JMU's Holidayfest Welcomes Jazzfest, Helps the Hungry

From: Public Affairs

The Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at James Madison University is proud to host Holidayfest, a family favorite in the Shenandoah Valley for 43 years. This year's Holidayfest features three performances in the Forbes Center Concert Hall. 

Thursday, Dec. 1, at 8 p.m. (Jazzfest) 
Saturday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. 
Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. with children's activities in the Grand Lobby at 12:30 p.m. 

The first-time Jazzfest features JMU's Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band in a full concert of holiday music, including the entire Ellington/Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite." "Jazzfest is a great opportunity to showcase the skills of our student jazz performers, especially in light of the new jazz studies major that became available as of this fall," said Chuck Dotas, director of jazz studies. 

The final two Holidayfest performances feature a variety of JMU's small and large ensembles, musical theater performances and special holiday readings by WHSV-TV-3 chief meteorologist George Hirschmann and WHSV-TV-3 news anchor Bob Corso. Prior to the Dec. 4 matinee (12:30 p.m.), children can enjoy crafts, cookies, cider and a musical instrument "petting zoo" in the Forbes Center Grand Lobby. 

This year's Holidayfest is helping the hungry in the Shenandoah Valley. Patrons are asked to bring non-perishable food items to the performances. Collection points will be set up at the Forbes Center. The canned goods will be donated to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. 

For tickets to Holidayfest, visit www.jmu.edu/JMUarts or call the Forbes Center Box Office at (540) 568-7000. Contact Jen Kulju, PR coordinator at the Forbes Center, at (540) 568-4394 or by e-mail at kuljuja@jmu.edu for further information.