Classical: Powerful teaming for holiday concert
Tonight-Saturday. Two of the region’s more enthusiastic musical ensembles, the Evergreen Chorale and the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, team for an ambitious holiday program this weekend. The performance starts off big with Bach’s “Magnificat in D Major,” complete with soloists, the 95-member choir and 46 musicians from the orchestra. Also in the lineup: John Rutter’s “What Sweeter Music,” “Carol of the Magi” with cello solo, and the Spanish song “Esta Noche.” Christine Gaudreau, who has been leading her chorus to bigger things lately, conducts. 7:30 p.m. tonight, Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 Sherman St., and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Rockland Community Church, 17 S. Mount Vernon Country Club Road, Golden. $15-$22. 303-674-4002 or . – Ray Mark Rinaldi
Choral music: A concert in your living room, via CPR
Monday. Denver-based choir Canto Deo describes itself as “a community serving each other and the world with compassion and humility.” It also serves up some serious choral music under the direction of Jonathan Brown. Its annual holiday concert is sold out (well, it doesn’t charge, so let’s just say it’s full), but you can still hear it courtesy of Colorado Public Radio, which will broadcast live from Aurora’s Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Parish. The concert will feature the choir, which calls itself Christian, though non-denominational, on “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and other favorites with a full orchestra. CPR’s Charley Samson hosts while David Rutherford appears as a narrator. 7 p.m. Dec. 22. Find CPR Classical at 88.1 FM. Info at . – Ray Mark Rinaldi
Dance: “Granny Dances” unlike any other holiday show
through sunday. Holiday traditions that truly cross cultures and religions (and that don’t include spending lots of money) are rare this time of year, but Cleo Parker Robinson’s Denver-based dance company has an answer to the crush of “Nutcracker” and “Christmas Carol” productions. “Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum,” Robinson’s sprightly, pan-cultural celebration of the season, will mark its 23rd season this year of bringing family-friendly movement to the stage. The character of Granny relives her holiday memories with a cast of dancers who invoke Christian, African, American Indian, Celtic, Jewish and Chinese holiday traditions. “Granny” finishes up its 2014 run with shows at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, and 2 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Byron Theatre at DU’s Newman Center, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. $30-$44. 303-871-7720 or . – John Wenzel
Culture party: Heebonism revels in change, tongue-in-cheek attitude
wednesday. As any successful DJ or club promoter knows, the best way to keep a party going is to change it up every so often. That’s what has kept Heebonism — Denver’s self-aware celebration of young Jewish culture — vital for the better part of a decade. This year’s seventh installment again takes place at The 1up – Colfax barcade, with vintage video games, music from Kosha Dillz, comedy from Ben Kronberg and sets from DJs Amuse, Goodie and A/C. The party starts at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 24, with a free cocktail hour until 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $18 in advance, $25 at the door. The door price will be discounted to $20 for those who bring three non-perishable food items for Jewish Family Service of Colorado. . – John Wenzel
