Roamin' the Range Nov. 2013

As the days get shorter and daylight saving time disappears, it’s time to look forward to the holiday season — twinkling lights, craft fairs, theatrical productions, parades and the arrival of the jolly old fellow.

Entertainment

OpenStage Theatre, now in its 41st season, presents The Seafarer by acclaimed Irish playwright Conor McPherson, and directed by Matthew G. Smith, Nov. 2-30 at Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre in Fort Collins. Described by the New York Times as “a tingling, dark and enthralling comic fable,” this production, intended for mature audiences, takes place on Christmas Eve in a decrepit apartment on the edge of Dublin. The play sheds light on a dim world where five men cope with dysfunctional relationships and defective personalities in the warm delirium of alcohol. Info and tickets: 970-221-6730 or LCTIX.com.

Head up to Livermore on Dec. 7 or 8, for the Holiday Art and Craft Fair at Chapel in the Pines Fellowship Hall, 23947 County Road 74E, Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Booths, food, bake sale, crafts, holiday treats. There’s also a Red Feather Lakes Village Library event, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Santa will be there. Sponsored by the Red Feather Lakes Historical Society. Info and details: Pat Clemens 970-495-0560.

Bas Bleu Theatre, 401 Pine St., gets into the holiday spirit with its production of Over the Tavern, directed by Jonathan Farwell, playing Thursdays through Sunday Nov. 27-Jan. 5. This warm and hilarious look at family, love and growing up Catholic, takes place in the cramped apartment of a large family in the nostalgia-laden Eisenhower years of the 1950s. Info and tickets: 970-498-8949.

Treat your out-of-town guests to a performance of Scrooge at the Candlelight Dinner Theatre, 4747 Marketplace Drive in Johnstown. Based on Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol,’ the show includes the Oscar-nominated hit “Thank You Very Much,” and is packed with memorable songs, classic characters and a few surprises. Pure family entertainment. Nov. 4-Jan. 5. Call 970-744-3747 for information and tickets.

The Midtown Arts Center, 3750 S. Mason St. in Fort Collins performs “Les Miserables” through Nov. 23. This Tony and Oscar award-winning musical tells the classic tale of convicted Jean Valjean and his life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued. Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, the show is playing for the first time in Northern Colorado. Information and tickets: 970-225-2555.

Don’t miss Santa Claus when he serves as grand marshal for the Christmas Parade in Wellington at 5 p.m., Dec. 7 immediately followed by the Wellington Fire Department’s annual chili supper. To register to participate in the parade, call 970-568-3381.

The Contemporary Artist Music Series at CSU presents Shilo Stroman, CSU faculty member and alumnus performing a concert aimed at the heart, 7:30 p.m. in the Organ Recital Hall at the University Center for the Arts, 1400 Remington St., Fort Collins. Tickets are free for CSU students, $1 for youth (under 18), and $12 for the public, available at the University Center for the Arts (UCA) ticket office in the UCA lobby, by phone at 970-491-ARTS (2787) or online at www.CSUArtsTickets.com. Youth tickets must be purchased in person at the ticket office. Advance purchase is recommended to avoid at-the-door fees. “This concert will come off as a playlist where everything revolves around love and relationships,” Stroman said. The Contemporary Artist Music Series is made possible by the Bohemian Foundation and aims to get students and community members to attend concerts at the University Center for the Arts, increase the amount of live contemporary music performances in Fort Collins, and encourage audience and community support of local musicians.

Shopping

The fourth annual Wellington United Methodist Fellowship’s craft fair takes place from 8 a.m.to 3 p.m., Nov. 23 in the church at 8251 Wellington Blvd. Lots of goodies and beautiful gifts by local artists.

Be Local-sponsored Winter Farmers Market is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday November through April at Opera Galleria, 123 N. College in downtown Fort Collins. Lots of locally grown food items and locally made crafts.

What could be more fun than than a trip up Rist Canyon to the 37th annual Stove Prairie Winter Festival? The festival is to be held at Stove Prairie Mountain School, 3891 Stove Prairie Road, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You’ll find and an array of gifts, jewelry, pottery, Richard Schmid prints, wreaths, native trees, stained glass, woolens and fleece await you. There’s also a silent auction, raffle for a handmade quilt and a bake sale. Homemade chili, burgers and hot dogs served. Santa will be there along with the work of more than 80 local artists and vendors. Admission and parking are free. Proceeds support the Stove Prairie Mountain School. For more information: 970-482-0275.

On Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 3:30 to 6 p.m. and Saturday Dec. 13 between 9 a.m.and 1 p.m., the Children Christmas Shop at LaPorte Presbyterian Church, 3824 W. CR 54 G in LaPorte will be open for business. Gifts for children and adults for 25 cents each! Donations of canned goods appreciated.