THEATER

Clay Hill Farm presents “A Christmas Carol: The NEW! Musical Tale” on Friday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. This is a two-person musical with music and lyrics by Nancy Day and a theatrical adaptation by Kirk Simpson. Tickets for the show are $20 per person. A seasonally themed dinner menu is provided for all shows, and there is limited seating. For reservations or for more information, call 361-2272 go to clayhillfarm.com. Clay Hill Farm is located at 220 Clay Hill Road in Cape Neddick.

“An Intimate Evening with Charles Dickens” will be performed at Clay Hill Farm on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Local actor, Kirk Simpson will host the unplugged evening of holiday storytelling that includes the classic “Christmas Carol,” “”˜Twas the Night Before Christmas” and other family favorites. Tickets are $18, plus the cost of food and beverages from a menu of Clay Hill’s seasonal fare. There is limited seating for this event. For reservations, call 361-2272 or go to www.clayhillfarm.com.

Applause for a Cause Players present “A Christmas Story with a Silver Lining” on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. at the Trailblazers Family Club, Bills Lane in Wells. This is an original holiday play with traditional songs of the season. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for youth under the age of 16. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information, call 646-2118.

ART

“Draw, Paint or Sculpt from the Figure” will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 23 from 6-8 p.m. at Engine, 265 Main St. in Biddeford. This event is for ages 14 and up, and costs $10 for the two-hour session. This is a weekly open art group working from a nude model. Attendees need to bring their own supplies. For more information, call 370-9130 or email [email protected].

The photography of Brenda Mannino will be on display at the Wells Public Library through the month of January. Mannino is a self-taught photographer, and specializes in the digital alteration of photography. She is the author of “Photothoughtography.” There will be a free reception on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. Refreshments will be provided, and the artist will answer questions. The library is located at 1434 Post Road. For more information, contact Cidney Mayes at 646-8181 or [email protected].

MUSIC

Rock My Soul and The RMS Five will perform on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Kittery Dance Hall in Kittery; and on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. at St. John’s Methodist Church in Dover, N.H. Rock My Soul and sister group, The RMS Five, specialize in rich harmonies and unique arrangements of roots, Americana and gospel.

The Sanford-Springvale Historical Museum will present its annual Christmas program on Thursday, Dec. 18 from 5-7 p.m. The program will feature the Sanford High School Chorus under the direction of Jane Kirton with Morton Gold as accompanist. The chorus will present a wide variety of Christmas songs, which will exude the spirit of this special holiday. The Historical Museum is located at 505 Main St. in Springvale and is handicap-accessible. Following the program, refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend.

“Home for the Holidays ”“ A Seacoast Musical Celebration” will hold four performances at the STAR Theatre in Kittery. Show times are Friday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. This year’s show features a cast of over 45 local performers and musicians. True to a “Broadway production style” with full set, costumes and dance, this high-energy show includes original vocal arrangements and medleys appealing to all ages. Santa Claus will also be making an appearance. For more information on tickets, call 439-3800 or go to www.kitterycommunitycenter.org/star-theatre.

The 9th annual Christmas Jazz Concert will be held on Friday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at The Church On The Cape, 3 Langsford Road in Cape Porpoise. The 16-piece Chris Humphrey Big Band presents a holiday concert of jazz to benefit those in need to keep warm this winter. Admission is free, but a $10 donation per person is suggested and proceeds will benefit the York County Fuel Assistance Program. For more information, go to www.chrishumphreybigband.com.

The Alumni Band will present “The Sounds of Christmas” conducted by Jeanne MacDonald-Johnson on Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Little Theater at Biddeford High School. Joining the Alumni Band again this year will be the Saint James Choir, directed by Estelle Beauchesne, along with guest vocalist Nicole Dube, who will sing “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Merry Christmas Darling!” John Higby, world Yo-Yo champion, will perform a Christmas routine. Santa and Dennis the Elf will again make their annual visit. The Alumni Band is sponsoring the Stone Soup Food Pantry in Biddeford, and asks that concert goers bring non-perishable food items to help fill the shelves of the pantry. Concert tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Tickets are reserved seating and can be purchased at Brady Screenprint, 464 Elm St. in Biddeford, or online at www.thealumniband.com.

“A Christmas Musical” presented by the Old Orchard Beach Songsters/Choir will be held on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Poulopoulos. There is no admission charge for this event. A Christmas Eve Service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 6 p.m. Both of these events will be held at The Salvation Army in Old Orchard Beach.

Special Interest

Local author Monica Russo and photographer Kevin Byron have completed their fourth nature book, “BIRDOLOGY: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Birds.” Published by Chicago Review Press, the book is designed for young readers 8 to 12, and includes “Teacher Topics” for classroom applications. The book is illustrated with photos and is scheduled for release Jan. 1. Byron has been a wildlife photographer for many years, and Russo wrote the Nature Notes column for the Sun Chronicle from 2006 through 2008.