Holiday celebrations abound in Murray
Nov 26, 2018 10:10AM ● By Shaun Delliskave
Santa will be making many stops throughout Murray in December. (Photo courtesy Mike Findlay)
By Shaun Delliskave | [email protected]
Looking to get into the holiday spirit this December? You need not look too far to indeed have a Murray holiday celebration.
Tree lighting and festivals
What better way to start December right than to attend the annual tree-lighting ceremony at Murray City Hall. Come kick off the holiday season with Santa and Mrs. Claus as they arrive by “Fire Engine Express” to magically light Murray’s newly planted live Christmas tree on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. Afterward, Santa and Mrs. Claus will hand out special treats to children indoors, and holiday music will be presented by the Hillcrest Junior High School choir. Parking will be available on the east side of City Hall (5025 State St.).
Murray Library (166 E. 5300 South) will host Holiday Palooza, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The holiday extravaganza will feature a photo booth, crafts, story time, a scavenger hunt, songs, and Santa. This program is free.
Everyone is invited to the Holiday Boutique at the Murray Senior Recreation Center (10 E. 6150 South), Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thirteen community artists will be selling handmade crafts in addition to the offerings on the Center’s craft table. Handmade items are currently being requested for the Center’s boutique table (new items only, please donate anytime). All proceeds from this table will benefit the Center’s fundraising efforts.
Murray seniors (55+) are invited to the Senior Recreation Center’s Holiday Buffet, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7. The cost is $8 and includes lunch and entertainment by the Murray High School Madrigal Choir. Up to seven tickets (per table) may be purchased by an individual. Cancellation deadline is Wed., Nov. 21. Please call the Center to register for this buffet at (801) 284-4237.
Wheeler Farm (6351 S. 900 East) Holiday Market will happen 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9. The activity barn will have Santa Claus inside posing for pictures with kids along with unique gifts for sale.
Theater
The kings of parody at Desert Star Playhouse will present their annual holiday offering, this time taking on Dr. Seuss’s classic character The Grinch, in “How the Grouch Stole Christmas: Green Eggs & Hilarious Hams.” Lampooning the classic children’s book “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” and just in time for Hollywood’s third offering of “The Grinch” (now in theatres) Desert Star’s main-stage production will be showing until Jan. 5. Tickets and info can be found online at www.desertstar.biz.
Michael McLean brings his 2018 regional tour of “The Forgotten Carols” to Murray, Dec. 19-22 at Cottonwood High School (5715 S. 1300 East). “The Forgotten Carols” tells the story of Connie Lou, a nurse whose empty life is changed when Uncle John, a new patient she is attending, recounts the story of Jesus’s birth as told by little-known characters in the nativity story. The accounts from the innkeeper, the shepherd, and others help the nurse discover what the world has forgotten about Christmas, ultimately encouraging her to open her heart to the joy of this special season. Tickets and information can be found online at www.forgottencarols.com.
Dance
Dreaming of sugar plum fairies dancing through your head? Then head to the Ballet Centre’s production of “A Christmas Dream,” 7 p.m., Dec. 18-20 at the Ballet Centre (4907 S. Poplar St.). The annual production will present Centre faculty and students performing their annual holiday ballet and dance routines. More information can be found online at theballetcentreinmurray.com.
Music
It’s not a Murray celebration without the Murray Symphony putting on their annual pops concert. Join the symphony in celebrating the holiday season with classic songs including “Sleigh Ride,” selections from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Russian Christmas music. The concert will be Dec. 8, 7 p.m., at Hillcrest Jr. High School (178 E. 5300 South). Information can be found online at www.murraysymphony.org.
This year’s KUTV Holiday Pops Concert with music director Sterling Poulson will feature the 100-voice Choral Arts Society of Utah and the West Valley Symphony of Utah, featuring guest artist Jason Lyle Black, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 8 at Cottonwood High School (5715 S. 1300 East).
Black, “The Backwards Piano Man,” is an award-winning pianist, composer, and entertainer, known for his performance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and for his 30 million music-video views worldwide. In 2015, Black created a music video of Disney’s “Frozen” that went on to be featured by “Huffington Post,” “Good Morning America,” and other national news outlets.
Benefits from the KUTV concert will support the KUTV 2News Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. More information can be found online at casu.org.
