November 5, 2007

Dana College’s annual Scandinavian-themed festival, Sights & Sounds of Christmas, will be held Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007.

The day-long festival is packed with concerts, food, exhibits, demonstrations, crafts and more. Designed to be family-friendly, all of the festival events are entertaining for all ages. Visitors can gain entry to all the events with the purchase of a Sights & Sounds lapel pin for just $5.

The lapel pins will be available at the door to every event during the festival, but reservations are encouraged for the famous Scandinavian Smorgasbord ($15.50 for adults through reservation — $17.50 at the door, and $7 for children 4-11). This year Dana is offering four limited settings of the Smorgasbord. The selections include authentic Scandinavian cuisine, including frikadeller (meat balls), medisterpølse (sausage) and stuffed pork loin, as well as several other Danish items including delicious desserts. See our web site (www.dana.edu/sightsandsounds) for a complete menu.

Reservations can be made by visiting the event’s web site, www.dana.edu/sightsandsounds, or by calling (402) 426-7200. Seats for the Smorgasbord are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so if visitors have a specific time in mind, they are encouraged to make reservations early. Times for the Smorgasbord are 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2.

Events in this year’s festival include:

WORSHIP
* Ecumenical Advent Worship Service: Start your day and the Advent season with an ecumenical worship service. Enjoy performances by our student musicians. 10 a.m., Trinity Chapel, Durham Center

GREAT PERFORMANCES
* The Showcase Sounds of Christmas Concert: The Gardner-Hawks Center is transformed into a winter wonderland of trees and poinsettias, the perfect setting for the Showcase Concert, the “can’t miss” event of the Sights and Sounds of Christmas celebration. Featuring the sounds of Dana’s alumni vocalists and Chorale, as well as the high school showcase choir from Millard West High School, this concert will get you into the holiday spirit. Also part of the concert will be a moving reenactment of the Swedish Festival of Lights by Dana's Santa Lucia Singers, a tradition at Sights and Sounds for more than 30 years.

The Millard West Concert Choir, under the direction of Dana College alumnus Scott Dugdale, is comprised of 158 sophomore, junior and senior students of Millard West High School in Omaha, Neb. Millard West High School as well as the Millard Public School District has a long-standing tradition of musical excellence. They have been ranked in the top 100 “Best Music Education Programs” in the nation for the last 5 consecutive years. Since the doors opened on Millard West High School 13 years ago, the music department has flourished. With it’s seven vocal ensembles performing for large audiences throughout Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri and Minnesota.

Dana College alumni are returning to usher in the season with a taste of musical theater. They will present Broadway’s take on the Christmas holiday in song and dance under the direction of Dr. Paul Schneider.

The concert concludes with the Dana College Chorale under the direction of Dr. Richard Palmer. This internationally renowned ensemble will delight you with music of the season, both old and new!

The event will be emceed by former Omaha TV news personality Kara Rovere. 2 p.m., Gardner-Hawks Center

* The Blair Dance Center will present their third annual “Holiday Dance Extravaganza!” The dancers will dazzle you with this beautiful Christmas production that is sure to delight an audience of all ages with its wide variety of holiday music and dance styles. The show offers everything from beautiful ballerinas twirling on their toes, to high energy hip hop and pom numbers, contemporary Christian liturgical dance, and of course, Broadway style tap and jazz routines! You won’t want to miss this event complete with glittering costumes and a special treat for the kids. 11 a.m. & 12:30 p.m., Borup Gymnasium, Gardner-Hawks Center

* Scandinavian Folk Dancers, a Sights & Sounds favorite, returns for another year of traditional dance and fun. 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m., Borup Gymnasium, Gardner-Hawks Center

* Ragazzi Children's and Youth Choirs, two of choirs of the Nebraska Children’s Choruses, are new this year to Sights and Sounds. Ragazzi Children’s Chorus is an introductory choir, with students in grades 2-4. Emphasis in this choir is placed on correct singing technique, introduction to harmony or singing in parts, and reading scores (the printed piece of music). Ragazzi Youth Children’s Chorus involves singers in grades 5-7. An intermediate level choir designed to continue students’ education in proper singing technique, score reading, and more advanced harmony, Ragazzi Youth also challenges students to sing new choral music from a variety of genres, cultures, and backgrounds. Students in the chorus come from a variety of backgrounds and have various levels of musical training. The groups are under the direction of Cody Talarico. 4 p.m., Gymnasium, Gardner-Hawks Center

* Chordside Quartet formed in the spring of this year and has been practicing in preparation for the holiday season ever since. All four members sing with the Omaha Chorus of Sweet Adelines International. Omaha Chorus is part of a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art of Barbershop harmony through education and performance. 4 p.m., Borup Gymnasium, Gardner-Hawks Center

* The Omaha Tuba Quartet is an informal group that performs mainly during the Christmas season. It consists of 2 tubas and 2 euphoniums (tenor tubas) and we play a variety of traditional Christmas carols arranged for these instruments. Part of our mission is to promote the rich, melodious sound of the instrument and show that the tuba can be much more than a background instrument. 4:30 p.m., Borup Gymnasium, Gardner-Hawks Center

* Ransomed: An impactful, theatrical portrayal of the life and work of Jesus Christ, employing music and mime. Led by Dana’s Christ In Action organization. 5 p.m., Trinity Chapel, Durham Center

CRAFTS
* Swedish Weavers and Scandinavian Lacemakers: Marvel at the Scandinavian techniques of Omaha Weavers & Spinners Guild as they demonstrate their crafts. Adults & children can try their hand at weaving on a loom. Watch the arts of Bobbin Lace, Hardanger, Tatting and others. Finished work for sale. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Upper Level, Cooperman Atrium, Gardner-Hawks Center

* Let’s Make It Danish: Back by popular demand, you can try your hand at the Danish art of paperweaving to create ornaments for your own Christmas tree. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Linden Room, Campus Center

SALES
* Jule Markedsplads (A Christmas Marketplace) returns this year with crafts and gifts from local artists. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-5:30 p.m., Borup Coliseum, Gardner-Hawks Center

* Dana Bookstore & Gifts: Selections of Scandinavian books, gifts, food, Christmas ornaments, papercuts, napkins and Dana insignia items are available. 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Campus Center

For more information or to make reservations, contact:
Carrie L. Reed, Director of College Relations and Marketing
402-426-7385
creed@dana.edu