It Happened One Christmas - World Premiere Holiday Musical Opens 12/2

It Happened One Christmas - a World Premiere Holiday Musical opens at Flat Rock Playhouse Wednesday, December 2nd.


WHAT: Flat Rock Playhouse premiers the brand new holiday musical, It Happened One Christmas, onstage December 2 through December 20, with original music and arrangements by Jeremy Schonfeld, book by Vincent Marini and story by Bruce Bailey, Lisa Bryant, Vincent Marini, Paige Posey and the Flat Rock Playhouse Conservatory.

This new show weaves true stories with much loved and classic Christmas songs into an inspiring evening of music, laughter and tears. Sometimes truth is more miraculous than fiction. Sometimes the impossible becomes possible in a single breath, in the blink of an eye, with the touch of a hand. During Christmas, we celebrate the most astonishing of ancient miracles, but what about today?

Featuring a live band and extraordinary singers, including Tony Award Winner, Jarrod Emick (Damn Yankees, The Boy from Oz, Zelda) and Linda Edwards (Souvenir, All Shook Up, Cinderella), the songs from It Happened One Christmas include: O Come, O Come Emmanuel, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, Put One Foot In Front of the Other, I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas, What Child Is This, Silent Night, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, plus 4 original songs by Jeremy Schonfeld.

WHEN: Performance Schedule for It Happened One Christmas

December 2 – December 6
Wednesday through Saturday Evenings at 7:15 pm
Thursday, Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2:15 pm

December 9 – December 13
Wednesday through Saturday Evenings at 7:15 pm
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2:15 pm

December 16 – December 20
Wednesday through Saturday Evenings at 7:15 pm
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2:15 pm

WHERE: Flat Rock Playhouse is located on Greenville Hwy, 3 miles south of Hendersonville. From I-26 take exit 53 and follow the signs.

COST: $26.00 with Senior, Student and Group discounts available

INFO: 828-693-0731, 866-732-8008 (Toll free)

Christmas Open House @ Narnia Studios Friday 12/4

Narnia Studios, 315 N. Main St., Hendersonville, will host its annual Christmas Open House on Friday, Dec. 4, from 6-9PM and Saturday, Dec. 5. from 10AM-6PM.


Special prizes and purchases will help all of Santa's helpers make some progress with their lists. Tasty treats will be provided by Inn on Church Street and Cakes Du Jour, both located in downtown Hendersonville.

Guests will be able to see examples of Narnia Studios' signature floral Christmas designs such as the popular Table Top Christmas Trees as well as specimen poinsettias and holiday gardens.

Narnia Studios is holding special Christmas raffles throughout the weekend. No purchase necessary. The winners from the Second Annual Gingerbread Cookie Contest will be on display.

For more information, call Hughes at 697-6393 or visit http://www.narniastudios.com/ .

Narnia Studios
315 N Main Street
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 697-6393

Christmas Parade Saturday 12/5

"Share a slice of Hendersonville with the Magic of Christmas" is the theme for the 2009 Christmas parade sponsored by the Hendersonville Merchants and Business Association. The parade will begin at 10:30AM, Saturday, December 5th at Five Points, N Main at Asheville Hwy. Santa will arrive at the end of the parade.

The $25 donation to participate in the parade will go directly to Henderson County Department of Social Services "Childrens Fund". This is not a Christmas Toy program. One hundred percent of the funds go directly to provide needed items such as school supplies, clothing, field trips, etc. that are unmet by other resources. According to the Department of Social Services, each year hundreds of children experience abuse and neglect in our community and approximately 65 children are in foster care at any given time.

To register as a parade participant, go to the Hendersonville Merchants and Business Association website. If you'd like further information, call 828-692-417. Deadline to register for the parade is Nov. 30th.

Hendersonville's Olde Fashioned Christmas - Friday 12/4

Hendersonville's 11th Annual Olde Fashioned Christmas will be Friday, December 4th from 5:00PM to 9:00PM.

Throughout downtown, shopkeepers and salespersons will be dressed in Victorian period costumes. Merchants’ will have open houses with refreshments. There will be complimentary carriage and haywagon rides throughout downtown historic district and entertainers, both downtown and at the gazebo on Main Street between 4th and 5th Avenues.

