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Boston College’s Christmas season is officially underway, launched at last night’s annual tree-lighting ceremony on O’Neill Plaza, a campus tradition officiated by University President William P. Leahy, SJ.
Holiday events and seasonal offerings continue throughout the month of December:
This weekend, the University Chorale and Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of conductor John Finney, will present its annual Christmas concert, featuring traditional carols and excerpts from Handel’s “Messiah” and Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker.” The concert takes place in Trinity Chapel on Newton Campus Dec. 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. and in Gasson 100 on Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Admission is $10, $5 with BC ID.
On Dec. 6, Finney will direct members of the University Chorale in a free concert of traditional music of the Christmas season in St. Mary’s Chapel at 4 p.m. For information, e-mail concerts@bc.edu or call the Music Department at ext.2-6004.
The seventh annual Fair Trade Holiday Sale on Dec. 8 offers BC community members an alternative to commercial holiday shopping. The sale, which is held from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the second floor of Corcoran Commons, features unique gifts from around the world, made by artisans and cooperatives, including fairly traded coffee, jewelry, textiles and other international goods.
Buying fair trade supports grassroots efforts for change in the developing world, organizers note, ensuring that the people producing the goods are paid a just wage for their labor. For more information on the sale, vendors and the scholarship programs it supports, contact the Volunteer and Service Learning Center — which is cosponsoring the event with the BC Neighborhood Center and Dining Services — at ext.2-1317 or see more here.
Also on Dec. 8, some 200-250 students, faculty and other members of the University community members are expected to turn out for the Undergraduate Government of Boston College’s “Breaking the Barriers Ball,” from 6-9 p.m. in Gasson 100, with student jazz ensemble BC bOp! performing.
UGBC Student Life Department Executive Manager Peter Brown ’12 says the popular semi-formal ball "is designed to bring students, faculty members and administrators of the Boston College community together to create a positive and collaborative environment both within and outside of the classroom.” Students purchase one ticket and receive an invitation to give to a faculty member of administrator of their choice.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Robsham Theater Box Office (ext.2-4002); proceeds benefit the Salvation Army. For information, contact Brown at brownaat@bc.edu.
That same evening at 6:30 p.m., Irish harpist and singer Áine Minogue will present “Music of the Winter Solstice and Christmas” as part of the Gaelic Roots Music, Song and Dance Workshop and Lecture Series. Sponsored by the Center for Irish Programs, the free event will be held in 2101 Commonwealth Avenue on the Brighton Campus. A sampling of Minogue’s music is available at her website. For information e-mail irish@bc.edu or call ext.2-6396.
The Alumni Association’s annual Winter Wonderland, on Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is a festive holiday celebration for alumni, family and friends, with performances by strolling carolers, crafts, entertainment by Johnny the K, photos with Santa, a petting zoo and horse-drawn carriage rides through Newton Campus.
Attendees are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys for boys or girls aged six to 14, which will be donated to the Italian Home for Children. Admission is $20 per group of five; each additional attendee is $5. Register online here, or for more information email the Alumni Association or call ext.2-4700. [Inclement weather date is Dec. 11.]
Also on Dec. 10 will be a presentation of “Gaudete in Carminibus: A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in the Romance Language Tradition,” at 1:30 p.m. in St. Ignatius Church. This Advent tradition includes readings from the Christmas story and carols in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and Latin. It is presented in collaboration with the St. Ignatius Music Ministry, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, Office of Residential Life, Maison Française and Casa Hispánica. A donation of $5 is suggested for the concert, which will be followed by a reception. For information contact Ana Conboy at conboya@bc.edu.
That evening, Director of Bands Sebastian Bonaiuto will conduct the University Wind Ensemble in a free holiday concert, “A Christmas Festival,” at 8 p.m. in Gasson 100. This show of traditional Christmas music will begin with Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” and feature favorites such as Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and other well-known Christmas works. For information, e-mail bands@bc.edu or call ext.2-3018.
The following weekend, Dec. 16-18, Robsham Theater will host “Christmas Reflections,” a celebration of the Christmas season through the performance of music, story and dance choreographed by Jesuit Artist-in-Residence Robert VerEecke, SJ, with Irish step dance choreography by Helen O’Dwyer ‘97, director of the O’Dwyer School of Irish Dancing. Times for the show are 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 16, 3 p.m. on Dec. 17 and 18. Admission to the event, sponsored by Robsham Theater and the Institute for the Liberal Arts, is $15. For information, e-mail frvereec@bc.edu or call ext.2-6110.