This weekend, enjoy The Nutcracker through modern dance as the Canyon Movement Company presents the holiday classic in updated choreography and costumes — The Nutcracker Suite in Modern Bare Feet. This is a show you won’t want to miss! At Coconino High School’s main auditorium you’ll see a cast of over 50 with new special effects, new cast members and other surprises. This performance is supported in part by funds from the City of Flagstaff and Flagstaff Arts Council, the Arizona Commission on the Arts with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, and private donors. Beautiful backdrops of the San Francisco Peaks bring this holiday favorite home to Flagstaff and will send you home with the holiday spirit! See it Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday at 11:00 a.m. or 7:30 p.m. Admission: $16 general, $12 for children and students. Buy tickets.
The Theatrikos Community Theatre production of Miracle on 34th Street continues this weekend. By chance, Kris Kringle, an old man in a retirement home, gets a job working as Santa for New York City’s Macy’s Department Store. Kris unleashes waves of good will with Macy’s customers and the commercial world of New York City. The play climaxes when Kris Kringle ends up in court defending his sanity. Especially at stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa. Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets online or at the Theatrikos Box Office: (928) 774-1662.
This week is 2nd Friday Science Night at Lowell Observatory with the presentation Physics: Energy and Thermodynamics. See exciting experiments at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Included with regular admission to the observatory. See the current exhibits and observe celestial objects through telescopes on campus.
On Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m., Orchestra Northern Arizona (ONA) presents its highly-anticipated Holiday Orchestra Concert at 1:00 p.m. at the Coconino Center for the Arts. This free community concert will include Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel Overture, Haydn’s Toy Symphony, Prokofieff’s Troika from Lieutenant Kije Suite, Johann Strauss’s Perpetuum Mobile, Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival, and Victor Herbert’s March of the Toys. There will be a photo booth sponsored by The Framing Department so you can have your family’s Christmas photo taken for free.
Also on Saturday afternoon, The Master Chorale of Flagstaff with the Children’s Chorale of Flagstaff host a Sing-Along With Santa at 4:00 p.m. at Coconino High School. Hear family holiday songs, sing your favorite carols, and see Santa Claus, too. It’s free.
On Saturday evening head downtown for the 2014 Holiday Lights Parade at 6:00 p.m. Dazzle in the lights of local parade participants. Enjoy local shopping, food and fun from our downtown merchants before and after the parade. Downtown Flagstaff.
Take a break from the hub-bub of the holiday season at the Anger Management Comedy Christmas Special on Saturday evening at the Orpheum Theater. It’s professional stand-up comedy with an all-ages show at 8:00 p.m., and an 18+ show at 10:00 p.m. $10 at the door. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for $3.00 off.
Holiday Tours of Riordan Mansion are underway. Reservations are recommended. Regular admission rates apply. Thursdays through Mondays, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. (928) 779-4395
Hear the Master Chorale’s annual extravaganza of holiday music, Christmas in the Mountains, at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. The production includes holiday music for choirs, handbells, brass, percussion, and organ complete with special lighting and holiday decorations. John Rutter’s Gloria will be the featured work. At Northern Arizona University’s Ardrey Auditorium. Tickets: $20 adults, $18 seniors, $8 students with ID, 12 and under are free. Tickets at the door are an additional $2.
Little America’s Holiday Lights and North Pole Experience continue. Also, with what’s become a classic holiday tradition, the Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express comes to life on a railroad journey from the nighttime wilderness of nearby Williams, Arizona, to the enchanted beauty of “the North Pole.” Get complete details.
Is your holiday shopping incomplete? Here is a selection of Christmas Craft Fairs and Bazaars happening in Flagstaff this weekend:
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church hosts its Christmas Bazaar on Friday and Saturday at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (16 W. Cherry Ave.), starting at 11:00 a.m. on Friday and 9:00 a,m. on Saturday. You will find an assortment of decorations, crafts, Orthodox gifts & books, and delicious baked goods including fresh-baked baklava!
On Saturday, The Peaks Senior Living Community hosts its Christmas at the Peaks Art and Crafts Show from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with over 30 booths featuring jewelry, ceramics, painting, weaving, fiber art, hand knitted items, candles and more. From noon to 1:30 PM a lasagna and salad lunch will be offered for a donation, with proceeds going to Sunnyside I.A.M. Youth Group.
Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy (3401 North Fort Valley Road) hosts its Winter Festival and Art Market on Saturday. Find handmade treasures made by local and student artists while children enjoy free activities. Included is a winter wonderland instant portrait studio for families to take home a treasured portrait. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
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