Chilly weather brings a change in season, and along with the seasonal change comes holiday traditions. Whether it’s making that special cup of hot cocoa, listening to Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” or making wonderful holiday sweets, everyone has their unique traditions for the holidays.
For those looking to add new traditions to their holiday season, the Conway Symphony Orchestra’s (CSO) holiday performance has the perfect timbre for family fun.
This year’s annual holiday extravaganza is set for December 1, at 7:30 pm at UCA’s Reynolds Performance Hall, and promises something for everyone.
The CSO conductor Israel Getzov describes the performance in a press release: “This concert is THE Christmas event in Conway. There is no other place where you can enjoy live music, amazing dancing, and glorious singing, all in one place!’ Audience favorites such as “Sleigh Ride” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” will be among the musical showcase.
In addition to the music, The Arkansas Festival Ballet will join the performance to dance to selections from The Nutcracker as in years previous. This years selections include: “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” “Trepak,” “Arabian Dance,” “Chinese Dance,” and “Waltz of the Flowers.” The Arkansas Festival Ballet, a Little Rock organization, is a repertory ballet company under the direction of Rebecca Miller. “We are delighted to once again bring the festive joy of the Nutcracker ballet to the Reynolds stage in Conway,” says AFB executive director Janet Aronson in a press release.
Special guest singers include the Central Arkansas Children’s Choir (CACC) and the Parkview Arts and Science Magnet school choir. They will perform “Carol of the Drum.”
During Intermission Santa will be available for photos and parents are encouraged to bring their own cameras. The CSO Guild will also have a bizarre with items from local artists on sale.
Before the concert the Nutcracker Sweets program will be hosted by the CSO guild in the AETN classroom two buildings down from the concert hall. Children can meet the dancers and Maestro, hear stories from the Nutcracker, and enjoy cookies and coloring activities. Tickets are $5 for children, free for adults accompanying a child, and are available at ConwaySymphony.org or by calling (501) 269-1066. Space is limited, so paid reservations are required.
For the main event, Tickets are $6 for children and students, and $20-$38 for adults, with a discount rate of $15 for groups of 10 or more. Purchase tickets at the Reynolds box office, (501) 450-5506, toll free 866-810-0012 outside of Conway, or at ConwaySymphony.org.