As the holidays approach, Tuacahn Center for the Arts has been preparing for its annual Festival of Lights which premiers the day after Thanksgiving on November 24, 2006. Workers have been busy since September hanging approximately 250,000 lights on trees, bushes, buildings, and most everything within reach of a power outlet. “The effect is truly grand and exciting. The lights create a special holiday ambience—a place for the entire family to come and enjoy the spirit of the holiday season,” said Jeff Martin, Tuacahn’s Marketing Director.
The Festival will be open from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday evenings through December 23. A live Nativity is presented in Tuacahn’s outdoor amphitheatre twice nightly at 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. The Live Nativity features as many as sixty volunteer actors on stage along with an assortment of live animals including camels, goats, and, of course, a donkey. (NOTE: Due to Tuacahn’s “Christmas in the Canyon” concert, which is presented in the outdoor amphitheatre, the Live Nativity will not be performed Friday, December 1, 2006.)
On the plaza, patrons can savor hot cocoa from the concessions stand as they sit around an open fire, or stroll through the Tuacahn Gift Gallery stocked full of holiday presents. Santa Claus will visit the plaza beginning at 6:30 pm. The Festival of Lights also offers rides on the Old Salty Train provided by Ruby’s Inn. Local performance groups such as the popular Hands in Harmony bell choir will perform throughout the month on the plaza stage at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 pm. (Artists and times for plaza performances subject to change.)
On Friday December 1 Tuacahn presents “Christmas in the Canyon” a delightful, upbeat holiday concert in the outdoor amphitheatre featuring recording artists David Osmond and Sam Payne as well as Margo Watson, Mindy Smoot Robbins, Brown Sugar, and SUU’s Acclamation. Several of these talented performers have appeared on the Tuacahn stage before. David Osmond played the title role in Tuacahn’s 2002 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Robbins starred as Annie Oakley in Tuacahn’s 2002 production of Annie Get Your Gun. Sam Payne has a devoted local following and opened for Peter Breinholt at Tuacahn earlier this year. Brown Sugar is a local Polynesian acapella performance group. “The idea behind this concert is to present a unique blend of professional musicians in a hometown tribute to the Christmas holidays,” said Kevin Smith, Tuacahn’s COO.
Tickets to “Christmas in the Canyon” on December 1st are $15.50 and can be reserved by calling the Tuacahn box office at 435-652-3300. The concert and The Live Nativity are performed in Tuacahn’s outdoor Amphitheatre, so patrons are encouraged to dress warmly and bring a blanket to cuddle up with family and friends. Admission to the Festival of Lights and the Live Nativity is free. The holiday train ride is $1.00 per person. For more information visit www.tuacahn.org.
