The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to celebrate the season at a variety of festive events right here in Union County this month, with music ranging from light-hearted holiday favorites to the exalting sounds of Handel’s Messiah.
“Recognizing the importance of culture and the arts to our economy and quality of life, the Freeholder Board proudly supports the performing arts community in Union County,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board.
Sponsored in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the following holiday programs received funding from the UC Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Department of Parks and Recreation through the Local Arts Grant Program or the Union County HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant Program:
CONCERT
The Celebration Singers present “Season of Lights”
Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2 at 8 PM
Don’t miss the joy of attending the annual holiday concert by Celebration Singers.
$20 ($15 for children & seniors)
St. Michael’s Church
40 Alden St., Cranford
www.celebration-singers.org
THEATRE
A Very Special (Holiday) Special
Saturday, December 2 at 8 PM
This all-original, old-fashioned variety show is in the style of traditional TV holiday specials. This “Very Special Special” includes a healthy serving of improv, spoofs of holiday songs, comic sketches and fun.
Tickets: $15–$20
Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre (Ensemble Theatre with Humor and Heart)
Oakes Center
120 Morris Ave., Summit
908-514-9654 (for tickets: 800-838-3006)
www.dreamcatcherrep.org
CONCERT
Myth & Mystery – A Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 9 at 7 PM
The Concord Singers will present a program including choral works by Benjamin Britten, Lana Walter, Edward Elgar, Samuel Barber, Gabriel Faure and more — as well as some traditional carols.
$20 ($10 for children 12 & under)
Calvary Episcopal Church
31 Woodland Ave., Summit
https://concordsingers.org/holiday-2017-myths-and-mystery/
CONCERT
Handel’s Messiah presented by Summit Chorale
Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 PM
The complete classic work will be presented with chamber orchestra and soloists.
$20 in advance available online ($25 at the door / $10 for students)
St. John’s Lutheran Church
587 Springfield Ave., Summit
www.summitchorale.org
FREE HOLIDAY CONCERT
Crescent Concerts – Yuletide by Candlelight
Saturday, December 16 at 5 PM
The glow of candles will brighten Crescent Avenue sanctuary as the Crescent Singers present their 46th annual holiday concert as a gift to the community.
FREE
Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
Watchung Ave. at East Seventh St., Plainfield
908-756-2468
www.crescentconcerts.org
CONCERT
“Christmas Time in the City” PRISM Concert Extravaganza
Saturday, December 16 at 7:30 PM
This concert features the Continuo Arts Foundation’s choral ensembles and other local performance groups.
$20 adults ($10 students/seniors)
Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School Auditorium
272 Morris Ave., Summit
908-264-5324
www.continuoarts.com
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, through the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board and its Arts Grant Committee, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts have made funds available for support of the arts through a State/County Block Grant Partnership for non-profit arts and non-arts organizations located in, and serving the residents of Union County, that demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in producing arts activities. The program is administered by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Department of Parks and Recreation.
All grant programs, including the Union County Local Arts Grant Program and the HEART Grant Program are competitive.
Artists, educators, civic and historical non-profit organizations that want information about next year’s gran opportunities can contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone: (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711, or send E-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.
