Thursday and Saturday: The Ware Center, Lancaster

By CPBJ staff

Hershey’s Happiness & Well-Being: January 16 at the Hershey’s Chocolate World. Join us for some simple and fun activities for the whole family! Games include Balloon Bounce, Parachute Games, Football Toss and Beach Ball Toss. Weekends through January 29.  717-534-4900 or www.hersheys.com/chocolateworld

Treasures from the AACA Museum Collection: January 16 at the Antique Auto Museum at Hershey. Treasures from the AACA Museum Collection exhibit will focus on high end American Luxury Cars from the 1930’s – 1950’s showcasing styling changes over the decades. Through February 12. 717-566-7100 or www.aacamuseum.org

OrKid Day: January 16 at Longwood Gardens. Each OrKID Day takes place during Longwood’s spectacular Orchid Extravaganza and includes a fun-filled craft, a kids’ performance, and specially planned corresponding activities!  610-388-1000 or www.longwoodgardens.org

Legs, Legs, and More Legs!: January 19 at the North Museum of Natural History and Science. Using museum touchables and a different story each week, we’ll explore what we can learn about animals just from looking at their feet and legs. Read, Touch & Discover encourages young children, ages 3-6, to explore their world.  717-291-39412 or www.northmuseum.org

Lessons I learned at My Grandfathers Knee: January 20 at The Ware Center at Millersville University Lancaster. Andrew Wyeth’s grandaughter shares stories and art in this fundraiser for the artistic programs at Millersville University’s Lancaster Ware Center.  717-871-2308 or www.millersville.edu

A Snowball Day: January 17-18 at Hands-On House in Lancaster. What kind of day is it when snow is falling everywhere? A snowball day! Please call to reserve a spot  717-569-54377745 or www.handsonhouse.org

Knife Skills Class: January 20 at The Good Cooking Store in Intercourse. Want to cut like the pros and keep all of your fingers safe? Come prepared to chop and learn! Purchase any Zwilling cutlery product valued at $99 or more on the day of the class and you will receive the class cost back as a discount on the knife. 877-525-7745 or www.goodcookingstore.com

Ladies Night Out @ BUiLDiNG CHARACTER: January 20 at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER in Downtown Lancaster. BUiLDiNG CHARACTER presents “Ladies Night Out,” a monthly event coinciding with Music Friday. It’s the Ladies Night Out/Music Friday everyone is talking about!! It’s a wonderful evening of: FREE wine and dessert samples, FREE 5-minute chair massages, great local shopping! 717-394-7201 or www.buildingcharacter.biz/events

Saturday Evening Concert: Four Piece Quartet: January 21 at Garden Spot Village in New Holland. Enjoy an evening of reverent jazz performed by the Four Piece Quartet as part of the 2011-2012 Garden Spot Village Saturday Evening Concert Series. 717-355-6000 or www.gardenspotvillage.com/news.html

Sing for Hope Gala: January 21 at the Fulton Theatre in Downtown Lancaster. The evening of exceptional vocal performances will include a range of musical styles, from spirituals and operatic pieces to excerpts from well-loved musicals. The concert proceeds enrich the lives of children and families around the globe by generating valuable funds for hundreds of educational and community projects.  717-397-7425 or www.eastcoast.mmc.org/winteroperagala

Friday: The Ware Center, Lancaster
It’s a trio of entertainment at The Ware Center on Friday.

“Lancaster Lens” opening reception

Friday: Lancaster Museum of Art
More than a dozen photographers from Lancaster will display their works as part of this exhibit.

“A Bridge Too Far” screening

Sunday: Hershey Theatre, Derry Township
This 1977 film tells of the attempt in the later part of World War II to capture three bridges in Holland to allow Allied access over the Rhine River into Germany.

Feb 17-19:

•Ice Sculptures will begin to be placed Friday mid-morning weather permitting thru out Main and Broad Streets.
•Friday Night Block Party, Main Street Lititz, 5 pm-9 pm
Activities include live ice carving, DJ, entertainment, fire eater, marshmallow roast, wing eating contest, food.

• Saturday activities Chili Cook Off, new location! Warwick High School cafeteria, 301 West Orange Street, 11am-3 pm. Button required for entrance, $5 before the event, $7 at the door. Limited to 1200. Approximately 15 chefs will volunteer their talents and their chili to raise money for their choice of charities. Donations will be made at chef’s station with the tickets you purchase in the cook off (1 ticket= $1.00). Trophies will be awarded for the most money raised and 7 other categories by guest judges. Buttons may be purchased prior to the event at the following locations; Curiosity Shoppe 39 E. Main St. & Bomberger’s Store, 555 Furnace Hills Pk/Rt 501, Lititz. Winter Wonderland Carnival, new location! Warwick High School gym, 301 West Orange Street, Lititz. Games, prizes, food, entertainment and inflatable’s. Fun for all ages.

•Fire and Ice Festival Sunday activities:
Sunday skating & fun. Details on Sundays events to be announced.

For more info www.lititzfireandicefestival.com

Saturday-Sunday: Hershey Theatre, Derry Township
The holiday season wouldn’t seem complete without the performance of one of the world’s most popular ballets, “The Nutcracker.”

