Entertainment Briefs

The Book Jam Blog was created by Vermonters Lisa Cadow and Lisa Christie. Pages in the Pub is an evening designed for people to meet in a local restaurant/inn/pub and discuss books, literature and reading with local librarians and booksellers.

Tickets to the Hardwick event are available at the Galaxy Bookshop or the Jeudevine Memorial Library, both in Hardwick.

Seating is limited to 30 participants.

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

Sterling College is hosting a talk by alumna Marijke Weaver '00 about her hike across the Pacific Crest Trail.

Marijke Weaver, née Riddering, and her husband Scott Weaver will share stories and images from their recent honeymoon hike over the 2,660 miles-long Pacific Crest Trail. The newlyweds were accompanied by their dog, Balu.

The Trail is the westernmost and second longest component of the Triple Crown of Hiking. The route passes through 25 national forests and seven national parks.

The talk will be on Tuesday, Dec. 3, in Simpson Hall Classroom 3, starting at 6:30 p.m. This talk is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact jzaber@sterlingcollege.edu.

North Country Chorus brings out the brass for Christmas

The North Country Chorus will perform its 66th annual holiday program in three December concerts. Director Alan Rowe of Saint Johnsbury has chosen a program of familiar carols and contemporary masterworks. The singers will be accompanied by Jean Anderson on organ and an ensemble of brass and percussion.

Performances will take place on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 pm at the First Congregational Church in Littleton, N.H.; on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Wells River Congregational Church; and on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. at the Peacham Congregational Church.

The program includes the "Gloria" of John Rutter featuring soprano Julie Drown, Daniel Pinkham's "Christmas Cantata," Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium," and several short works: "In Dulci Jubilo" arranged by R.L. Pearsall, "The Blessed Son of God" by Ralph Vaughn Williams, and "Unto Us is Born a Son" set by Sir David Willcocks. The concert will conclude with a carol sing.

Tickets are available at the door or in advance at the Catamount Arts box office in St. Johnsbury or online at www.catamountarts.org.

Tickets are also now on sale through Catamount Arts for the 33rd annual Madrigal Dinner, The Queen's Play, to be held in Monroe, N.H., on Jan. 17, 18 and 19. Visit www.northcountrychorus.org for more information.

Poet Baron Wormser celebrates first novel at The Galaxy Bookshop

Baron Wormser will be reading and signing books at The Galaxy Bookshop on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 11 a.m. Wormser, a former Poet Laureate of Maine who now lives in Cabot, is celebrating the publication of his first novel, "Teach Us That Peace." The novel chronicles the journey of a mother and son through 1962-1963--two important years in American history in which the seemingly impossible achievement of racial harmony began to become possible.

Baron Wormser is an award winning author of nine books of poetry. His other works include guides to teaching poetry, a short story collection, and the memoir "The Road Washes Out In Spring."

This event is part of Hardwick's annual Holiday Happenings celebration and is free and open to the public. For more information, call 472-5533 or visit galaxybookshop.com.

A Celebration of Song at LSC

The Lyndon State College Community Chorus and the NEK Community Orchestra will pool their talents to present "A Celebration of Song," Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m., in the Alexander Twilight Theatre on the LSC campus. Both the Chorus and Orchestra are now under the direction of Janet Edmondson, an adjunct faculty member in Music and Performing Arts at LSC. Beth Norris and Bill Cotte, both having retired from their long-time conducting posts, will be featured as guest conductors for this concert. A reception in their honor will follow the performance. All are welcome to join in the celebration of their talents and dedication to their ensembles over the years.

The orchestra program will include Beethoven's "Symphony No. 1," Brahms' "Variations on a Theme by Haydn," and "The Polar Express" Concert Suite by Alan Silvestri. The chorus will perform a set of "2 Jazz Madrigals" by contemporary composer Ron Drotos, Peter Lutkin's "May the Lord Bless You and Keep You" (an LSC Chorus tradition), and "Winter Wonderland." The chorus and orchestra will combine their talents to perform John Rutter's "For the Beauty of the Earth" and "How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place" from the Brahms Requiem.

Admission is by donation.