Weekly Arts and Entertainment Highlights (Dec 06, 2012)

Christmas is quickly approaching, and in this week’s calendar of events, several performance groups from Oklahoma City add to the festivities with unique shows ranging from Broadway style dancing to figure skating.

The Oklahoma City University American Spirit Dance Company celebrates the season with performances of its Broadway style show “Home for the Holidays” from Thursday, December 6th through Sunday, December 9th in the Kirkpatrick Auditorium on the OCU campus. Directed by Jo Rowan, 150 dancers bring Toyland, the Christmas Kitty, a cowboy holiday ball, dancing gingerbread cookies, Rudolph, and a kick-line of Santa’s helpers to the stage. The show begins at 8:00 p.m. nightly from Thursday through Saturday with additional matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The classic Christmas ballet “The Nutcracker” gets a twist during Race Dance Company’s production of “Hip Hop Nutcracker” on December 7th and 8th. The story follows Carlos, a young man who is searching for missing part of his life and finds it in an unexpected place. Race Dance Company partnered with the dance programs from Southeast High School, Capitol Hill High School, Northwest Classen High School, and Putnam City North High School for this unique show. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. both evenings in the Petusky Performing Arts Center of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma City Figure Skating Club is comprised of competitive and recreational skating athletes from around the greater metro area. Its members wanted to celebrate this time of year and put on a show that showcases Oklahoma City’s cultural vibrance. “The Ice Storm” comes to the Cox Convention Center on December 7th only at 7:00 p.m. This program was choreographed by Emmy winning Oklahoman Chris Castleberry and tells the story of the Spuds family in their attempt to make it through and Oklahoma ice storm and save the Civic Center’s annual “Nutcracker” performance.

The Oklahoma Master Chorale was founded in 1990 and since then has performed pieces by some of the world’s most famous composer including Mozart, Schubert, and Haydn. This year the group brings work by Bach, Biebl, and Vivaldi to Christ the King Catholic Church in Oklahoma City during its “Sounds of the Season” concert on December 11th at 7:00 p.m. Under the direction of Dr. Vicky Shaeffer, soloists and an orchestra perform “Magnificat,” “Gloria,” and “Ave Maria” and feature sopranos Lou Kohlman and Anne Roberts, alto Anne Dawson, tenor Preston Taylor, and bass Steve Filkins.

Find many more Christmas and holiday events during the next week on our calendar page.