What’s Happening in Mason City & North Iowa? December 7-14, 2017

December 7-January 3, 2017

Exhibit: Iowa Crafts: 43 - Charles H. MacNider Art Museum(Kinney-Lindstrom Gallery), 303 2^nd St. SE (641-421-3666). The purpose of Iowa Crafts: 43 is to provide the public with further enriching arts experiences and to promote interest in and recognition of the accomplishments of Iowa artists. The competition for Iowa Crafts: 43 is open to all residents of Iowa above high school age. Entries include: clay, fiber, metal/wood, jewelry, and other craft media. All works are to be orginal, entirely by the entering artist, and completed since September 2015. Exhibit will be on display until January 3, 2017. Exhibit open during normal museum hours.  https://macniderart.org/

December 8, 2017

Winter North Iowa Farmers Market -  Located at Willowbrook Mall, 1631 4^th St SW from 10am -2pm.  Enjoy the good old home grown fruits and vegetables and homemade baked goods. www.northiowafarmersmarket.com

December 8, 2017

Holiday MacNider: Off the Clock - Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, 303 2^nd St. SE (641-421-3666). Complimentary wine and appetizers are available throughout the event, in addition to live music by Sam Crosser. Visitors can mingle with friends and coworkers as they explore the galleries and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. This is a FREE event and is open to the public. Event Time: 5pm-7pm. https://macniderart.org/

December 9, 2017

"Best Christmas Pageant Ever" Stebens Children Theatre, 616 N. Delaware (641-424-9802). Barbara Robinson’s American modern classic. You won’t believe the mayhem when the Herdmans meet the Christmas story in a head-on collision. “One of the best Christ-mas stories ever- and certainly the funniest. Show time: 7:00pm. Tickets: Adults $13 – youth 18 and under $10. Please call 641-424-9802 to order yours today. http://www.stebensct.com/

December 8-December 30, 2017

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - The Music Man Square, 308 S. Pennsylvania Ave. (641.424.2852). A beautiful holiday display featuring music by composer and Mason City native Meredith Willson, including his holiday classic "It's Beginning to look A LOT like Christmas".  Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 1pm-5pm. Closed Monday & Holidays. Admission: $10 adults, $5 students. Children 6 & under free.  http://www.themusicmansquare.org/

December 9, 2017

Tuba Christmas - Southbridge Mall, 100 S. Federal Avenue (641-423-6688). The 31^st Annual Tube Christmas concert will perform favorite Christmas carols with over 100 tubas, baritone, saxophone and euphonium musicians from across the state. Performances will begin at 1pm.

December 9, 2017

FREE Pictures with Santa - Willlowbrook Mall, 1631 4^th St SW.  11am-1pm bring your camera and get a FREE photo with Santa!

December 9, 2017

Holiday Open House - Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, 303 2^nd St. SE (641-421-3666). The MacNider Art Museum will be filled with children's activities from 1pm-4pm. Young artists will be able to participate in a variety of make-and- take activities throughout the Museum. Children will have the opportunity to meet with Santa Claus, during this seasonal celebration that provides entertainment for both adults and children. https://macniderart.org/

December 9, 2017

Roller Skating - Roller City, 600 2^nd NW (641-423-2000). Morning Skate: 10am-12pm - A slower pace geared towards younger families, $10 per family. Afternoon Skate: 1pm-4pm - The most popular session for parties and larger groups, $6 per skater. Night Skate: 7pm-10pm - Most popular skating session with Jackpot Dice Game and much more, $8 per skater. www.myrollercity.com

December 9, 2017

Holiday Spectacular – Fat Hill Brewing, 17 N. Federal Ave (641-423-0737). Join Fat Hill Brewing for a FULL day of festive activities – Santa hats, a sleigh’s worth of winter beer, and a 12-foot Christmas tree…so we’re ready to party! Schedule as follows: Noon – doors open and a special one-time-only holiday flavors infused beer is on tap! 1pm-4pm- Local Hand-Made Gifts Fair; 5pm-onwards: Come-And-Go Ugly Sweater Contest. Wear your ugliest, craziest, most awesome holiday gear – sign up at the bar to enter. 6:30pm-7:30pm – Holiday music from Over the Hill Brass Band from Clear Lake. Hear all of your favorites! https://www.facebook.com/events/2023730104572135/

