Holiday happenings are scheduled across county in December
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on December 4, 2011 1:50 AM
As the holiday season goes into full swing, there's the shopping, wrapping and putting up decorations, but don't forget to take time out to enjoy the Christmas season.
Wayne County has several holiday events planned for December -- everything from historic tours to plays to concerts.
Here's what's being offered:
* "The Nutcracker" today at 3 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre.
Goldsboro Ballet is celebrating its 30th year of doing the holiday play.
Director Peggy Wingate said she never dreamed that putting on "The Nutcracker" 30 years ago would turn into an experience of a lifetime.
"It has become one of our family traditions and it's become the ushering in of a very special season of the year," she said. "It's joyful to know that dance has grown in Goldsboro to that point."
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for students and are available at the Paramount box office.
* III Century Singers Christmas concert today at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Goldsboro and Tuesday at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Mount Olive. The concert is free.
It will feature traditional holiday carols, spiritual songs and a few foot-tappers. The pieces range from well-known favorites to a few new songs, including "Danny Boy" sung to the tune of "O Holy Night."
This year, a single piano will accompany the singers.
* Charles B. Aycock Birthplace will offer its Christmas Candlelight Tours Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
An interpreter dressed in late 19th century clothing will explain how men prepared their families for Christmas in the birthplace's master bedroom. In the parlor, an interpreter will detail seasonal traditions such as hanging stockings by the fireplace and homemade decorations for the tree.
A hearth cooking demonstration will be held in the kitchen. In the dining room, a festive feast of chicken, collards, biscuits and plum pudding will be on the table.
There will also be carolers, reading of stories and a shadow play. The tours are free.
* Center Stage Theatre will perform "A Christmas Carol" Dec. 9 through 11 at the Paramount Theatre.
This year's play will be the closest to the novel in terms of action and language.
It includes a 50-member cast and a 10-member crew and is under the direction of Rick Dills.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students and are available at the Paramount box office.
* "Child of the Promise" Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 17 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre.
The musical chronicles the birth of Jesus, but the story begins back in the Old Testament when prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Micah prophesied the birth about 600 years before it even happened.
During the show, the angel Gabriel sings about John the Baptist being born and to Mary and Joseph about the child's birth. The show ends with the prophets singing about the fulfillment of a prophecy hundreds of years before.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children. All tickets are half price for the Dec. 17 matinee. Tickets are available at the Paramount box office.
* The Wayne County Museum will host the Holiday Historical Homes and Building Tours Dec. 18 from 2 to 6 p.m., with proceeds funding insulation for the museum.
It will include 10 structures including St. Paul United Methodist Church, the old Goldsboro Hotel, the Borden-McMillen house and the Warren Bishop apartments on West Mulberry Street.
There will be live entertainment by local choirs and carolers and a performance of "The Nutcracker" by Goldsboro Ballet.
The Arts Council of Wayne County and the Railroad Club will be open and at least two local authors will be featured at the museum during the tour.
Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door and $10 for students and are available at the museum.
* "The Embers: I Love Christmas Music" show will be held Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre.
The show combines a taste of the group's beach classics with a repertoire of Christmas songs.
It will feature drummer Bobby Tomlinson, lead singer and trombonist Wayne Free, bassist John Ray, trumpeter Stephen Pachuta, keyboardist Rick Sanders and guitarist Jeff Grimes.
Tickets are $20 for adult, $10 for children 12 and younger and $35 for VIP seating and a meet-and-greet before the show with hors d'ouevres. They are available by calling 739-7816.