Lorie Line brings her lavish holiday show to the Newman Center on Dec. 13. Photo courtesy of Lorie Line
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the University of Denver’s Newman Center for the Performing Arts, where 10 different local and national performers and performing arts groups will perform holiday shows throughout the month. Here’s a look at what’s on tap. Tickets for all concerts are available through the Newman Center box office or at www.newmantix.com.
International Youth Ballet: The Denver-based youth ballet company presents Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, the “Nutcracker,” at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3. The production, which boasts more than 150 costumes, is performed by children ages 6–18.
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance: Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum has become a Christmas tradition in Denver, and 2012 marks the show’s 20th year. 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. 3, 9 and 16; 2 p.m. Dec. 4, 11 and 18; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17.
Young Voices of Colorado: The Denver-based children’s chorale — which features six choirs totaling approximately 220 singers ages 7–17 — performs its winter concert, “Good Cheer!,” at 4 p.m. Dec. 4.
Anonymous 4: The female a cappella group that specializes in medieval and ancient music brings its 25th anniversary Christmas tour to the Newman Center at 8 p.m. Dec. 8. The concert features songs from the group’s past quarter-century of Christmas recordings, including the 14th-century Irish chant “An English Ladymass,” the 13th-century English conductus “The Lily and the Lamb” and the 13th-century chanson “la bele marie.”
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, “Sing We Now of Christmas,” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10.
Cherry Creek Dance: Young dancers from the Denver-based school practiced for three months to put together their winter recital, which is themed around “Alice in Wonderland.” Shows are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:15, 3 and 5:45 p.m. Dec. 11.
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. 11 at the Williams Carillon at the Ritchie Center, 2240 E. Buchtel Blvd. Lens will perform carols from around the world as well as familiar tunes such as “Up on the Housetop” and “Sleigh Ride” on DU’s Williams Carillon. A reception follows the concert at the top of the stairs on the west end of the Ritchie Center.
Lorie Line: The Minneapolis-based classical/pop pianist brings her lavish holiday show, “Christmas Bells are Ringing,” to the Newman Center at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Expect special guests, extravagant costumes and lots of costume changes.
Rocky Mountain School of Dance: The 20-year-old local dance school, which has helped prepare several young performers for show-biz careers, presents its 20th annual “A Christmas Story” concert at noon and 6 p.m. Dec. 17.
Denver Brass: The venerable brass ensemble teams with gospel/jazz ensemble Dave LeMieux and House of Soul for “Joy to the World,” a heartwarming Christmas show featuring favorites like “O Come Emmanuel,” “O Holy Night” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Shows are at 4 p.m. Dec. 18 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22–23.