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COPYRIGHT 2005 Texas Monthly, Inc.
It's list-checking time again up at the North Pole, so if you've been more naughty than nice this year, some friendly advice: Head straight to Columbus. You can plead your case directly--and ad nauseam--at the MARY ELIZABETH HOPKINS SANTA CLAUS MUSEUM, where more than two thousand versions of the paunchy benefactor himself will grant you audience. The eclectic Saint Nick multitude, possibly the biggest gathering of jolly fat men in the world, was amassed by Hopkins and showcased in her home every December until her death, in 1990. Lay your milk-and-cookies peace offering at the feet of a red- and green-eyed Santa, twenties-era figures molded out of celluloid, ah origami-like character made from Reader's Digest pages, an iconic figurine designed by Harper's Weekly cartoonist Thomas Nast (right), of the Kringle that inspired it all: a 1913 papier-mache ornament given to Hopkins on her first Christmas. There may be sugarplum visions in your future yet.
(w) The place is accessible to wheelchairs: The main entrance is at least 32 inches wide and there are no steps; restrooms, however, are not accessible.
(w+) The place and its restrooms are accessible. No symbol: This place is not accessible.
Austin
Music/Dance
DEC 9: DEBBIE REYNOLDS
A triple-threat legend of the big screen and small stage, Reynolds sings songs from her hit films (including Singin' In the Rain) and Broadway shows. At 8. $34-$81. Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave (512-472-5470 or 866-443-8849). 9 (w+)
DEC 16: BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA
The three-time Grammy Award-winners sing soul-stirring gospel hits from their latest release, Atom Bomb, along with Austin's own Ruthie Foster. At 8. $46.50. UT campus, Hogg Memorial Auditorium, 24th & Whitis (512-472-1444 or 800-587-6010). (w+)
DEC 19: TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA
The famed rock-opera touring group returns for another holiday season with Christmas Eve and Other Stories. At 7:30. $36, $46 & $51. Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River (512-471-7744). (w+)
AUSTIN SYMPHONY
Dec 6 at 8 (Riverbend Centre, 4214 N. Capital of Texas Hwy): Handel: Messiah. Chorus Austin. Mela Dailey, soprano. Liz Cass, alto. Chris LeCluyse, tenor. Brett Barnes, bass. Kenny Sheppard, conductor. $15-$35. Dec 13 at 8 (Riverbend Centre, 4214 N. Capital of Texas Hwy): Christmas Sing-Along. Carlton Dillard, conductor. Free, but tickets required. Dec 30 & 31 at 8 (Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd): Holiday Pops with Five By Design's Radio Days. Peter Bay, conductor. $25. (512-477-6060 or 800-687-6010). (w+)
BALLET AUSTIN
Dec 9-23: The Nutcracker (choreography by Stephen Mills, music by Tchaikovsky, accompanied by the Austin Symphony). Call for times. $17-$75. UT campus, Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman Dr (512-469-7469). (w+)
Theater
SCOTTISH RITE CHILDREN'S THEATRE
The Plight Before Christmas--Ebeneezer Humbug and Bob Scratchit both have their eye on Felicity Fuzziwig, and Jake Marley returns to town with revenge on his mind in this skewed version of the classic Dickens tale. Thru Dec 10. Fri & Sat at 8. $18. 207 W. 18th at Lavaca (512-472-7247 of 512-469-7469). (w+)
ZACHARY SCOTT THEATRE
The Santaland Diaries--witty writer David Sedaris's real-life stint as Crumpet the elf at a Macy's department store spawned this comedy about (faking) Yuletide spirit. Thru Jan 8. Wed-Fri at 8, Sat at 5 & 8, Sun at 2:30 & 8. $28-$38. 1510 Toomey Rd (512-476-0541). (w+)
Museums/Galleries
AUSTIN MUSEUM OF ART-DOWNTOWN
Thru Jan 15: The Art of Dr Seuss--reawaken your childhood imagination by perusing nearly seven decades of work by the iconic author and artist Theodor Seuss Geisel, including rare early illustrations and his collection of unorthodox taxidermy; also, Light From the Sky: A Tom Lea Retrospective--the El Paso native was intimately acquainted with the Southwest and its inhabitants, both of which inspired the paintings, sketchbook drawings, novels, and murals on display here. Open Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat 10-6; Thur 10-8; Sun noon-5. Gen adm $5, senior citizens & students $4 (everybody $1 on Tue), children 12 & under free; first Sat pay what you wish. 823 Congress Ave (512-495-9224). (w+)
BOB BULLOCK TEXAS STATE HISTORY MUSEUM
This museum, which is named for the former Texas lieutenant governor, houses three floors of exhibits that trace the history of Texas. Thru Jan 8: The Face of Texas--the diversity of the state's population is on view in photographer Michael O'Brien's 43 large-scale portraits of residents famous (President George W Bush, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, Mack Brown, Sissy Spacek) and lesser known (Waxahachie cheerleaders, small-town beauty queens, ranchers, ministers). Open Mon-Sat 9-6, Sun noon-6. Gen adm $5.50, senior citizens $4.50, youths 5-18 $3, 4 & under free. 1800 N. Congress Ave (512-936-8Y46). (w+)
OSWALD GALLERY
Thru Jan 3: Jerry Uelsmann and Maggie Taylor Photographs: Alchemy & Artistry--this husband-and-wife exhibit displays his "philosophically impossible" photomontages and multinegative prints and her fanciful photograph-paintings. Open Tue-Fri noon-6, Sat 10-6. Free. 714 Congress Ave (512-494-9440).
