<< continued from previous page

December

December 14-17….Ballet Lubbock Presents: The Nutcracker - It just isn’t the holidays without Ballet Lubbock’s annual production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. This timeless and magical story of Clara, who dreams that her new toy nutcracker solider has come to life, will delight audiences of all ages. From an epic battle with the Rat King to the magical land of sweets presided over by the Sugar Plum Fairy, this is one performance you won’t want to miss! This year’s performances will feature Ballet Lubbock favorites Lori Wilson and Amar Ramasar as well as the rest of the Ballet Lubbock Company. Come find your inner sugar plum fairy and join Ballet Lubbock for Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, a Lubbock Holiday Tradition. Purchase tickets through Select-A-Seat by calling 770.2000. Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Theatre, 1501 Mac Davis Lane; Thursday, Friday: 7 p.m., Saturday: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday: 2 p.m.

December 15….Country Christmas: Wendell Sollis and The Sidekicks All Stars - Get ready for some toe tapping, boot-scootin, fiddlin’ music this holiday season, for a night of nostalgia and listening enjoyment. You can sit back, clap your hands, and tap your toes (Small Dance Area by Stage). It will be a great night of Western Swing, Big Band, Classical Country, Cajun, and Christmas favorites. Wendell Sollis, bandleader, is a veteran banjo player, performing since the ’70s. His shows include Six Flags, Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium, and Quartz Mountain resort in Oklahoma. He has performed with The Texas Playboys, Texas Sand and now leads the Sidekicks. Sollis states, “This 11-member band is packed full of talent and will be ready to deliver a night of your favorite oldies. It will be great music - bringing back memories of days gone by. We have so many award-winning musicians, it’s appropriate to call the group all stars”. There will be a horn section with hall of fame winner, Steve “Hambone” Ham playing trombone. He currently plays with the Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys and the Tulsa Playboys. Steve Wilkerson, on the clarinet/tenor sax was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. He has played with Barbara Streisand, the Temptations, Andy Williams, and Glenn Campbell to name a few. With 40 plus years of experience as a musician, Bob Baker will play steel guitar. He started at age 13 studying with Eldon Shamblin and is a two-time Hall of Fame inductee. Ronnie Dale Shultz, lead guitarist, has played all over the globe with well-known artists such as Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys, Leroy Van Dyke, Lynn Anderson, and Hank Thompson. He’s highly in demand as a session player and performer, as he has mastered 5 different types of musical instruments. On the accordion, Ginny Mac, from Fort Worth, will astound the audience with her magical voice and charisma. She’s performed at the Grand Ole Opry, and MGM in Vegas. Ginny has accompanied Grammy award winners Brave Combo and Riders in the Sky. Lucy Dean Record, a 93-year-old keyboard player, has a trophy case filled with musical honors. She’s in several Halls of Fame and was awarded Instrumentalist of the Year at the Will Rogers Awards. Brady Rasco, a local fiddler and firefighter in Lubbock, has played since the age of 8. At Tarleton, he was a house band member for the Cross Timbers Opry. He’s played with the Sidekicks and local bands for the past 10 years. Another hall of fame fiddler, Greg Gibbs, began playing in 1984. He’s performed with Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys, Kelly Spinks, and the Sidekicks. Greg received the Hero award by the Cowtown Society of Western Swing Music Award in 2015. Rodney Lay, on bass, was on Hee Haw for 12 years as bandleader and bass player for Roy Clark. Hank Thompson and Waylon Jennings had top 20 songs that Rodney composed. Today he plays for the Tulsa Playboys and Roy Clark’s tours. Chad Maines, drummer from Dickens, Texas, has been playing drums since he was 13 years old. Chad accompanied his dad of the Maines Brothers Band. He has played at the Cowboy Symposium in Ruidoso, New Mexico, the Cactus Theater in Lubbock, and the annual Bob Will’s Day in Turkey, Texas for the last 5 years. This fun-filled event will have a concession available, serving snacks and drinks. For an unforgettable night for your family, friends or business, come and join us! Tickets: Individual seating @ $30-$25-$20. Eight (8) Box Seats include complimentary concession throughout the concert @ $50 per seat. Check out the Facebook page at Wendell Sollis and the Sidekicks All Star Band. Box office open 3:00-5:30 p.m. daily or call (806) 762-3233 or order tickets online at cactustheater.com. Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave; 7:30 p.m.

December 15 and 16….Children and Adults Theatrical Studios Presents: "A Charlie Brown Christmas" - A Charlie Brown Christmas is a 1965 animated television special based on the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. Produced by Lee Mendelson and directed by Bill Melendez, the program made its debut on CBS on December 9, 1965. In the special, lead character Charlie Brown finds himself depressed despite the onset of the cheerful holiday season. Lucy suggests he direct a neighborhood Christmas play, but his best efforts are ignored and mocked by his peers. After Linus tells Charlie Brown about the true meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown cheers up, and the Peanuts gang unites to celebrate the Christmas season. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" by Charles M. Schulz, directed by Pat Price. Tickets are $12.00. Go to www.catsplayhouse.com for reservations. Children and Adults Theatrical Studios, 2257 34th Street; House opens at 7 p.m. Performances start at 7:30 p.m.

