‘Tis the season for light, love, community, and, of course, the arts. This week’s picks include holiday happenings and other local events that you can enjoy in person. Take a break from the bustle and “experience something real!”

Gotham Early Music Scene’s Midtown Concerts presents
The Chivalrous Crickets:  Bright Morning Stars
Thursday, December 1, 1:15-2pm
St. Malachy’s Church, 239 West 49th Street, Manhattan, and online
Perhaps no other category of Classical music has as much influence and crossover from folk music as our Western repertoire of Christmas carols and songs. Celtic and early music band, The Chivalrous Crickets, present a program spanning nine centuries of traditional holiday tunes from Britain, Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, and America. In-person and live stream.
Learn More about “The Chivalrous Crickets” concert on December 1

The Neuberger Museum, The Purchase PAC, and the Purchase College School of Film and Media Studies present: Fluxfilm Anthology – Part 1
Friday, December 2, at 6pm, at The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College
In connection with the Neuberger Museum’s exhibition of YOKO ONO’s Mend Piece (on view through December 23), The PAC is collaborating with the School of Film and Media Studies to present a rare screening of film works by Ono and other participants in the Fluxus art movement. Playful, humorous, and emphasizing process and experimentation, Fluxus brought together artists working in diverse media. Dating from the sixties and ranging from 10 seconds to 10 minutes in length, this program presents Ono’s moving image work in the context of contemporaneous practitioners, originally shown as part of the events and happenings in the New York avant-garde. Featuring an introduction by Dr. Joel Neville Anderson, Visiting Assistant Professor of Cinema Studies and Film at Purchase College. The screening is free and open to the public. You can experience YOKO ONO’s Mend Piece at the Neuberger Museum before attending the screening at The PAC; the Museum will be open from noon to 6pm on Friday, December 2.
Learn more about Fluxfilm Anthology-Part 1

Westchester Choral Society presents
Luminous Voices
Saturday, December 3, 3pm
Rye Presbyterian Church, 882 Boston Post Road, Rye, NY
The Westchester Choral Society’s 81st season officially begins with their first concert at Rye Presbyterian Church in three years. Under the leadership of Music Director (and Purchase alum!) David Baranowski, the program includes Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit Pour Noel, Gjeilo’s Luminous Night of the Soul, and Hebrew Love Songs by Eric Whitaker. Join us for this exciting concert featuring organ, piano, string instruments, and flutes.
Tickets and more information are available on the Westchester Choral Society website

The Tarrytown Music Hall presents
Holiday Shows (various dates, December 3-18)
13 Main Street, Tarrytown, NY 10591
Artists include the Laurie Berkner Band, Judy Collins, Cherish the Ladies, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Vienna Boys Choir, Darlene Love, and the New York Theatre Ballet presenting an hour-long production of The Nutcracker, created for younger audiences, yet sophisticated enough for adults.
Tickets and event details are available on the Tarrytown Music Hall website

Downtown Music at Grace presents
Holiday Cabaret
Wednesday, December 7, 12:10-1pm
Grace Church, 33 Church Street, White Plains, N
It’s been said that Kimberley Hawkey, “conjures vistas of the heart for an age in need of vintage, time-tested soul sustenance.” We couldn’t agree more and always look forward to her concerts with Downtown Music as special events. She is joined in collaboration by pianist Jon Weber. Ms. Hawkey has won the Johnny Mercer award and is a veteran of Caramoor and Birdland. Join us for the program of holiday favorites and some new creations as well.
Learn more about “Holiday Cabaret — Downtown Music at Grace” on dtmusic.org

The Rob Mathes Holiday Concert
Friday December 16 and Saturday, December 17, 8pm both nights
The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College
Singer, producer, and songwriter Rob Mathes returns to The Purchase PAC this month with his annual Holiday Concert. Here are a couple of our favorite recordings from previous years, courtesy of Bob Conover Productions. And if you like what you hear, tickets are still available!
Rob debuted Something Beautiful at the 2017 Holiday Shows. The song reflects on the past year and what we need to do. The audience loved it! Listen to Rob Mathes “Something Beautiful” on YouTube
And here is Rob’s daughter Lily singing a song he wrote for Hanukkah, also from the 2017 concert. Listen to Rob Mathes “One Last Candle.”

Get tickets to see Rob Mathes live at The Purchase PAC

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Culture Picks is a bi-weekly feature celebrating the performing arts. The PAC’s 2022-2023 season kicked off on October 8 and cultural connoisseur and PAC staff member Coni Guhl is here to shine the spotlight on artists that will be a part of it. Each post will feature her curated selection of video, audio, and things to read about one of our artists, plus an occasional recommendation about other performing arts experiences that you just can’t miss. Enjoy!

All times are EDT unless otherwise noted.

Pictured: New York Theatre Ballet performs the Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of Julieta Cervantes.