UMLAUF SCULPTURE GARDEN AND MUSEUM
Thru Dec 30: Modernist: Seven Legacies of the University of Texas--more than two dozen paintings, drawings, and prints by seven UT art professors (Charles Umlauf included) who contributed to the state's fifties modernist art landscape. Open Wed-Fri 10-4:30, Sat & Sun 1-4:30. Gen adm $3.50, senior citizens $2.50, students $1, children 6 & under free. 605 Robert E Lee Rd (512-445-5582). (w+)
Sports
AUSTIN ICE BATS
Central Hockey League. Dec 2: Corpus Christi Rayz. Dec 9: Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. Dec 10: Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. Dec 17: Corpus Christi Rayz. Dec 28: Lubbock Cotton Kings. At 7:30. $11-$35. Travis County Exposition Center, 7311 Decker Ln (512-927-7825). (w+)
Other Events
ARMADILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Avoid long lines at the mall--and hear some great live music--by checking out the imaginative gifts for sale by more than 120 artists at this 30th annual holiday bazaar. Performers include Marcia Ball, WC Clark, Eliza Gilkyson, Slaid Cleaves, and the South Austin Jug Banal. Dec 10-24 from 11 to 11. Mon-Fri 11-7 $3, Mon-Fri 7-11 $5, Sat & Sun $5. Austin Music Hall, 208 Nueces (512-447-1605). (w+)
FIRST NIGHT AUSTIN 2006
The streets, buildings, and facades of downtown will be decorated with specially commissioned works by local artists during this inaugural event featuring a family festival, a grand procession down Congress Avenue, and a midnight finale near Town Lake. Dec 31 from 2 to midnight. Outdoor events free, indoor events $10 ($8 adv by Dec 30). do to firstnightaustin.org of call 512-476-5577 for schedule & locations. (w+) Variable.
TRAIL OF LIGHTS FESTIVAL
Zilker Park's mile-long display of 38 lighted scenes begins with the lighting of the Zilker Tree, a 155 foot-tall "moon tower" decorated with 3,309 bulbs (Dec 4 at 6). Other festivities include ah opening night parade and a 5K run. Dec 11-23. Daily 7-10 p.m. Call for schedule. Free. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd (512 974-6700). (w)
Points of Interest
THE CAPITOL
The statehouse, dedicated in 1888, was completely restored in 1994. Open Mon Fri 7a.m.-10p.m., Sat & Sun 9-8. Free tours Mon Fri 8:30-4:30, Sat 9:30-3:30, Sun noon-3:30 (call ahead for groups of 10 or more). 11th & Congress Ave (512-463-0063). (w+) The Capitol Visitors Center (11th & Brazos, 512-305-8400), located in the 1857 General Land Office Bldg, houses historical exhibits. Open Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun noon-5. Free. Parking at 12th & San Jacinto (first 2 hours free). (w+)
Dallas
Music/Dance
DEC 16; INDIA.ARIE
After a recent collaboration with Stevie Wonder on his latest release, the neoclassic soulstress is on tour singing her own hits, like Video and The Truth. At 7. $46 & $56. Naomi Brunton Theatre, 650 S. Griffin (214-743-2400). (w+)
DEC 17: TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA
The famed rock-opera touring group returns for an other...
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