NUTCRACKER BALLET
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
TOY AND CLOTHING DRIVES
Please drop off donations of unwrapped toys at Assemblymember William Scarborough’s District Office at 129-32A Merrick Boulevard (1 block west of Farmers Boulevard). On Tuesday, December 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Scarborough is hosting a Christmas Kwanzaa Party with the merchants of Merrick Boulevard at LaTasha Smith’s Occasions Banquet and Catering Hall, 127-08 Merrick Boulevard, for fathers and their children from a local homeless shelter All fathers and their children are welcome, but fathers must show either a current unemployment check stub or an EBT Food Stamps Card and RSVP in advance. For more information, please call 718-723-5412.
From now through Friday, January 8, 2010 the Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council’s 4th Annual “Harmony initiative Winter Coat Drive,” takes donations of new and slightly used winter coats at the Samuel Field Y, 58-20 Little Neck Parkway in Little Neck and other locations across the borough. For more information, call NEQJCC Executive Director Gail Eisenberg at (718) 225-6750 Ext. 247.
COMMUNITY SALES
LAST WEEKEND: On Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20 from noon to 5 p.m. the Jamaica Market (Jamaica Avenue at 159-160th Street) concludes its First Annual Holiday/Kwanzaa Bazaar. The tenants and vendors will be open on Sunday; 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, white elephant items, etc. Admission is free; call 718-762-3198. For vendor information, please call Joshua Lutz, at 347-532-3010.
CEREMONIES AND FESTIVITIES
On Saturday December 19, from 8 to 11 a.m. have a Breakfast Buffet with Santa at Uno Chicago Grill in Forest Hills, at 107-16 70th Road. Get a hearty breakfast, a picture with Santa and a goodie bag; Adults $13.99, Children $6.99; call 718-793-6700.
On Saturday, December 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. sing along with the Queens Center for the Performing Arts’ CenterStage presents “Dreaming of a White Christmas: A Community Holiday Celebration in Song,” on the lawn at St. George’s Church, Main Street and 38th Avenue in Flushing; admission free; donations always accepted; call 718-321-8496 or visit www.centerstagemusic@aol.com.
CONCERTS AND PLAYS
On Sunday, December 20 at 4 p.m. the Oratorio Society of Queens Holiday Concert includes selection 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 19 at 2 p.m. Ballet for Young Audiences 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.
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.
