Children may have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads – wait a minute, make that Barbies, Wii and Xbox 360.
But for many already stressed-to-the-max adults, Christmas, with its demands for finding and wrapping the perfect gifts, cooking (and trying to save) favourite sweet and savoury recipes, decorate and, in many cases in today’s economy, simply finding enough cash to do it all – well, it can be enough to make a person’s head spin in the fashion of Linda Blair in The Exorcist.
By Christmas morning, many parents are about as far away from feeling the magic or sacred of the season as possible.
Here’s my suggestion for putting both back into the season. Take a load off and enjoy some of what our talented local artists are offering this year.
The seasonal fare began Nov. 25 when the Louisiana Hayride rolled into the Salmar Classic and its sold-out, warm, receptive audience. It was a veritable love-in, with Gil Risling thanking local fans for giving them the support they needed to take the show on the road – often to packed houses.
While you may have missed the Hayride, there’s still lots of other opportunities to take time out to enjoy other shows, with a wide variety of genres to choose from. And chances are, you’ll be friends with some of the performers – an added joy of living in a small community.
Salmon Arm Secondary drama students are providing a dose of feel-good nightly to Saturday with Cole Porter’s Anything Goes – a madcap comedy with hummable, singable tunes and fine romance to boot.
There are more laughs to be had with Shuswap Theatre’s upcoming performance of Stressmas, described as a quirky tale of three down and out grumpy clowns.
Don’t let the sound of Seal Skull Hammer’s band name put you off. The three members of this jug band – think Ozarks and Turkey in the Straw – believe in putting the happy into everything, including their music.
Juno award-winner Greg Sczebel is sharing the love at home again this year, with a concert at the Salmar Classic. The show also features storyteller James Murray, who’ll give up his camera in favour of a chair and heartwarming stories for the evening.
Add the sacred to your celebrations at local churches and a variety of carol concerts and sing-a-longs.
Take in the beauty of a lighted night by visiting Santa’s Magical windows in Gleneden, or just drive around the community.
So take a moment and enjoy the entertainment smorgasbord offered to add fun, joy and meaning to the season.
Long after your children have grown and gone, or older family members depart the scene, you’ll still be fighting with dust bunnies. And who cares if the presents are in a box or a bag?
Oh, and maybe sneak just one piece of that Christmas baking now. What the heck!
For more details on these events, check out the Arts & Events section starting on page A24.