Dazzling December: First Friday, 'The Nutcracker,' SantaCon, 'Frozen Jr.,' holiday market
December arrives with no shortage of holiday-themed activities and other fun stuff to do early this month.
Musicals and plays in North Canton, Jackson Township and Alliance. First Friday in downtown Canton on Dec. 2. SantaCon in downtown Massillon. The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra performing at a local church. A "Solid Gold" Christmas performance at Lions Lincoln Theatre. A holiday-themed 720 MKT in Canton. "The Polar Express" movie at the Canton Palace Theatre. And much more.
Here's a rundown of entertainment options in a dazzling December.
First Friday in downtown Canton
December's First Friday activities include ice skating, meeting Santa for photos at The Auricle and artwork galore.
The Canton Museum of Art is hosting a free public reception 5 to 7 p.m. to celebrate new winter exhibitions with an opportunity to meet exhibiting artists.
Other highlights include the Hall of Fame City Ice Rink at 215 Tuscarawas St. W. The ice rink's normal hours, weather dependent, are 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday ; noon to 9 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Christmas week skate rink hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19-21; 2 to 9 p.m. Dec. 22 and 23; and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 24. The rink is closed Dec. 25. For late December and early January hours, go to https://www.facebook.com/HOFCityIceRink.
Canton Palace Theatre will show "The Polar Express" at 7 p.m. Friday. General admission tickets are $2 and available online at https://cantonpalacetheatre.org/ or at the door.
R & J Ballroom, 401 Tuscarawas St. W, Suite 302, will offer a free group ballroom class at 6:30 p.m. Friday. No reservations or partner are necessary.
First Friday also features a "Meet Santa" event 6 to 8 p.m. at The Auricle, 201 Cleveland Ave. NW; football cornhole in The Speakeasy at Canton Brewing Co.; a Kids Night out from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Eric Snow YMCA, 420 Third St. NW, for children ages 5 to 12. Advance registration is required ahead of time by calling the YMCA at 330-458-2403.
A free holiday open house is 5 to 8 p.m. at the Canton Woman's Club, 822 Market Ave. N. The club will be decorated by Rita Hoagland of Seifert's Flower Mill in North Canton and also by club members.
Patina Arts Centre, 324, Cleveland Ave. NW, will host the opening of Tim Eaken's exhibition, "Grasshopper" from 5 to 9 p.m. during First Friday activities.
Eakins' exhibition "explores the connection between illustrative art, and the art of tattooing. Surreal and psychedelic in essence, this body of work pushes the boundary between the natural world and the human mind," Patina Arts Centre said in announcing the show.
Live music will be performed 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. by BORS. Comedy night also will be hosted by Lydia Carmany starting at 8 p.m. in the gallery's underground events venue.
Eakin is a tattoo artist at the Inkeeper’s Tattoo Parlor, where he creates original designs.
First Friday music includes Nick Bonner at 7 p.m. at Grapes in a Glass, 575 Market Ave. N. Rae's on Court, 218 Court Ave. NW, features "Jake and Hunter's Patio Party" from 5 to 7 p.m. and Karaoke Night with a DJ from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Strauss Studios, 236 Walnut Ave. NE continues to feature an Upstairs Gallery show by local artist Emily Orsich.
Silo Arts Studio, 431 Fourth St. NW, is featuring an exhibition from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. by Dyanne Williams featuring mosaic art exploring copper patina and handcrafted jewelry and ornaments. From 5 to 10 p.m., The Hub Art Factory, 336 Sixth St. NW, will feature an exhibition, "Your Brain on Hub."
Shops will be open on Fourth Street NW, including Boomyada, Cantonology, Cookie's Customs, Miss Larana's Alchemical Apothecary and Print & Press Shop & Studios, as well as BZTAT Studios, 209 Sixth St. NW.
Cleveland Jazz Orchestra at Christ Presbyterian Church
Christ Presbyterian will present the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9.
The 18-member jazz band will perform Christmas favorites, including sacred and secular melodies. The event, part of the church’s annual Concert Series, is free and open to the public.
