Things to Do: December 2010 Archives

After braving the first round of the holiday break and winter weather, kids still have some time before they head back to school. Arts and crafts retailer Michaels will host a free 'The Knack' Family Fun event Saturday, January 8 to give everyone in the family a chance to get out of the house and put their creative skills to work.

All 1,030-plus Michaels stores will hold the Pinewood Derby Finishing Workshop Event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Families can bring in their own Pinewood Derby cars or purchase one - Michaels will provide all the finishing touches to add some flair.

Kids can also make a colorful pennant to cheer on a favorite team and decorate their room.

'The Knack' is Michaels' kids program that encourages kids to explore their creativity through a fun ideas, projects and crafts designed just for them - every child has a knack for something.

You can find additional information on 'The Knack,' 'The Knack' Free Family Fun events and get additional kids project ideas at www.michaels.com/theknack.

A big band Christmas is coming to Corona with Christian Arts Theatre's original musical, "U.S. Oh, No! Christmas Show" playing tonight, Saturday and Sunday at the Corona Civic Theater.

The musical, written by CAT Corona Artistic Director Cyndi Monroe, tells the story of a catastrophe-prone USO troupe prepares to perform on Christmas Eve of 1944. The group is in a tiny Pennsylvania town when an enormous blizzard strikes, stranding the troupe.

The cast is made up of adult Inland actors from Corona, Riverside, San Bernardino and surrounding cities.

The original music written, along with hits such as Benny Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing" and Glen Miller's "In the Mood," will be performed by conductor Keith Ward and members of the Corona Symphony orchestra.

The "U.S. Oh, No! Christmas Show" was first performed seven years ago.

"The growth of this show over the past seven years has been amazing," Monroe said. "It really is a show the whole family will love."

The idea for the show began taking seed about a decade ago after Monroe participated in a church Christmas play that was centered on World War II. Monroe began noting characters for the show based on characters from other shows and her friends and family members.

And for a big band musical she, of course, needed music.

"I partnered up with the very talented Chris Marsh and he created the first original songs for the show, including 'Rockefeller Center,' 'Tight Shoes Tango' and Velma's song, 'This is Home,'" Monroe said.

Each year, the musical evolved a bit with additional songs, new characters or character transformations, and even a new romance.

"It's been five years since the 'Oh, No! Show' has been performed and I think you will agree that it's the best one yet," she said. "It's been a labor of love. Much like a mom who can't stop tweaking her child's appearance ... I can't help but continue to fine tune the script and music. It's honest, funny, true and heartwarming."

Mickey, Minnie and friends will soon be visiting the Inland region and other Southern Calif. locations for the all-new "Disney on Ice," produced by Feld Entertainment.

The show, "Disney on Ice presents Let's Celebrate," will feature a magical montage of Disney characters celebrating holidays and festivals from around the world.

"Disney on Ice" will be at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Dec. 15-19, the Honda Center in Anaheim Dec. 21-26, Citizen's Business Bank Arena in Ontario Dec. 29-Jan. 2, and the Long Beach Arena Jan. 5-9.

"'Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate!' gives families a reason to celebrate no matter what time of year it is," said Producer Kenneth Feld. "This uplifting and unforgettable spectacle showcases different celebrations around the globe, and families will walk away remembering to celebrate the everyday joys and successes in their lives."

The show will include classic and contemporary Disney songs, an original storyline and high-energy action. Look for Halloween with Disney villains, a Valentine's Day Royal Ball featuring Disney Princesses and more.

The ice extravaganza will feature more than 50 characters from 16 Disney stories.

'DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS LET'S CELEBRATE'
Where: Citizens Business Bank Arena, 4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29; 1 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Dec. 30; 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. Dec. 31; 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Jan. 1; 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. Jan. 2
Admission: $16-$25 general; $45 VIP; $65 front row; $12 opening night all seats except premium
Tickets: 800-745-3000

The Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos in Corona will bring in 25 tons of snow for a snow play day Saturday, Dec.11. Children are invited to build snowmen, make snow angels or just play in the snow from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The snow play area will be behind Trader Joe's at The Promenade Shops.

In addition to the snow play Saturday, families can have breakfast and get photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Mrs. Claus will also conducting story times.

Located near New York & Company in the shopping center is Santa's Workshop, another location where children can have photos made with Santa. The workshop is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Fontana Festival of Winter festivities (say that three times fast!) will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 at Miller Park. The free community event will have activities for the whole family, including music, pictures with Santa, fun zones, local vendors, a snowy play zone and other live entertainment.

Other activities will also take place in the Lewis Library and at the Steelworkers' Auditorium.

There will be a food and toy drive benefitting City Link, a program set up to aid and support those in need. To donate, bring non-perishable canned foods and unwrapped toys to the festival.

For more information call 909-349-6947 or visit http://winter.fontana.org.