The Holly Jolly season is in full swing! That means it’s time to don your gay apparel and take in some art events. Trouble is, there are just so many! How do you choose?  Don’t get your jingle bells out of joint, the Art&Seek calendar is here to help you search through the bounty of options. Here are just a few you might want to consider.

Wednesday

Get in the holiday mood with “A Dean Martin Chrismas.” The show features the stories and songs from the “King of Cool.” See it at Casa Mañana’s Reid Cabaret Theatre through Dec. 21.

The Visual Arts Society of Texas holds the 5th annual VASTFEST today at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center in Denton. Meet local artists at the free event and check out acrylic paintings and pours, glass art, fused glass jewelry, sterling silver jewelry, ceramics, and more.

The Video Association of Dallas will present legendary actor and comedian John Cleese with the Ernie Kovacs Award tonight at the Texas Theatre. Audience members are encouraged to dress up as their favorite John Cleese character.

Thursday

KERA’s Krys Boyd will moderate a discussion at the Dallas Museum of Art for the latest installment of Arts and Letters Live. The conversation will highlight memoirs from philanthropist, arts advocate, and humanitarian Donna Wilhelm and Peggy Wallace Kennedy, the daughter of former Alabama Governor George Wallace.

In Fort Worth, the TCU Symphony Orchestra holds a concert at Ed Landrith Auditorium. The free concert will feature three School of Music faculty members as soloists in Beethoven’s magnificent Triple Concerto

And, also in Fort Worth, head to Shipping and Receiving Bar for Truth in Comedy. Three people tell personal stories that a comedian will then use as inspiration for a stand-up set.

Friday

Photo: Bellissimo Foto

Don’t miss the annual Holiday Lighting Festival in Denton’s historic square. Enjoy musical and dance presentations, horse-drawn carriage rides, children’s crafts, and visits with Santa.

Join in the laughter at Dallas Comedy House. Their Big Friday Show is an interactive improv show that encourages audience participation.

Head to Water TowerTheatre in Addison for Cirque Holidays. The show is a partnership with The Lone Star Circus and features clowns, trapeze artists, and more.

And, stop by the Fort Worth Community Arts Center tonight for the opening reception of “A Collective Takeover:” The exhibition showcases the art of local collectives including Art Tooth, House of Iconoclasts, Latino Hustle, and more.

Saturday/Sunday

The Greater Lewisville Community Theatre presents “Glorious!: The True Story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the Worst Singer in the World” by Peter Quilter. The comedy is based on a true story and follows a less-than-pitch perfect soprano who doesn’t pay attention to her critics as she makes her way to Carnegie Hall.

Head to the Galleria Dallas the next few Saturdays for free Holiday Skate Shows.  This Saturday’s performance features US National Champion Ryan Bradley as well as local pairs skaters. Each show also features an ice-skating, back-flipping, pyrotechnic Santa Claus.

The City of Wylie and the Public Arts Advisory Board presents the Wylie Arts Festival at the First Baptist Church Events Center of Wylie. The one-day festival is in its 8th year and features over 150 vendors. There will also be live music and a kids’ area with inflatables, a petting zoo, barrel train, face painting, and more. While you’re there, take in the historic downtown area where you will find unique shops, restaurants, and treats.

The Tyler Junior College Academy of Dance presents “The Nutcracker” at Caldwell Auditorium. This year marks the 31st Anniversary that classic ballet has been performed at the college.

Monday

Fill up your senses with the music of John Denver as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Rocky Mountain Christmas – A John Denver Holiday Tribute. The concert at the Meyerson Symphony Center features Jim Curry and his band performing Christmas classics as well as hits from the late singer/songwriter.

While in Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra performs Handel’s Messiah at Bass Performance Hall. The oratorio originally debuted in 1742 and has become a holiday fixture. Also on stage to perform the massive work will be the University of North Texas A Cappella Choir.

The Palace Arts Center in Grapevine screens “White Christmas.” Filmed in vivid Technicolor and with songs by Irving Berlin, it stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney. In the film classic, a song-and-dance duo becomes involved with a sister act and together they team up to save a failing Vermont Inn.

Tuesday

One Thirty Productions presents the Winter Wonderettes at the Bath House Cultural Center in Dallas. The show is open to all ages and follows the four Wonderettes as they sing classics like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Run Rudolph, Run,” and more.

Ballet Frontier dance company performs its production of “The Nutcracker” at Granbury Theatre. The show features a cast of adult professionals joined by talented youth dancers, dressed in dazzling costumes, they set on an adventure to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy

The Mesquite Arts Council presents an After School Hip Hop Session for kids from ages 12-14. The course teaches the fundamentals of breakdancing at the Mesquite Arts Center. Classes are free but registration is required.

For more on these and other events, explore the Art&Seek calendar.

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