Though students leave for winter break in late November, the University of Denver remains abuzz with holiday activities and Pioneer athletics events between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ten local and national groups will perform holiday shows at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts throughout November and December, and four varsity teams will compete over the break.
Tickets for all concerts are available through the Newman Center box office or at newmantix.com; visit denverpioneers.com to purchase tickets to athletic events.
Denver Ballet Theatre Academy: The pre-professional classical ballet academy offers its production of “The Nutcracker” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 24.
Belliston Ballet: The “premiere Denver dance academy” will perform Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, “The Nutcracker,” at 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 30 and at 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 1.
Rocky Mountain School of Dance: The dance school will present its 22nd annual “A Christmas Story,” told through the art of dance, at 7 p.m. Dec. 3.
International Youth Ballet: More than 100 talented young dancers from the Denver-based youth ballet company will present their production of “The Nutcracker” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7.
Young Voices of Colorado: The Denver-based Children’s Chorale — featuring 180 singers, ages 7–18 — performs its winter concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 8.
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance: “Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum,” performed by the nonprofit dance company, has become a Christmas tradition in Denver. Dancers from Robinson’s company join with musicians and spoken-word artists to perform pieces influenced by the African harvest, the Native American winter solstice, Las Posadas in Mexico, the ancient Hebrew Festival of Lights, Junkanoo in the Caribbean and more in this celebration of holiday traditions around the world. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, and 2 p.m. Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15 and 21.
DU Holiday Carillon Concert: Across campus from the Newman Center, DU Carillonneur Carol Jickling Lens will perform her annual free holiday concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Williams Carillon at the Ritchie Center, 2240 E. Buchtel Blvd. A reception follows the concert.
Sound of the Rockies: The 100-plus-voice men’s a cappella chorus — a five-time repeat medalist in the Barbershop Harmony Society’s annual chorus competition — performs its holiday concert, “Comfort and Joy,” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14.
Lorie Line & Her Fab Five: The Minneapolis-based classical/pop pianist presents her 2012 holiday extravaganza, “Born in Bethlehem,” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9.
“Music of the Sun”: Part of the Newman Center Presents series, this concert teams string quartet ETHEL with Native American flutist Robert Mirabal and singers from Opera Colorado in a program inspired by the sun mythology of Native America. It plays at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12.
Denver Gay Men’s Chorus: The 31-year-old community choir presents its holiday concert, “Jingle, Jangle, Jive!,” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19.
Denver Brass: The 14-member horn group — one of just a few professional large brass ensembles in the world — lists Lamont School of Music faculty member Al Hood and former Lamont director Joe Docksey among its ranks. The group presents its holiday concert, “The Brass of Christmas Past,” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 22.
Hockey: Cheer on the Pioneers hockey team when they face the Air Force Academy on Nov. 23.
Men’s Basketball: Rally for the men’s team on Dec. 3 when they play Southern; Dec. 15 against Wyoming; Dec. 17 against Belmont; and Dec. 21 against the University of California-Irvine.
Women’s Basketball: Support the women’s team at Magness Arena on Nov. 27 when they play Montana; Dec. 8 against Colorado State University; and Dec. 17 against the University of North Texas.
Gymnastics: The DU gymnastics team has its intrasquad meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at Hamilton Gymnasium.