; Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown; $37 to $75; (619) 235-0804 or www.ticketmaster.com.
PE sizzles as holiday bookings soar
Nelson Mandela Bay‘s summer season is set to be a bumper one, with bookings for December already reaching record highs. By Monday, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism‘s call centre had made accommodation bookings of more than R1,1-million so far for December.
Economic development and tourism committee chairman Mike Kwenaite said this figure was double that of last year, as bookings at about the same time last year had only reached R445 000.
The tourism body launched its summer season programme yesterday with a beach-themed event at The Island Bar and Grill. Spokesman Phumeza Mgxashe said planned activities would be divided into categories for various ages and interests.
The main focus this year would be on four events: Christmas Carols at Happy Valley on December 15, the opening of the season at Hobie Beach on December 16, New Year celebrations at Hobie and Wells Estate beaches, and Jazz on the Square at Market Square on January 6.
A music concert is also planned for Despatch on December 23. Artists including Robbie Wessels, Danny K and Mandoza have been invited to perform.
Mgxashe said bookings showed that the bulk of tourists would come from Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal. The launch also focused strongly on the city‘s three Blue Flag beaches.
Watch your waistline over Season Holidays
Whether you’ve been naughty or nice when it comes to your meal choices, the holidays don’t mean you have to give up entirely this Festive Season.
While Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s are just three days out of 365, a little “naughtiness” caloriewise doesn’t doom you to those extra pounds. But unabashedly enjoying the season’s treats from now until those resolutions kick in could wreak havoc on your health habits. In honor of the 12 days of Christmas, here are 12 ways to watch your waistline while still enjoying the Holiday Season.
1. Take the focus off food. Plan group activities with family and friends that aren’t all about food.
2. Be realistic. Just because you enjoy your co-worker’s special holiday goodies doesn’t mean your weight control efforts are over. Decide which treat is worth the calories, take a smaller portion, and savor every single bite.
3. Savor a simple supper. Think ahead to make mealtime less stressful. On a cold, wintry night, few things say comfort like a bowl of hot soup, paired with crusty, whole-grain bread. Start a pot simmering on the stove or in the slow cooker while you spend the day decorating the tree, addressing cards or doing any other holiday preparations. Add a piece of fruit and a cup of milk, and you have a well-balanced meal.
4. Be a little fruity. Experiment with seasonal produce to lighten up your meals.
5. Plan for parties. Don’t starve yourself the day of the party so you can fill up on food that evening. If you eat normally throughout the day, you’re much less likely to overeat at the party.
6. Lighten up. Use nonstick cookware. Cut down on saturated fat in creamy dressings by mixing in some nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt or nonfat sour cream.
7. Change your view on workouts. Winter doesn’t mean the end of activity, nor does it mean you’re stuck simply squeezing in a workout at a gym or an exercise video. Instead, make exercise time play time, enjoy an afternoon of football, sledding, ice skating or playing in the snow. Or even enjoy the neighbor’s Christmas lights while taking a long evening walk.
8. Discover different dips. Try using silken tofu in place of some or all the cream cheese in dip recipes. Experiment with fat-free dips made with nonfat cream cheese or sour cream, or blend your own bean dip. Pair with vegetable spears or baked pita chips.
9. Watch your appetizers. Choose appetizers that will help you meet the daily recommended guidelines of five or more servings of vegetables and fruits and 25 to 35 grams of fiber, such as Romaine spears, Belgium endive, cut-up vegetables, fruit kabobs, and roasted red pepper or garbanzo dip.
10. Enjoy the mall. While working on your holiday shopping, use the opportunity to squeeze in some exercise in a warm, dry environment.
11. Be a happy host. Balance your famous cookies with simple to prepare, healthier options. Send care packages home with your guests.
12. Have a healthy holiday spirit. Good alternatives for celebrations include sparkling or hot cider, light eggnog or seltzer mixed with fruit juices.
The story of Christmas around the world > 9
December 1, 2006
Filed under Traditions Asia, World Traditions
Tags: World Traditions
Philippines
Most homes display a parol outside their windows (usually a star-shaped lantern signifying the Star of Bethlehem that can be made simply from bamboo sticks and colourful cellophane or the more elaborate capiz shells).
The daily pre-dawn mass (Simbang Gabi) begins December 16 and ends with a midnight mass (Misa de Gallo) on Christmas Eve. Early risers are rewarded at the end of the church service with the joyful sight of festive food stalls in the church yard that sell native delicacies.
Most churches stage the Panunuluyan, a dramatization of the Holy Family’s journey to Bethlehem, on Christmas Eve. After midnight mass on Christmas Eve, families gather for the Noche Buena (midnight feast) and the opening of gifts. There is a great divide between the Noche Buena of the rich and the poor in this predominantly Roman Catholic country in Southeast Asia.
While the rich can feast on as many as 20 dishes, including ham, lechon (whole roast pig), stuffed chicken, tiger prawns, imported fruits and chocolates, the poor often have to rely on the kindness of neighbours. Most, strive, however, to save for what is considered the most important feast of the year and commonly serve pancit (noodles), embotido (stuffed ground pork) or morcon (rolled beef flanks) and leche flan (custard with caramel glaze).
The story of Christmas around the world > 8
December 1, 2006
Filed under Traditions Europe, World Traditions
Tags: World Traditions
France
French homes often display a crèche or Nativity scene, a tradition that began as early as the 17th century. Some crèches are elaborate, they include not just the Holy Family, Magi and shepherds, but also local dignitaries and characters. Crèches can be bought at shops and at the annual Christmas fairs held throughout December in Marseilles and Aix.
In Southern France, an ancient tradition of burning a log from Christmas Eve until New Year’s Day lives on. It is said that farmers then used part of the log to attract a good harvest for the year.
Some people make a traditional log-shaped cake called the bûche de Noël, or Christmas log. The log cake is served alongside many other pastries during Le Réveillon, a late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. This tradition started as a simple meal of biscuits and a hot drink but eventually evolved into a grand feast. The meals vary from region to region but are all equally lavish. It may include goose, turkey, oysters and foie gras, ham, fruit, sweets and wine.
Before bedtime, children leave their shoes by the fireplace and wake to find them filled with gifts from Père Noel.
The story of Christmas around the world > 7
December 1, 2006
Filed under Traditions Europe, World Traditions
Tags: World Traditions
Ireland
The lighting of candles has a deep religious meaning in Ireland and is heightened during Christmas, when it symbolizes hospitality for the Holy Family. To light a candle (or even holiday lights) is to say that there is room for Mary and Joseph in one’s home, even though there was none in Bethlehem. The hospitality is extended to others at dinnertime, when extra plates are set on the table for unexpected visitors.
Many decorate their doors with holly for the holidays and may not realize that this custom originated in Ireland.
Christmas begins on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and lasts until January 6, the feast of the Epiphany. Familiar Christmas carols are still sung on the streets of some cities, by choirs big and small; street musicians play timeless Christmas classics on flutes, violins, harps and guitars.
Christmas Spirit 