Holiday happenings in ’Hooville

U.Va. hosts a variety of concerts and festivities to stoke the holiday spirit.
The student group Jubilate will perform “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. in the Chapel, and Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. in the University Baptist Church.

Join the Virginia Glee Club for its annual Christmas Concerts Dec. 5 at 8:15 p.m., and Dec. 7 at 7 & 9:30 p.m. in Old Cabell Hall. Cost: $12 general public, $5 students.

Practice your scales for the Messiah Sing-In Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. in Old Cabell. Cost: $5.

The Oratorio Society will perform its holiday candlelight concert Dec. 15 at 3:30 p.m. in Old Cabell Hall. Cost: $15 adults, $12 youth.

The Second Annual Lighting of the Lawn will be Dec. 5 from 7-9 p.m. Most pavilions will be open. Singing a few carols will be part of the celebration, and back by popular demand, men’s basketball coach Pete Gillen will say a few words.

At the annual Artisans’ Bazaar Dec. 6-8, Newcomb Hall Ballroom will be transformed into a market for artisans’ crafts, from handwoven baskets to wooden toys. Live music and door prizes accent the atmosphere. Free and open to the community Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. On the weekend, student volunteers will provide activities for children.

The community will observe Kwanzaa Dec. 7 from 2 to 6 p.m. in Runk Dining Hall at Hereford College. This year’s festival focuses on “Kuumba” (creativity). Kwanzaa, which means “first fruits of the harvest” and was begun in 1966, is neither political nor religious, and is not a substitute for Christmas. Kwanzaa focuses on the traditional African values of family, community, responsibility, commerce and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is typically celebrated Dec. 26-Jan. 1.

The Office of African-American Affairs is seeking students, organizations and teams to help with activity tables explaining the principles of Kwanzaa and to offer their artistic talents. Contact Teresa Witcher at tjw7a@virginia.edu.

Works by local, national and international artists will be auctioned by silent bid at the Seventh Annual Holiday Art Auction, “Seeing Double,” at the University Art Museum Dec. 7, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event also features a drawing for prizes, including a signed copy of “Sam Abell: The Photographic Life.” Proceeds will support the museum’s Summer Art Camp, serving more than 90 local youth, half of whom receive need-based scholarships. Tickets are $40 for museum members and $50 for nonmembers. Call 243-8874.

Donate a Light of Love for the annual tree lighting Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2:30 p.m. in the University Hospital main lobby, and come for caroling, too. Proceeds benefit the U.Va. Cancer Center Patient and Family Education and Support Fund. Call 924-5251.

The U.Va. community is invited to attend President John T. Casteen III’s Holiday Open House Dec. 10, 3-6 p.m., at Carr’s Hill.