Theater Latté Da’s highly-celebrated original work, “A Christmas Carole Petersen,” will broadcast into homes, hearts, and AirPods this holiday season. Carole returns for the homegrown holiday comedy, written by Tod Petersen and Theater Latté Da Artistic Director, Peter Rothstein. Petersen and Rothstein have adapted the piece for radio along with pianist Denise Prosek. Tune in to myTalk 107.1 on Dec. 21-24 at 7 pm CST for the radio broadcast and visit mytalk1071.com to find the podcast, available Dec. 15th on Apple Podcast or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. Info: latteda.org.
Holidays
Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly Seeks Holiday Helpers and Calling Carolers
According to their website: “Thank you for offering to share the joy of the holiday season with our older adult members who are at the greatest risk of feeling alone right now. Due to the wonderful outpouring of support from our community, all of our members have been paired with Holiday Helpers and Calling Carolers, and we have closed our 2020 holiday volunteer opportunities.”
Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) seeks volunteers to support its COVID-safe holiday programs aimed at reaching socially isolated older adults in Minnesota this holiday season.
Holiday Helpers: LBFE is looking for volunteer help in purchasing and sending special packages to more than 350 older adults across Minnesota during Thanksgiving and again for the December holidays. Volunteers can sign up to be paired with an older adult, then create a special holiday package containing treats, small thoughtful gifts, and a card with a personal and heartfelt message. After sign-up, each volunteer will receive an email with the name, address, and phone number of their assigned holiday friend.
Calling Carolers: LBFE’s post-Thanksgiving program will also involve volunteers singing favorite secular holiday tunes over the phone to older adults. Volunteers will be encouraged to invite their family and friends to join them in the telephone caroling.
LBFE has a rich 48-year tradition in the community of honoring the spirit of the season through fellowship, food, and fun. This year COVID-19 radically altered the way the organization can celebrate with older adult members, requiring COVID-safe alternatives. Volunteers for all programs can sign up online: littlebrothersmn.org.
Bring the Sing on the Solstice
As short as the days are now, it’s great to know the solstice is just around the corner. What better way to celebrate than with your fellow community members and with song, snacks and warmth? The 2019 “Bring the Sing on the Solstice,” will take place Saturday, Dec. 21, at The Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Park, 1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy. This event is free and open to all ages, and marks the perfect occasion to welcome in winter. The Current and Classical MPR are teaming up to bring this event to life, and have a lineup of special guests including Cameron Kinghorn, Jerry Rubino, Dan Newton, Kith & Kin Chorus and others to kick off the longest night of the year. The event runs 4-8 pm, and will be held inside at the park’s Trailhead. There will be refreshments and activities for all ages, from Classical Kids Story-time to Beer Choir. Last year’s Bring the Sing on the Solstice was the first, and 700 community members came together throughout the night to celebrate the solstice. They’re hoping to continue this fun tradition and extend a warm welcome to the community to join them for this fun evening of song and celebration.
Mercury Mosaics Makers Market
Spend a Saturday strolling through a historic Northeast building, meet local artists and craftspeople and listen to live music, all while getting your holiday shopping done, Saturday, Dec. 14, noon-6 pm. 45-plus local creatives will be featured at Mercury Mosaics, 1620 Central Ave. NE, Ste 125, and selling their wares, including ceramics, jewelry, fine art, clothing, coffee, and metalwork. Tattersall Distilling and akcollective, also located in the historic Thorp Building, will host holiday events, as well. This event is free and open to the public.
Cookie Walk at Community UMC
It’s time for Community United Methodist Church’s annual Christmas Cookie Walk, Saturday, Dec. 14, 9 am-12 pm. They also have a Santa Shoppe for all children of the community and shoppers at the Cookie Walk. The kids will be allowed to choose one item for each parent/guardian for free, and kids are invited to decorate a cookie and make a Christmas ornament. 950 Gould Ave. NE, Columbia Heights.
Wigilia Traditional Polish Christmas Dinner
The Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota (PACIM), 43 SE Main St. #228, invites you to its annual “Wigilia,” a traditional Polish Christmas dinner, on Sunday, Dec. 8, 5-9 pm. A portion of the Wigilia profits will be donated to support worthwhile Polish causes involving children. Sing Christmas carols (kolędy) and shop Christmas-related items at the silent auction. $35 per person (PACIM members), $45 per person (nonmembers), $25 per child (10 and younger). Registration by mail to PACIM, 43 Main St. SE, #228 or online at pacim.org. Registration needed by Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Christmas Bake, Craft, and Pierogi sale
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish invites you to the annual Bake, Craft, and Pierogi sale Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 am-1 pm. The event will take place at the Pulaski Auditorium, 2114, 5th St. NE. All are invited and welcome.
St. Timothy’s Holiday Bake and Craft Sale
St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, 825, 51st Ave. NE, Columbia Heights, will hold its annual Bake and Craft Sale from 9 am-2 pm on Saturday, Dec. 7. Lunch will also be served from 11:30 am-1:30 pm. They will have a large variety of baked goods and crafts available, including lefse and krumkake. All are welcome. Any questions call 763-571-9721.
The Norwegians
Dec. 5-Jan. 5. Tickets: $15-$39. Performances: Grain Belt Warehouse, 77 13th Ave. NE, Studio 202. Evenings: 7:30 pm, Sunday matinees: 4 pm. Info: 612-401-4506, tickets@darkstormy.org, darkstormy.org “The Norwegians,” by C. Denby Swanson, is a dark comedy about two scorned lovers: Olive (from Texas) and Betty (from Kentucky) are here in Minnesota. In winter (it’s always winter). Not only have their hearts been frozen cold, they’ve been broken by a couple of rotten ex-boyfriends, and now they want their exes dead. So Olive and Betty hire the only kind of hit men you can find in Minnesota: really, really nice ones. Part Fargo and part romantic comedy, ‘The Norwegians’ skewers snowsuits, spurned lovers, Scandinavians, Texans, Italians, assassins, astrology, co-ops, hot dish, public breakups, public service, and how to hire a hit man. The kind of hit man you’d bring home to your mother. Depending on how you feel about your mother.” Directed by Matthew G. Anderson.
Fiber Works MPLS Open Studio
Fiber Works MPLS, 2432 6th St. NE, will have an open studio, 10 am-5 pm, on “Small Business Saturday,” Saturday, Nov. 30. Try your hand at a weaving project. Take a class and get a $5 discount card for checking in, good for any class. Stop in to see what FWM is all about.