Mandy Barnett in concert

Friday: Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Harrisburg
Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Webb Pierce, Brenda Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London and Dinah Washington — all have influenced vocalist Mandy Barnett.

Madelaine Gray and Al Holliday photography exhibit

Saturday: Lebanon Art Center
Catch a glimpse of Paris through the lenses of Madelaine Gray and Al Holliday.

“Celebrate Chanukah!” event

Sunday: Jewish Community Center, Spring Garden Township
A menorah lighting, a latke-eating contest, face painting, a dreidel hunt and a Jeopardy game are all part of this holiday event.

“Christmas on Mars” play

Thursday-Sunday: The Ware Center, Lancaster
“Christmas on Mars” is jet-black comedy by Obie Award-winning playwright Harry Kondoleon.

“A Candlelight Christmas” chorale performance

Friday-Sunday: multiple venues
In its 30th year, the Susquehanna Chorale will combine religious selections and holiday carols for this performance of “A Candlelight Christmas.”

“A Christmas Carol” dinner theater

Sunday: General Sutter Inn, Lititz
A classic Christmas tale combines with a three-course buffet for dinner theater at the historic General Sutter Inn.

“Christmas with Trumpeter Nate Birkey”

Friday: The Ware Center, Lancaster
Trumpeter, vocalist and composer Nate Birkey is considered one of the most promising and fastest-rising musicians in jazz.

“A Musical Christmas Card” variety show

Friday-Saturday: York Little Theatre, Spring Garden Township
This variety show is packed with music.

“Ceremony & Celebrations” choral concert

Sunday: Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Harrisburg
This holiday concert of seasonal music includes popular songs by contemporary composers, as well as traditional carols and hymns.

Christmas at the Choo Choo Barn: December 13 at The Choo Choo Barn. Don’t miss seeing the barn layout decorated for Christmas in celebration of the Choo Choo Barn’s 50th birthday! Through December 31. 717-687-7911 or www.choochoobarn.com

Ho, Ho, Ho!: December 14 at the Hands-on House. Join Santa and his elves at the North Pole for a day of holiday fun. 717-569-5437 or www.handsonhouse.org

Live Nativity: December 14 The Garden Spot Village. Garden Spot Village is bringing the Christmas story to life with a live nativity scene in its chapel. In addition to costumed residents, staff members and their families portraying the biblical scene, the program will also feature the Village Voices Choir performing favorite Christmas hymns and carols. 717-355-6000 or www.gardenspotvillage.org

Cinnamon & Sugar Plum Festival: December 16 at Intercourse Canning Company. Christmas in Lancaster County is a beautiful time of year! And we are offering a variety of products to help you celebrate – all of which feature cinnamon and sugar! Through December 17. 717-768-0156 or www.intercoursecanning.com

A Dickens of a Christmas: December 16 Mount Hope Mansion. Victorian Mount Hope Mansion and the Dickensian characters will lift your Holiday spirits with joyous caroling, parlor games and intimate theater shows. Celebrate the Yuletide season with timeless classics that still pull on our heartstrings. Weekends through December 23. 717-665-7021 or www.parenfaire.com

Holidays at Landis Valley: December 16 at Landis Valley. Tour several of our decorated historic buildings, huddle around a large bonfire and sing carols accompanied by the Lititz Moravian Trombone Choir. Afterwards, join friends and family in our Yellow Barn for cookies and hot cider. 717-569-0401 or www.landisvalleymuseum.org

Santa’s Paradise Express: December 16 at Strasburg Rail Road. Transformed into a winter wonderland, Strasburg Rail Road invites families to enjoy a train ride with Santa, carolers and musicians on the mall, storytellers and much more. Through December 18. 717-687-7522 or www.strasburgrailroad.com

Downtown Lancaster for the Holidays: December 16 in Downtown Lancaster. Don’t miss out on Caroling Bells, the arrival of Santa Claus, the lighting of the Christmas Tree, horse drawn carriage rides, strolling musical entertainment, a model train display, and SO much more in Downtown Lancaster! 717-291-4758 or www.lancastercityevents.com

Relaxed Holiday Cooking: December 16 at the Good Cooking Store. Instructor Phyllis Pellman Good is a New York Times bestselling cookbook author and our Store co-owner. In this class you will learn fun baking techniques, and slow-cooker recipes for entertaining. You will prepare and enjoy a savory lunch. 717-768-3032 www.fixitandforgetit.com

Jazz Holiday Show: December 16 at the Ware Center at Millersville University Lancaster. Nate Birkey is an evocative trumpeter/vocalist/composer who bursts into true holiday mode with his new album Christmas. Accompanied by Steve Rudolph on piano and Keith Mohler on brass, Birkey will bring timeless emotion and spirituality to ageless classics.
717-871-7026 www.millersville.edu

Candlelight Tours: December 26 at the Rockford Plantation. During the candlelight tours, General Edward Hand’s Georgian-style mansion will be bedecked in holiday greenery and glowing by candlelight. Visitors will also hear music of the period performed live and watch early American dancing in the great hall. Through December 29. 717-392-7223 or www.rockfordplantation.org