The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, which promotes jazz in its historical and contemporary forms, is led by award-winning composer and trombonist Paul Ferguson, Christ Presbyterian said in a news release.
The church is at 530 Tuscarawas St. W.
Yoga Central hosting art opening in Canton
The artwork of Dave Pratt and the woodwork of Dave King will be showcased at Yoga Central at an opening Saturday.
The event is 4 to 6 p.m. and open to the public. Children are also invited. Yoga Central is at 4626 Cleveland Ave. NW.
Pratt of Millersburg will be displaying about 25 paintings. King, who also creates unique pieces of furniture, will feature 14 pieces.
King formerly operated a shop and gallery in downtown Canton.
'Downtown Wonderland' in Minerva
Minerva's historic North Market Street will feature a holiday theme from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday.
A Christmas parade starts at 3 p.m. at Minerva Elementary School before moving up Bonnieview to Line Street and then North Market before ending at the bus garage parking lot.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will pose for free photos at the Haas Museum, 128 N. Market St. with photography by Ryan Miller.
Treat trees, sponsored by area businesses and organizations, will line the street with goodies for children to take.
Minerva Community Band performs at 2:30 p.m.; East Canton High School choir performs at 3:30 p.m.; and Minerva High School Choir at 4 p.m.
Walker's Cafe, Kishman's IGA, Minerva Bowl and other businesses will be participating in the event.
'Frozen Jr.' in North Canton
Tickets have been going fast for North Canton Playhouse's presentation of "Frozen Jr."
Tickets, however, were still available earlier this week for a noon show on Dec. 10 that was added to meet demand.
Tickets, $15, can be purchased online at https://www.northcantonplayhouse.com/. The production opens this weekend and continues next weekend, but other show dates and times have sold out, according to the theater.
North Canton Playhouse can be reached at 330-494-1613. The theater is at 525 Seventh St. NE adjacent to Hoover High School.
Canton Ballet presents 'The Nutcracker'
A holiday classic is back at the Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N.
Canton Ballet will present "The Nutcracker" at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 10-11. Tickets are available online at https://www.cantonballet.com/ or by calling the ticket office at 330-455-7220. Shows are expected to sell out.
The production features American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Hee Seo as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Canton Ballet alumnus and Cleveland Ballet principal dancer Zachary Catazaro as her Cavalier, all set to Tchaikovsky’s score, the ballet said in a news release.
Catazaro, a Stark County native, studied at the School of American Ballet, and in 2007 became an apprentice with New York City Ballet before joining the company's Corps de Ballet in October of 2008. He was promoted to soloist in February 2014 and elevated to principal dancer in 2017.
In 2018, Catazaro was featured in Walt Disney's film "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" while dancing with American Ballet Theatre's Misty Copeland.
Also featured in the production are Jackson Memorial Middle School seventh-grader Kaitlyn Giltz as Clara, Hoover High School junior Annabella Purses as the Snow Queen, and Louisville High School senior Mya Frank as the Dew Drop Fairy.
MajesticVoice, 'Solid Gold Christmas' and 'Elf' at Lincoln Theatre
MajesticVoice presents "Celebrating Christmas with Family and Friends" at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Lions Lincoln Theatre in downtown Massillon.
The first half of the show features classic Christmas songs followed in the second half by a full-length Christmas musical composed by MajesticVoice Director Hal Wright, entitled "The King Has Come."
Other shows at the Lincoln Theatre include a "Solid Gold Christmas" at 4 p.m. Sunday presented by Spotlight Entertainment, and the movies "Elf" at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9; "It's A Wonderful Life" at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10; and "White Christmas" at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11.
General admission movie tickets are $5. "Solid Gold" tickets are $20, $25 and $30. MajesticVoice tickets are $25.
For the "Solid Gold" show, a live band and singers recreate the nostalgia of classic Christmas TV Specials such as Perry Como, The Carpenters, Judy Garland and Andy Williams , along with skits and Christmas songs.
Songs include "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year", "Sleigh Ride", "The Christmas Song", "It's Christmas Time" and "White Christmas."
Tickets for the shows or movies can be purchased online at https://www.lionslincolntheatre.org/. Lions Lincoln Theatre is at 156 Lincoln Way E and can be reached at 330-481-9105.
