Evangel University's music department presents its annual Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel auditorium. The symphonic band, led by music department chairman Michael Kolstad, will kick off the performance with "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." The concert also will include performances by the University Chorus, Jazz Band, Handbell Choir, Madrigal Singers and special guests Nixa High School Chamber Choir, directed by Evangel alumnus Jason Honeycutt. David Smith, director of theatre arts at Evangel, also will perform a scene from Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Admission is a donation of perishable food items or cash to benefit Ozarks Food Harvest, and the public is invited to attend.
Dec. 6
Miss Merrie Christmas will be crowned during a pageant 6-8 p.m. at the Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield. There are 34 young women in their junior or senior years of high school vying for the title and more than $2,500 in scholarship money. Miss Merrie Christmas typically is a media ambassador for Springfield and is recognized during the Springfield Christmas parade. Pageant tickets are $7 apiece and are available at the door the night of the event.
Dec. 11-14
Broadway Baptist Church, 2537 N. Broadway Ave., presents "Christmas on Broadway" at 7 p.m. each night. This Christmas musical, set in New York City's Central Park, combines humor, drama, a choir of more than 80 members, and a 15-piece orchestra to portray the true meaning of Christmas. The musical is suitable for all ages; admission is free.
Dec. 13
Urban Districts Alliance and sponsors including Hollywood Theaters present the 2008 Downtown Springfield Christmas Parade at 1 p.m. The parade theme is Christmas in the Movies, and businesses, nonprofits and bands will participate. The Victor L. Phillips Co. float will collect children's books for The Kitchen in an effort to promote literacy, and UDA is challenging the community to fill two Takeuchi trucks with books. For more information, visit www.itsalldowntown.com.
Business & Professional Development
Dec. 3
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Missouri Budget Project present the State of the State Budget Summit at 3 p.m. in chamber offices at 202 John Q. Hammons Parkway. Guest speakers including chamber President Jim Anderson, who is also vice-chairman of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, will delve into how Missouri is poised to weather the economic storm. For more information or to register, visit www.springfieldchamber.com.
Dec. 5
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce presents Nonprofit Roundtable: Forecast for Nonprofits at noon at the chamber offices, 202 John Q. Hammons Parkway. This event is for chamber members who are executive directors of nonprofits. A speakers' panel will address nonprofit needs for the months and years ahead. The cost is $10 per person, with lunch by Panera Bread. To register, visit www.springfieldchamber.com.
Dec. 10
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 2008 Manufacturer of the Year Luncheon at noon at University Plaza Hotel, 333 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway. Tickets are $25 apiece. Register at www.springfieldchamber.com.
Community
Dec. 9
Drury University presents a fundraising concert 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the Diversity Center on campus, featuring staff member Mark Crabtree and his Cattywampus Stringband, and several other Drury faculty members. Proceeds will benefit teen brothers Christopher and Jonathan Esquivel. Christopher Esquivel, 17, lives with his brother, Jonathan, 19, having been reunited in 2006. Earlier this year, Christopher fell out of a tree and broke his back in two places, damaging his spinal cord. They have insurance, but need help with medical expenses. Jonathan works at Old Chicago, and the brothers also send money to their mother in El Salvador, as she recovers from breast cancer. There is no set fee to attend the concert; donations will be accepted at the door.[[In-content Ad]]
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