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The Boston College Christmas tree won’t be ablaze with light until next week, but seasonal festivities are underway on campus.
This weekend, the University Chorale and Symphony Orchestra present their annual Christmas concert, conducted by John Finney, which features traditional carols and Christmas music. The performances take place in Trinity Chapel on Newton Campus on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 8 p.m., and on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. Admission is $10; $5 with Boston College ID; tickets are available at the Robsham Theater Arts Center Box Office, ext.2-4002.
Also under Finney’s direction, on Dec. 4, members of the University Chorale will present a free concert of traditional Christmas music in St. Mary’s Chapel at 4 p.m. For information e-mail concerts@bc.edu or call the Music Department at ext.2-6004.
The University’s traditional Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, officiated by University President William P. Leahy, SJ, will take place Dec. 5 from 5-7 p.m. on the Plaza at O’Neill Library. The spirited annual event will once again bring together BC community members and special guest Santa Claus, who will pose for pictures. Students, faculty, staff and their families can enjoy treats — including cookie-decorating and hot chocolate — and carols, with entertainment by BC’s Bell Choir and other musical groups such as the Acoustics, Bostonians and Dynamics.
At 6:30 p.m. that same evening in the Walsh Hall Function Room, the Gaelic Roots Music, Song, Dance, Workshop and Lecture Series will present “A Christmas Gathering: Irish Music, Songs and Stories,” with singer/multi-instrumentalist Gabriel Donohue and singer Marian Makins, as well as Sullivan Artist-in-Residence Seamus Connolly and BC students. The concert is free. For information, contact the Center for Irish Programs at ext.2-6396 or irish@bc.edu.
A seasonal favorite, the Alumni Association’s annual “Winter Wonderland” moves to a new location this year — the Cadigan Alumni Center on Brighton Campus — when it takes place Dec. 8 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. This special holiday event for alumni, family and friends includes such festivities as strolling carolers, crafts, entertainment by Johnny the K, photographs with Santa, a live petting zoo, horse-drawn carriage rides and a special visit from children’s author Tomie dePaola. Admission is $25 per group of six, and $5 for each additional attendee; $5 of each group fee will benefit the St. Columbkille Partnership School. For information, e-mail alumni.comments@bc.edu or call at ext.2-4700. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held on Dec. 9.
Also on Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. in Gasson 100, the University Wind Ensemble will perform “A Christmas Festival of Music,” conducted by Director of Bands Sebastian Bonaiuto. The program includes such classics as Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” and Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and the concert title piece, “A Christmas Festival.” The event is free; for information contact the Bands Office at ext.2-3018 or bands@bc.edu.
The following weekend, the Robsham Theater Arts Center will host “Christmas Reflections,” a celebration of the Christmas season through the performance of music, story and dance. Shows will take place Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and on Dec. 15 and 16 at 3 p.m. The production features choreography by Jesuit Artist-in-Residence Robert VerEecke, SJ, with Irish step dance choreography by Helen O’Dwyer ’97, who directs the O’Dwyer School of Irish Dancing. Admission to the event, sponsored by the Institute for the Liberal Arts and Robsham Theater, is $15. For information email frvereec@bc.edu or call ext.2-6110.
For more on campus events, see the University Calendar at events.bc.edu.