December 4, 2008


TODAY and SATURDAY

December 4, 6….Decorate Cookies for Santa - Kids of all ages come on down and have some fun decorating cookies to save for the big night—Christmas Eve! The jolly old elf, Santa himself will be here to take pictures with you and oversee the festivities! Email kingkooki@gmail.com for a coloring page to print, color and bring with you to enter the contest. The grand prize will be a 9 cookie Christmas bouquet—five other runner ups will be awarded a special prize! Reserve your spot by calling 794-6992 for one hour party times available. Cookie parties fill up quickly, so call today. Cost is $10 for two cookies and a picture with Santa.
Times available:
Thursday December 4th at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m.
Saturday December 6th at 1 p.m. 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.

FRIDAY ONLY

December 5….First Friday Art Trail - See the regular art venues, plus the exciting new monthly additions showcasing art and artists downtown and throughout Lubbock. Catch a trolley or bus at many of the locations or pick up a FFAT map at any of the venues to see the art that can be found throughout our community each month during the event. First Friday Art Trail trolleys run continuously in downtown Lubbock during FFAT hours. The trolleys are free, and you will find a "trolleyteer" on each trolley who is a treaure trove of info about FFAT and the arts in Lubbock and who will help you navigate FFAT with ease! For a complete list of participating venues and additional info, click HERE! Event runs from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. throughout the downtown and Depot District area.

December 5….50th Annual Carol of Lights - This event is one of Texas Tech’s biggest and longest standing traditions. This year’s theme will be “50 Years of Shining Bright.” The event starts off with the Texas Tech University Combined Choirs performing selections of classic holiday songs at the Science Quadrangle at 6:30 p.m. When the lighting ceremony commences at 7 p.m., students as well as those who came for the show stand in awe as over 25,000 red, white, and orange lights illuminate the 13 buildings surrounding Memorial Circle. This tradition started in 1959 when Harold Hinn came up with the idea and provided the funds to cover the science quadrangle and the administration building with lights. Unfortunately, students were away on Christmas break and did not see the display. The next year the Residence Hall Association created the Christmas Sing, which is now known as the Carol of Lights. Today, the Carol of Lights is one of Texas Tech's favorite traditions. The Memorial Circle and Science Quad on the Texas Tech Campus; 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY and SATURDAY

December 5-6….Vintage Winter Wonderland: "A Place like No Other" - Every weekend during the month of December (last night is December 20th) come out to Vintage Township to experience the magic of Christmas. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy. There will be miniature pony carriage rides, beautiful Christmas displays in the park (with a 30' Christmas tree), hot cocoa and fresh baked cookies, sparkling lights everywhere, live entertainment nightly and, of course, Santa Claus. It even snows nightly! If you missed last year's festivities - well, this year's Winter Wonderland is set to be even more spectacular. Call 771-1117 for more information. Vintage Township, 11410 Trafalgar Ave.

December 5-6…. “The Wizard of Oz” - Presented by Hub Performing Arts School. You will be amazed as this cast of 85 kids takes you through the familiar and wonderful story of Dorothy and her friends the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man as they travel to see the Wizard of Oz. This show is exactly like the movie with an extra song you will love. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call 795-7344 to get your reserved seats today or visit www.hubperformingarts.com. O.L. Slaton Middle School, 32nd & Ave Q; 7 p.m. both nights and 2 p.m. matinee also offered on Saturday.

December 5-6…. Cactus Family Christmas Celebration - Carry on the tradition and join the Cactus Theater as they commence this holiday season with their 14th Annual Cactus Family Christmas Celebration; featuring favorite stars of the Cactus including the Cactus Cuties, Itty Bitty’s and the phenomenal Lubbock Texas Rhythm Machine. Come get into the spirit of the season with an enchanting mixture of music ranging from wonderfully nostalgic Christmas favorites to contemporary Christmas hits. Sensational Christmas decorations provided by Holland Gardens will transform the Cactus Theater into the perfect cozy and at-home atmosphere in which to cuddle up and enjoy the joy of Christmas. As an added bonus, Slaton Bakery will provide delicious Christmas treats and cookies for all. Tickets are $20 and $25. The Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Avenue; 7:30 p.m.

