Jennifer Dean: November 2011 Archives

The Department of Music of La Sierra University will present is annual Christmas Candlelight Concert on Friday at the La Sierra University Church at 4937 Sierra Vista Ave. in Riverside. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and will highlight much of the university's student and faculty musical talent.

The concert will feature the University Chorale; the University Chamber Singers; the Women's and Men's Chorus; Bella Voce; Dr. Raejin Lee, Soprano; the Brass Quintet; Dr. Kimo Smith, organ; the Saxophone Quartet; and the La Sierra University Orchestra.

And in another lively concert, La Sierra University's Big Band, under the direction of Dr. Ken Narducci, will deliver a toe tappin,' finger snappin' show Dec. 10 at Hole Memorial Auditorium on the university campus at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway in Riverside.

The La Sierra University Big Band Concert will feature "Rippin' and Runnin' by Gordon Goodwin," "Country Road" by James Taylor, "Jive Samba" by Nat Adderly as well as a variety of holiday tunes, such as "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," " Let It Snow," "Jingle Bells" and more.

The show starts at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, call 951-785-2036 or visit www.lasierra.edu.

There are a lot of great Nutcracker productions in the Inland region each year. Inland Pacific Ballet's "The Nutcracker," opens Saturday at Bridges Auditorium in Claremont.

Inland Pacific Ballet is celebrating its 17th season, and will bring more than 100 dancers on stage for the holiday production. "The Nutcracker" tells the story of a young girl named Clara who receives a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve, and then sets out on a magical journey to the Land of the Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets.

There are toy soldiers, life-sized dancing dolls, battling mice, dancing snowflakes, waltzing flowers the Sugar Plum Fairy. Cast members are available after each performance for photos and autographs.

The auditorium is located at 450 N. College Way in Claremont. Tickets cost $36-$38 for adults and $18 to 21 for children and seniors. For more information call 909-607-1139 or visit www.ipballet.org.