Flat Rock Holiday Stroll 12/5

Flat Rock’s Annual Holiday Stroll will take place this year on Saturday, December 5th, 10 am – 6 pm sponsored by the colorful shops of Little Rainbow Row.


Each store will offer refreshments, some will feature seasonal specials. A special Holiday Tailgate Market, featuring local farmers with seasonal items and handmade crafts will take place in the lower parking lot from 1:30 – 4:30pm.

The Market will offer a wide variety of baked goods, jams, jellies, herbal vinegars, pickles, herb teas, fresh or dried mushrooms, goat cheeses, chicken, eggs, lamb & beef. In addition, many vendors will have specialty items like festive holiday cheese items, confectionaries, lettuce and herb baskets, bath salts and handmade crafts for those special people on your holiday list. Pick up a fresh wreath or seasonal greenery for decorating your home and don’t forget to order your holiday pies and baked goods.

For further information, contact Virginia Teel at The Wrinkled Egg at 696-3998 or David Voorhees at Hand in Hand Gallery at 697-7719.

Little Rainbow Row
US Hwy 225 (main drag through town)
Flat Rock, NC

Old Timey Christmas @ Curb Market 11/28

The Henderson County Curb Market is having their annual Old Timey Christmas, Saturday, November 28 from 8:00AM-2:00PM. At the Market, you'll find locally hand-made Christmas wreaths, fresh greenery, crafts, baked goods and music. There will also be carriage rides & refreshments. For more information, call 828-692-8012.

Decidedly Different 2009 - 45 Juried Artisans 11/21 & 22

The Third Annual Fall Show, Decidedly Different, featuring 45 Juried Artisans is being held at the North Carolina National Guard Armory on 2025 Spartanburg Hwy (US Hwy 179) Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM.

Admission $2, ages 12 & under free. For more information, call 828-674-3200 or email cmarrangements@bellsouth.net

Third Annual Gingerbread Cookie Contest!

Just In Time For The Holidays

Narnia Studios of Hendersonville announced the third annual, Gingerbread Cookie Contest, just in time for Christmas.

"Bakers of every age are encouraged to create their best gingerbread man or woman, boy or girl! We are looking for the most artistic creations the entrants can cook up," said Barbara Hughes, owner of Narnia Studios.

"There are four categories: traditional, unusual, teamwork and a special category created by bakers 13 and under", added Hughes.

The rules are simple: they must be 100% edible and the deadline is December 1st. "We will announce the winners during the first night of our Christmas Open House on December 4th and 5th and have all the cookies on display throughout that weekend.

The top winner in each category will be awarded a $50.00 floral gift certificate from Narnia Studios. For more information, call Hughes at 828-697-6393. Narnia Studios is located at 315 N. Main Street in downtown Hendersonville.

Narnia Studios
315 N Main Street
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 697-6393

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever @ Flat Rock Playhouse 11/19

The Flat Rock Playhouse YouTheatre presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever


WHAT: Just as It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story are movie staples of the holiday season, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a theatrical staple — especially for the YouTheatre of Flat Rock Playhouse. The latest production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, onstage November 19 through November 29, is the YouTheatre’s fourth in nine years. The show ran in 2001, 2005 and 2006, making “Pageant” a tradition in Flat Rock. Based on the book by Barbara Robinson, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever has been a favorite of young readers the world over since 1972, and has gone on to become both a play and a movie.

Performed many times during the Christmas season, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is now called one of America's favorite Christmas tales. Funny, memorable, and outrageous, it is the story of a family of incorrigible children who get involved in the annual Christmas pageant for the first time. The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant. Nevertheless, despite their bad manners, grimy faces and tattered clothes, the Herdmans bring a fresh take to the story and along the way a lesson or two is learned.


WHEN: Performance Schedule for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
November 19 – November 22
Thursday, Friday and Saturday Evenings at 7:15 pm
Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2:15 pm

November 27 – November 29
Friday and Saturday Evenings at 7:15 pm
Saturday and Sunday Matinee at 2:15 pm

WHERE: Flat Rock Playhouse is located on Greenville Hwy, 3 miles south of Hendersonville. From I-26 take exit 53 and follow the signs.

