Hanukkah begins this Friday at sunset, the Winter Solstice is next Friday and Christmas is less than two weeks away. Get in the spirit of these holidays with a concert by the Polynesian Choir at 7 p.m. Friday at the St. George Tabernacle. I saw these guys perform last year at the Temple Lighting and they are wonderful. If you want to get out of town, check out Brenn Hill’s "Christmas in the West" concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Crescent Moon Theater in Kanab. It’s located at 150 S. 100 East and tickets are $10 to $15. You can also head north for the Christmas Cantata in Parowan. It begins at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Parowan LDS 3rd and 4th Ward chapel on Main Street.

If you’re getting sick of Christmas music, head over to the Firehouse Grill on Friday night. Local bands My-Low and Incline will take the stage beginning at 9 p.m. and you can see them for a mere $5. The Firehouse is at the Sunset West Bowling Center, 1478 W. Sunset Blvd. in St. George. Also on Friday night, Neverland at 25 E. Telegraph in Washington City will host the bands Mayday!Mayday!, Kennedy, Falter, Ike Sloan & Doon Toby and The Gentlemen. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10.

You can also head for the snow and check out the Winter Solstice bonfire Saturday night at the Brian Head Town Park. It’s tons of fun, just be sure to dress warm.

For more events going on this weekend and beyond, visit cityguide.thespectrum.com and click on the calendar.

Happy Holidays,

Kathryn van Roosendaal

Posted by Kathryn VanRoosendaal at 06:05 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBacks ( 0 )

There are tons of big events going on this weekend: Main Street Holiday Stroll in St. George, USF’s "Christmas Carol: On Air" and the Festival of Lights at Tuacahn. The Tabernacle music series continues with concerts nightly and the annual Electric Light Parade will hit the streets of Cedar City on Saturday.

There is still plenty out there for those trying to escape the crowds.

If you haven’t caught it yet, check out "Beauty and the Beast" by the St. George Musical Theater. The in-the-round theater is small and intimate and the show itself is magical and wonderful. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

The Nativity Festival returns to the Green Valley LDS Stake Center at 511 S. Valley View Drive this Friday and Saturday. You can browse through hundreds of creches from around the world from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. — and best of all it’s free.

If you’re in the mood to spend money, there are two holiday sales of note. One is at Green Valley Spa at 1871 W. Canyon View Drive. The sale lasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This is a great chance to get something special for that woman in your life who deserves some pampering. If you’re in the market for pottery, Toquerville Clay at 143 N. Toquer Blvd. will have its 4th annual Holiday Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. These guys have gorgeous pottery and other ceramic items that make great gifts for friends, family — or yourself.

On the music scene, Coyote Gulch Art Village in Kayenta continues its Saturdays of the Season from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Stroll through the village and listen to local bands while you shop, catch a bite to eat or just enjoy the red-rock scenery.

On a lighter note, Moosebutter — that a cappella quartet with a comical twist — will present its Christmas concert twice on Saturday at the St. George Opera House. Tickets are $5 to $8 for the 2 p.m. matinee and $8 to $12 for the 7:30 p.m. show.

If you want a break from all that holiday music, wander by Neverland at 25 E. Telegraph in Washington for the Metal/Hardcore music fest.

Last but not least, get in the true holiday spirit and spring KCSG sportscaster Mark Haas from doggy jail at the Hostage for Charity event at the St. George Animal Shelter. Haas will sit in the cage from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — and longer if they don’t raise enough money. Stop by and get this man — and a few fuzzy friends — out of the cage.

For more events, read Friday’s Where It’s @ or check out our Web site.

Happy Holidays.

— Kathryn van Roosendaal, Features Editor

Posted by Kathryn VanRoosendaal at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBacks ( 0 )

It never ceases to amaze me just how much talent there is here in Southern Utah.

Last night I went to the opening of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" by the St. George Musical Theater. I had never been to an SGMT show before — I have seen enough amateur theater to last a lifetime, or so I thought. In my time in LA, I saw enough bad theater to definately sour me against non-pro productions. The LAST thing I want to do on one of my rare free evenings is listen to a wannabe opera singer warble her way through some musical I've seen a dozen times or listen to some gawky teen stutter his way through half-forgotten lines.

There was none of that here. I was totally, utterly wowed.

I'm not just saying that because they are a local theater and they gave me free tickets. I went to write a review and I have every intention of being honest and unbiased. I actually went expecting it to be at best so-so.

Never have I been happier to be proven wrong. These "amateurs" at SGMT did a better job than most professional troupes I've seen. The singing was strong and beautiful, the costumes were exquisite (although there is one I'm still trying to figure out what they were) and the sound and lighting was spot on.

My only gripe was with the audience.

It was opening night at the theater. There were ladies in business suits and semi-formal gowns and gentlemen is sport coats and suits. There was also a whole family in jeans and T-shirts — and was that one kid in basketball shorts? — and there were many others in tank tops, mini skirts and other non-dressy apparel.

What ever happened to dressing up for the theater? This isn't a movie, people. These actors and support staff have practically killed themselves to put on a beautiful performance and you can't put on slacks instead of jeans? You don't have to wear a tie, but at least put on real shoes, not flip-flops.

Let's have a little pride in our theater.

Posted by Kathryn VanRoosendaal at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBacks ( 0 )

We at The Spectrum & Daily News have decided that we definately need a blog on Southern Utah's entertainment scene.

What entertainment scene? you ask. That's exactly my point. There really is stuff going on here, but no one ever hears about it.

We're hoping to change that.

First, we need your help. There are a lot of things happening that we don't hear about until after the fact. If you have an event, a concert, a play, whatever, drop us a line at features@thespectrum.com.

Then a couple times a week, Lisa Larson and I will log on here and let you know some of the smaller events going on - those events that don't make it into the newspaper but still are worth mentioning.

Also keep an eye on TheSpectrum.com. Every Thursday or Friday we will post a news update with our top entertainment picks for the weekend.

There really is an entertainment scene in Southern Utah, and we'll let you know Where It's @.

Posted by Kathryn VanRoosendaal at 04:11 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBacks ( 0 )