Four events that are holiday favorites

December brings many things, not the least of which is dozens of community events and holiday-themed concerts. Many of these shows are as essential to Christmas in Southeast Missouri as reindeer are to Santa. We've rounded up the majority of events here and highlighted a few repeat offenders, picked up for distribution of holiday cheer.

Heartland Pops perform holiday concert

For the ninth year in a row, Jerry Ganiel has pulled together community singers and guest performers for the Heartland Pops 2010 Christmas Concert. The first half of the show will feature a "Christmas Puree," Ganiel said, with traditional and popular songs as well as lesser-known selections. The Immaculate Conception Choristers from second, third and fourth grade will join the pops for part of the show and the female trio Replica will be the guest performers.

Ganiel said, to him, Christmastime just calls for music. He said he has always loved Christmas music and likes organizing performances for the newcomers to the holiday show each year.

The second half of the show sticks to tradition with a reading of "The Christmas Story" by Kathy Sweeney. The performance will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 in the Bedell Performance Hall. Tickets are $12.50 in advance, $14 day of show for adults; $10 for 6 to 12; and free for 5 and younger.

One-man show of a Christmas classic

Arthur Wilhite will perform a one-man version of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" for the second year in a row. Wilhite plays 25 characters and tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his visits from three ghosts on Christmas Eve. Wilhite adapted the Dickens' tale to be a radio skit and read it on KRCU several years ago. He further adapted the script to fit his solo format.

Wilhite has been performing for about 40 years in radio, television and community theater. He acted in "Charming Billy," "The Real Thing" and "Cheaper by the Dozen" among other shows.

"The one-man shows have always had an attraction for me," Wilhite said. "Being able to hold the audience's attention for a length of time," appeals to him.

Wilhite's show will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Hirsch Community Room at the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

Cape Girardeau Central High School Yuletide Madrigal Feaste

Students clad in medieval clothing and the school's music department will present their annual holiday feast with choir performances and a sit-down dinner of cordon bleu, herbed rice pilaf, creamy bread pudding, wassail, breads and salad catered by Celebrations but served by high school choir members. Senior Lauren Goehring, seen here, plays the princess and sits at the head table, but she put in her three years as a servant. Only the seniors get a place at the head table and a solo during the event, Goehring said. Tickets for Central's feaste are $20. Call 335-8228 for reservations for the feaste at 6:45 p.m. today and Saturday.

Other area high schools are getting into the spirit, too. Egyptian High School Fine Arts Department will have its Christmas madrigal "The Wife of Bath's Tale" at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 18. Call 618-776-5251. Jackson High School's Madrigal Feaste will by at 5:30 p.m. today and Saturday at the Bavarian Halle.

Dumey holiday show changes format

Mike Dumey and Robyn Hosp have performed a holiday concert for the community for several years. Hosp had to bow out this year, but Dumey changed the format and plowed ahead. The new show, "Mike Dumey and Friends" includes vocal performers who grew up in the community and in Dumey's shows.

Dumey will be joined onstage for Christmas songs with Casie Janet Mills, Mary Bauer, Brodrick Twiggs and Lauren Dumey. Other students from past Cape Girardeau Central Junior High musicals and Dumey's Starz on the Rise programs will stop in for songs. Dumey has jokes, songs and a buffet by Tractors.

Shows are are today, Saturday and Dec. 17 at the Deerfield Lodge. Doors open for dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $32 and available at 334-7602.