Coming Attractions

By BARBRA L. FREDRICKSEN, Times Staff Writer
Published December 13, 2007

THROUGH DEC. 25

'A Show Palace Christmas' continues in matinees and evenings through Dec. 25 at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Dinner and show, $44; show only, $32.95; ages 12 and younger, $26.45 and $21.45, all plus tax and tip. Call 727 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1-888-655-7469.

TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY

The Spring Hill Community Association's annual Angels on High holiday celebration will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. today through Sunday at the Lake House, 1202 Kenlake Ave. (From Pasco, go north on U.S. 19 to Spring Hill; turn east on Applegate Drive just past the now-defunct Saint Sebastiaan Restaurant; go 1/2 mile; turn right on Kenlake Ave.) The free family event includes the Angel Path of lights, decorations and hand-made angels suspended in the trees. There will be live entertainment (take a lawn chair) at the new Palmwood Pavilion and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus each night. Beverages and snacks will be for sale. Donations to support local charities will be accepted. For information, call (352) 666-4746.

TODAY

"Color in Motion by Jim Singer," oil paintings in a style reminiscent of Van Gogh, ends today at Pasco-Hernando Community College's fine art gallery in the Alric C.T. Pottberg Library on the New Port Richey campus, 10230 Ridge Road. Inquire at the library main desk about viewing hours. Library hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today. Call (727) 816-3229.

THROUGH DEC. 20

West Pasco Art Guild continues "Holiday Boutique" through Dec. 20 at the gallery, 6206 Jefferson St., New Port Richey. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Framed and unframed original art, handmade jewelry, crafts, ceramics and other items.

THROUGH DEC. 22

Pasco Arts Council will hold its "Holiday Gift Market 2007" at the arts center through Dec. 22. The center is at 5744 Moog Rd., Holiday. Items include fine crafts, ceramics, jewelry, books on art, with all profits going to the arts center. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

THROUGH DEC. 24

Miss Daisy pontoon boat will give special "Festival of Lights" tours along the Cotee River at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. through Dec. 24. Passengers will see several homes decorated for the holidays along the route. Tickets are $10. Call (727) 819-1754 for reservations. Tours leave from the boat dock in Sims Park in New Port Richey.

SATURDAY-DEC. 23

Residents of The Angelus home for developmentally disabled children and adults will present their 18th annual outdoor "Christmas Pageant" at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 22 and 23 at The Angelus, 12413 Hudson Ave., Hudson (5 miles east of U.S. 19). The pageant is a living narration of the Christmas story. The show ends at the activity center at 7 p.m., where refreshments will be served. The pageant will not be performed in the event of rain or extreme cold. Free; donations will not be solicited. "This is our gift to you."

THROUGH SUNDAY

Avenue Players Theatre will present Tom Stoppard's farce, The Real Inspector Hound, at 7 p.m. today and Friday and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art auditorium, 600 Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs (a half-mile west of U.S. 19). Tickets are $12 nonmembers, $10 museum members and students, open seating. Call (727) 712-5762. There will be a mini-tour of the museum led by a docent 30 minutes before each show and refreshments, discussion of Stoppard and a mystery holiday gift after the performance.

TODAY

Boys of the Lough will present "A Celtic Christmas," a program of traditional melodies of Ireland, Scotland and North America, at 7:30 p.m. today at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 Pine St., Tarpon Springs. The acclaimed five-member band has toured since 1967 and released 20 albums and CDs. Tickets are $30 adults, $15 children. Call 942-5605.

FRIDAY 

The New Port Richey Library will show the video of German composer Englebert Humperdinck's opera Hansel and Gretel at 2 p.m. Friday at the library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey. Free.

FRIDAY and SATURDAY

"The Nutcracker" ballet will be presented by Expressions, THE dance company, inc., at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday at the Center for the Arts at River Ridge High School, Town Center Road, New Port Richey. The show has a cast of more than 100 dancers and actors, including professional dancers Deborah Buttner and Eriberto Jimerez as Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Tickets are $18. Call (727) 842-8175.

SATURDAY

The Tarpon Springs Christmas Parade and Candy Cane Hunt will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday. The parade starts at Alt. 19 and Mears and ends at Craig Park, where there will be the candy cane hunt, photos with Santa and refreshments for purchase and holiday songs by Lisa Nicole.