December 15 - 24....Santa's Land Drive-Thru Christmas Park in Tahoka - Admission is free, donations will be accepted to help keep the lights on. Everyone is invited to stop by and see the lights and Santa (please bring your camera). The park includes four acres of land, thousands of lights, 100 plus wooden cut outs, 15 blow-ups, tons of Christmas trees, and decorated antique car. Lots of new stuff this year. Visitors are able to stay inside their cars or get out and mingle while enjoying a warm fire and hot chocolate & cookies. Opening Night is Thanksgiving The train will be available opening weekend only. It will be at Santa's Land Drive thru Park November 23,24 &25 (Thursday-Saturday). It is free to everyone and all ages may ride. Lights will be on the 25th. If Santa is present he arrives at 6:30 and departs at 9 p.m. Lights out at 10 p.m. If you want to make sure Santa will be present please call (806) 891-1291 Or Check http://www.facebook.com/SANTASLAND79373. Tahoka, TX (30 miles south of Lubbock). Park is located at South 11th and Ave O (use Google map) just off of Hwy 87; Gate opens at 6:30 each night. Lights out at 10 p.m.

December 16….Wreaths Across America Ceremony – All are invited to help honor and remember our Fallen Heroes and teach the next generation about what our veterans have done for us. Shallower Brass Band will be performing. The National Anthem will be performed by a cadet this year followed by a special speaker. People are encouraged to help lay the wreaths. There will be close to 700 wreaths being delivered. The opening ceremony - The Laying of the Wreaths will begin at 9 a.m. The official ceremony that takes place simultaneously across the county will begin at 11 a.m. If anyone has questions they can contact Capt Tammy Preidis with Civil Air Patrol at 806-429-2033. City of Lubbock Cemetery, 2011 E 31st St.

December 16….LHUCA Presents: The Life and Art of Edward Hooper with Christian Conrad - Edward Hopper (July 22, 1882 – May 15, 1967). Edward Hopper’s paintings were created in the urban centers of the United States prior to War World II. Hopper’s images, created in oil paint and etching, focus on the American landscape and its people; Hopper painted some of the most iconic images of his time, including NightHawks (1942) which explores the city during the solitary hours of the war. In addition, Hopper created peaceful images of rural Maine. Join us as we examine Hopper’s art and its place in this unique time period in American history. Saturday Lectures at LHUCA is an informal conversation over the life and work of contemporary artists. It’s a stress-free opportunity to examine the art and ideas that underlie much of the modern art world. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions and join the conversation. This event is free to the public. Join us for coffee and donuts! LHUCA, 511 Avenue K; 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.

December 16….FAO Workshop of Wonder at Bealls - This holiday season, Bealls, part of the Stage Stores family, in Lubbock invites customers to experience the wonder of iconic FAO Schwarz toys through family-friendly events. The “FAO Workshop of Wonder” events will take place in stores. Children will be treated to story time with Mrs. Claus or even Santa himself reading “Return to Wonder – Toys on Tour,” an exclusive FAO Schwarz story book, only available at Stage Stores. Each child will receive a coloring book to bring home the excitement of these events. Additionally, kids will be invited to participate in arts and crafts stations to create custom ornaments and holiday cards for the whole family. To top off the fun and save the holiday memories, families can step into the Winter Wonderland Photo Booth and say, “cheese!”At each event there will also be the opportunity to win an exclusive FAO Schwarz bear. Guests will have the chance to play with and purchase the famous FAO Schwarz Giant Dance Mat Piano, Ride On Roadster and a life-size bear. Customers can also shop for a good cause by taking home Stage’s exclusive FAO Schwarz branded plush Bears that Care, available in all stores. With the sale of each Bears that Care, $1 will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation with a minimum donation of $100,000. This event is FREE. Bealls, 6002 Slide Rd; 2 to 4 p.m.

December 16….FirstCare Health Plans presents: Classic Cactus Christmas - Celebrate the season with us Cactus style! You'll enjoy old and new holiday classics performed by your favorite Cactus performers all backed by our incredible house band, the Rhythm Machine! Mark your calendars for this must-see show! Performers include longtime Cactus favorites and some new talents, too! For this show, we'll feature Baby Jade, Jeff Bailey, Craig Elliott, Kurt Kiser, Bethany Longoria, Tiffany Nelson, Mark Paden. Addie Bleu Short and Berklee Timmons. Tickets $25 for reserved floor; $20 for standard balcony seating; $50 for box seats (includes box ticket and concessions). Discounted tickets for children 12 and under also available for $10 - and these tickets can be ordered online for the first time this year as well by simply clicking on the desired seat and specifying adult or child seat. Box office open 3:00-5:30 p.m. daily or call (806) 762-3233 or order tickets online at cactustheater.com. Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave; 7:30 p.m.

