Friday December 5th, 2008

WACHOVIA PLAZA
5:30 p.m. – Southwest Virginia Ballet
6:15 p.m. – City of Roanoke Christmas Tree
Lighting Ceremony
6:30 p.m. – Miss Mona’s School of Dance

CAMPBELL AVE. & MARKET
6-10 p.m. – Strolling St. Nicholas
6-10 p.m. – Carriage Rides
6-10 p.m. – Street Actors (Theatre students from
William Fleming High School)
6-10 p.m. – Pony Rides & Holiday Photos
7-9 p.m. – Photos with Santa
7-9 p.m. – Mark Fuller, Magician
7-10 p.m. – Carolers of Christmas Past
7-10 p.m. – Sally Edelman, Face Painter
7-10 p.m. – David Bear Stuart, Juggler

MARKET STREET/CHRUCH AVENUE
7:30 p.m. – Roanoke Ballet Theatre
8:00 p.m. – Yuletide Voices
9:00 p.m. – Local Colors International Choir

CAMPBELL AVENUE
6-10 p.m. – Living Nativity Scene – Penn Forest Christian Church

SANTA’S WORKSHOP
6-8 p.m. – Taubman Museum of Art

KIRK AVENUE
Suntrust’s Kids Zone
Games, Activities & More

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12th, 2008

JEFFERSON ST./CAMPBELL AVE.
6:30 p.m. – City of Roanoke Christmas Parade (Begins at Elm & Jefferson) sponsored by City of Roanoke, Appalachian Power, and Downtown Roanoke Inc.

CAMPBELL AVE. & MARKET
6-10 p.m. – Strolling St. Nicholas
6-10 p.m. – Carriage Rides
6-10 p.m. – Street Actors (Theatre Students from
William Fleming High School)
6-10 p.m. – Pony Rides & Holiday Photos
7-9 p.m. – Judd Poindexter, Stilt Walker
7-9 p.m. – Mark Fuller, Magician

EVENTS

THE CITY OF ROANOKE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
Friday, December 5th, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Roanoke, Roanoke City Parks and Recreation Department, EventZone, and Downtown Roanoke, Inc. the tree lighting will be held at Wachovia Plaza on December 5th. The ceremony will begin with a special performance by Southwest Virginia Ballet at 5:30 pm. WSLS Channel 10’s countdown to the tree lighting will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the actual lighting at 6:20 p.m. Directly following will be Miss Mona’s School of Dance at 6:30 pm.

“TRADITIONS THROUGH THE AGES”
CITY OF ROANOKE CHRISTMAS PARADE
Friday, December 12th at 6:30 p.m.
Don’t miss this wonderful, “outside the ordinary” holiday parade. Downtown streets will be transformed into a magical space fi lled with costumed characters, horse-drawn carriages, strolling carolers, marching bands, jugglers, and numerous community groups all highlighting various holiday traditions. The parade route begins at the corner of Elm Avenue and Jefferson Street (Elmwood Park) and continues north on Jefferson Street to Campbell Avenue, then east on Campbell to Market Square. Sponsored by City of Roanoke, Appalachian Power, and Downtown Roanoke Inc.

SPCA’S PET COSTUME CONTEST
Friday, December 19th at 6:30 p.m.
The holidays aren’t just for humans! Dress up your pet(s) and come join the fun and laughter at the annual Pet Costume Contest. This year’s event will be made extra special by the involvement and enthusiasm of the Roanoke Valley SPCA and their volunteers. The fun-loving judging in Wachovia Plaza will be followed by great prizes.

PEPSI’S OUTDOOR HOLIDAY MOVIE
Friday, December 19th “A Christmas Story” will be the feature presentation
at Pepsi’s Outdoor Holiday Movie. This holiday favorite centers on Ralphie Parker, a young boy living in 1940s Indiana who is desperately yearning for a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas. Despite protests from his mother that he’ll shoot his eye out, Ralphie persists, unsuccessfully trying to
enlist the assistance of both his teacher and Santa Claus.

CARRIAGE RIDE TICKETS
Tickets will be available for purchase each night of SunTrust Dickens of a Christmas at the ticket booth located near the carriage stop on Campbell Avenue. Carriage rides are $5.00. Children under 3 years of age ride free. TICKET SALES END AT 9:30 P.M. each night. Cash or check accepted. No Credit Cards. Check should
be made payable to Downtown Roanoke, Inc.

