If you have long enjoyed the 1946 classic, "It's a Wonderful Life," then you are in for a treat this year. From Dec. 9-11, Chapelgate Theatrics will present "It's a Wonderful Life - the Musical" at Chapelgate Presbyterian Church, 2600 Marriottsville Road. Empathize with George Bailey as he moves from childhood dreams to midlife disappointments and questions whether his life has had any meaning at all. The musical adaptation adds a new spark to a familiar tale while maintaining the integrity of the original.
Performances will take place Dec. 9, 8 p.m.; Dec. 10, 2 and 8 p.m.; and Dec. 11, 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors; group discounts are available.
For more information, call 410-442-5800, ext. 325, or go to http://www.chapelgate.org/iawl.
Chapelgate will also host a Christmas Jazz Coffeehouse at Einstein Bagels (Chatham Station Shopping Center, in Ellicott City) from Friday-Sunday, Dec. 2-4, 7-9 p.m. Come warm your heart with some live holiday jazz and your body with some hot chocolate, coffee, or tea. All basic drinks are gratis; specialty drinks and food will be available for a fee.
'Tis the season, of course, for our local churches to offer special Christmas activities, beginning with "God Speaking," a choral presentation at Friendship Baptist Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., at 1391 Sykesville Road (Route 32), in Sykesville. Call the church at 410-442-5506 with any questions, or go to http://www.fbcmd.org.
St. James United Methodist will present its traditional live staging of the Christmas Story Dec. 17 at 7 and 8 p.m. Bring the whole family to watch the gospel narrative as portrayed by church members and some live barnyard friends. The address is 12470 Old Frederick Road (Route 99) in Marriottsville, and the phone number is 410-442-2020. Go to http://www.saintjamesweb.org for more information about the church.
The West Liberty United Methodist will perform a Christmas Cantata Dec. 18 at noon. Go to http://www.west-liberty.com to learn more, or call 410-442-2969. The address is 2000 Sand Hill Road, in Marriottsville.
Finally, Mt. Zion United Methodist invites the extended community to attend a series of Advent activities: a children's Christmas pageant on Sunday, Dec. 4, a Christmas choral performance Dec. 11, and Las Posados (a re-enactment of Joseph's search for an inn) Dec. 18. All events will begin at 5 p.m., with potluck suppers following.
Additionally, the United Methodist Women of Mt. Zion will host a sausage and pancake breakfast with St. Nick Saturday, Dec. 3. During the event, families can take photos with St. Nick and children can look for gifts in Santa's Secret Shop, where everything costs $2.
The first breakfast seating takes place from 8:30-9:30 a.m., and the second from 10-11 a.m. Reservations are recommended. The meal costs $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-10. Children younger than 3 are free.
To make your reservation, call the church at 301-854-2324 or email mtzionhighland@verizon.net. The address is 12430 Scaggsville Road, in Highland.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, at 2892 Route 97 in Glenwood, will also offer Breakfast with Saint Nicholas on Dec. 3, from 9-11:30 a.m. The meal costs $7 for adults and $5 for children under 10. While parents shop for seasonal gifts, crafts, and décor at the vendor tables, the children can learn about Saint Nicholas and participate in youth-led activities. They can also shop (and wrap) gifts for $1 each at the St. Nick Shop.
Questions? Call Lynne Quinn at 410-442-5445.
Wait, there's more – this weekend is simply bursting with holiday activities! The natural holiday sale at the Howard County Conservancy also takes place Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 10520 Old Frederick Road (Route 99) in Woodstock. Children of all ages can create whimsical critters from natural materials and shop for locally-crafted holiday decorations, pottery, soaps, candles, jewelry, accessories, and more. All proceeds will benefit the environmental education programs at the Conservancy.
To learn more, call 410-465-8877, or go to http://www.hcconservancy.org.
