NWA holidays to include Christmas concerts, Charity Ball, and Tour of Homes

Christmas time is coming and Northwest Arkansas will celebrate with carols, a bazaar, tours and more. The coming weeks will include performances by the Ozarks Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and SoNA, a Holiday Bazaar, Mercy's annual Charity Ball, Crystal Bridges "Re:spective," Junior League's Winter Dreams Tour of Homes, and a Gala at the Peel Mansion.

Ozarks Philharmonic Youth Orchestras Concert
The Ozarks Philharmonic Youth Orchestras will open its 2014-2015 season with a holiday concert on Dec. 2. The performance will feature the Andante and Presto Orchestras under the batons of Jenny Castillo and Jesse Collett. The Youth Symphony will also perform Tchaikovsky's beloved "Nutcracker Suite," under the conduction of OPYO Music Director.

Other concert highlights will include the second annual Holiday Sing-Along.  Audience and community choruses will join together in song to usher in the holiday season. Guest choirs El Coro Hispanico de St. Vincent de Paul and Bella Vista Men’s and Women’s Chorus will perform.

The concert will be held at Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, located at 1416 W. Poplar St. in Rogers. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Holiday Bazaar
Community Creative Center, a non-profit visual arts organization located in Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios, will present its 7th Annual Holiday Bazaar on Dec. 6.

The fine arts and craft sale will feature works created by dozens of regional artists, including handcrafted pottery created by CCC studio members, and other local potters. Paintings, prints, greeting cards, mixed media and other art works will also be available.

The bazaar will be held at the Walton Arts Center Nadine Baum Studios, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Community Creative Center’s arts education programming. Admission is free. For more information, call 571-2706.

Mercy Charity Ball
The 21st Annual Mercy NWA Health Foundation Ball will be held on December 6. Hosted at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers, the evening will include find dining and drinks, a live auction, musical entertainment and more.

A VIP event will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the main reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Dickey Ray Club and live auction will begin at 8 p.m. with a special guest to take the stage later that evening. The ball will conclude with an "After Glow" post party at 10 p.m.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Mercy Health Foundation. Individual tickets are $200 and can be purchased online. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, call 338-2990.

Crystal Bridges Re:spective
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will demonstrate that anyone can create and that everyone is an artist as it hosts "Re:spective" on Dec. 6.

Presented by the Crystal Bridges College Ambassadors, the event will "re:vive," "re:vamp," "re:fresh," and more through live performances, special projects, artist visits, and other fun activities. Food and drink will also be available.

A complete itinerary can be viewed online. Re:spective will be held at the Museum from 7 to 11 p.m. The event is free with an online registration. For more information, call 657-2335.

Winter Dreams Tour of Homes
Junior League of Northwest Arkansas will host its 16th annual Winter Dreams Tour of Homes on December 7. Several premier homes in Benton and Washington Counties will open their doors to allow tour-goers the chance to see their houses arrayed in their Christmas best.

An after-party will be held at Noodle's Italian Kitchen in Fayetteville beginning at approximately 5 p.m. Noodle's will offer tour-goers a free beverage of their choice with the presentation of a their tour ticket.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online. Food, drinks, pets, cameras and baby strollers are not permitted on the tour. All proceeds from Winter Dreams will benefit the mission and projects of the Junior League of NWA.

SoNA Christmas Concert
The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) will host its annual Christmas concert on Dec. 13 at the Walton Arts Center. "A Very SoNA Christmas"  will feature a mix of sacred and secular Christmas tunes, giving audience members the chance to hum along to some of the season's most beloved melodies.

The orchestra will perform selections from "The Nutcracker," and other Christmas favorites. The SoNA Singers will also take the stage, as will the Bentonville High School Chamber Choir and  the Har-Ber High School Camerata Singers. A Christmas Sing-along will invite audience members to lift their voices to tunes including "Joy to the World," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and more.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Individual tickets range from $28-$50 and can be purchased online. Student tickets are available with the presentation of a valid ID. For more information, call 479-521-4166.

Gala at the Peel Mansion
The Peel Mansion in Bentonville will host its annual gala on Dec. 13. Featuring a five-course gourmet dinner, the meal will be expertly paired with wines by  sponsor Trinchero Family Estates.

Guests will have a choice of dining in the Carriage House or experience dining in the historic rooms at The Peel Mansion. Visitors can review the Museum Store and enjoy the first pairings on the South Lawn beginning at 6 p.m. that evening, followed by dinner.

Registration begins at $125 and can be secured online. The mansion is located at 312 North Main Street in Bentonville. All proceeds benefit The Peel Compton Foundation. For more information, call 254-3870.