Classic Holiday Ballet
Ballet for Young Audiences is performing The Nutcracker on Thursday and Friday, December 10 and 11 at 10 and 11:30 a.m. at the Mainstage Theatre, LaGuardia Performance Arts Center, 47th Avenue and Van Dam Street in Long Island City. Schooltime Performance tickets are $7 “one free seat with every 10 paid.”
On Saturday, December 12 at 3 p.m. they also perform at the Mainstage Theatre; reserved seating is $12; $10 for students. Call the box office at 718- 482-5151 or visit www.lagcc.cuny.edu/lpac.
On Sunday, December 13 and Saturday, December 19, the company performs at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard. Adults pay $15, members pay $12; children pay $12/$10; call 718-463-7700 Ext. 222 or visit www.FlushingTownHall.org.
TOY AND CLOTHING DRIVES
Until Friday, December 11, patrons of Panera Bread bakery-cafes in Queens and Staten Island can donate a new pair of gloves, cozy mittens, hat or scarf to St. Mary’s Foundation for Children. St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children cares for 4,000 kids each day; 1 in 5 has a special need. Visit www.stmaryskids.org or www.PaneraBread.com for more information.
Until Friday, December 11, Laffey Family of Companies Fourth Annual “Easter Sealed with a Gift” Toy Drive collects new or gently played with toys for children between the ages of 2-5 or money donations at their 14 locations. Tax-deductible donations are made payable to Easter Seals NY and mailed to: Cathy Poturny; Century 21 Laffey Associates; 55 Northern Boulevard, Greenvale, NY 11548; call 516-626-1500 Ext. 390 or email cpoturny@laffey.com.
On Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 20, at 9:30 a.m. Make Your Own Pizza with Santa at Pizzeria Uno, 39-02 Bell Boulevard in Bayside; fun, photos and gifts; $8 per child with a donation for Toys for Tots; $10 per child without (a donation will be made for you). Seating limited; Reservations required; call 718-279-4900.
Until Tuesday, December 15, dressbarn stores again participate in The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, to collect more than 12,000 new, unwrapped toys; any customer making a donation gets 15 percent off their purchase of a regular-priced item. All toys collected go to children in the community; visit www.dressbarn.com.
Until Thursday, December 17, bring new, unwrapped toys, (no stuffed animals) to Martin A. Gleason Funeral Homes at 36-46 Bell Boulevard in Bayside; 149-20 Northern Boulevard in Flushing or 10-25 150th Street in Whitestone; to benefit St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital in Bayside.
Until Thursday, December 17, Assemblymember Ann Margaret Carrozza collects toys for the holidays, “that will help needy children in our community.” Bring new, unwrapped toys to Carrozza’s District Office, 213-33 39th Avenue, Suite 238, Dr. Robert Mittman’s office at 38-21 Bell Boulevard or M&S Italian Food Specialists, 34-23 Francis Lewis Boulevard.
COMMUNITY SALES
Now thru December 20, (Saturdays & Sundays only) from noon to 5 p.m. the Jamaica Market (Jamaica Avenue at 159-160th Street) is holding its First Annual Holiday/Kwanzaa Bazaar. The tenants and vendors will be open on Sundays; also many weekend vendors, crafts, gifts, food and fun; call 718-291-0282 ext.138.
On Saturday, December 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Flushing House, 38-20 Bowne Street, has a Giant Holiday Fair/Flea Market, in the Large Game Room on the ground floor. Huge variety, including jewelry, arts and crafts, collectibles, new and gently used clothing, and white elephant items, etc. Admission is free; call 718-762-3198. For vendor information, please call Joshua Lutz, at 347-532-3010.
On Saturday, December 19 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Raphael’s Church, 35-20 Greenpoint Avenue (at the Long Island Expressway) has a Christmas Fair of new merchandise only in Michael Brennan Hall (under the church).Vendors sought, $30/day per 10-foot table; call Gloria at 718-349-7106.
CEREMONIES AND FESTIVITIES
On Friday, December 11 at 4 p.m. a ceremonial menorah lighting, outdoors at the Queens Public Library, near the corner of Main Street and Kissena Boulevard in Flushing, sponsored by Free Synagogue of Flushing and The Flushing Development Center; call 718-961-0030.
On Sunday, December 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Temple Tikvah of New Hyde Park, 3315 Hillside Avenue, has Holiday Fair & “Kidz Boutique,” reasonably priced items for children and adults to purchase; youth and handcrafted jewelry, holiday candy, toys, books & gift items for all occasions. One block west of Herricks Road; call 516-746-1120 or visit www.templetikvah.org.
From now through Sunday, December 13, get a free photo of your pet on Santa’s lap. On Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m.; Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the lobby of The Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd Street in Manhattan, where Santa and his elves are visiting. All donations go to their Patient Assistance Fund, helping clients who cannot currently afford healthcare treatment for their pet.
On Friday, December 11, most IKEA stores will have traditional, three-course, all-you-can-eat Julbord Buffets (Swedish for ‘Yule-table’) including Glogg, Swedish holiday ham; Gravid Lax with mustard; Swedish style meatballs with ligonberries; sautéed sausage, poached salmon, liverwurst pate, assorted cheeses, Lussekatt and assorted desserts, and much more; $15.99 per person; kids12 and under, $2.49. Check your local store for accurate details.
CHANUKAH PARTIES
On Thursday, December 10, The Samuel Field YM/YWHA invites everyone Temple Torah, 54-27 Little Neck Parkway in Little Neck. Waiter-served sit-down luncheon from Colbeh Caterers and “exciting entertainment,” according to organizers; Samuel Field Y members pay $29; non-members $39; call 718-225-6750, Ext. 226.