December 10, 2017

Santa Sunday at Music Man Square - The Music Man Square, 308 S. Pennsylvania Ave. (641.424.2852). Join us each Sunday in December to take a picture with Santa. Adults $10, Students 18 and younger $5, age 6 and under free; Holiday Family Pass $20 (pass is good any Sunday in November 18-December 30) http://www.themusicmansquare.org/

December 10, 2017

"Best Christmas Pageant Ever" Stebens Children Theatre, 616 N. Delaware (641-424-9802). Barbara Robinson’s American modern classic. You won’t believe the mayhem when the Herdmans meet the Christmas story in a head-on collision. “One of the best Christ-mas stories ever- and certainly the funniest. Show time: 2:00pm. Tickets: Adults $13 – youth 18 and under $10. Please call 641-424-9802 to order yours today. http://www.stebensct.com/

Christmastime Is Here!

(Some content courtesy DSM Register)

DEC. 8-10

Ballet Des Moines Presents ‘The Nutcracker’

It wouldn’t be the holidays without a performance of “The Nutcracker,” the most famous Tchaikovsky ballet known around the world. See it performed by Ballet Des Moines in its 16th production at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave.

Tickets are $28-$73 at hoytsherman. org. 7 p.m.

DEC. 9

Time for Three: Holiday Concert

The Civic Music Association presents the groundbreaking trio Time for Three (Tf3) for a special holiday performance. Tf3 defies traditional classification, instead blending elements of classical, country western, gypsy and jazz to form its own unique sound. 7:30 p.m., with preconcert beginning at 6:30.

Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University, 2507 University Ave.

Tickets are $10-$55 at civicmusic. org.

DEC. 11

Jewel’s Handmade Holiday Tour

In this special concert event, Grammy-nominated songwriter and New York Times bestselling author and poet Jewel welcomes her family to help her share some of their family traditions on the Homestead in Alaska and perform traditional and original holiday songs, as well as Jewel classics. During the preshow, guests can make handmade, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. 7:30 p.m. Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. Tickets start at $49 at hoytsherman.org.

DEC. 14

Sara Evans - At Christmas Tour

Hear multi-platinum entertainer Sara Evans perform live at Hoyt Sherman Place for a special Christmas concert event. The country star has five number-one singles under her belt, including “Born to Fly” and “A Little Bit Stronger.” Smithfield will also perform. 8 p.m. 1501 Woodland Ave.

Christmas At The MacNider

Christmas By The Lake, Clear Lake, IA

The Official Cupcakes of MusicArtLife!

Across from the post office, downtown Mason City

www.grandmasugars.com

641-430-6534

Special orders and delivery available

My column for December--Bruce Wasenius

Dear Visitor. 1 December 2017
Hello there!
Well here we are with 11 months done and this last 31 days up to another year.
Sitting in the recliner with indoor/outdoor cat Porthos in my lap, the fire marshal says we have reached it's limit. I'm looking back at the year almost gone.
It's been one year in a couple of days since I went back to "work". I've always said I'm only good at a couple if things and one involves music and a microphone. So I am glad to be able to do it again. I get involved with planning the programs I want to do and promoting the show through the week.
Things here at home have been rolling along as we are coming to five years since we moved to Plymouth which has a population of less than 400. Life has a way of moving along at it's own pace and now we're down to the last year of high school and another new chapter.
It's that time of year again in this part of the country when you haven't seen a mosquito in months, bugs have gone south and even ants stay underground.
You can leave the butter out and it won't melt, no need for "chip clips" because there's no humidity.
It's even kind of nice in it's own way seeing the seasons change. The fields have all been harvested and the land is fallow. Green fades away and gray takes it's place. It will be all white again before the month is over.
That's about all for now.
I hope I have big news to start the new year.
Take care.
Love
Me.

Brian Regan Live in Des Moines, Dec. 1

Named one of the favorite stand-up comedians of comedy legends Jerry Seinfeld and Patton Oswald, among others, Brian Regan has established himself as one of the funniest performers of our time. His 2015 special “Brian Regan: Live from Radio City Music Hall” was the first time Comedy Central has ever aired a live broadcast of a standup special. See him perform live at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. 8 p.m. Tickets are $49.50 at hoytsherman.org.