Dec. 7
GOD JUL!
While Santa's elves are busy tinkering away in the North Pole, the Christmas nisse (Norwegian gnomes) come out to play. Get acquainted with these mischievous creatures and other Nordic holiday traditions during two festive events presented by the local Sons of Norway lodge at the Shadle Park Library.
The festivities start with storytime and crafts for kids from 10:30-11 am, including readings of Nordic-inspired tales like The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Afterwards kids can immerse themselves even deeper into the stories with related crafts, such as making paper goat popsicle sticks.
More advanced crafts ensue at 11 am with make-your-own felted Christmas nisse. In addition to leaving milk and cookies out for Santa, you might leave a bowl of porridge for your new gnome friend to keep it in good spirits.
Another craft involves braiding heart shapes out of wheat straw, which are commonly hung in Norwegian homes to symbolize love and togetherness.
"Straw ornaments of all different shapes are common and popular and hung on the Christmas tree or hung in the window," says Lori McKinnell, who's on the Sons of Norway's culture committee.
"And then for kids, there will be a woven paper heart. It looks like a little basket. When you open it, you can hang it on the Christmas tree and put a little treat in it," she adds.
JoAnn Karpf also demonstrates and teaches rosemaling, a historic Norwegian folk painting, which attendees can replicate on paper heart ornaments.
If you're all crafted out, engage some of your other senses with a cooking demonstration and how to make krumkake (cone cookies) and hjertevafler (heart-shaped waffles). Of course, taste testing is a must!
"People make [Krumkake] during the year, but it's very common and popular to have it at Christmas," McKinnell says. "And the word is that you are not much of a host if you don't offer at least nine varieties of traditional cookies in Norway."
Luckily, in the U.S. even knowing how to make one of these cookie varieties can impress your friends and relatives.
"The waffles are traditional year-round, but certainly everybody has them at the holidays. They are served as a snack with brown cheese on them that's kind of caramelly and nutty," says McKinnell, adding that jam is also a popular topping.
The Sons of Norway are a nonprofit focused on local charity and community building. Anyone can join regardless of gender or ancestry — you don't need to be Norwegian, just to have a deep interest in learning and sharing Nordic culture.
"We want to keep sharing this with the community partly so that we can retain these traditions and values and cultural things, and partly to introduce others to it and to help people in our community who have Nordic background but never really had anyone in their family who knew the traditions," McKinnell says.
10:30 am-3:45 pm • Free • Shadle Park Library • 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. • events.spokanelibrary.org
Dec. 5
THE NUTCRACKER
Tchaikovsky's score and the 200-year-old children's tale is brought back to life by the Spokane Symphony and State Street Ballet in their annual production of The Nutcracker. As Clara pirouettes through a magical world of life-size nutcrackers, evil mice and a land of sweets, be entranced by each dance. Whether you're witnessing it for the first time or the 100th, this classic ballet never gets old. State Street Ballet is an international dance company based out of Santa Barbara, California, and their fine lineup of touring principal dancers — accompanied by local young ballet students in several scenes — is well worth donning a festive wool sweater and braving the winter chill.
Dec. 5-7 at 7:30 pm Dec. 7-8 at 3 pm • $33-$115 • The Fox Theater • 1001 W. Sprague Ave. • foxtheaterspokane.org
Dec. 6
WINTER WONDERETTES
When Christmas goes amiss after Santa Claus's disappearance, the Wonderettes are here to save the day! Taking place on the set of a high school play, Winter Wonderettes: The Springfield High School Edition is directed by Janet Bresnahan and promises laughter and heartwarming holiday cheer. Groove to '60s versions of Christmas hits like "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Run, Rudolph, Run."
Dec. 5-8 at 7 pm; also Dec. 8 at 2 pm • $20 • Chewelah Center for the Arts • 405 N. Third St. • chewelahcenterforthearts.com
Dec. 8
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
Who says naughty children always deserve coal? In The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, based on a book by Barbara Robinson, the mischievous Herdman siblings take over their local Sunday school Christmas pageant. This play version, presented by Theater Arts Center (TAC) at the Lake and directed by Daniel Dolan-Derks, has a hilarious and heartwarming story in store for the audience. As the Herdman children navigate acting out the story of Christmas, the true meaning of the holiday is revealed. TAC at the Lake is a small, nonprofit theater in Liberty Lake.
Showing Dec. 6-15; Thu-Fri at 7 pm and Sat-Sun at 2 pm • $13-$15 • TAC at the Lake • 22910 E. Appleway Ave., Liberty Lake • tacatthelake.com
Dec. 9
A DANCEWORKS CHRISTMAS
Celebrate the holidays with a dance showcase at the historic Panida Theater performed by members of DanceWorks studio. The studio has been integral to the Sandpoint community for 30 years, with thousands of dancers being trained in all styles of dance. The show offers a mix of popular songs plus some Christmas classics. Twenty dancers, from age 3 to adults, execute tap, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop-style choreography that aims to capture the building excitement for the holidays.
7 pm • $15 • Panida Theater • 300 N. First Ave., Sandpoint • panida.org
Dec. 10
GLENN MILLER
ORCHESTRA
Although famous American big bandleader Glenn Miller disappeared on a flight across the English Channel during World War II, his legacy continues to live on through his music, and the holiday season is no exception. The Glenn Miller Orchestra is rolling through the Inland Northwest and onto the Fox Theater's stage in its new Christmas program, In The Christmas Mood. The orchestra puts a swingin' twist on timeless holiday hits like "Home for the Holidays," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," and "Jingle Bells," alongside a few nonholiday Miller classics like "In The Mood," "Moonlight Serenade" and "Chattanooga-Choo Choo." With over 18 musicians gracing the stage, this magic-filled evening is sure to stoke the holiday spirit.
7 pm • $66-$88 • The Fox Theater • 1001 W. Sprague Ave. • foxtheaterspokane.org
Dec. 11
MERRY GRINCHMAS
Who doesn't love a good anti-hero? While Santa is all jolly and good, the Grinch has stolen the limelight at Trailbreaker Cider's annual Merry Grinchmas. The Liberty Lake cidermaker's event includes free professional photos with the Grinch, plus local vendors and activities for kids. Among those vendors, some are bringing the holiday bedazzlement with permanent jewelry, face painting and hair tinsel extensions. There's also a hot cocoa station, where your little ones can sip while writing a letter to the Grinch (for a chance to receive a present via mail later on). Go on and visit Whoville while celebrating the holidays with this favorite Christmas cave dweller.
5-8 pm • Free • Trailbreaker Cider • 2204 N. Madison St., Liberty Lake • trailbreakercider.com
