This weekend, the word is 'holidays': Plays, concerts celebrate, have fun with traditions

Tribune Staff Report
·5 min read

Grinches beware: This weekend is brought to you by the word "holidays." From the reverential to the silly, area organizations offer seasonal gifts to unwrap. Joseph Dits also has suggestions drawn from his Outdoor Adventures column, and The Tribune's online events calendar has even more ideas.

Bruce Stahl, left, Liz Graupner and Bobbi Lauritsen appear in a scene from Footlight Players' production of “The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon” that opens Dec. 2 and continues through Dec. 11, 2022, at the theater in Michigan City.
Bruce Stahl, left, Liz Graupner and Bobbi Lauritsen appear in a scene from Footlight Players' production of “The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon” that opens Dec. 2 and continues through Dec. 11, 2022, at the theater in Michigan City.

‘Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon’ opens at Footlight Players

MICHIGAN CITY — “The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon” opens Dec. 2 and continues through Dec. 11 at Footlight Players, 1705 Franklin St.

Written by Don Zolidis, the spoof of Hallmark Christmas movies takes place at Evergreen Inn in Hopewood Falls, Vt., where the proprietor, Holly, assisted by her best friend, Bridgett, struggles to maintain an upbeat atmosphere while business is slow and a creepy real estate tycoon, Laertes, wants to bulldoze the inn.

Opening weekend:Mishawaka's new ice rink to be unveiled Saturday at Winterfest

Cue the blizzard to set up the romantic comedy as six cute couples go through the basic pattern of Sad Situation, Meet Cute, Goes Wrong, Grand Gesture and Happy Ending all at the same time. Add in throwing snowballs, ice skating, shopping, decorating trees and sleigh riding as the couples clash.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. CST Dec. 2-3 and 8-10 and at 2 p.m. CST Dec. 4 and 11.

Tickets are $17-$10; all tickets Dec. 8 are $12.

For more information, call 219-874-4035 or visit footlightplayers.org.

The cast of Twin City Players' production of “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” includes, from left standing, Marion Pritchard, Tim McFeeters, Jacob Holmes, Allen Pille, Mel Weber, Cassi File, Kelsey Trux, Rachel Thursby and Avery Saylor, and, kneeling and sitting, Claire Guderjahn and Anna Pille. The play runs Dec. 2 to 18, 2022, at the theater in St. Joseph.

Austen’s characters get sequel in ‘Christmas at Pemberley’

ST. JOSEPH — “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” opens Dec. 2 and continues through Dec. 18 at Twin City Players, 600 W. Glenlord Road.

Written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, the play takes place two years after Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” ends.

In it, the Bennet sisters and their spouses gather at Pemberley, the stately home of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, to celebrate Christmas.

Outdoor Adventures:Gifts: A hiker's 'liberating' way, a new shipwreck preserve and more Chinook

Bookish middle sister Mary unexpectedly encounters shy Arthur de Bourgh and finds a kindred spirit and intellectual equal. But, because Arthur is a “single man in possession of a good fortune,” she’s hardly his only suitor, and Mary must learn to be the heroine of her own story in this holiday romance.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $15-$10.

For more information, call 269-429-0400 or visit twincityplayers.org.

The South Bend Cubs hold the team’s eighth annual “Holiday Extravaganza” on Dec. 3, 2022, at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium in South Bend.
The South Bend Cubs hold the team’s eighth annual “Holiday Extravaganza” on Dec. 3, 2022, at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium in South Bend.

South Bend Cubs hold ‘Holiday Extravaganza’

SOUTH BEND — The South Bend Cubs hold the team’s eighth annual “Holiday Extravaganza” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 3 at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium, 501 W. South St.

Children can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at a special photo area in the home plate suite from 10 a.m. to noon. Stu also will be in attendance, participating in various activities.

Additional activities include a “12 Days of Christmas” Scavenger Hunt, free hot chocolate and cookies, and a Letters to Santa station where children can drop their letters directly to Santa’s mailbox before he takes them back to the North Pole. Holiday music will play throughout the concourse.

Helping kids, veterans:Annual Bears in the Air program kicks off at South Bend airport

Kids also can help the South Bend Cubs decorate their tree in the Cubs Den. Parents can download the ornament template here or decorate their ornaments at the team store. Ornaments will be accepted through Dec. 24.

After the new year, there will be a drawing for five names to win a South Bend Cubs prize pack, including one grand prize of four tickets to a South Bend Cubs game, two fun zone wristbands and the chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Entry is through the Cubs Den Team Store off Western Avenue.

Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call 574-235-9988 or visit milb.com/south-bend.

Michigan City Messiah performs George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" on Dec. 3 and 4, 2022, at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center in Michigan City.
Michigan City Messiah performs George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" on Dec. 3 and 4, 2022, at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center in Michigan City.

Michigan City Messiah holds two performances of Handel oratorio

MICHIGAN CITY — Michigan City Messiah presents its 57th performance of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” at 7 p.m. CST Dec. 3 and 3 p.m. CDT Dec. 4 at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center, 1200 Spring St.

“Messiah” premiered in Dublin, Ireland, on April 13, 1742, and is the source of the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

Accolades:South Bend inspired Tess Gunty's 'The Rabbit Hutch.' It just won the National Book Award.

The production features a full orchestra with authentic continuo; a grand chorus formed by local choristers from churches, schools and choral societies from the area; and four vocal soloists: soprano Kirsten Leslie Karadzhova, mezzo-soprano Kristin Gornstein, tenor Matthew Daniel and bass-baritone Vince Wallace.

Philip Bauman conducts Michigan City Messiah’s 57th annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah” on Dec. 3 and 4, 2022, at Holdcraft Performing Arts Center in Michigan City.
Philip Bauman conducts Michigan City Messiah’s 57th annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah” on Dec. 3 and 4, 2022, at Holdcraft Performing Arts Center in Michigan City.

Maestro Philip Bauman conducts.

Admission is free and requires no advance ticket reservation.

For more information, visit mcmessiah.com.

The South Bend Record Show takes place Dec. 4 at The Gillespie Conference Center at Hilton Garden Inn in South Bend.
The South Bend Record Show takes place Dec. 4 at The Gillespie Conference Center at Hilton Garden Inn in South Bend.

Holiday music likely to be found at the South Bend Record Show this weekend

SOUTH BEND — The South Bend Record Show takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4 at The Gillespie Conference Center at Hilton Garden Inn, 53995 Indiana 933.

Early entry begins at 9 a.m.

Vendors from Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana will fill 88 tables with tens of thousands of music items. The core of the event remains used LPs, with select vendors also carrying new vinyl releases, 45s, CDs, cassettes, posters, memorabilia, vintage stereo gear, record supplies and more.

Holiday shoppers will notice changes at University Park Mall in Mishawaka

Market Basket:Holiday shoppers will notice changes at University Park Mall in Mishawaka

The emphasis is on rock, pop, metal and punk from the 1960s through today, but various musical genres, including jazz, country, movie soundtracks and holiday music, are represented, too.

Door prizes are awarded at noon and 1:30 and 3 p.m.

Cash is the preferred form of payment, with select vendors also accepting PayPal, Zelle and credit card payments.

Masks are encouraged.

Admission is $2; $7 for early entry at 9 a.m.

Go to the website of BCW Supplies of Middletown, Ind., bcwsupplies.com/blog, to print a coupon good for $2 off for early or regular entry.

For more information, visit southbendrecordshow.com or facebook.com/southbendrecordshow.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: In and near South Bend, holiday entertainment abounds this weekend