Performances
December 2020

EVENT POSTPONED INDEFINITELY: The Influenza Pandemic of 1918
THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED INDEFINITELY, DUE TO EXPANDED CORONA VIRUS-RELATED RESTRICTIONS. Our initial season of Wednesdays @ One events was…

Day 1: Mayor Raymond Rogina
Starting December 12 and daily through December 23, the Norris Cultural Arts Center will present a 13-day online holiday festival, “A Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival,” featuring local singers, actors, dancers and instrumentalists in a variety of 5-minute performances, culminating in an hour-long program December 24 featuring all 12 performances.

Day 2: Shout Section Big Band
The Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival welcomes the Shout Section Big Band, directed by Brett Dean.

Day 3: The Ragged Rascals
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES This holiday season creates unique challenges for the performing arts, due to the ongoing…

Day 4: Tessera Winds and Vivace Trio
The Baker’s Dozen Holiday festival features two local chamber music ensembles, Tessera Winds and Vivace Trio, in arrangements of popular Christmas music.

Day 5: Sherri Duskey Rinker
Best-selling children’s book author Sherri Duskey Rinker delivers a dramatic reading of her book, “The Twelve Sleighs of Christmas” as the Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival continues.

Day 6: Fox Valley Concert Band Brass Quintet
The Fox Valley Concert Band’s Brass Quintet joins the Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival with a performance of holiday favorites.

Day 7: Dennis O’Brien Trio
Local singer and guitarist Dennis O’Brien and his longtime performing partner, keyboardist John Paruolo, are joined by talented multi-intrumentalist Glen West in an exclusive performance of customized holiday favorites for the Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival.

Day 8: Dori Erwin Collins
Singer and actress Dori Collins joins the Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival in a performance of Christmas songs and poetry.

Day 9: Beth Fowler School of Dance
The Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival features excerpts from the new feature-length film of the beloved ballet, The Nutcracker, performed by dancers from the Beth Fowler School of Dance.

Day 10: Daniil Krimer, Kane Repertory Theatre
Co-founder and artistic director of the St. Charles-based Kane Repertory Theatre, Daniil Krimer joins the Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival for a reading of “A Cup of Christmas Tea,” by Tom Hegg.

Day 11: Mike and Julie Popplewell and Scott Stevenson
The Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival welcomes a trio of talented local musicians who are affiliated with the St. Charles Singers – Mike and Julie Popplewell and Scott Stevenson.

Day 12: Taylor Sherry and Andrew Blendermann
The Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival features two solo performers, singer Taylor Sherry and pianist Andrew Blendermann. Taylor sings “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and Andrew plays a medley of Christmas TV themes.

Day 13: Festival Finale!
On Christmas Eve, December 24, the festival culminates in a combined reprise of all 12 episodes in a special, multi-genre holiday program.