The Town of Sykesville's free Merry Main Street celebration, too, will take place Saturday, Dec. 3 with live music and indoor children's activities from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Sykesville Town House, 7547 Main Street, and lots of shopping on Main Street from 2-9 p.m. Outdoor activities will include an ice sculpting demonstration, carolers, live music, refreshments, and, of course, Santa's arrival by fire truck at 6 p.m.
Go to http://www.sykesville.net for more details, or contact Main Street Manager Ivy Wells at 410-795-8959 or ivy@sykesville.net.
Finally, the Garden Clubs of Howard County will begin hosting their annual holiday tours of Waverly Mansion this weekend, Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon and 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, and from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 6:30-9 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 5. The latter tour will take place by candlelight, and Die Liedersanger Madrigal Singers will perform seasonal music during both evening tours. Come see this historic building all decked out for the holidays!
Entry costs $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and $2 for children ages 12 and younger, and admission includes cider and homemade cookies. Proceeds will help maintain the plantings of Waverly Mansion.
Additionally, a heated tent behind the mansion will house tables of natural holiday decorations and crafts for sale by the different garden clubs. Proceeds from the sale of these items will support the clubs' various community projects.
Waverly Mansion is located near the Waverly Woods Village Center, at 2300 Waverly Mansion Drive, Marriottsville. For more information, call Lisa Capps at 443-812-2410 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
This month, Bon Secours Spiritual Center will host two Music at Marriottsville events – first, the Resurrection Parish Choir Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. with a performance featuring contemporary and traditional choirs, plus a brass ensemble. Then, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m., recording artist Anthony Brown will present a Christmas concert titled, "Celebrating the Gift." Bon Secours does not charge admission for its Music at Marriottsville concerts, but it will gratefully accept freewill offerings.
Bon Secours will also offer the following programs this month:
• Taizé Prayer Service, Friday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m.; cost: free (freewill offering invited). The evening, which is suitable for all ages and faith traditions, will begin with light refreshments at 6 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by the prayer service in the Chapel.
• The Birthing of God – Advent Day of Prayer, Saturday, Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; cost: $55. Sister Ilia Delio will help participants explore the role humans play in bringing Christ to birth.
• Friends Day of Prayer, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; cost: $30. Dr. Thomas Little will lead this inspirational day of prayer and reflection, which also includes free time after lunch to relax and enjoy the beautiful BSSC grounds.
• Keep the Spirit Up – A Day for Job Seekers and Career Changers, Dec. 9, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; cost: free (suggested offering: $15). Grace Garrett, of Appreciative Café Coaching and Consulting, will lead this day of spiritual refreshment and skills workshops for those in the midst of a career transition.
• The Gift of Magi, Dec. 10, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; cost: $55. Gordon Creamer will provide an in-depth look at the Magi through historical study, meditation and prayer. Participants should bring a journal and comfortable walking clothes, if desired.
• The Potters Who Formed Me, Dec. 30, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; cost: $55. Facilitator Herm Trabbic will use his experiences as a hospital chaplain, mentor, and life coach to help participants identify the various "potters" in their lives who helped shape them, both positively and negatively.
To register for any of the programs at Bon Secours, go to http://www.bonsecoursspiritualcenter.org or call 410-442-1320. The address is 1525 Marriottsville Road, in Marriottsville.
Marriotts Ridge High School will present its winter dance concert Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. The evening will feature a variety of modern, lyrical, tap, and jazz performances choreographed by dance director Patricia Spruill and student intern Cecelia Muscarella, as well as three solos choreographed by Reflections candidates Lizzie Ryan, Maddie Rodrique and Alyssa Keating. (Reflections is a PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to pursue artistic expression.) Additionally, the Marriotts Ridge B-Boy Club will kick off the show with a special breakdancing guest appearance.
Tickets cost $8 at the door. For more information, call 410-313-5573 or email marriottsridgedance@gmail.com.
Have a wonderful weekend filled with fun holiday happenings!