Central Florida Master Choir concert tops the list of fun things to do this weekend in Ocala
Editor's note: A full guide to holiday entertainment events can be found at ocala.com
THIS WEEKEND
The 27th annual 'Trains at the Holidays' exhibition
This holiday season classic will run Dec. 16-29 at the College of Central Florida Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala. "The exhibit will feature model trains by the Ocala Model Railroaders’ Historic Preservation Society and is a family favorite, with moving train displays featuring holiday themes and local landmarks," CF said in a news release. The exhibition will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on Christmas day. On Christmas Eve, the exhibit will be open noon to 3 p.m. More at 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.
Central Florida Master Choir
The choir will present “Go Tell It On The Mountain!” featuring works by Gustav Holst, Vaughan Williams, Hector Berlioz, PDQ Bach, Josef Haydn, Harold McSwain, Mark Hayes and others at 3 p.m. Dec. 17 at Dunnellon Presbyterian Church, 20641 Chestnut St., Dunnellon. Freewill offering.
Community Music Conservatory Winter Recital
This show will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Reilly Arts Center. Tickets are $5. "This showcase will feature instrumental soloists and group class performances, with ticket proceeds supporting the CMC scholarship and programming fund," organizers say. More at reillyartscenter.com
Phantasmagoria - A Most Victorian Christmas
The critically acclaimed Victorian Performance Troupe presents whimsical and spirited ghost tales for the holiday. The performances are 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17 in the NOMA Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center. Tickets $25. More at www.reillyartscenter.com.
COMING SOON
'The Nutcracker'
These performances from Dance Alive National Ballet will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 18-20 at the Reilly Arts Center. More at reillyartscenter.com
ONGOING
Christmas Lights Spectacular
This show, created by St. John Lutheran Church and School, is hosted at the Florida Horse Park. It is a drive-thru light spectacular, held Nov. 24-Dec. 30. The park transforms into a colorful world of sparkle, music and festive spirit. The 1.8-mile light show is accompanied by music from K Country 93.7. Visitors can journey along the route in the comfort of their cars or visit the skate rink and walk-through displays. Food trucks on site. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.ocalachristmas.com
World Equestrian Center Winter Wonderland
The family friendly event is back for its third year. It will run Nov. 25-Dec. 23. The Grand Plaza will glow with more than 1 million bulbs and be festooned with enormous ornaments, garlands and a Christmas tree maze. Kids can meet Santa Claus, write a letter to the elves at the North Pole, and get tickets to enjoy breakfast with St. Nick at on-site restaurant Stirrups on select dates.
This is part of a holiday extravaganza, with entertainment for adults and kids. For full information, including dates and prices, visit www.wecwinterwonderland.com.
'Newy Fagan: A Retrospective'
This exhibit, which organizers say "explores over 53 years of art created by a pioneer in the kiln-formed glass art movement," is up through Dec. 28 at the Marion Cultural Alliance’s Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala. More at gallery@mcaocala.com and 352-369-1500.
Appleton Museum of Art annual exhibition
“A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition” features themed trees and much more from the collection of the Urban family. Ornately decorated trees and the architecture, customs and history of Victorian England come alive in this popular miniature village, alongside an extensive collection of nutcrackers from around the world. On view through Jan. 7 at the Appleton.
John Elliott photos
A collection is up at the Chelsea Art Center through Dec. 15. In promotional materials, Elliott is described as "a master photographer with more than five decades invested in virtually every aspect of the medium." This exhibition features 40 photographs from his “The Human Pulse” and “Walls/Spaces” series. The center is at Chelsea Square Plaza, 3305 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at (352) 804-1272 and https://chelseaartcenter.com/
'Skylines to Hemlines: Art Deco Design from the Permanent Collection'
This exhibition is up at the Appleton Museum of Art through Jan. 14. "Curated and displayed for the first time ever from the Appleton’s impressive permanent collection of Art Deco objects, 'Skylines to Hemlines' offers an introductory overview to early 20th century art, architecture, design, fashion, jewelry, paintings, prints and photographs created in the interwar period," organizers say. The Appleton is at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at www.appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.
Exciting Explorers
This exhibit at the Discovery Center is up through Jan. 6. The center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. "This new exhibit allows guests to go on a high-seas adventure or trek into dark tombs filled with artifacts. Children and adults will learn how explorers discover new worlds while navigating and expanding their knowledge of uncharted territories," organizers say. "Take on the role of archeologist and learn how artifacts are preserved or become a scientist and use your imagination for future discoveries."
General admission is $8 per person/$28 for a family of four. More at 352-401-3900 or www.mydiscoverycenter.org.
‘The Unscene South’
This exhibition will be up at the Appleton Museum of Art through Jan. 28. “A little-known population of Blacks lived free in the United States, long before Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery,” the museum says on its website. “Through Charles Eady’s paintings, ‘The Unscene South’ shares evidence and details of their existence, and presents opportunities to view the realities of their daily lives, seeking to eliminate many misconceptions about Blacks and the South.”
The Appleton is at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at www.appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.
'Caught Up in History and Captured on Film: Randy Batista’s Photographs of Florida and Cuba'
This exhibition is up through Jan. 28 at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Gainesville-based photographer Randy Batista "uses his lens to document his life and travel adventures," the Appleton says in a news release. "Comprised of silver-gelatin prints developed from film, the images in this show focus on Florida and Cuba — two places that have had a profound impact on the artist. Having lived in both locations, the artist’s awareness of place, time and cultural heritage are evident in his quiet but alluring street photography, landscapes and portraits." More at www.appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.
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‘Bold and Inspired: Native American Regalia’ by Diana Lee and ‘Abstract Island Expressions’ by William Lee
These art exhibitions, the work of married couple Diana and William Lee, will be up through Jan. 4 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala. Both exhibits are free and open to the public. The center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. "Bold and Inspired" is on the first floor and "Abstract Island Expressions" on the second. More at (352) 629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org or www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces.
‘Tony A. Blue, American Painter’
This exhibition from Tony Blue is up through Jan. 9 at the Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Suite 600, Ocala. This show “explores Blue’s expressionist, abstract paintings,” which are “inspired by Florida’s tropical natural landscape,” the city says in a news release. The exhibit is free and open to the public. More at www.artoftonyblue.com, (352) 629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org and www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces.
‘The Beauty of Nature and Recyclable Refuse’
This art exhibition from Albert Bevilacqua is up through Jan. 8 at the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration building, 828 NE Eighth Ave., and the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. The building are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free exhibit is open to the public. More at (352) 629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org and www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces
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This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala weekend entertainment highlights include many holiday events
