'Tis the Season

Book-bound and exhausted by the inexorable weight of academia? Renew your spirits with more than a glass of warm apple cider and a session of channel surfing. You may think you have exhausted all the options, but with the holidays right around the corner, JMU and Shenandoah Valley organizations are offering numerous events to rechannel your stress. From religious organizations to secular entertainment venues, one has an endless amount of diversions during the two weeks before Winter Break.

Abandon thoughts of voodoo-inflicted harm on your most overbearing professor and take advantage of the revitalizing options provided. Here are some of the holiday options.

Court Square Theater
The Theater Four players will perform "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" at 10 a.m. on Dec. 6 and 7. Tickets are on sale in advance or at the door for $3.50. Call 433-9189 for ticket reservations.

"Nuncracker," a zany Christmas version of the popular and hilarious show "Nunsense" will be recreated in a performance by the Waynesboro players. The show takes place Dec. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale in advance for $8 for students and $11 for general admission and can be purchased at the door for $13.

Court Square Theater will feature local and regional talent in "The 1944 Radio Christmas Show" Dec. 13 through 15. The bulk of the show is comprised of a musical version of "The Gift of the Magi." In addition, the show will include re-inventions of vintage commercials and radio sing-alongs from the year 1944. "We have had numerous calls and e-mails to the office raving about the show. People who have seen it seem to be really excited about it," Court Square employee John Meyer said.

Black Student Alliance
BSA is sponsoring a jazz night at Taylor Down Under Friday, Dec. 7 from 7 to 11 p.m. The organization is bringing in two musical groups from Washington, D.C. — Vejandi Cortet and Urban Minds. It is free and open to everyone.

Shenandoah Valley
Dickens of a Christmas is an unconventional celebration that will occur in downtown Roanoke on Dec. 7 and 14 at 6 p.m. This will be a Victorian Christmas celebration including community caroling, storytelling and horse-drawn carriage rides throughout the streets of downtown Roanoke. Santa's Workshop, a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and a Christmas Victorian Parade also will be at the event. For more information on this and other events in surrounding towns, call the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce at (540) 342-2028 or check out the Web site at www.shenandoah.org/calendar/index.html.

Hillel Counselorship
On Sunday, Dec. 9 from 4 to 6 p.m. there will be an off-campus Hanukkah party sponsored by Hillel Counselorship. Junior Ellie Gibberman, Hillel's president, said, "The objective of the event is to have fun, to remember our heritage, take a break from stress and to spend time together." For more information, check Hillel's Web site at www.jmu.edu/orgs/hillelcounsel.

A Hanukkah dinner for the new members of the local Beth El Synagogue will be held on Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. However, the location has yet to be determined. Refer to the Hillel Counselorship Web site for more details.

WMRA
Tune your radio to 90.7 AM — Harrisonburg's NPR radio station, WMRA on Dec. 9 to 16 for several Hanukkah specials. "Chanuka: It's story in words & song" will air Monday, Dec. 10 at 10 p.m. Hanukkah history from medieval to modern times will be shared.

"The Golden Dreidl: A Klezmer 'Nutcracker'" will air on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. This holiday story will be set to "Nutcracker" music performed by the Shirim Klezmer Orchestra.

"Chanuka Lights" will air on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. "Chanuka Lights" is a series of stories that conjure up rich traditions of the past and present.

On Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., "Chanuka: One People Many Stories" will air, featuring three stories framed by the music of Gordon Lustig. For more information, check WMRA's Web site at www.jmu.edu/wmra.

Catholic Campus Ministry
A traditional midnight mass will be held Saturday, Dec. 8 at CCM, located off South Main Street. Arrive early to get a seat and be prepared to sing some Christmas carols. In addition, a December mass will be held in Grafton-Stovall Theatre Dec. 9 at 9 p.m.

Spread holiday cheer and sing Christmas carols at Camelot Nursing Home Thursday, Dec. 13. Meet at the CCM house at 6:15 p.m. For further information, contact Kevin at kostickj@jmu.edu or visit the CCM Web site at www.jmu.edu/orgs/catholiccm.

Intervarsity Christian Organization
On Saturday, Dec. 8, the organization will sponsor a Christmas-theme, semi-formal dance at Melrose from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The tickets are $8 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Bring a date or go solo.

Agape Christian Fellowship
On Friday, Dec. 7, ACF's last large group meeting will be held in Zane Showker G-5 at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 8, ACF will hold its annual Christmas Party at 7 p.m. in the Airport Lounge (4th Floor Warren Hall). The Christmas party is semi-formal attire only. Immediately following the event, the party will convene at a local restaurant to eat. The restaurant is yet to be determined.