Carolina Culture

Remember how last weekend I complained about too much going on?

Well I got my wish.

This is normal for the holidays especially in a town where a lot of art takes place at the university. I'd suggest catching up on things you might have missed, but some worthwhile things are going on.

 

Thursday, Dec. 10

Whose Claws?

Bobby Craft has been a regular on local stage for decades and now he’s in a really perfect role – Santa Claus.

He’s one of the stars of “'Twas the Night Before Christmas, S. Claws” at Workshop Theatre. This strange holiday show includes a guy from an earlier holiday, Halloween, trying to spoil the season and how S. Claus and his crew fight back. The original production directed by Dedra Daniels Mount has a cast of almost 30.

Showtimes are at 8 Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10 – 12 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13. $12.  (803) 799-6551 or www.workshoptheatre.com.

Other holiday plays around:

“Christmas Belles” at Chapin Community through Dec. 19

http://www.chapintheatre.org or (803)345-6112

"Miracle on 34th Street" through Dec. 13 at Village Square Theatre in Lexington.

http://www.villagesquaretheatre.com or (803)359-1436.

Name that picture of that tune

"The Song Remains the Same – A Study of the Music Memory Connection" by Stephanie Toole  is made up of drawings and paintings. It's at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios today through Dec. 15. A reception takes place Saturday from 6 to 9. It sounds like an intriguing exhibition, but I can't locate the artist.

Friday, Dec. 11

Andie joins Clara

Actress Andie MacDowell, who is from Gaffney, is will be back as narrator of "The Two Claras” for the Columbia City Jazz Dance Company. This is a re-invention of “The Nutcrackers’ following two friends through years of holiday celebrations.

For those of you too young to remember McDowell in “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “Sex Lies and Videotape,” “Groundhog Day,” and of course "Hudson Hawk,"  Fort Mill native Dana Vaughns, star of “Kidz Bop” (whatever that is) is also in the show.

 Performances are at 7:30 Friday and 1 and 7:30 Saturday at Drayton Hall Theatre, Sumter and College streets. $15. You can also attend a reception with the stars at 6:30 Saturday for $50. Call (803) 252-0252 or go to http://www.columbiacityjazz.com

More nut-crackering

I’m no expert on “The Nutcracker,” but last year I made sugarplums for a holiday party. There are no plums involved and some people mistook them for meatballs.

No one will mistake the sugar plum fairies in the Columbia City Ballet for meatballs. The company has been doing the ballet for decades.

Kaitie Massey, a native of Columbia and only 13, returns for her second year in the role of Clara, John Karim will dance the title role of Fritz/Nutcracker Prince for the third time.

 “The Nutcracker” has eight performances today through Dec. 20 at the Koger Center. For times and tickets go to http://www.columbiacityballet.com/  or call (803) 251-2222 or go to www.capitoltickets.com 

Saturday, Dec. 12

Fine and fun crafts

Bracelets, rings, weird dolls, books, beads and blouses by about 40 artists can be found at Crafty Feast. The arts and crafts extravaganza takes place in the incredible Tapp’s building on Main Street from 11 to 5. The artists are mostly from throughout the Southeast. You can find music, food and free workshops for the kiddies – and that much-needed perfect present if you're buying for an interesting person.

Tapp’s is at Main and Blanding. Admission is free. Go to http://www.craftyfeast.com/Welcome.html

Lake Murray Messiah

The Lake Murray Symphony performs selections from “The Messiah” along with the Dutch Fork Choral Society. The concert is at 7:30 at McGregor Presbyterian Church, 6505 St. Andrews Road.

It will do the  same concert Monday, Dec. 14 at Chapin United Methodist Church, 415 Lexington Ave. http://lmso.org

Tuesday, Dec. 15

Chamber music at a club

The Upton Trio goes underground for a concert featuring music from its new recording.

Dusan Vukajlovic, cello, Mary Lee Taylor, violin Billy Shepherd, piano, perform at the White Mule.

The group, which has been around for 20 years, just released "These Are Different Times" on Albany Records.

The concert is at 9 p.m. The White Mule is 1530 Main St. at Admission is $6 in advance and $8 at the gate. (803) 661-8199.