As Christmas approaches here are a few suggestions for the weekend that might jump-start ye olde festive spirit.
At the Cygnet Theatre, the WCYG Playhouse of the Air presents A Christmas Carol, a live reading of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic delivered in the style of a 1940s radio program. In the past It’s A Wonderful Life had been the script followed by these faux radio performers.
That show has been a hit every year but after six seasons Cygnet has jumped from an American classic to one filled with crackling old Cockney accents. There’s a definite novelty about the conceit of collapsing a world of World War II rationing and snappy radio jingles into a Victorian London on a stage brimming with Christmas lights.
The show runs through Dec. 30 and you are bound to leave feeling a little more festive than when you went in. Great for a family of kids and parents etc.
If you catch Dickens on Friday night then head into North Park on Saturday to experience a performance of a totally different kind.
Performance art can take many shapes. It can be conceptual and thoroughly pre-planned or it can be a drunken flash mob of a thousand Santas, which is what we have here.
SantaCon is an annual mass gathering of people dressed in Santa Claus costumes parading publicly on streets and in bars in cities around the world, including San(ta) Diego.
The focus is on spontaneity and creativity while having a good time, spreading cheer and goodwill. The goodwill comes in the form of a request that everyone participating bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated to Mama’s Kitchen.
There are a few rules to consider. Participants must be over 21. Everyone must dress up in a costume that is Santa-like or elf-like or reindeer-like and all Santas must be addressed as “Santa” who will always respond with a cheery “Ho, ho, ho” (sounds a bit dom/sub to me).
The event is free and it is designed to be fun so enjoy yourselves and drink responsibly! SantaCon kicks-off around noon. Check Facebook for location details. Apparently 430 prospective Santas are already committed so this might be fun to see!
Finally, while you are in North Park, check out the closing reception of Lois and Clark, Explorers of Light, an exhibition of photographs by Lisa Vella and John Thurston from 6-9 p.m.
The photo-loving friends have joined forces in their love and admiration of all things photographic before. This exhibition outing, presented by Art of Pride at the San Diego Pride offices, 3620 30th Street, is a collection of recent work including images from Cuba and San Diego’s back-country. There will be special holiday pricing for the artwork so stop by (dressed as Santa or not) if you still have some gift purchases to make and help support your local LGBT lens-based artists.