720 Holiday MKT at Memorial Civic Center and Cultural Center
A 720 Holiday MKT will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Civic Center and the Cultural Center for the Arts in downtown Canton.
The family-oriented event includes more than 100 local makers, bakers, brewers and artisans, as well as food trucks and music.
Attractions include Santa's Workshop, Mrs. Claus' Gift Boutique and the Village of Shops. Admission is free. A $5 parking rate will benefit ArtsinStark. The Memorial Civic Center is at 1101 Market Ave. N.
SantaCon in Massillon
SantaCon in downtown Massillon on Dec. 10 will feature shopping, food trucks and participating restaurants and bars.
More:Downtown Massillon SantaCon will celebrate holidays with family and adult fun
Attendees are encouraged to dress as Santa or Mrs. Claus or their favorite holiday character. Santa photos will take place from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., as well as family Christmas photos. A Christmas shopping market will be from noon to 5 p.m. at The Sangria Stand, 39 Lincoln Way E.
Participating businesses include Downtownhecks Tap Room, 43 Lincoln Way E, with live music starting at 6 p.m., including My Buddy Josh's Band.
"We want to flood the streets with Christmas cheer," Matt Heck of Downtownhecks said, noting that Massillon Museum is also participating.
Other SantaCon businesses are Bender's Food & Spirits, Hideaway Lounge, The Alibi, Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, Smitty's Steak & Ale, Paradigm Shift Craft Brewery, Greatness Cafe and Erie St Vinyl.
Specials and discounts will be available for those who purchase a SantaCon passport from participating venues, Heck said. Passports can be purchased in advance of Dec. 10.
Carnation City Players present 'Honk Jr.' in Alliance
Carnation City Players in downtown Alliance will present "Honk Jr." beginning this weekend.
Shows are at the Firehouse Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, as well as Dec. 9, 10 and 11 at the same weekend times.
More:Carnation City Players tell story of the 'first women soldiers' in 'The Hello Girls'
Carnation City Players will present the musical adaption of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale of “The Ugly Duckling.” "Honk Jr." features a cast of students ranging from elementary to high school.
Tickets, $11 for students and $13 for adults, can be purchased online at https://www.carnationcityplayers.org/. Carnation City Players also can be reached at 330-821-8712.
Firehouse Theatre is at 450 E. Market St.
Stark County Artists Exhibition opens at Massillon Museum
The Massillon Museum's 2022 Stark County Artists Exhibition opens Thursday with a free public reception 5:30 to 8 p.m.
The exhibition continues through Jan. 15. Massillon Museum is at 121 Lincoln Way E downtown.
The exhibition is open to present and former Stark County residents and to those currently working in Stark County age 18 and older. Artwork in any medium is considered.
The museum's Aultman Health Foundation Gallery features 70 works of art selected from 225 submitted by 85 artists, 49 of whom are represented in the show.
The juried exhibition also can be seen during museum hours 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday except Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The Museum will close at noon on Christmas Eve. Museum admission is free.
Players Guild presents "A Christmas Carol"
"A Christmas Carol" opens Friday at Mary J. Timken Theatre on the campus of Kent State University at Stark.
Players Guild Theatre, which relocated earlier this year from the Cultural Center for the Arts in downtown Canton, is presenting the classic production, which is based on the novella by Charles Dickens.
More:Players Guild move to KSU Stark opens with 'Million Dollar Quartet' and jukebox musical
"A Christmas Carol" opens at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, followed by 2 and 7:30 p.m. shows on Saturday. Sunday's performance is at 2 p.m.
Shows will continue the weekend of Dec. 9-11 and Dec. 16-18. For more information and to purchase tickets, $28 to $45 with no handling fee, go to https://www.playersguildtheatre.com/. The box office can be reached at 330-244-3224.
Mary J. Timken Theatre is on the KSU Stark campus at 6000 Frank Ave. NW in the Fine Arts Building. Parking is free.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: December fun: First Friday, 'The Nutcracker,' 'SantaCon,' 'Frozen Jr.'
