<b>Celtic Christmas Concert:</b> Harry O’Donoghue and Carroll Brown are proud to present their Celtic Christmas Concert, a lively program filled with Spiritual, Celtic, and traditional seasonal songs and stories on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at ARTworks on Boundary Street. Joining them again this year will be keyboard player Michael Murray, to round out the sounds of the season, The Sweetgrass Angels will open the concert. Carroll Brown is a gifted acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter from South Carolina. With over 35 years in the music business he

[caption id="attachment_14206" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/celticchristmasartworks2013.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-14206" alt="Harry O’Donoghue and Carroll Brown present their Celtic Christmas Concert." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/celticchristmasartworks2013-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Harry O’Donoghue and Carroll Brown present their Celtic Christmas Concert.[/caption]

possesses a wealth of musical knowledge and a vast repertoire of songs and stories. (www.carrollbrownmusic.com) Harry O’Donoghue comes from the east coast of Ireland. Performing professionally for nearly 30 years, he is a talented musician and has become a master storyteller and folksinger. Now living in Savannah, Harry co-produces and hosts the popular Green Island Radio Show for Georgia Public Broadcasting and leads multiple annual group tours to Ireland. Together they bring to the stage a gently paced acoustic show, drawing on their roots to offer an eclectic Holiday program of traditional, Celtic, original, spiritual, folksy and spoken word pieces.

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<b>Beaufort Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert:</b> Beaufort Symphony Orchestra has something for everyone in their “Fa LaLaLaLa” Winter Holiday Concert at USCB Center for the Arts on Dec. 5 and 8.  Maestro Fred Devyatkin has filled our musical stocking with Handel, Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky, topped it off with traditional Christmas and Hanukah songs, and then added a rousing finale of holiday sing-along favorites to rev up your holiday spirit! So mark your calendars and make plans to attend the concert on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. or Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. All tickets are $37.50 with assigned seating. Go to TIX.com to order online or call 1-800-595-4849. For savings with seasonal tickets, go to the website at www.beaufortorchestra.org.

<b>Big weekend of Gullah musical theater: </b>Experience the spirit of the season with a big weekend of Gullah feasts, live music, theatre, storytelling, dancing, art and holiday celebrations.

On Friday, December 6, Aunt Pearlie Sue and the Gullah Kinfolk will perform their soul-stirring original musical “Gullah Kinfolk Christmas Wish ... Freedom Comin’” at 7 p.m. at the University of South Carolina-Beaufort’s

[caption id="attachment_14207" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ANita5.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-14207" alt="Anita Singleton Prather, who stars as Aunt Pearlie Sue." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ANita5-300x199.jpg" width="300" height="199" /></a> Anita Singleton Prather, who stars as Aunt Pearlie Sue.[/caption]

Performing Arts Center.

The show is intended for people of all ages and races. It tells the story of the Christmas, 1860 just before the start of the Civil War and shortly after South Carolina seceded from the Union. It takes place in the “Quarters” and “Big House” of a Sea Island plantation where the hope of freedom among the Gullah people was expressed through storytelling and song. The historically-based performance was crafted by Anita Singleton Prather, who stars as Aunt Pearlie Sue. Prather is retired school teacher, ordained minister and nationally acclaimed storyteller. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Admission is $10 for those aged 7 to 17. The celebration continues Saturday, December 7 at 7 p.m. with a contemporary Gullah Caribbean Christmas Cabaret at the York W. Bailey Museum at historic Penn Center on St. Helena Island. There will be a live variety show, comedy acts, a Gullah Caribbean dinner and dancing to rhythm and blues and reggae bands. Tickets are $40. Reservations for Friday and/or Saturday shows may be made through the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce at 843-986-1102 or www.bcbcc.org.

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<b>Book signings at McIntosh Book Shoppe:</b> The following authors will be signing copies of their books at McIntosh Book Shoppe on Friday,
Dec. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. McIntosh Book Shoppe is located at 917 Bay Street in downtown Beaufort.

• Patricia Bee, author of “Tryumsee Wings,” a Gullah book for young children, and “Mama’s Pearls,” a book of Gullah poetry.

• Sonny Bishop, author of “A Place Called Home,” about growing up on St. Helena on Yard Farm.

• Janet Garrity, author of “Goin Down the River,” a collection of fish camp photos of the Sea Islands.

• Bubba Von Harten, author of “Little Geech,” “a shrimper’s story of life on the waters of Beaufort and the Sea Islands.”

• Kathryn Wall, author “St. John’s Folly,” her latest in a series of mysteries based in the Lowcountry Call 843-525-1066 for details.

