EVENTS ROUNDUP: All things holiday

The holiday season is in full swing, as our weekly offering of entertainment options curated from the Inland 360 events calendar reflects. Many more arts and culture opportunities can be found in the events calendar.

TriState Health Foundation’s Festival of Trees starts Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge, 17500 Nez Perce Road, Lewiston.

The annual event begins with a gathering around the Memorial Tree of Lights from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, where loved ones can be remembered and celebrated. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the remembrance ceremony, presented by Merchant Funeral Group.

Community Day, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, is a chance for the public to view elaborately decorated trees that will be auctioned Saturday. Cookies, coffee, hot chocolate and cider will be available, and “Santa’s favorite lady” Mrs. Pockets will be on hand with treats in her apron pockets.

There also will be both online and in-person silent auctions for a variety of wreaths and miniature trees; more information and bidding is at tsh.org/onlineauction-fot.

The event culminates in a gala dinner, live auction and dancing to music by The Katz Band from 5-11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Tickets, $160, are at tsh.org/fot-gala.


Ballet Victoria ’s production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” comes to Moscow for performances at 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec, 3., at the Hartung Theatre, 625 Stadium Drive, on the University of Idaho campus.

The nonprofit Festival Dance and Performing Arts Association brings the company from Victoria, Canada, to the Palouse, where more than 20 local youths join the cast for the classic holiday ballet. The story follows young Clara and her wooden nutcracker soldier brought to life as they encounter the Mouse King and explore the Kingdom of Sweets.

Tickets, $40 for adults and $25 for children 12 and younger, are at givebutter.com/nutcrackerbv. Ballet Victoria has produced nearly 100 new works, including 10 full-length ballets, and toured in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, according to a Festival Dance news release.


Holiday shoppers can explore the 25th annual Beadwork Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Nez Perce National Historical Park, 39063 U.S. Highway 95, Lapwai.

Local artists will sell traditional and contemporary artwork, including beaded jewelry, and will give demonstrations throughout the day. Admission is free.

The event is the last at the park’s visitor center until spring, as it closes Sunday for a remodeling project. More information is at nps.gov/nepe.


The Star of Wonder Holiday Celebration, from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Washington State University in Pullman, features a variety of performances from the WSU School of Music.

The concert at Bryan Hall Theatre, 605 Veterans Way, includes the school’s choral ensembles, symphony orchestra, selected student chamber ensembles and a holiday singalong.

The event also includes online and in-person silent auctions, proceeds from which support music student scholarships. The online auction can be accessed via QR code at bit.ly/WSUholidaycelebration.


Fans of absurd comedy can indulge in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” 48½-year anniversary screenings from 7-9 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Dec. 3-4, at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, 508 S. Main St., Moscow.
The now-classic spoof of the Arthurian legend features the British comedy troupe of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin on a surreal quest.

Sunday’s screening features the standard theatrical version while Monday’s is a special quote-along version of the PG-rated film.

Tickets, $8, are at kenworthypac.square.site.