Concert highlight of museum’s annual Hanukkah party

The Maine Jewish Museum is hosting its annual Hanukkah party starting at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 with a concert by the Maine Mishagoyim band.

After the concert, Hanukkah refreshments such as latkes and donuts will be served. There will also be face painting for kids of all ages. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Winners of the Maine Jewish Museum/Etz Chaim 9 days of Hanukkah Raffle will be drawn, but do not need to be present to win. Up to 200 raffle tickets are being sold at $100 each to win one of 11 items. All proceeds benefit both Etz Chaim and the Maine Jewish Museum. See the museum’s website for details at http://mainejewishmuseum.org/raffle-concert.

Yarmouth celebrates the solstice

All are welcome to attend a free Winter Solstice Celebration, starting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18 at First Universalist Church, 97 Main St., Yarmouth. Participants are asked to bring a favorite song, poem, or short story that has special meaning at this time of year. Included in the evening’s festivities will be candle lighting and bell ringing. Bells to share with others would be appreciated; candles will be provided. Those who attend are also asked to bring a favorite finger food to share.

Holiday happenings at One Longfellow Square

Two holiday concerts are coming to One Longfellow Square this month, starting with The Heather Pierson Jazz Trio, which will stage their popular Charlie Brown Christmas show on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Pierson is a pianist, singer/songwriter, and performer based in Conway, New Hampshire who is the house pianist at the White Mountain Hotel in North Conway. Tickets are $20 day of, $25 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the show at 8 p.m. One Longfellow Square is located at 181 State St., Suite 201, Portland.

On Thursday, Dec. 21, One Longfellow Square presents The Portland Jazz Orchestra Swingin’ Holiday Show with The Biddeford High School Jazz Ensemble, featuring vocalist Kate Oberholtzer. The orchestra will play music from the big band libraries of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman and Gordon Goodwin, as well as their own arrangements. Advance tickets are $5, or $10 for adults, $7 seniors, $5 students the day of the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the show at 8 p.m.

For tickets and more information, call 761-1751 or see www.onelongfellowsquare.com.

Sing, sing a song this Christmas

On Monday, Dec. 18, families throughout the region will gather at the Chocolate Church Arts Center at 804 Washington St. in Bath, for 42nd annual Sing! It’s Christmas community sing-along. Always held the Monday before Christmas, people gather at 7 p.m. to experience the collective holiday spirit through music.

The doors open at 6:30 p.m. for open seating. In addition to the community sing-along for seasonal favorites, there are specialty acts and performers who add to the musical presentation. This year The Morse Concert and Mixed Choir will sing “In the Dark of Midnight.” Dancers from Studio 48 Performance Team, will perform. Local tenor Andy Barber will sing “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” and Pretty Girls Sing Soprano will harmonize “Who Comes This Night,” by James Taylor.

Children may await the arrival of a special guest who never fails to excite and add the final Christmas touch to the event.

Admission is by donation to benefit the Chocolate Church. For more information call 442-8455.

Benefits

Christmas Tree and Wreath Sales, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday in December while supplies last at Yarmouth Town Hall, 200 Main St. Benefits Yarmouth Lions Club local scholarship fund.

Call for Volunteers

Project GRACE in Scarborough needs people to stock the food pantry, knit mittens & hats, keep a neighbor’s home warm this winter, or fulfill a child’s holiday wish, apply at http://conta.cc/2iioYe7.

Festivals

Friday 12/15

Bright Night Bath, 5-8 p.m., music, refreshments, strolling carolers, luminaria, trolley rides, shopping.

Saturday 12/16

Holiday Cookie Decorating Event, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., First Parish Church, Main Street, Freeport. Sponsored by Freeport High School Interact Club, all proceeds benefit families in need.

Monday 12/18 

“Sing! It’s Christmas” community sing-along and performances, 7 p.m. Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., Bath, by donation.

Winter Solstice Celebration, 6:30 p.m., First Universalist Church, 97 Main St., Yarmouth. Bring a favorite song, poem, or short story along with bells and finger food for sharing. Free, all welcome.

Thursday 12/21

“Harvesting the Gifts of the Ancestors,” winter solstice event, 6:30-8:30 p.m., The Neighborhood United Church of Christ, 798 Washington St., Bath. Meditation, based on the work of Joanna Macy, activist, Buddhist scholar and author, by donation to benefit The Innkeeper Ministry.

Music

Trolley Caroling, Bath City Hall, 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 & Saturday, Dec. 23, on the half hour. Free tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the trolley stop on Front Street.

“Sing We Noël,” by The Oratorio Chorale, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Brunswick, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15; 2 & 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Tickets $15/adults, $5/kids & students under 18, brownpapertickets.com/profile/1143574, 1-800-838-3006.

Thursday 12/14

“Christmas Bells, A Holiday Handbell Concert,” 7:30 p.m., Mechanics’ Hall, 519 Congress St., Portland. Co-sponsored by Maine Charitable Mechanic Association and Maine Historical Society, $10 for MHS and MCMA members, $15 all others, www.mainehistory.org.

Saturday 12/16

“Tidings of Joy: A Christmastide Concert,” by Vox Nova Choral Consort, 7:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Middle St., Brunswick. Tickets $5-$15 in advance at www.voxnovachamberchoir.org or at the door.

Sunday 12/17

“A Wescustago Winter,” Wescustago Youth Chorale, 3 p.m., Freeport Performing Arts Center. Auditioned youth choir with 70 members in grades 3-12 from over 12 towns. Tickets $10/adults, $5/students, $8/seniors at the door.

Rockin’ Holiday Concert, with secular gospel choir Rock My Soul from Southern Maine and The RMS Five vocal ensemble, 4 p.m., One Longfellow Square, Portland. Advance tickets strongly recommended, onelongfellowsquare.com, 761-1757.

Theater

“A Christmas Carol,” The Footlights Theatre, 190 US Route 1, Falmouth, 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday through Dec. 22, tickets $15, 747-5434, thefootlightsinfalmouth.com.

Visit with Santa

L.L.Bean Northern Lights Celebration, 4-8 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays, Freeport. Free.

Saturday 12/16

Santa Reads, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Rd. Children in K-5 will also receive award-winning children’s books, www.topshamlibrary.org.

Yarmouth Town Hall, 4-6 p.m., Memorial Green, 200 Main St.

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