This youthful New York City quintet plays high-energy brass funk. They’re the former house band for MTV2’s “Girl Code Live.” Come hear their renditions of everything from Ariana Grande to Blondie at the Armstrong Student Center at Miami University, 550 S. Spring St., Oxford, on Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 513-529-6333.
“It’s A Wonderful Life: Radio Play”
The Lebanon Theatre Company will perform this holiday classic in the form of a 1940s-style radio broadcast. See this fresh version of the timeless story of George Bailey’s redemption at the Lebanon Theatre Company, 10 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon, on Nov. 30-Dec. 9. Performance times are 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. There is no performance on Saturday, Dec. 1. Tickets are $19. For more information, call 513-228-0932 or visit www.ltcplays.com.
“The Nutcracker”
For a short time, you won’t have to go downtown to see the classic Tchaikovsky ballet. The Miami Valley Ballet Theatre will blend tradition with modern styles at the Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive, Fairfield, on Nov. 30-Dec. 11. Performance times are 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $10-$15. For more information, call 513-867-5348 or visit www.fairfield-city.org/tickets.
Light Up Fairfield
This afternoon-long holiday celebration includes story time, a holiday market, visits with Santa, and children’s crafts. As night falls, cap it all off by helping Santa light the giant Christmas tree on the Village Green Amphitheatre. Check it out at Village Green Park, 301 Wessel Drive, Fairfield on Dec. 1 from 1-6 p.m. There is no admission cost. For more information, call 513-867-5348 or visit www.fairfield-city.org/tickets.
Oxford Holiday Festival
This day-long Christmas festival starts in the morning at the Oxford Community Arts Center with a craft market, visits with Santa, and a kids’ corner. It continues at Uptown Parks with ice skating, live reindeer, live music, carriage rides, and Santa’s arrival by fire truck. The festival will close out with the official lighting of Oxford. Check it out at the Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College St., Oxford, and at Uptown Parks, 14 West Park Place., Oxford, on Dec. 1 from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. There is no admission cost. For more information, call 513-523-8687 or visit www.enjoyoxford.org.
30th Annual Lebanon Carriage Parade and Festival
Lebanon hosts the largest horse-drawn carriage festival in the U.S. every year, with two parades located with decorated carriages (the nighttime one will have lights). In between, do some holiday shopping downtown, visit the food and crafts booths, listen to carolers and other musicians, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, and take train rides on the North Pole Express. Check it out in downtown Lebanon on Dec. 1. The festival runs from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The parades start at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. There is no admission cost. For more information, call 513-932-1100 or visit www.lebanonchamber.org.
Ruffles and Rust Christmas Show
This traveling boutique expo that regularly stops in Butler County is throwing its first Christmas show. Doubled in size for the occasion, the show will include a large outdoor vendor space, outdoor pavilion, indoor lounge, and food trucks in addition to the usual handmade, boutique, farmhouse, and shabby chic items. The first 100 attendees will receive a swag bag of merchandise and discounts. Check it out at the Butler County Fairgrounds, 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton, on Dec. 1-2 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are $6. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. For more information, call 513-892-1423 or visit www.rufflesandrustexpo.com.
About the Author