SATURDAY

Growing Great Moms will hold "Christmas Tour of Homes," a tour of 10 decorated homes, from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, at 3818 Sail Dr., New Port Richey. Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door. Proceeds benefit GGM and Trinity Relay for Life. Call (727) 277-8520 or e-mail carmen.c.burnett@gmail.com

SUNDAY 

The Frankie Dee New York Orchestra will perform big band, polkas, waltzes, cha cha, jazz, Latin, and big band from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the new VFW Post 10290 on Ed Knoll Blvd., Spring Hill. Tickets are $9, which includes chances for door prizes. Call Mary at (352) 596-9486.

SUNDAY 

Grammy-winning baritone Sherrill Milnes and soprano Maria Zouves will perform holiday songs at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 Pine St., Tarpon Springs. Tickets are $15 nonmembers, $13 center members. Call (727) 942-5605.

MONDAY

"Christmas in New York", a song and dance revue in full costume with sets by Tom Hansen, will be presented by 150 students and faculty from John Leggio's Center for the Performing Arts at 7 p.m. Monday at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, 13651 Hays Rd. (between Hudson Avenue and State Road 52), Hudson. Tickets are $15. Call (352) 683-8395 between noon and 6 p.m.

TUESDAY

The Robin Williams romantic comedyLicense to Wed will be shown at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Tarpon Springs Community Center, 400 S. Walton Ave., Tarpon Springs. Free.

DEC. 19

The film adaptation of the stage playAmadeus will be shown at 1 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center, 101 S. Pinellas Ave. (Alt. 19), Tarpon Springs. It tells of the jealousy that 18th century court composer Antonio Salieri feels toward the talented genius Wolfgang Mozart. Free.

WENSDAY

The History Club of Tarpon Springs Library will hear a talk by Keith Russell on "Henry VIII and the Tudor Dynasty" at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at the library, 138 E. Lemon St., Tarpon Springs. Free.

DEC. 21

The Centennial Opera Group will feature "A Tribute to Luciano Pavarotti", a video of the late tenor's Christmas Concert with the Montreal Symphony and other arias, at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Centennial Library, 5740 Moog Rd., Holiday. Free.

DEC. 22

A dvd of The Northern Ballet of England performing A Christmas Carol by Carl Davis and Massimo Morriscone will be shown at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art auditorium, 600 Klosterman Rd., Tarpon Springs (a half mile west of U.S. 19). Free.

DEC. 26

The History Club of Hudson Public Library will discuss "Napoleon Bonaparte Knocks on Our Door!" at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 26 at the library off Fivay Road in Hudson. Free.

2008

JAN. 3

Soprano Sonia Leonavicius and tenor Brad Meredith will be guest performers at the Thursday Musicale concert at 2 p.m. Jan. 3 at Living Word Church, 5151 Rowan Rd., New Port Richey. Thursday Musical is a 50-voice, all-female, non-sectarian chorus. Free, but a donation will be accepted.

JAN. 3-28

Student drafting and Design Exhibition" will be the exhibit at Pasco-Hernando Community College's fine art gallery in the Alric C.T. Pottberg Library on the New Port Richey campus, 10230 Ridge Road. Inquire at the library main desk about viewing hours. Library hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call (727) 816-3229.

JAN. 4

Progress Energy Art Gallery will hold "First Friday Artist's Reception" from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 4 to mark the opening of "Fatal Abstraction," an exhibit of paintings by local artist Carey Yaskovic. The gallery is at 6231 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey. The exhibit continues through Jan. 31. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

JAN. 4-FEB. 24

'The Full Monty,' a musical comedy, will be presented in matinees and evenings at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson. Dinner and show, $44; show only, $32.95; ages 12 and younger, $26.45 and $21.45, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1-888-655-7469.

JAN. 6

A dvd of 'The Merry Widow' by the National Ballet of Canada will be shown at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, 600 Klosterman Rd., Tarpon Springs. Free.

Send entertainment items for Diversions: Coming Attractions to Barbara L. Fredricksen, St. Petersburg Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey 34668 or e-mail to fredricksen@sptimes.com

[Last modified December 12, 2007, 20:50:02]