If you aren’t in the Christmas spirit yet, this weekend is filled with opportunities to help you get there. Living Nativity scenes, musicals, lights and concerts are scheduled throughout the island. Many of them are free and children are welcome,
If you aren’t in the Christmas spirit yet, this weekend is filled with opportunities to help you get there.
Living Nativity scenes, musicals, lights and concerts are scheduled throughout the island. Many of them are free and children are welcome, so it’s a wonderful time for a family outing.
Let’s start with Kings Chapel, which is putting on its annual Christmas production, “Birthday of a King,” at 7 tonight and Sunday at Wilcox Elementary School.
This energetic musical is being performed for the second year and it’s a delight.
“It’s a different take on the Christmas story and what it means for our redemption,” Minister Vickie Franks told The Garden Island.
After several years of producing the traditional Christmas story for the community, Vickie and husband, Pastor Steve Franks, decided to try something new with “Birthday of a King.” It’s been well received. It is described as encouraging and uplifting, even life-changing.
The 90-minute production includes a cast and crew of about 60 adults and children who began rehearsals about six weeks ago to master the numerous songs and dances.
Doors open at 6:30. It is free, but donations are welcome.
Other Christmas-themed events:
Tonight
w Live Nativity: Crossroads Christian Fellowship, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. After driving through the Nativity depicting the story of Christ’s birth, people can park and enjoy various festivities under the main tent, such as free Christmas crafts for keiki, special dance and music, and food.
Crossroads has hosted this annual event for four years, blessing Kauai’s community with the Christmas spirit. Crossroads is on the Kapaa bypass road.
w Calvary Chapel Lihue Threatre presents a Christmas drama, “Hope Station:” 7 p.m., Calvary Chapel Lihue, 3-3100 Kuhio Hwy. $5. Tickets available at CCL.
It is described as “a memorable performance with music, laughter, and a message of hope for the holidays.”
The setting is Christmas Eve at a train station in New York, during World War II. After getting trapped by an avalanche, the passengers discover that everyone has a story.
w Kauai Chorale “The Colors of Christmas” concert: 7:30 p.m. Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Students, $5.
Conducted by Lois Ricciardi and accompanied by Virginia Shepherd, Kauai Chorale will perform holiday favorites including “Angels in Seven,” a special arrangement of “Hark the Herald Angles Sing” by Charles Wesley and Felix Mendelssohn, arranged by Philip Kern. “The Colors of Christmas” by John Rutter and “Deck the Hall,” the Welsh traditional carol, arranged by Mack Wilberg will also add to the holiday festivities.
w “Scrooge:” 7 p.m. Aloha Church. Christmas musical with keiki to kupuna performing with Kauai Unites Theater, a new organization between churches and the community.
Jason Hoyle will be Scrooge accompanied by Chasen Medina as Bob Cratchit, Eliana Pimentel as Mrs. Cratchit, Tristan Williams as Tiny Tim, Kawena Ventura as Kathy Cratchit and Kaiwailele Ventura as Martha Cratchit, and Jillian Badua as Jillian Cratchit. Vonn Ramos plays Tom Jenkins.
“This is on of the best musicals for this time of year,” says Kahu Rennie Mau, pastor of Ko‘olau Hui‘ia Church, Anahola.
“I’ve produced and directed this musical many times since 1970 and it’s fantastic.”
It is free, and donations are accepted.
w 20th annual Festival of Lights: 6 to 8 p.m., Historic County Building. Stop by to see the beautifully decorated trees, inside and out.
Plastic bottles, soda pull tabs, Arizona Green Tea cans and Slurpee lids are among some of the materials fabricated into hundreds of decorations and ornaments showcased every year at the annual Festival of Lights at the Historic County Building.
In its 20th year, the Festival of Lights was founded by local artist Elizabeth Freeman and was first showcased in Kilohana before being held in its current location since 1997.
“This is a delightful way for people to see what is being done now as well as a trip down memory lane,” Freeman said.
Sunday
w Birthday of a King: 7 p.m. Wilcox Elementary School. Christmas musical by Kings Chapel. Free, donations welcome.
w Living Nativity: 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Church of the Pacific, 4520 Kapaka St., Princeville. Free outdoor production. Any children or adults wishing to be a part of the pageant need to check in at the community hall by 6 p.m. to don a costume. All are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy this biblical story of the first Christmas. Refreshments to follow.
w Kauai Chorale “The Colors of Christmas” concert: 5 p.m. St. Regis Grand Ballroom. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Students, $5. Info: 822-5633
w 20th annual Festival of Lights: 6 to 8 p.m., Historic County Building.
And finally, for those who might be looking to give, the Anaina Hou Holiday Toy Drive continues at Kauai Mini Golf in Kilauea. Just drop off unwrapped toys in the gift shop and they’ll be given to boys and girls who will be thrilled on Christmas morning.
