It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Today as I was driving over to nearby Lima to perform a kids’ concert with the Lima Symphony, I witnessed the first snow of the year.  If you live in or around Van Wert, you probably saw some snow falling, but I don’t believe it turned our area into the winter wonderland it did the closer I drove to Lima.  Although by now, most of the snow has probably disappeared, it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas; or at least how many of us hope for it to look each year.

This week we turn the calendar to November and realize that memories of concerts in Fountain Park are quickly disappearing in the rearview mirror.  We also realize that a very exciting and beautiful time of the year is quickly coming upon us.  As the snow and winds blow, we turn our thoughts toward family and more indoor activities.

This leads me to the show coming to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center this Saturday at 1 p.m.  ImaginOcean, a wonderful, colorful black-light puppet show is a magical undersea adventure for kids of all ages.  It is actually a live, glow-in-the-dark family musical written by Broadway producer John Tartaglia.  Tank, Bubbles, and Dorsel are best friends who just happen to be fish (of course!), and they are about to set out on a remarkable journey of discovery.  It should be lots of fun for the kids and those who love to see kids have fun!  Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Things get a little more serious then on Thursday, November 8, as the U.S. Army will invade Van Wert.  The U.S. Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus will take the stage for another great concert as we celebrate Veteran’s Day a couple days early.  These military music concerts are always some of my favorite and we are honored any time we can welcome one of them to the NPAC.  Tickets are free and can be picked up at the NPAC box office or at the Times-Bulletin office on Fox Road.  We thank The Times-Bulletin for helping sponsor this concert.

If you’ve never heard about Igudesman & Joo, I suggest you “Google” them and support my daughter’s employer … or, I mean, learn about these two funny men of the classical music world.  I am told over and over that young and old love their performances.  They come to the NPAC in concert on Sunday, November 11, for a 3 p.m. matinee.

We then get into the Christmas Season with the Oak Ridge Boys (waiting list now being accepted for tickets), the Osmond Brother’s Christmas Show (soon to be sold-out), Ceci Wiselogel’s talk about the Legends of Christmas (something we all need to be reminded of), and then our biggest Broadway show of the year, Shrek: the Musical for two big performances on Saturday, December 22.

Two local musical events I need to remind you of are Messiah chorus rehearsals begin this Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert.  It always gets me excited about Christmas to start Messiah rehearsals.  If you enjoy singing, come join us and experience the joy of singing in an exciting and meaningful chorus.  If you don’t have music, don’t worry- we’ll have books!

One last local event I will mention is the Crestview High School Musical, A Year with Frog and Toad, which will be performed this weekend, November 2 and 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets may be purchased at the door.  It should be a lot of fun and they have some very talented students under the direction of Mrs. Danille Hancock.

FINÉ.