It’s almost undeniable that most of the nostalgia felt during the holiday season directly correlates to the music and stories associated with it.
We don’t know about you, but as soon as we hear Ol’ Blue Eyes sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” or Bing Crosby croon “White Christmas” we’re all transplanted back in time, to when we were young and the holidays were the most magical time.
So, in light of that, we thought it would be helpful to include a handy dandy little ditty on where to hear some holiday tunes and/or see some holiday performances across the Hamptons. Here we have a good mix of both traditional concerts and shows along with more modern, new age takes on holiday entertainment.
Either way, they all help to keep that magical feeling from when you were young alive and well.
Southampton Town
The third annual production of A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play is at Hampton Theatre Company this weekend, starting Friday, Dec. 12 and continuing through Sunday, Dec. 14. Set for inside HTC’s headquarters, the Quogue Community Hall (125 Jessup Ave., Quogue, 631-653-8955), the radio play was adapted from the classic Charles Dickens novel for the stage by playwright Joe Landry and includes music by Kevin Connors. Recreated for live audiences with the lively energy of a 40’s-era NYC radio station, cast members include Andrew Bostford, Nicholas Auletti, Scott Joseph Butler, Rosemary Cline, George Loizides, Stephanie Moreau and Lindsey Sanchez. Surefire fun for the whole family, complimentary cookies and hot chocolate, along with a festive singalong with the troupe, will complete the celebration. Performances will be on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $18.
Center Stage‘s one night only Holiday Cabaret is at Southampton Arts Center (25 Jobs Lane, Southampton, 631-283-0967) this Saturday, Dec. 13, beginning at 7 p.m. A benefit concert for both the community-rooted theater group as well as the arts center, the show features performers of Center Stage past and present joining forces for a festive evening of song and storytelling. Blending Broadway flair with beloved winter classics, the concert features Mary Sabo, Douglas Sabo, Elizabeth Wyld, Michael Lynn Scheppes, Joey Giovingo, Tommy Rosanti, Mary Ellen Roche and Dan Becker. Tickets are $35, $30 for SAC members.
Celebrate the season with Stony Brook Southampton‘s annual Holiday Party combined with the Jazz Loft Concert, featuring Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite performed, jazz-style, by The Jazz Loft Big Band and vocalist Champian Fulton on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Avram Theater (70 Tuckahoe Road, Southampton). This festive evening includes entertainment, refreshments, and a preview of campus programs, supporting the arts on the East End. The holiday party starts in the campus library at 5:30 p.m. and is free to attend. Tickets to the concert are $36 for general admission, but if you go to the party, you can get a 50% discount. See details here.
East Hampton Town
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker will be performed by the Hampton Ballet Theatre School starting this Friday, Dec. 12, at Guild Hall (158 Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-0806) beginning at 7 p.m. Now in its 16th year of performing the beloved Christmastime classic, the ballet is choreographed by the director of HBTS, Sara Jo Strickland. The performance features beautiful costumes designed and hand sewn by Yuka Silvera, Strickland and Kate McManus. Lighting design is by Sebastian Paczynski. HBTS’ pro students Major Bovio, Leila Genender, Summer Lillie, Olivia Quinn, Shoshana Sobey, Catherine Porter, Lauren Rosario, Twyla Tracy and Talula Tracy will all dance featured roles with special guest artists Jacob Taylor as Dew Drop Prince and Harlequin, Malik Berry as Snow King and Marzipan, James Stevko as Cavalier and Nick Peregrino as the Arabian Prince and Marzipan. Performances are at 7 p.m. this Friday and Saturday (Dec. 13) with noon and 5 p.m. start times set for Sunday, Dec. 14. Tickets range from $40 to $55 in advance and $45 to $60 day of.
Hampton Ballet Theatre School’s production features both local school-aged students along with professional dancers from Manhattan. (Photo credit: Kyle Froman)
The Hamptons Festival of Music hosts a new holiday concert tradition with “Christmas Concertos: The Sound and Spirit of the Season” in Springs and East Hampton Village, including Baroque-ensemble performances featuring seasonal and classical music from the likes of Vivaldi, Handel and Corelli, blended with holiday poetry readings. Joining the Hamptons Festival of Music salon ensemble will be violinist Garry Ianco and conductor Logan Souther. On Thursday, Dec. 18, Tony-nominated actor Paul Hecht will be at the Springs Community Presbyterian Church (5 Old Stone Highway, East Hampton, 631-324-4791) while renowned designer Marshall Watson will be at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (18 James Lane, East Hampton, 631-329-0990) on Friday, Dec. 19. Both performances start at 6 p.m. and tickets are $50 each.
Get ready to the rock, holiday-style, at the Stephen Talkhouse (161 Main St., Amagansett, 631-267-3177). First up, this Friday night, it’s Sarah Conway & The Playful Souls hosting their Christmas show, offering a mix of rock, country, and blues, with a dash of gospel. Show starts at 8 p.m. and admission is $25. On Saturday, it’s Hamptons honky tonk legend Gene Casey along with his equally iconic band, The Lonesharks, performing at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. Later this month, The Cherry Bombs, the explosive 80’s tribute band, take the stage on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. Even though there may be a whole lot of big-hair, shoulder-pad swayin’ tunes, the likelihood of them throwing in a “Last Christmas” by Wham, or something along those lines, is pretty good. Additionally, the Talkhouse hosts its annual Xmas party, which will include a toy fundraiser to raise toys, clothing, jackets, etc. for local families of children in need during the holiday season through East Hampton Community Council. For a complete lineup of Talkhouse tunes set for the rest of this month, click here.
Sag Harbor
Later tonight, starting at 7 p.m., it’s the Pierson Middle/High School (located at 200 Jermain Ave., Sag Harbor) band winter concert set for inside the school’s auditorium. Tomorrow, Dec. 11, head around the block to the Sag Harbor Elementary School’s winter concert, starting at 6:30 p.m. The elementary school is located at 68 Hampton St.
The Sweet Adelines (right) perform this weekend at Old Whalers’ Church in Sag Harbor, while the church’s annual Christmas pageant is happening later this month. (Photos courtesy of Old Whalers’ Church)
The Old Whaler’s Church (44 Union St., Sag Harbor, 631-725-0894) hosts its annual holiday concert this Friday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. with performances from the all-female acapella singing group the Sweet Adelines Long Island Sound Chorus as well as from the Sag Harbor Community Band. The church’s annual Christmas pageant and church holiday party are set for Sunday, Dec. 21. One of the church’s most joyful and cherished traditions, local children of all ages will act out the story at the center of Christmas.
While not a performance, per se, Temple Adas Israel (30 Atlantic Ave. Sag Harbor) hosts a Latke Cook Off on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 5 p.m., with judge and latke expert Jason Weiner, co-owner and executive chef at Almond in Bridgehampton. Potatoes will be supplied and participants are expected to bring their own frying pan and additional ingredients for the recipe. Prizes for the winners! There is no fee to participate, and pre-registration is required and must be registered by Monday, Dec. 15.
