By The Times-Ledger
LaGuardia Community College presents the timeless holiday classic, “The Nutcracker,” at the college's Performing Arts Center at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, Call 718-482-5151.
The Oratorio Society of Queens presents portions of Handel's “Messiah” and other traditional holiday works at Bayside High School at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. 718-460-0726.
The First United Methodist Church at 38-24 149th St. at Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing presents its fifth annual community-wide singing of Handel's “Messiah” Friday, Dec. 15, at at 7:30 p.m. You can even bring your favorite music for the soloists and orchestra to sing. For more information call the Flushing YWCA at 353-4553.
Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd. in Jamaica with crafts, story telling, and more starting at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27. Kwanzaa programs will also be at the Rosedale Branch, 144-20 243rd St. at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, and at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28 the Hollis Branch, 202-05 Hillside Ave. All events are free.
The Queens Historical Society takes vistors back in time to an 18th century Christmas in tours of three historic homes on the “Flushing Freedom Mile.” Call 718-939-0647.
The society also presents its annual holiday celebration in the Officers' Club at Fort Totten on Sunday, Dec. 17. Children's programs are from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., adults from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations are required; call 718-352-1548.
It's the last chance to see Santa and Mrs. Claus at King Manor, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at the King Manor Museum in King Park, Jamaica Avenue between 150th and 153rd streets. For more information call 718-206-0545.
The Shin Kwang Church at 33-55 Bell Blvd. in Bayside presents a performance of Handel's “Messiah” to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the church at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. Call 718-357-3355.
Choro, Brazilian music fused with African rhythm, European harmony and swing will be presented Thursday, Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. at the Laurelton Branch Public Library, 134-26 225th St. call 718-528-2822.
Powell Leonard and the Lionhearted Players, along with performances poet, Ella Louise Smith, will perform at the Trinity Lutheran Church in a Holiday Community Coffeehouse in the church undercroft on Saturday Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. Donation: $5. Call 718-482-8790.
Sneakers: A Pop-Rock Musical, Kids in grades K-4 will enjoy a musical about being a kid today, dealing with self-esteem, teamwork, generosity, friendship in this interactive high-energy show by The Sneakers Music Co. will be held on Friday Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. at the Fresh Meadows Branch Public Library, 193-20 Horace Harding Expressway; Preregistration. 718-454-7272.
Holiday Folk Songs/Stories From Around The World for students in grades K-5 will be presented Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 4 p.m. Seaside Branch, 116-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Park. Storyteller Bob Basey will entertain children with songs and stories about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and winter. He will sing and play the flute in this upbeat show. 718-634-1876.
The Bayside Jewish Center, 203-05 32 Ave., presents a Cantorial Concert featuring Cantor Marcos Salmon accompanied by Sylvia Strauss on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 8 p.m.
“Music For The Holidays” featuring The Claremont Strings will be Thursday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. at the Court Square Branch Public Library, 25-01 Jackson Ave., Long Island City. Join in the holiday spirit with a concert of holiday music from “The Nutcracker.” 718-937-2790.
The Martin Luther King High School Fine Arts Department hosts its annual Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, in the school gymnasium, 60-02 Maspeth Ave. Admission is free (donations accepted) 718-894-4000.
The city Parks and Recreation Department presents a “Winter Jam” festival at the Roy Wilkins Family Center, 177th Street and baisley Boulevard from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15.
The Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music presents a fully costumed holiday concert and festival, “Renaissance Revelries” at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at the conservatory at 42-76 Main St., Flushing. Immediately following the concert is an era-appropriate supper of lamb, chicken, roasted potatoes and vegetables, mulled wine and cider. 718-461-8910.
Holiday Musical Tribute To Nat King Cole and Friends featuring the Cody Childs Trio. Enjoy an evening of great holiday music featuring favorite melodies of the legendary Nat King Cole and other jazz greats on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at the South Jamaica Branch Public Library, 108-41 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, Jamaica. 718-739-4088.
The Holy Cross High School Christmas Concert, under the direction of John Waage, will be held on Friday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. The Holy Cross Jazz Band and The Holy Cross Concert Band will perform both classical and modern versions of Christmas favorites, holiday selections and a variety of contemporary popular music. The annual performance will feature a wide array of music including classical, rock, and jazz. Admission is to the concert is free and all are welcome. 718-886-7250
Smooth Jazz Christmas will bring holiday joy to Westbury Music Fair on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. with Dave Koz and his special friends Peter White, Brenda Russell and Rick Braun. This is Koz's fourth consecutive tour performing holiday selections with Peter, Brenda and Rick as well as from his “December Makes Me Feel This Way” CD featuring Christmas classics. Tickets: $30. 212-307-7171.
Kenny Rogers brings his Christmas Tour to Westbury Music Fair on Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. and on Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets: $85. 212- 307-7171.
A Pre-Holiday Concert featuring The Mike McClenan Group in a performance of swinging jazz and pop music by America's greatest composers, including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and many others will be Saturday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m. at the East Elmhurst Branch Public Library, 95-06 Astoria Blvd., Elmhurst. 718-424-2619.
Celebrate The True Millennium this New Year's Eve at the Bayside Jewish Center, 203-05 32 Ave., Bayside. A full open bar, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, A 5-course sit-down dinner served to you, choice of Prime Rib or Chicken, five-piece orchestra with singer. Admission: $87.50. 718-428-0434 or 352-2910.
“A Celebration In Song For The Holidays” for families, with Dayle Friedman will be Thursday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. at the Rosedale Library Branch, 144-20 243rd St., She sings holiday songs from many lands using hand/glove puppets and marionettes. Audience participation. 718-528-8490.
The Rockaway Artists Alliance in conjunction with Gateway National Recreation Area presents “Seasonal Sensations,” a holiday exhibition of member works, through Jan. 14 in studio-6 (building T-6) in Fort Tilden, Gateway National Recreation Area, Rockaway, Queens. 718 474-0861 or e-mail: rockart116@aol.com.
Faces tell a thousand stories, the eyes are the windows of the soul. Esther Kirchevsly teaches portrait drawing to novices and practices artists at the Kew Gardens Community Center, 80-02 Kew Gardens Road on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon. 718-268-5960.
“To Light, To Life, To Hanukkah” – Dramatic artist Judith Goldsmith commemorates the Hanukkah festival in a three -part literary performance of: a remembrance of Isaac Bashevis Singers childhood Hanukkahs; the story of biblical heroine, Judith; and a reading of “In Darkness There is Light,” a Hanukkah miracle during World War II in a Polish monastery, on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. at the Fresh Meadows Branch Public Library, 193-20 Horace Harding Expressway. 718-454-7272.
The Trinity Lutheran Church presents a Holiday Community Coffeehouse, featuring the Lionhearted Players and poet Ella Louise Smith at the church undercroft, 31-18 37th St. (at 31st avenue) at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. 718-278–0036.
Grade school students from the Forest Hills Jewish Center School Choir sing Hanukkah songs at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18 at Barnes & Noble, 70-00 Austin St., Forest Hills. Free admission. 718-793-1395.
Queens Theatre in the Park presents “A Chanukah Cabaret” mixing traditional and new songs with comedy to celebrate the Festival of Lights at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23. 718-760-0064.
The Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theater, under the leadership of internationally acclaimed puppeteer Vit Horejs, brings their troupe of century-old hand-carved marionette puppets to the Queens Museum of Art for an afternoon performance of holiday classics, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. The program will include A Christmas Carol, Oy Hanukkah and an assortment of other Winter Tales. Admission: $5, $2.50. 718-592-9700.
