During the last two months of the year, our time, attention and money are all spent on the holiday season. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are for having fun and making memories. Here are 12 ways to make Holiday Season 2007 the best ever.
1. Keith Urban – Nov. 1, Value City Arena. The country music star calls it his Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy World Tour. Besides being the title of his new album, Urban says, “It’s just an accurate reflection of where I am now. I think it’s the sound of being happy with my life and passionate about the music that I’m making.” Tickets: $59.50, $39.50, $29.50.
2. Columbus International Festival – Nov. 3-4, Veterans Memorial. It’s a global marketplace of crafts, cuisine and multi-cultural activities. There’s continuous entertainment on two stages and informal venues. You’ll learn how to tango, rumba, meringue, salsa and cha-cha. No need for a passport; just $2 for children, $5 for students/seniors, $7 for adults. Toddlers get in free.
3. Blue Man Group – How to be a Megastar Tour 2.1 – Nov. 15, Nationwide Arena. The visually stunning trio, backed by a crackerjack, eight-piece band, will have you bouncing from the first song. It’s magic, illusion and a healthy dose of interactive comedy. Good times for all ages. Tickets: $51.50, $77.
4. Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo – Nov. 16-Jan. 2. Two million twinkling lights transform the animal landscape and habitat. Take the family and the camera. The scenes you’ll catch will be the highlight of the family album. Tickets: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children, Toddlers get in free.
5. Charles Dickens – A Christmas Carol – Nov. 23-25, Palace Theater. Thanksgiving weekend features the timeless tale in its new home at the Palace. The musical production employs Ebenezer Scrooge and the Cratchit family to show the true meaning of Christmas. Tickets: $22, $32.
6. Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music – Nov. 21-25, Value City Arena. Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird and the rest of the Sesame Street gang share their love of music. The kids can count with The Count, visit Elmo’s World and do the Crumb-A-Rumba with Rosita. Tickets: $30.50, $26.50, $18.50, $14.50.
7. Black Nativity – Nov. 29-Dec. 2, King Arts Complex Theater. It’s an annual soul-stirring, roof-shaking treat of Langston Hughes’ musical featuring exciting dancers, actors and singers from the Columbus area. Tickets: $20 adults, $18 students and seniors, $15 members.
8. Columbus Children’s Theater: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! – Nov. 29-Dec. 23, Park Street Theater. This funny Christmas tale is about the struggles of a couple trying to put on a church Christmas pageant. There’s only one problem: They have to work with the Herdmans kids – probably the most wickedly mischievous children you’ll ever want to meet. Tickets: $9, $18.
9. Columbus Jazz Orchestra – Home for the Holidays – Nov. 28-Dec. 2, Southern Theater. Celebrate the season with jazz royalty Mary McClendon and Gene Walker. It’s a treasured event Columbus music lovers look forward to every holiday season. Tickets $35, $48.
10. B.B. King, with special guest Henry Butler – Dec. 1, Palace Theater. The thrill certainly won’t be gone when the King of the Blues makes Lucille squeal. Joining B.B. on the stage is legendary pianist Henry Butler. You’ll hear a buffet of jazz, R&B, classical, blues and pop. Tickets: $37.50-$47.50.
11. Broadway Across America – Sweeney Todd – Dec. 11-16, Palace Theater. It’s a never-before-seen production about a mad barber, hell-bent on revenge, who takes up with his opportunistic neighbor to push his way through London’s high society. Tony Award-winner John Doyle directs, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Tickets available at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.
12. First Night – Downtown Columbus – Dec. 31. It’s the city’s premiere family friendly, alcohol-free New Year’s Eve bash. With venues scattered throughout the Capital Square area, you’ll find more than three dozen live performances, hands-on activities and a children’s festival. Tickets: $12, $10. Children younger than 5 free.
Holiday Gift Guide Bonus: ‘Tis the season to take the ice. The Columbus Blue Jackets’ season is well underway. Treat your favorite sports fan to an individual game ticket or season tickets, available at www.bluejackets.nhl.com
Watch Jerry Revish on the 5, 6 and 11 p.m. editions of WBNS-10TV Eyewitness News.