Weekend planner

A Christmas concert featuring many local voices and talents will have three shows this weekend.

The “Soft Sounds of Christmas” event starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. All shows are at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

Musical directors are Barb Lang and Lora Virgil. Local talent such as Stephanie Erdman, Jenika Boersma, Pat Parsons, Carrie Boyer, Glen Parsons, Jason Howland, Steve Stoneking and Tony Segura will be joined by Lang and Virgil on keyboard, Neil Lang on guitar and Todd Petersen on drums.

Tickets are $18 and are available at the box office, online at www.actonbraodway.com, or by calling 877-730-3144.

 

Friday

• Learn more about Saturday’s opera viewing by going to Prairie Wind Coffee from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Hear the story and more information about the show and mingle with fellow opera-lovers.

• The Lighthouse Event Center hosts “White Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or $17 at the door.

• Hear the “Soft Sounds of Christmas” at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

 

Saturday

• See a live high-definition viewing of the New York Metropolitan Opera’s “Aida” at noon at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. General tickets are $20, and tickets for students under age 30 are $12. Civic Music and ACT season ticket holders can see the opera for $18.

• The Lighthouse Event Center hosts “White Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or $17 at the door.

• Hear the “Soft Sounds of Christmas” at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

 

Sunday

• The Masonic Lodge will host an Amaranth pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the third floor of the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center building. Menu includes Amaranth pancakes, sausages, eggs and beverages. Donations will be accepted and proceeds go to local scholarships and causes. Santa will be at the breakfast and there will be carols sung by choir students from Albert Lea High School.

• The Alano Society will host a breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at 1005 N. Ulstad Ave. The menu includes pancakes, French toast, eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, coffee and juice. Cost is $5.

• A recital for music students of Sharon Astrup-Scott will be at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church.

• Hear the “Soft Sounds of Christmas” at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. The show starts at 2 p.m.

• Harmony Junction’s annual Christmas concert will be at two churches. A first concert will be at 3 p.m. at United Methodist Church, and a second concert will be at 7 p.m. at St. Theodore Catholic Church. A guest performance will be by the Albert Lea Community Band. The concerts are open to the public and donations will be accepted. Proceeds will go to Loaves and Fishes, a meal that is offered to community members at St. Theodore Church at 5 p.m. on Mondays.