It’s not officially winter yet, but events are taking a decidedly chilly and Christmasy turn as we slide into December. If you long for songs and decorations of the season, this is the month for you. More events can be found in the calendar.
DEC. 6 AND 8
The Clarkston High School Drama Club will stage a wintry, comedic murder mystery, “Sleighed to Death,” beginning at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 8 in the CHS auditorium.
The play, by Peter Gordon, is a sendup in the vein of an Agatha Christy play, according to a news release. It also will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13-15 with a matinee at 2 p.m. Dec. 15.
Cost is $10 regular price and $7 for students and seniors, and tickets are available only at the door. Attendees who would like to see the production again may return with their ticket stub to get a ticket for only $5.
The school is at 401 Chestnut St.
DEC. 6
The 2018 Winterfest in downtown Colfax from noon to 8 tonight Dec. 6 visits with Santa Claus, a lighted parade and fireworks.
Santa will visit the Colfax Library from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. and the Festival of Trees and Art will be open from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Center at Colfax Library. Santa will join the lighted parade as it moves down Main Street beginning at 6 p.m., and fireworks will be lit from the hillside above downtown following the parade.
The festival also will feature craft booths, food, live music and a Christmas tree lighting.
DEC. 7
The Valley Art Center’s annual Miniature Show, featuring more than 40 smallish works by artists from around the region, opens with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Clarkston gallery.
The free opening will feature refreshments and light appetizers.
Regular gallery hours are 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday at the center, 842 Sixth St.
The show will continue through Dec. 29.
DEC. 7
Sounds of the holiday season will fill the Kibbie Dome at the University of Idaho in Moscow from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 7 during the 29th annual Jazz Choirs Holiday Concert.
The popular concert is created by Daniel Bukvich, director of the UI Jazz Choir and a UI distinguished professor. It features 500 youths from around the region joining the faculty and students of the Lionel Hampton School of Music in performing holiday favorites. While the concert is free, cash donations are accepted to benefit scholarships in the UI Lionel Hampton School of Music.
The event will be live-streamed at https://www.uidaho.edu/news/ui-live, according to a news release, and a 60-minute edited version of the 2017 UI concert will air on Idaho Public Television at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Dec. 25.
DEC. 8
The Pierce GEM Team’s annual fundraiser, Festival of Trees, will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Pierce Community Center.
The nonprofit group’s event will feature a live auction of donated seasonal gift baskets, wreaths, trees and a variety of artisan items. Leroy Kuykendall will be auctioneer, and live music will be provided by guitarist and vocalist Shania Rales.
The event also will feature door prizes, refreshments and a children’s craft room.
DEC. 9
The venerable holiday ballet, “The Nutcracker,” will be staged by the Eugene Ballet at 3 p.m. Dec. 9 in Washington State University’s Beasley Coliseum in Pullman.
In addition to the 20-member professional company, 30 students from Festival Dance in Moscow will perform in the production. The Eugene Ballet brings “The Nutcracker” to the region every other year.
Cost is $15 to $45 and tickets are available at the Beasley box office or through TicketsWest, www.ticketswest.com.
DEC. 10
Seattle-based film and television director Megan Griffiths will hold a free screening of her newest film, “SADIE,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Borah Theater of the Bruce M. Pitman Center at the University of Idaho in Moscow.
Griffiths, a 1997 UI graduate, will answer questions from the audience following the film. She has written and directed multiple films including “Lucky Them” starring Toni Collette, Thomas Haden Church and Johnny Depp, and “The Night Stalker” starring Lou Diamond Phillips.
“SADIE,” the winner of the 2018 Gryphon Jury Award, is the story of an impoverished 13-year-old girl waiting for her irresponsible father to return from repeated tours in the military, according to a news release. Sadie (Sophia Mitri Schloss) idolizes her father and preserves his place on the homefront, despite the misgivings of her mother.
DEC. 11
Two barbershop harmony groups will present a benefit concert, “A Cappella Christmas,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 in Moscow’s Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre.
The women’s group, Inland Harmony Chorus, and the men’s group, Palouse Harmony Chorus, will perform standard Christmas songs, some well-known sing-along hymns and carols, and a few lesser-known songs of the season, according to a news release.
Admission is by donation, which will benefit Family Promise of the Palouse and Family Promise of Lewis Clark Valley, nonprofit organizations that help homeless families.
The center is at 508 S. Main St.
