FESTIVAL OF TREES: Brooksville Woman's Club will have its annual Festival of Trees from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today in the atrium at the Hernando County Government Center in downtown Brooksville. There will be decorated trees and tables with Christmas crafts and baked goods for sale. The trees will remain in the atrium through the end of the year. The event is open to the public. Call 597-9829 or 597-0108.
BONE FOR ROCKHOUNDS: The Withlacoochee Rockhounds will have their 29th annual Rock, Gem and Jewelry Show today through Sunday at the SNPJ Hall, 13383 County Line Road, Spring Hill. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is $3. Call 688-7810 or 699-1406.
SWEET SOUNDS OF THE SEASON: The Sweet Adelines harmony chorus will have its annual holiday show at 4 p.m. Saturday at Spring Hill United Church of Christ, 4244 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. Home for the Holidays is a lighthearted spoof depicting family members as they converge on the home front for the holidays. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students. Call 688-8305.
SEASONAL SENTIMENTS: The final performance in the Hernando Symphony Orchestra's holiday concert series will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hernando High School Performing Arts Center, 700 Bell Ave., Brooksville. The concert is titled "Seasonal Sentiments" and features holiday music. Performing with the orchestra are soprano Karen Romine and the Bells of St. Frances. Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for students. For information, call 799-8507.
CHICAGO GOES SOUTH: The work of Chicago artist "rory" will be on display at 4:30 p.m. Fridays and by appointment at New Millennia Studio's DanceGallery, 316 S Broad St., Brooksville. The exhibit features original paintings, drawings and sketches, as well as posters and prints of the artist's work. Call 592-0184 or go to DanceGallery@msn.com
OLD DOG, NEW TRICKS: Chinsegut Nature Center will have a free bird dog demonstration from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the center, north of Brooksville. Take U.S. 41 north of Brooksville 7 miles, turn left on County Road 476 and go 1 mile. The nature center is on the left. For information, call 754-6722.
QUICK TRIPS
BIG APPLE CELEBRATION: A New York Christmas continues through Dec. 25 at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Shows are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Dec. 20; and 3 p.m. Sundays. Doors open two hours before each show for buffet and full cash bar. Dinner and show, $38.50; show only, $27.45; ages 12 and younger, $20.95 and $15.95, all plus tax and tip. Call toll-free 1-888-655-7469.
CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA: A Pasco Christmas: Christmas in America continues through Sunday at Richey Suncoast Theatre, 6237 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey. Shows are at 8 p.m. today and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 adults, $8 ages 12 and younger, reserved seating. Call (727) 842-6777.
THAT TIME AGAIN: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, a musical variety show, opens today at the Angel Cabaret Theatre, 5201 U.S. 19, New Port Richey, and continues through Dec. 25. Shows are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 6 p.m. Sundays and 1:30 p.m. some Wednesdays and Saturdays. Doors open two hours before each show for buffet and cash wine and beer bar. Dinner and show, $35.50; show only, $2l.95, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 847-0019.
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS: "Sights and Sounds of Christmas" continues through Dec. 14 at the Harry Bollback Performing Arts Center, 13241 Word of Life Drive, Hudson off Hudson Avenue just west of Hays Road. The show, Christmas in the '40s, includes traditional and religious Christmas songs, a large cast wearing more than 500 colorful costumes, a depiction of the Bethlehem nativity and live animals on stage. Tickets are $20 adults, $18 ages 55 and older, $5 ages 12 and younger; group rates available; all plus $2 transaction fee per order. Lunch ($7.50) and dinner ($12) at the nearby conference center are available. For a complete list of times and dates, see www.wol.org click on "gospel productions," then "sights and sounds of Christmas." Call toll-free 1-877-412-8687.
ART MUSIC: "Christmas in the Courtyard" will feature the duo Future Perfect doing songs from their newest album, Songs of Christmas Future, from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Potting Shed, 6040 Main St., New Port Richey. Future Perfect is Dave Eichenberger and Misha Penton; their music uses loops, drones, flute and guitar, and vocals, and has been described as "art music." The concert is free.
GOOD NEWS: A 100-voice choir will perform "That's Good News" at 4 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 13123 U.S. 19, Hudson. The Christmas event features singing, drama and a narrator. Donations of canned food for holiday baskets will be accepted.
LOOK AHEAD
ANGELS ON HIGH: Angels on High, a display of lighted angels and nightly entertainment, will be at Spring Hill Community Association on Hunter Lake, on Kenlake Avenue in Spring Hill, Dec. 13-20. Hours are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. each night. Tickets to the entertainment will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
JOY OF THE SEASON: The Chancel Choir of Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church will present a Christmas production, "Repeat the Sounding Joy," at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14 at the church, 200 Mount Fair Ave., Brooksville. Admission is free, and the public is welcome.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: The annual Historical Tour of Homes sponsored by the Brooksville Woman's Club on Dec. 14 will feature three homes and the club's 72-year-old clubhouse. Tours will begin at 1 p.m., 1:45 and 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, and refreshments will be served. The tours will meet at the Brooksville City Hall parking lot, 201 Howell Ave. For tickets, call 796-4814 or 796-6026.
CURTAIN CALLS
Stage West Community Playhouse will have auditions for the musical Jekyll & Hyde at 7 p.m. today and at 1 p.m. Saturday at the theater, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Director Barbara Everest is seeking 14 men, four women and a strong chorus. Auditioners should come prepared to read from the script and sing from sheet music or bring a CD or tape. Call 683-5113.
Auditions for Fear of Filing, a musical comedy about a romance between an IRS collector and a "victim," will be at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Richey Suncoast Theatre, 6237 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey. Roles are open for men and women ages 20-60, plus a voice that can play Orbit, the IRS computer. Production dates are Feb. 26-March 14.
Entries for the Best New Florida Song Contest for the 2004 Will McLean Music Festival will be accepted until Dec. 31. For details, see www.willmclean.com or call Ken at 352 589-6027. The winners will perform at the festival March 12 to 14 at the Sertoma Youth Ranch in southeastern Hernando County.