December 5-6....“Alibis” and "Murder Next Door" — “Alibis” is a hit comic mystery by Peter Kennedy. Direction is by Peter Contreras. Preceding it will be the one-act thriller "Murder Next Door," penned by local playwright Whitney Ryan Garrity and directed by Rolando Rivera. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children, students and seniors. Call 792-0501 for more details. CATS Playhouse, 2405 34th St.; 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, SATURDAY and SUNDAY

December 5-7….Lubbock Community Theatre’s Production of "The Little Princess" - Like the beloved novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and Shirley Temple film, the play tells the story of a privileged young British girl who, with creative imagination and spirited optimism, faces the hardships which life deals her. Perfect for the Christmas season. Directed by Heather Rushing. Rating: Family fare. For more info call 806-749-2416 or visit lubbockcommunity theatre.org. Boston Avenue Playhouse, 4230 Boston Avenue. Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m. plus a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

SATURDAY ONLY

December 6...Home Sweet Home on Candy Lane – Discover a mystical, magical land with sweet adventures at every turn and in every home. Visit the Betenbough Homes annual Holiday Open House titled Home Sweet Home on Candy Lane on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and enjoy sweet treats for all to eat, crafts for the kiddos and best of all…FREE pictures with Santa. Santa and his helpers will arrive at noon at the Betenbough Model Homes, which are located at 8205 Quincy Ave. (West 82nd St. and Quincy Ave.) Guests can start their experience on Candy Lane in the Gumdrop Manor and move their way through the Chocolate Chateau, Gingerbread Cottage and Peppermint Palace, Santa’s home-away-from-home that day. The Betenbough Homes Holiday Open House comes only once a year…you won’t want to miss it! Visit Betenbough.com for details. Hours: 12:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.

December 6…."Holiday Wonderland" at the Science Spectrum - Join the Science Spectrum for a new holiday family event that is sure to become a favorite holiday tradition. Enjoy these free activities: Santa’s reindeer and holiday critter petting zoo, photos with Santa (B.Y.O.C. / camera), see the Science Spectrum’s holiday train display, giant Christmas tree, and other festive decorations, decorate and eat your own gingerbread man, sip hot cocoa and spiced cider, fun hands-on holiday crafts, “cool” holiday science experiments and demonstrations. Fees will apply for feeding or taking photos with the animals at the petting zoo. While you’re there, the family can also take in the all new Christmas Classic film The Light Before Christmas in the OMNI Theater. This film will spark the imagination of both young and old with this all new adaptation of the classic tale, The Night Before Christmas. This stunning stop-motion animated film uses puppets and lavish scenery to bring Santa and the story's other characters to life as never before. Regular admission ticket rates will apply for the OMNI Theater and the Science Spectrum Museum. For additional event information visit www.sciencespectrum.org or call 806-745-2525. Science Spectrum, 2579 S. Loop 289; 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.

December 6….Holiday Pops Concert – This holiday season, the Lubbock Chorale will join the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra for an evening of traditional music and familiar carols that will fill the hall and each person with beautiful music and heartwarming holiday cheer. Tickets: Adults $25, students $12. Call 762-1688 for more information. First Baptist Church, Broadway and Avenue V; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

December 6….Tech Terrace Holiday Home Tour – The 2008 home tour will include these homes: 3222- 21st Street, 3109- 20th Street, 2611 – 28th Street, 3108 – 20th Street, and 3224 – 22nd Street. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the shops of Tech Terrace at 26th and Boston (Hodge Podge Designs, and Social Butterfly) or at Pillers Kitchen and Bath or H.G. Thrash Clothiers; 2 p.m.- 5 p.m.

SUNDAY ONLY

December 7….Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Singers Holiday Concert - Three talented members of the Opera's Apprentice Program for Singers—soprano Jennifer Jakob, mezzo-soprano Emily Fons and baritone Christopher Bolduc—will be in residence during December, offering holiday concerts throughout New Mexico and Texas. The concert in Lubbock will be held at First Christian Church with a reception following in Kuykendall Hall to meet the artists. Admission is free. For more information contact Jill Nelson at 792-5354 or jillnelson@yahoo.com. First Christian Church, 2323 Broadway; 3 p.m.