December 17 - 18….Caldwell Kids Christmas Celebration - Bring your entire family for a wonderful night for a "Cactus Kids Christmas Celebration." This show will run for two nights - but get your tickets early - this is traditionally one of our most popular Christmas shows! If you have never seen a Cactus Kids Christmas Concert, you are in for a real treat! This is not just your average kids show - these are the BEST OF THE BEST from the Terri Caldwell Music program. Kids from this program have appeared on national television programs such as “America's Got Talent” and “X Factor.” Reserved floor seats and first row of the standard balcony are $25; remainder of standard balcony $20; box seats in balcony are $50 and included concessions. Specially priced tickets for children age 12 and under are $10. In addition to regular tickets for adults, the discounted children's tickets can be purchased online thanks to our new ticket system upgrade. Box office open 3:00-5:30 p.m. daily or call (806) 762-3233 or order tickets online at cactustheater.com. Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave; 7:30 p.m.

December 19….An Evening with Lee Greenwood - Lee Greenwood is an ICON in country music, with more than 30 albums to his credit. With seven #1 songs and 25 charted singles, his hits include: “It Turns Me Inside Out”, “Ring On Her Finger Time on Her Hands”, ”She’s Lyin”, “I don’t Mind the Thorns if You’re the Rose”, “Dixie Road”, “Somebody’s Gonna Love You”, “Going Going Gone”, “You Got A Good Love Comin”, “Fools Gold”, and “Mornin Ride”. The CD “American Patriot”, recorded & released in 1992, went platinum in 3 months. Greenwood’s latest CD is: "I Want to be in Your World". Lee Greenwood has won numerous industry awards including, Male Vocalist of the year for the Academy of Country Music in 1983, two Male Vocalist of the Year awards from the Country Music Association, 1983 & 1984 and a Grammy for Top Male Vocal Performance in 1985 for “I.O.U.”. He also won CMA Song of the Year in 1985 for writing “God Bless the USA.” The song has been voted the most recognizable patriotic song in America. Greenwood says; “USA is the song I always felt the need to write”. “I wanted to have something that would unite Americans from coast to coast. and to instill pride back in the United States. The song represents my family, my community and those men and women who have paid the price for the freedoms we all love and enjoy.” This special "Evening with Lee Greenwood" will feature holiday-themed music in addition to some of the biggest hits from his extensive catalog of chart-toppers. A very special evening is in store at the historic Cactus Theater and a sellout is expected. Ticket information: $75 VIP/Meet & Greet - first 3 rows (A1, A, B) Reserved floor $50 next 9 rows (C-K) Reserved floor $35 Standard balcony $75 Balcony Box Seats (includes ticket and concessions). Box office open 3:00-5:30 p.m. daily or call (806) 762-3233 or order tickets online at cactustheater.com. Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave; 7:30 p.m.

December 20….Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical - The beloved TV classic RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Come see all of your favorite characters from the special including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL. It's an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. Don't miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us. Based on the animated television special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and the stage production directed and conceived by Jeff Frank and First Stage. Script adaptation by Robert Penola. Arrangements and orchestrations by Timothy Splain. Tickets are available to purchase by calling Select A Seat at 806-770-2000. Lubbock Municipal Auditorium, 2720 Drive of Champions; 7 p.m.

December 20….Flying J Wranglers - White Mountain Christmas - 2017 Tour - Celebrate Christmas the western way! Join the Flying J Wranglers for an evening of great music, humor and yuletide cheer as they sing and play a mix of western, spiritual and popular Christmas classics. Featuring six outstanding musicians and vocalists, The Flying J Wranglers are: James, a singer/songwriter and rhythm guitarist; his wife Cindy, a distinguished three-octave vocalist and WMA National Western Style Yodel Champion (and comical sketch character); the renowned multi-instrumentalist Randy, (guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro and vocals); cowboy Chaney on upright bass and vocals; fiddler and vocalist Corinna, and baritone vocalist Greg. This ever-popular act is a traditional favorite in every sense of the word....so don't miss your chance to celebrate a "White Mountain Christmas" with the Flying J Wranglers in the intimate Cactus Theater. This is their 16th annual appearance...tickets NOW ON SALE! All reserved floor seats $25; reserved standard balcony seats $20; limited box seats $50 (includes box ticket and concessions). Box office open 3:00-5:30 p.m. daily or call (806) 762-3233 or order tickets online at cactustheater.com. Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave; 7:30 p.m.

December 22 -23….Classic Cactus Christmas - Celebrate the season with us Cactus style! You'll enjoy old and new holiday classics performed by your favorite Cactus performers all backed by our incredible house band, the Rhythm Machine! Mark your calendars for this must-see show! Performers include longtime Cactus favorites and some new talents, too! For this show, we'll feature Baby Jade, Jeff Bailey, Craig Elliott, Kurt Kiser, Bethany Longoria, Tiffany Nelson, Mark Paden. Amber Pennington, Addie Bleu Short and Berklee Timmons. Tickets $25 for reserved floor; $20 for standard balcony seating; $50 for box seats (includes box ticket and concessions). Discounted tickets for children 12 and under also available for $10 - and these tickets can be ordered online for the first time this year as well by simply clicking on the desired seat and specifying adult or child seat. Box office open 3:00-5:30 p.m. daily or call (806) 762-3233 or order tickets online at cactustheater.com. Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave; 7:30 p.m.

.

.