Wealth of entertainment options on tap in area this week for the holiday season – The Herald-Times

Connie Shakalis| Guest columnist

A packed week of entertainment is on the way, withsinging, dancing, comedy, poetry and theater, along with a look ahead to a children's theater classic over the holidays. These events are just some of the options on tap this week:

I'm afraid of Singing Hoosiers shows. I'm afraid of my impulsive nature. I'm afraid I'll run to the stage steps, take them three at a time and elbow a few sopranos. I won't be wearing red sequins, but I'll be belting and waltzing.

On Saturday, this year's Indiana University's Singing Hoosiers program, "Chimes of Christmas," again offers song and dance.

"You will hear music of 17th century Italy, early 20th century England, and 21st century Broadway," said director Chris Albanese. "I am excited to present such a meaningful variety of music, along with collaborating again with the IU Childrens Choir and IU Wind Ensemble with conductors Julia Shaw and Rodney Dorsey.

More: Bloomington Chamber Singers to perform holiday pieces by Britten

Participation in the Grammy-nominated Singing Hoosiers show choir is open to any IU student by audition. Unfortunately, I don't qualify. That's why storming the stage is my only option.

WHAT: The Singing Hoosiers' Chimes of Christmas.

WHEN: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: Indiana University Auditorium, 1211 E. Seventh St.

TICKETS:https://bit.ly/3kVumUL.

He was a "skinny redheaded kid living in a Florida town of blond-haired, blue-eyed surfers," and he resented his carrot top. These days, he embraces those wild orangey curls. Scott Carrot Top Thompson has been making worldwide audiences guffaw for more than three decades. He's coming to do thesame Tuesday at the Brown County Music Center.

Carrot Top's college roommate urged him to sign up for an open mic one night. Later, he debuted on Star Search and became one of the world's most distinguishable entertainers. Fans fill Las Vegas' Luxor Hotel and Casino, where he has a steady gig. So steady, in fact, that he is looking forward to touring for a change.

"I love people, always have, and I love interacting with them," he said over the phone. "We don't usually get to tour anymore" (now that he's got a residency at the Luxor).

What makes Carrot Top'sstandup different from all the other male comedians? Hehas a niche, seemingly unfillable by anyone else. He designs and makes his own props thousands of them because his schtick is all about props. When he began touring hhad two trunks and a strobe light. Now he travels in an 18-wheeler with 35 trunks full of props. He uses about 200 per show, and each show is different.

More: YouTube star Lindsey Stirling on tap in Brown County; BSO plans 3 holiday concerts

My personal favorite is the beer bottle with a beaming light on the bottom so he can see who he's flirting withat the bar. Another good one is Hugh Hefner's bathrobe. A few of them frighten me, for Carrot Top's safety.

"Aren'tyou afraid someone, insulted, will kill you?" I asked.

"Once," he said, "I thought I might die." That was when he spoofed Mike Tyson and then ran into him elsewhere.

"I'm just messing with you," Tyson assured.

Carrot Top was on The Tonight Show in 1992, where his career exploded. After 31 appearances, Carrot Top had the distinct honor of appearing on the last episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.Carrot Tops other credits include hundreds of television programs including Live with Regis and Kelly, Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher and The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

WHAT: Carrot Top, comedian, live with hundreds of props, music and light show.

WHEN:7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

WHERE: Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., Nashville.

TICKETS:https://bit.ly/3r22mmm.

Marge Piercy has won honors including the Golden Rose, the oldest poetry award in the country. Her writing has been translated into 23 languages.

She has written 19 poetry collections, a memoir, 17 novels, five nonfiction books and a book of short stories. Piercy has given readings, lectures or workshops at more than 500 venues in the United Statesand abroad.The Bloomington poet will give a presentationon Zoom at 7:30 p.m., Saturday.

Her novels include The New York Times Bestseller "Gone to Soldiers" and the national bestsellers "Braided Lives" and "The Longings of Women."

Born in Detroit and educated at the University of Michigan and Northwestern, she has received four honorary doctorates and participates in antiwar, feminist and environmental causes.

"At Beth Shalom weve been reading her poems during our Shabbat services for many years," said Bloomington artist Jackie Olenick. "Beth Shalom welcomes Marge Piercy on the seventh day of Chanukah to bring her shining light into our community."

"The Boston Globe" said, Marge Piercy is not just an author, shes a cultural touchstone. Few writers in modern memory have sustained her passion, and skill, for creating stories of consequence.

WHAT: Poet Marge Piercy reads her work during Chanukah on Zoom, sponsored by Congregation Beths Shalom art and culture and adult education committee.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

HOW: Zoom. Call the Beth Shalom office, 812-334-2440, to obtain the Zoom link.

Love songs by Jewish composers will fill the Bloomington Academy of Film & Theatre's studio during Jewish Theatre of Bloomington's Fundraiser Cabaret at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Sheryl Doades is coordinating the evening of music, as well as performing with Eric Doades, Kenny Hertling, Kathleen McConahay, Rachel Morrow, Anne Slovin, Garrett Thompson and maybe a couple of others. Brian Samarzea directs the musicand Darrell Ann Stone will emcee.

"My Defenses are Down" from "Annie, Get Your Gun" by Irving Berlin,"If I Loved You" from Richard Rogersand Oscar Hammerstein's' "Carousel" and "If I Were a Bell" from Frank Loesser's "Guys and Dolls" are on the docket.

WHAT: Jewish Theatre of Bloomington Fundraiser Cabaret, "Fall in Love with JTB."

WHEN: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: Bloomington Academy of Film & Theatre's studio, 411 E. Seventh St.

TICKETS:jewishtheatrebloomington.com.

Out of (the audience's) sight, out of mind: the lonely but mighty music director. This leader generates conflict or smooths nicked egos. Get a good one, and a cast can soar without scheming to croak one another.

Brandon Magid holds this central position for Cardinal's "A Year with Frog and Toad," coming Dec.21-Jan.2 to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

"This is such an earnest, wonderful children's show, without pandering or talking down to the kids," he told me backstage at another theater last week. Robert Reale wrote the music, with book and lyrics by Willie Reale, based on books by Arnold Lobel.

Magid has worked on Broadway and as accompanist and coach for New York University, Northwestern University and Interlochen Center for the Arts. He will guidethe cast through this tale of best-friend amphibians, frolicsome Frog and intolerant Toad.

WHAT: "A Year with Frog and Toad," a musical by Robert Reale (music), with book and lyrics by Willie Reale, based on books by Arnold Lobel.

WHEN: Dec. 21-Jan. 2

WHERE: Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.

TICKETS:https://cardinalstage.org/kids/frog-and-toad/.

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Wealth of entertainment options on tap in area this week for the holiday season - The Herald-Times