MONDAY ONLY

December 8….Lubbock's Sweet Adelines Chorus - Prairie Winds is having its annual holiday show full of music and fun. The chorus always ensures that the audience has plenty of cookies and hot chocolate or coffee to make the evening more fun for the entire family. This year's holiday show includes audience participation for some who wish to be a part of the show. The award winning chorus is performing along with its award winning quartets, Rendition and Astound Sound as well as Distraction. Tickets $15 and available by calling 799-SING(7464). Lakeridge Baptist Church; 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Last Week's Ticket Winners....

Our winner of last week's Family Paks for 4 to the Hub Theatre Group performance of “The Wizard of Oz” is Shal S.
The answer to the trivia question we asked was: Buddy Ebsen

This Week's Ticket Giveaway....

This week's contest is for 4 tickets to The Nutcracker performance on December 11th (Thursday) opening night at 7 p.m.

To enter this week's random drawing (no trivia question this week), send us an e-mail with the words "Nutcracker Tickets" in the subject line. Deadline for this contest will be this Sunday night at midnight. To enter this giveaway, please e-mail your contact info (including daytime phone) to us here at info@lubbockfunclub.com

We'll let you know the winner in next week's postcard.

Got an idea especially for the ladies? steph@lubbockfunclub.com

Got an idea to promote something just for the guys? shane@lubbockfunclub.com

Special event coming up? Send us the details! info@lubbockfunclub.com

Go to CALENDAR OF EVENTS for more on these events and MORE

LOOKING AHEAD....

December 10-23….Santa Land - For the 52nd consecutive year, Santa Land will light up the Lubbock night with Christmas trees, children singing, twinkling lights and Santa and Mrs. Claus ready to hear the Christmas dreams of area children. In an opening ceremony, Lubbock City Council members and special guest Pete Christy will welcome the Clauses, light the 60-foot Christmas tree, and officially open Santa Land on Wednesday, December 10 at 6 p.m. For visits with Santa, parents are encouraged to bring children early in the evening as the line is stopped on busy nights at approximately 9 p.m. or earlier, depending on the crowd. Enjoy live entertainment most evenings from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Hot chocolate and other refreshments for sale at the concession stand. Parents are welcome to bring cameras and video cameras to take photos of their children with Santa at no charge. Admission is free. For further information contact Nancy Neill, Parks and Recreation, 806-775-2685. The entrance to Santa Land is from the East Broadway entrance into Mackenize Park just east of Avenue A and the South Plains Fairgrounds; 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. nightly.

December 12-13….30th Annual Candlelight at the Ranch - This holiday event captures the traditional spirit of a pioneer Christmas and offers a glimpse into the past, as visitors experience yuletide celebrations that took place on the open prairie more than 100 years ago. This year's theme is "A Journey In Search of Christmas" provides visitors a chance to walk down luminaria- lighted paths around the historic structures, where Ranch Host volunteers recreate holiday scenes of trimming trees with home-made decorations, playing traditional music and gathering around the campfire on a cold winter's night. Guests can warm up with a cup of hot cider and fresh popcorn as they tour through the historic site and enjoy traditional ranch dances in the 6666 Barn. There is no admission charge but donations are encouraged. For more information, contact Emily Arellano at (806) 742-0498 or via e-mail at Emily.Arellano@ttu.edu . National Ranching Heritage Center, 3121 Fourth Street; Friday- 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. and Saturday- 5:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

December 13….Miracles Christmas Parade – The theme for this year’s parade is "A Centennial Christmas." The parade starts promptly at 6 p.m. and includes lighted units for that extra special effect. Spectators start gathering early in the evening to get the perfect spot to watch marching bands, fire trucks, beauty queens, horses, dozens of decorated floats, honored guest and much more. There will be a "Toys for Tots" campaign conducted by the U.S. Marines and the Miracles Christmas Parade. Families will be invited to bring toys to the parade. The U.S. Marines will march along the route and collect toys from the attending families. Together, the citizens of Lubbock and surrounding communities will "Fill the Float". Hot chocolate, coffee, and hot apple cider will be sold at various locations along the parade route to benefit Lubbock charitable organizations The parade begins at Toledo and 34th Street and will end at University and 34th. For more information email miraclesparade@sbcglobal.net

Many more UPCOMING FUN THINGS TO DO are listed on our website...lots further out than the weekly postcard. Click here to go to our CALENDAR OF EVENTS for more info on these activites and MORE> 

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