On Saturday, December 12 at 7 p.m. at Whitestone Hebrew Centre, 12-45 Clintonville Street in Whitestone; music and traditional foods like potato latkes and jelly donuts; fun for the whole family with a Chanukah story presentation by Robert Rogers Puppet Theatre; admission: $15 adults; $10 children 13 and younger. Reservations required by December 6; call 718-767-1500.
On Sunday, December 13 at Young Israel of Sunnyside, 43-01A 46th Street (enter on 43rd Avenue – green canopy); games music, songs, potato latkes, of course; call 718-784-1663.
On Sunday, December 13 at 3 p.m. at Astoria Center of Israel, 27-35 Crescent Street in Long Island City; admission $10 per person, free under age 13; call 718-278-2680.
On Sunday, December 13 at 4 p.m. at Dov Revel auditorium, 71st Avenue at 113th Street is sponsored Havurat Yisrael Synagogue of Forest Hills; Chanukah candles; music and stories; traditional food; games; a clown show and more; admission $15/adults, $5/childred under 13.
On Sunday December 13, at 4:30 p.m. at Shaar HaShamayim Sephardic Synagogue, 112-21 72nd Avenue in Forest Hills, come and join the fun; food, music and prizes; free admission.
On Wednesday, December 16 at 7 p.m. at Bayside Jewish Center, 203-05 32nd Avenue, light the lights, sing the songs, with Rabbi Moses Kirsh and music by Sergey Pinkasov; potato latkes and apple sauce, jelly donuts and more; $7.50 per person; reserve by Wednesday, December 9; call 718-352-7900.
CONCERTS AND PLAYS
On Sunday December 13, at 4 p.m., The Sacred Music Society of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs with the Oratorio Society of Queens perform their Annual Christmas Concert, including highlights from Handel’s “Messiah” and beloved Christmas orchestral and choral works; featuring Geraldine McMillian, soprano, John Easterlin, tenor and Vaughn Fritts, bass-baritone with the Orchestral Arts Ensemble of Queens, under the artistic direction of Maestro David Close; in the church, at Ascan Avenue and Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills. Tickets are $20, $18 for seniors and students with ID, and children, 12 and under accompanied by an adult, are free; call 718-268-6251.
On Sunday, December 13 at 4:30 p.m. there is a Christmas Concert by the Arcadia Brass Quintet at St. Mel’s Church, 26-01 154th Street in Flushing; Donation $15.; Free Parking; call 718-886-0201.
On Sunday, December 20, at 2 p.m. Bakithi Kumalo: A Kwanzaa Celebration. The Grammy-winning bassist, originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, appears at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard. Adults pay $15, members pay $12; children pay $12/$10; call 718-463-7700 Ext. 222 or visit www.FlushingTownHall.org.
On Sunday, December 20, at 4 p.m. the Oratorio Society of Queens Holiday Concert includes selections from Handel’s Messiah as well as traditional Christmas favorites and Chanukah songs under the direction of Maestro David Close. Featured soloists include Geraldine McMillian, soprano, John Easterlin, tenor, Vaughn Fritts, bass-baritone, and Guest Artist Cantor Jerry Korobow with the 120 plus members, at Queensborough Performing Arts Center at Queensborough Community College, 222-05 56th Avenue in Bayside; free parking in the main lot adjacent to the theater. General Admission Tickets are $25 at the box office; $20 for seniors and students with ID; children 12 and under, free with adult; call 718-279-3006 or visit www.queensoratorio.org.
On Saturday, December 26 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Claire Shulman Playhouse Main Stage Theatre at Queens Theatre in the Park Taubenslag Productions performs Santa Meets the Wicked Wizard, action-packed, musical comedy, suggested for 4-10 year olds. Tickets: visit www.queenstheatre.org; call 718-760-0064, Tuesday-Saturday, 12-6 p.m. or at the box office, in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
THE NUTCRAKER
On Saturday, December 12, at 1 p.m., by the Russian American Kids Ballet at the Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road. Tickets are $20 online at www.LiveNation.com; call 877-598-8694; at the Westbury box office and participating Blockbuster® stores. For membership information, visit www.westburymembership.com.
On Saturday, December 19 at 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, December 20 at 2 p.m. and Monday, December 21 at 6 p.m. the Eglevsky Ballet presents its full-length production to the traditional lush score by Tchaikovsky, at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on the C.W. Post Campus, Route 25A in Brookville. Tickets are $60, $50 and $35; seniors pay $57, $47, $32; online at tillescenter.org or Ticketmaster.com; by telephone at 516-299-3100 or 212-307-4100 or at the box office (Monday-Saturday 1-6 p.m. All tickets are subject to a $1.50 facilities fee; service charge for telephone and Internet orders; no refunds or exchanges; call 516-299-3100 or visit tillescenter.org.
On Sunday, December 20 at 3 p.m., by the Russian American Ballet in Colden Auditorium at Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Boulevard in Flushing. The company received an award from Mayor Michael Bloomberg for Best Ballet Shows for The Young Audience in 2009. All seats are $20; $12 for children; at www.KupferbergCenterArts.org ($1 per ticket surcharge applies), by phone at 718-793-8080 or at the Colden Center Box Office at Queens College.
On Tuesday, December 29 and Wednesday, December 30 at 1 and 4 p.m. by Ballet for Young Audiences in the Claire Shulman Playhouse Main Stage Theatre at Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Flushing. Tickets are $12 at www.queenstheatre.org or call 718-760-0064.
