Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia will host a variety of holiday events and activities for all to enjoy. Programs, dates, times, locations and websites are listed below.
Music and performances
Dec. 1-2, Holiday Concert
The UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music will present its annual Holiday Concert Dec. 1-2 at 8 p.m. in Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall of the Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $25 for the general public and $5 for students and are available through the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 706/542-4400. The program will feature six choral ensembles in the school of music, including the UGA Hodgson Singers, University Chorus, Women’s Glee Club, Men’s Glee Club, Classic City Jazz and Collegium Musicum. The UGA Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Mark Cedel, will provide accompaniment for the concert. For more information, see http://news.uga.edu/releases/article/uga-holiday-concert-will-feature-choral-ensembles-symphony-orchestra/.
Dec. 2-4, Black Theatrical Ensemble: They Sing Christmas Up in Harlem
UGA’s Black Theatrical Ensemble will present an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 2-3 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. in the Seney-Stovall Chapel. Jazz music, urban flavor and African-American vernacular English help create a unique environment set in the Harlem Renaissance in which Ebenezer “Scratch” Scrooge, a ruthless loan shark, encounters three ghosts who teach him the true meaning of Christmas. For more information, see http://calendar.uga.edu/index.php/detail/they-sing-christmas-up-in-harlem.
Dec. 13, Georgia Children’s Chorus Holiday Concert
The Georgia Children’s Chorus, housed at UGA’s school of music, will present their annual holiday concert Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. in the UGA Hugh Hodgson Music Hall. For more information, see http://calendar.uga.edu/index.php/detail/georgia-childrens-concert1.
Art events, sales and exhibitions
Dec. 5-6, Pottery Sale
The University of Georgia Ceramics Student Organization will hold its annual holiday pottery sale Dec. 5-6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the first floor main foyer of the Lamar Dodd School of Art. Crafted by students and faculty, items for sale include small sculptures, teapots, flowerpots, mugs, plates, ceramic jewelry, vases and bowls. Prices will range from $8-$100. For more information, see http://news.uga.edu/releases/article/uga-sponsors-annual-holiday-pottery-sale/.
Dec. 8-9, Book Sale
The Georgia Museum of Art will conduct a book sale Dec. 8-9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum. New and used publications, many published by GMOA, will be available for purchase. For more information, see http://news.uga.edu/releases/article/georgia-museum-of-art-to-hold-annual-book-sale/.
Dec. 10, GMOA Family Day
The Georgia Museum of Art opens its doors to the public for Family Day, which will be held Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will make holiday cards inspired by the museum’s permanent collection and enjoy a special performance by the Meridian Women’s Chorus. For more information on the museum, see http://georgiamuseum.org/.
Through Jan. 3, GMOA Holiday Hours
GMOA galleries will be open during the holidays, with the exception of Dec. 24-27 and Jan. 1-2. Normal hours will resume Jan. 3. GMOA’s Ike and Jane Café will be open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on the museum, see http://www.georgiamuseum.org/.
Through Jan. 8, “Buon Natale”
An exhibition of holiday prints by Libby Bailey will be on view at the Georgia Museum of Art through Jan. 8. For more information, see http://www.georgiamuseum.org/art/exhibitions/upcoming/elizabeth-bailey-holiday-prints.
Special events
Dec. 2, Women of UGA Year-end Celebration
The UGA Alumni Association Women of UGA year-end celebration will be held Dec. 2 at 11:30 a.m. at Maggiano’s Restaurant in Buckhead. Participants will enjoy holiday gifts and goodies and a marketplace featuring products from several alumnae-owned businesses. For more information, see http://www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni/index.php/evites/women_of_uga_year_end_celebration.
Dec. 4, State Botanical Garden of Georgia Annual Open House
The annual holiday open house of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia will be Dec. 4 from 2 to 5 p.m. inside the tropical conservatory, which will be decorated in celebration of hummingbirds that winter in Georgia. Free to the public, with a special invitation extended to UGA alumni from the Alumni Association, the open house will feature musical entertainment by the Georgia Children’s Chorus, the Solstice Sisters and the Classic City Band. Photographer Mark Parsons will take photos of Santa and Mrs. Claus listening to children’s wishes. Children also can enjoy puppet shows at 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. while adults can browse the gift shop for holiday ornaments and presents. Holiday drinks and treats will be available for sale in the Garden’s coffee shop. For more information, see http://botgarden.uga.edu/events.html.
Dec. 4, Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration
The UGA African American Cultural Center will host its annual pre-Kwanzaa celebration on Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Tate Student Center. The event will feature performances by Atlanta’s Giwayen Mata Dance Company, UGA’s Pamoja Dance Company and members of the cultural center’s student organizations. A traditional Karamu feast will be held following the program. Tickets are required in advance. For more information, see http://news.uga.edu/releases/article/cultural-center-to-host-pre-kwanzaa-celebration/.
Dec. 8, Greenery Wreaths Workshop
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia will offer a live wreath-making workshop Dec. 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Visitor Center. Wreaths will be constructed on wire frames with greenery harvested from the garden just prior to class to ensure they will last throughout the holiday season. The workshop is $27, $24 for members. For more information, see http://botgarden.uga.edu/events.html.
Dec. 10, Gingerbread House Decorating/Parents Morning Out
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia will offer parents a morning out Dec. 10. Children can be dropped off at 9 a.m. in the Gardenside Room of the Visitor Center and picked up at noon. During their visit, children will decorate a gingerbread house with the staff from Dondero’s Kitchen. Children age five and up are eligible for the event. The event is $36 or $30 for members. For more information, see http://botgarden.uga.edu/events.html.
Dec. 15-16, A Cook’s Holiday
UGA’s annual Cook’s Holiday, a luncheon feast presented by Campus Catering, will be held Dec. 15-16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Village Summit of the Joe Frank Harris Complex. Open to students, faculty, staff and the general public, the buffet menu features traditional holiday fare, a dessert bar and a chocolate fountain. Free parking will be available in the East Campus Parking Deck. Tickets are $14.95 each. For more information, see http://foodservice.uga.edu/catering/cooksholiday.html.
Through Dec. 16, UGA Alumni Association Toy and Food Drive
The UGA Alumni Association will collect toys for Toys for Tots and food items for the Northeast Georgia Food Bank through Dec. 16. Interested persons may take a new, unwrapped toy or a non-perishable food item to the UGA Alumni House located at 298 S. Hull Street in Athens. For more information, see http://www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni/index.php/site/blog/7462.
Dec. 20, Make Your Own Holiday Centerpiece
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia will offer a holiday centerpiece class Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Visitor Center. Greenery harvested at the Garden will provide crafters with a wide range of materials to suit any holiday taste and design. The event is $36 or $30 for members. For more information, see http://botgarden.uga.edu/events.html.
Dec. 20, Holiday Candy Making
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia will offer a workshop in one of the most treasured of holiday traditions-candy making. The workshop will be held Dec. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Visitor Center. Participants will make hand-dipped candies, including chocolate covered cherries, peanut butter cups, peppermint patties and “Russell Stover” vanilla creams. Each participant will receive recipes, samples to taste and a small Christmas tin to take home. The event is $36 or $30 for members. For more information, see http://botgarden.uga.edu/events.html.
