December is a busy month in Beverly/Morgan Park. Here’s a list of events from Christmas tree sales to breakfast with Santa to holiday markets.
Forty artists will offer high quality artisanal items, from jewelry and knitted items to photography and ceramics at the 5th annual Uprising Holiday Market, Sun., Dec. 1, 12 to 5 p.m., Olivia’s Garden, 10730 S. Western. Find the perfect holiday gift or gift to self. Enjoy live music, raffled gift basket, dining options, and festive cocktail creations by Steering Cocktails. Not your momma’s craft fair! $5 donation requested to support the Beverly Area Arts Alliance.
Morgan Park Presbyterian Church, 2017 W. 110th Pl., presents its annual professional performance of Handel’s “Messiah” Sun., Dec. 1, 3:30 p.m. Singers from throughout the community with join the church choir and the Classic Act Ensemble and Chatham Choral Ensemble in the performance which will be conducted by Maestro Charles T. Hayes. The concert will feature Monica Perdue as Soprano, Allison Selby Cook as Alto, Jeffery Burish as Tenor, and Arthur D. Griffin, Jr. as Bass. An orchestra coordinated by David Howard will accompany the musical masterpiece. Tickets are available in advance at morganparkpres.org or 773-779-3355, $20/adults or $15/seniors and students; children under age 10 free.
Bethany Union Church, 1750 W. 103rd St., a church organized governed and supported by a community of believers who come from many backgrounds and traditions, invites neighbors to join them this month for Advent Sunday services 10:30 a.m., including the annual Build-a-Manger service and Caroling on the Corner on Dec. 22; and the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24, 9 p.m. Info: 773-779-0123 or www.bethanyunion.com.
The Lutherans have a history of singing hymn and drinking beer. According to legend, Martin Luther, the 16th century Reformer, set some of his hymns to the familiar tunes of drinking songs popular in the taverns. Hymns will be returned to the tavern as Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church hosts its second Beer & Hymns, Mon., Dec. 2, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Open Outcry Brewing Co., 10934 S. Western. All are welcome for an evening of fellowship and singing a variety of hymns and holiday songs led by Bethlehem organist David Ritter. Song sheets will be available. Open Outcry serves beverages and food, and is family–friendly. Located at 9401 S. Oakley Ave., the church invites area residents to join them this month for Advent Sunday Worship at 9:30 a.m.; Wednesday evening Advent Contemplative Services and Bible study; the Do It Yourself Nativity, Dec. 22, 9:30 a.m.; Christmas Eve services at 3 and 10 p.m.; and Christmas Carol Worship, Dec. 29, 9:30 a.m. Info: 773-445-7558 or www.bethlehem-chicago.org.
Chicago Kids Company presents “Mrs. Claus: A Holiday Musical,” selected weekdays 10:30 a.m. and noon; and Sat. Dec. 14 and 21 and Sun., Dec. 22, 1 p.m., Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. Geared to younger children, this one-hour musical gets the audience involved in helping Mrs. Claus and the elves help to save Christmas. $14 to $18, and group rates available. Tickets/info: www.chicagokidscompany.com or 773-205-9600.
Visit participating businesses between Sacramento and Pulaski for the Mount Greenwood Holiday Stroll, Fri., Dec. 6, 4 to 7 p.m. Enjoy music, special characters, raffles and holiday sales.
Vendors will be selling a wide variety of items for holiday giving, holiday decorating, as well as candy, home décor, fabric items, candles, ceramic pieces, jewelry and more at the 3rd annual Christkindl Market, Sat., Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Olivia’s Garden, 10730 S. Western. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., children can enjoy visits with Santa (with photos by Maplewood Photography), face painting and cookie decorating.
A holiday tradition that spans generations, Santa will visit the Givins Beverly Castle, 10244 S. Longwood Dr., Sat., Dec. 7, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to enjoy breakfast with families and hear Christmas wishes from the kids. $5 per person. This event is hosted by Beverly Unitarian Church.
Volunteers will be selling 100 beautiful Fraser fir Christmas tree sales at the Castle on two weekends: Dec. 7 and 8 and Dec. 14 and 15, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (open earlier on Dec. 7 during Breakfast with Santa) in the church parking lot, 10244 S. Longwood Dr. Don’t wait until the last minute! They expect to sell out!
The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus performs the holiday extravaganza, “Holidisco,” Sun., Dec. 8, 3 p.m., Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. The performance will bring disco renditions of beloved holiday favorites to the stage with tantalizing glitz and glamour. The show features eight dance numbers, five solos, and over 150 singers performing homages to Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Kool and the Gang, and even a Handel Disco Messiah. “It’s an all-ages show. Tickets are $28 at the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus website, www.cgmc.org. Seating is general admission and on a first-come, first-served basis.
The businesses at 99th and Walden Parkway invite shoppers and revelers to the Walden Holiday Market, Thurs., Dec. 12, 6 to 9 p.m. Get into the holiday spirit with shopping, music, craft cocktails and more.
“Elf the Musical Jr.” will be performed Dec. 12 through 15 in the Beverly Arts Center Baffes Theatre, 2407 W. 111th St. Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole where he is raised as an elf. When his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth that he is human, Buddy embarks on a journey to discover his true identity and bring the true meaning of Christmas to New York City. The show is performed by BAC theatre students. Thurs., Fri. and Sat. curtain time of 7 p.m., and the Sunday matinee starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 ($10 for BAC members) at 773-445-3838, or www. beverlyartcenter.org or at the BAC.
Open Outcry Brewing, 10934 S. Western, and The Christmas Tree-O presents Vince Guaraldi’s timeless, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Thurs., Dec. 19, 8:30 p.m. All 11 tracks of the 1965 classic will be performed by The Christmas Tree-O. No cover. Seating is first come, first served, and limited.
A Christmas Jazz Concert with the Lowdown Brass Band will be performed at Morgan Park Presbyterian Church, 2017 W. 110th Pl., Fri., Dec. 22, 7 p.m. Free for all ages, the community is invited join in the carol singing accompanied by Lowdown Brass. The nationally recognized band combines stellar vocal harmonies, adventurous improvisation, movement and grooves to create an infectious sound that has something for every listener. Their Christmas album, very much in the style of New Orleans, features original arrangements of Christmas classics. Free will donations accepted.
