The Observer, December 8, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 13
Celebrating the holidays with traditions
To most students, December means finals; in fact, if you're anything like me, you'll spend most of December holed up in one of the library study rooms, and only emerge a few hours before your flight home to frantically throw things in suitcases and wonder how the hell you're going to get everything to the airport. This year, take it easy, and revel in all the holiday-themed joys our fair city has to offer. Here are just a few:
The Nutcracker – Guest companies traditionally perform this holiday favorite in Cleveland. For the 2006 season, the Cincinnati Ballet Company is dancing to the music of Tchaikovsky at Playhouse Square from now until Dec. 10. For tickets, visit the Playhouse Square Center website at www.playhousesquare.org or call the ticket office at 216-771-8403 or 800-352-0212.
A Christmas Carol by the Great Lakes Theater Festival – Nothing will put you in the mood to hoard the money you were going to spend on presents for your friends and family quite like A Christmas Carol. Sure, you may have grown up with the Muppet version or the Bill Murray version, but get back to basics with the Great Lakes Theater Festival production of the classic Dickens story, which runs until Dec.23. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the Playhouse Square box office at 216-241-6000.
WinterShow 2006 at the Cleveland Botanical Garden – If you're not in the mood to sit through an evening of holiday-themed pageantry, take a stroll over to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, which is transforming itself into a Gingerbread Dreams fantasyland in honor of the holiday season. Features will include large gingerbread houses with window vignettes, lights, trees, and all sorts of holiday goodies. The show will run until Dec. 31. For student tickets, visit Crawford Hall.
Ice skating at the Cleveland Heights Recreation Center – While the cold and ice remain novelties this winter, visit the Cleveland Heights Recreation Center for a little free skating. Of course, this activity is best enjoyed with friends or others who you may enjoy watching fall on their butts. Free skate times vary throughout the week, but are available from 6:30-8 p.m. on Friday and 8- 9:30 p.m. on Saturday evenings. For complete times, call 216-691-7373.
Visit the lighting display at Nela Park – The holiday lighting display at the General Electric Lighting Center in Nela Park in East Cleveland has been a noted Cleveland tradition since 1925. The fanciful lighting display, very appropriate for the site, borders GE's property along Noble Road from now through New Year's Day. Nela Park is located at 1975 Noble Rd., East Cleveland.
Of course, these are just a few of the events going on around Cleveland in honor of the holidays. Take some time this month and check them out!