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<b>Holidaze at ARTworks:</b> Jingle bells, hand-made presents are swell. On three Saturdays in December, drop in for a selection of ready-to-go art projects to help you decorate the tree, stuff stockings, and spread good cheer. Artists guide you through the creative process, like Rudolph leading the sled team — and take care of the clean up too! ARTworks supplies all the glitter, ornaments, and craft supplies you and your family needs for handmade presents, just bring your creativity, a list of your lucky gift recipients, and $5-$15 per project. Holidaze Saturdays are December 7, 14, and 21, from noon to 4 p.m. at ARTworks, the community arts center of Beaufort. For more information, call 379-2787 or visit www.artworksinbeaufort.org. ARTworks is located in Beaufort Town Center, 2127 Boundary Street.

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<b>Masterpiece Masquerade:</b> Is it a Van Gogh  or a or just pretending to be a Van Gogh?  “Masterpiece Masquerade” will once again be the feature exhibit for Beaufort Art Association’s All-Member Holiday Show.  Each year BAA invites all 200 of their members to exhibit in their downtown gallery.  Over the years  Masterpiece

[caption id="attachment_14208" align="alignleft" width="232"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/GirlWateringCan-by-ethie-morrison.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-14208" alt="“Girl with a Watering Can” by Ethie Morrison as part of BAA’s Masterpiece Masquerade exhibit." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/GirlWateringCan-by-ethie-morrison-232x300.jpg" width="232" height="300" /></a> “Girl with a Watering Can” by Ethie Morrison as part of BAA’s Masterpiece Masquerade exhibit.[/caption]

Masquerade has been a favorite subject for artists and art patrons.  This year’s exhibit will not disappoint. Artists were asked to pick their favorite master artist to emulate;  or choose a masterpiece to re-create with their own twist on it.  Either way, this December, the BAA Gallery will be filled with Beaufort artists own “masterpieces” reminiscent of art museums all over the world. Masterpiece Masquerade will open on December 9 at Beaufort Art Association Gallery, 913 Bay Street and run through January 5. A Masquerade Party reception will be held on Friday, December 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.BeaufortArtAssocation.com or call 843-521-4444.

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<b>Four Artist Christmas Concert:</b> Morning Song Music has announced its tenth national Christmas tour featuring four artists: Steve Darmody, Jennifer LaMountain and Rudy Micelli, and Angela Bryant-Brown. Morning Song Music’s Christmas concert event, called “The Angels Sang” includes both traditional Christmas classics, new Christmas originals and favorites, like “Mary Did You Know” and “Oh Holy Night.” The free community concert will be at the USCB Center For the Arts on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at The Herban Marketplace, The Chocolate Tree and Beaufort Liquidation. Steve Darmody says, “I am excited about this tenth Christmas Tour for Morning Song. The bringing together of these talented singers to present this wonderful story of our Savior’s birth has become an annual touring tradition for Morning Song Concerts. Each year, new songs and new arrangements provide to create an awesome and memorable evening.”

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<b>Celebrate Christmas Community Concert:</b> The Baptist Church of Beaufort, 600 Charles Street, Beaufort SC  29902, will host a “Celebrate Christmas” Community Concert on December 15 at 3 p.m. Come and join for a very special seasonal celebration as they bring back the infamous Sanders Family from Smoke on the Mountain, hear and watch  guest solo vocalists and dancers, choirs, instrumental ensembles of all ages, dance with children in their “Marshmellow World” and lift our voices together in community carols.  The season is upon us — join us for this free community event. Contact:  Dr. Melanie Williams ,  mwilliams@bcob.org, (843)252-4104.

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<b>December USCB Festival Series Concert:</b><b> </b>The USCB Festival Series concert features Gershwin, Dvorak and Mozart and will provide the opportunity to hear George Gershwin’s piano concertos and pieces for string quartet by offering one of these classical pieces, an early composition, “Lullaby for String Quartet” played by wonderful musicians in the fine acoustics of the USCB Center For the Arts. In recognition of Gershwin’s genius and as a gift to the Lowcountry audience, Artistic Director Edward Arron has positioned Mr. Gershwin between two of the grand names in classical music: from the 19th Century, Antonin Dvorak, and from the 18th, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Sunday, December 15 at 5 p.m. will bring a holiday evening to remember at the USCB Center for the Arts on Carteret Street. For tickets, call 843-208-8246 or go to www.uscb.edu/festivalseries.

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<i>Do you have an arts event you would like to announce? Send your information and photos to theislandnews@gmail.com.</i>
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