SANTA’S WORKSHOP
A special place where children 12 and under can make a Christmas craft or ornament under the direction of the Taubman Museum of Art. Open all three nights; December 5, 12, & 19 till 8:00 p.m.

ENTERTAINERS

DAVID BEAR STUART – will stroll the streets entertaining children of all ages with a unique blend of tricks using diabolo, devil sticks and juggling. Appearing December 5, 12 & 19.

MARK FULLER – entertaining people of all ages with his magic. His shows are fast moving, funny, professional and a delight for all ages. Appearing on December 5, 12 & 19.

FLOYD WARD SCHOOL OF DANCE – The Floyd Ward School of Dance has operated in the Roanoke Valley for 79 years. It brings to our area uniqueness that trains students, age 3 to adult, in a variety of dance styles including ballet, tap, pointe, jazz, clogging, precision clogging, rhythm tap, lyrical, liturgical, and hip hop. Appearing December 12th.

QUEST ACADEMY OF MUSIC – presents “Pan-Da-Mania Steel Band.” This group brings the sound of a complete steel band orchestra to the Roanoke Valley for the fi rst time! Selections will include island favorites, rock and roll, and seasonal music. The program is co-directed by Richard and Delilah Rudolph. Appearing December 19th.

THE NUTCRACKER – Southwest Virginia Ballet performs excerpts from The Nutcracker at the Dickens of a Christmas tree lighting ceremony to kick off a delightful evening of festivities. Young imaginations will be sparked and audiences delighted as SVB performs the popular Chinese, Arabian, and Russian dances from The Nutcracker, Act II, Land of the Sweets. Plan to bring your children early to meet Clara and a host of charming characters from the most well-known and
beloved story ballet of all time. Appearing December 5th.

DICKENS STREET ACTING PROJECT – over 30 talented students will participate in this community-wide effort, directed by Mr. Larry Van Deventer, Theater Arts Director for William Fleming High School. Dressed in period costumes portraying characters from “A Christmas Carol,” the students will use their creative and acting skills to bring Dickens’ characters to life. Theatrical tours will be given throughout Dickens at the times listed below. All tours begin in East Market Square.
December 5th Tours begin: 6:30, 7:00, 8:30, 9:00
December 12th Tours begin: 8:15, 9:00, 9:30
December 19th Tours begin: 6:30, 7:00, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00

LIVING NATIVITY FROM PENN FOREST CHRISTIAN CHURCH – This wonderful tradition was started in 1984 as part of a youth project. Over the years, it has grown into an annual event with 200 members of the congregation participating. There are live animals such as sheep, llama, goats, donkeys and even camels. Appearing December 5, 12, & 19th at Dickens of a Christmas.

MISS MONA’S SCHOOL OF DANCE & PERFORMING ARTS – Celebrating our 50th year in the Roanoke Valley, we are the studio that trains the “triple threat”- educating students in drama, dance, and voice. Appearing December 5th.

FANTASY FACE PAINTING – A local artist, Sally Edelman of Fantasy Face Painting will be at SunTrust Dickens of a Christmas creating unique, transformational fully painted faces with a Holiday theme. Appearing December 5, 12, & 19th.

JUDD POINDEXTER – Walking “High in the Sky” on stilts. Appearing December 12th.

SWORD SWALLOWER – CHARON HENNING – has thrilled audiences for years with her death-defying feats utilizing blades and fl ames. She guides audiences into the unknown with poise, grace and charm, presenting her skills in a manner interesting enough for adults and intelligent enough for children. Appearing December 12th.

SENSORIEL : FIRE PERFORMER – KATE GUNTERMANN – hails from Baltimore, Maryland and is an accomplished fi re artist and performer. Her “eye-popping fi re eating act” often receives rave reviews and accolades. Kate has an amazing stage presence and skill combined with grace and fluidity. Appearing December 12th.

ROANOKE BALLET THEATRE – is proudly “Celebrating 30 Years of Dance” in 2008. RBT’s 2008 Christmas performance is “The Magic Toyshop.” The ballet is set in London, England. Each day when darkness falls, the toys within the shop come alive. As different toys dance, one handsome soldier falls in love with a beautiful ballerina. Appearing December 5th.

YULETIDE VOICES – This fabulous quartet from Baltimore, Maryland have chosen their favorite Victorian carols and anthems of Christmas to perform this year at Dickens of a Christmas. They will be dressed in period costume and spreading traditional good cheer. Appearing December 5th.