mariachi-singers
December 17
“I love holiday music and I always make sure to get my fill every year. With all performances needing to be online this year, I’m seeking out new experiences. While I’ve seen Veronica perform live several times with her all-female mariachi band. I’m looking forward to hearing her charm and passion bring the holiday season alive with stories and songs from Mexico.”
Now – December 30
“They had me at ‘Directed by Summer L. Williams.’ The Triad from A.R.T. is an unexpected addition to my holiday watch list, but one that I’m certainly the most excited about. Anjimile’s debut album Giver Taker was on NPR’s 50 Best Albums of 2020 list, and has been an essential part of my work-from-home musical rotation, and Brandie Blaze has been blessing Boston with energetic bops that have given me much-needed lunchtime pick-me-ups throughout the year (like at this listening session with the Boston Center for the Arts). To have the opportunity to watch them both in virtual concert with multi-talented artist Kaovanny at a pay-what-you-can price is truly a gift.”
December 12 – 23
“Black Nativity is always my family’s favorite show for the holiday season, hands down. The live performances usually feature stellar singing, delightful dancing, and a joyful ambience between cast and audience that truly puts you in the holiday spirit. With this year marking the show’s 50th anniversary, this jubilant, celebratory mood is sure to persist even in the virtual space. The online presentation will feature a virtual gala, auction, and the premiere of Black Nativity: 50 Years of Triumph and Transition. Although the presentation will also be available on demand starting December 13th, I suspect this is an event you will not want to miss as it airs live!”
Now – January 10
“I have always had an infatuation with trains both in terms of playing with them and riding on them. For many years as child, I used to help my father assemble his large model train set – I still remember the smell of the fake smoke that would puff out of the train’s chimney and the texture of the snow around the station. The speed of the trains was controlled by a dial knob which I would crank up on the straight-aways and slow down just before a derailment on a curve. Sometimes, I did not time it right would squeal in delight with a crash, even under my father’s stern eye. I recently learned that that Guiness Book of World record for the largest model train set was set in 2019 at Miniatur-Wunderland in Hamburg. I will have to add that to bucket list of places to visit, and in the meantime, am thoroughly looking forward to experiencing Trains at Science Park at the Museum of Science.”
Now – January 3
“Like any sampler, there are so many wonderful options to choose from that it’s difficult to pick a favorite. One of the virtual performances I am especially looking forward to this holiday season is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol presented by the Huntington Theatre Company. Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays plays over 50 roles in this one-man version of the holiday classic. Mays is no stranger to taking on multiple roles. In 2013 he played eight supporting characters in Broadway’s A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder. With Mays’ talent and a clever adaptation, this promises to be a special holiday event. A Christmas Carol is available for streaming now through January 3, 2021.”
Pictured above: Verónica Robles.