COST: $15.00 for Adults and $8 for Students

INFO: 828-693-0731 or 866-732-8008 (Toll free)

My Garden of Beadin' - Happy 3rd Anniversary!

Help My Garden of Beadin' celebrate their 3rd Anniversary Thursday, November 19th through Monday, November 23rd. The Garden is offering up to 50% off merchandise and prizes, too!


The Garden sells beading supplies, holds childrens parties, gives private lessons and holds regular classes like Intro to Earrings, Herringbone Bracelets and how to do a Stitched Cuff with Beaded Toggle. Check out their Beadin' Calendar for class details, including pricing.

My Garden of Beadin'
433 North Church Street
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 698-0715

Amahl and The Night Visitors Opens at BRPAC 11/27

Absolute Theatre Company
Absolutely the Best in Family Theatre
Presents

The Special Christmas Musical By
Gian-Carlo Menotti

Amahl And The Night Visitors

Show Times:
Nov. 27-29, Dec. 3-6th, 2009
Thur-Sat. 7:30pm Sun. Matinee @ 3:30pm

The story of the lame shepherd boy Amahl, his widowed mother visited by the Three Kings in search of the baby Jesus. Beautiful music, professional voices, inspiring story to kick of the holiday season. Tickets are just $15

Ticket Outlets:
Advance tickets are available by calling (828) 693-0087 or by visiting Blue Ridge Performing Arts Center online (24/7). Tickets are also available at Flat Rock Cinema (3:00pm-8:00pm) across from the Flat Rock Post Office. The BRPAC box office is open Tuesday - Saturday 12-5pm or one hour before scheduled shows. Seating begins 30 minutes prior to show time. BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE

Blue Ridge Performing Arts Center
538 North Main Street
Hendersonville, NC 28793
(828) 693-0087

Downtown Hendersonville Lights Up for the Holidays

Friday, November 27th, downtown Hendersonville will hold it's annual Holiday Lighting Celebration at the Gazebo on North Main Street, between 4th & 5th Avenues from 5:30PM to 6:30PM.

Witness Santa turning the switch, lighting up downtown, along with an old-fashioned carol sing-a-long, visits with Santa & holiday cheer. Santa will visit with children and carriage rides will be available.

Questions? Call 828-697-2022

Honoring Vets November 11th

Locally

At the Eleventh Hour on the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month, The War to End all Wars was ended with the Armistice. That day is now known as Veterans Day.

On November 11th, 2009, Veterans of All Service Periods will be escorted from the VFW at Five Points and the American Legion across from the Library respectively, to the Veterans Day Services at Forest Lawn, by members of the Great Smokey Mountain AACA Car Club, The Hendersonville Antique Car Club, The Transylvania Car Club, The British Car Club, VW Club, and owners of Classic and Antique Cars.

The Cars will depart from the VFW and The American Legion; join together at the Legion and caravan down Main Street

Veterans and Car Owners wishing to participate should meet at 9:45 at The VFW or The American Legion for departure to the Park. Cars will return to their respective departure points approximately one half hour following the services.

For more information, call 696-4168.
(Image provided by Hendersonville Antique Car Club.)

Nationally

Check out this very good article, "Uncommon Calls to Duty"

"Every day and night since May of 2003, a group of people in Bangor, Maine, have been on call for an uncommon, self-appointed duty at the city's international airport: to greet every flight carrying troops returning from, or departing for, Iraq and Afghanistan."

A related TV show, "The Way We Get By" will be showing on PBS, Wednesday, 9:00PM to 10:00PM ET (check out local listings to be sure of date and time).

Also not to be missed this Veteran's Day, no matter what (according to the Wall Street Journal) is "Return to Duty" showing on MTV, Wednesday, November 11th from 9:00PM to 10:00PM.

"Ryan Conklin was a participant on an MTV reality show called "The Real World: Brooklyn" early this spring when the real real world hit him in the face. After two blissful years, the U.S. Army recalled him to active duty as a gunner in Iraq."

Internationally

I'd like to wish my nephew a safe Veteran's Day, currently in Baghdad on his third tour of duty.