Celebrating the theme of “Christmas, Past, Present and Future,” the Austin Symphony Orchestra will perform in concert at 2 p.m. Sunday at Knowlton Auditorium, in Austin High School, just one of several holiday events scheduled for this weekend.

Featured during the concert will be the Children’s Chorus from the MacPhail School of Music and symphony member Mark Woeste on tuba.

Under the direction of Stephen Ramsey, the 70-member orchestra will perform a number of holiday selections.

The evening opens with “Troika” by Ukrainian composer Sergei Prokofiev. Three pieces by the Trans Siberian Orchestra, “Christmas Eve in Sarajevo,” “Mad Russian’s Christmas” and “Wizards of Winter” will all be performed.

The balance of the program includes Steven Amundson’s “Angel’s Dance,” and Daniel Kallman’s “Meditation.” The program ends on a high note with the exuberant “Frosty the Snowman,” as played by Woeste.

Stephen Ramsey, the orchestra’s longtime conductor, has served the ASO for 22 years.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Kids and students may attend.

 

Yum! Christmas in the County

You have not one but two opportunities to enjoy this holiday highlight.

Sponsored by the Mower County Historical Society, a pre-sale bake sale will be held from 4-6 p.m. Friday from at the society at the administration building, 1303 Sixth Ave. SW in Austin.

Or, maybe you want to come back for more goodies? No problem. The society re-opens 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, so you can not only enjoy the bake sale, but a raft of other activities, too. Enjoy indoor and outdoor activities, a silent auction, horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides, raffle, children’s activities, cookie decorating, pine cone bird feeders, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and even blow the 1004 train whistle.

“This is an annual fundraiser for the historical society,” said executive director John Haymond, adding support of the society is always appreciated.

For more information, call 507-437-6082.

Also on deck

Saturday

•Saturday Science Experience — Hypothesis & Experiments: Guess and Test, 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. (two separate sessions) at the Austin Public Library. Free interactive science class for the family. Learn about the scientific method and get a free science experiment kit to take home. Get ideas for doing experiments: test out the effect of temperature on glow sticks, do an experiment on yourself, make predictions and test them out. Also, learn how to enter the local science fair. Parents are welcome. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

•Kids’ Studio — Christmas Tree on Canvas, 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Austin ArtWorks Center. With Krystal Lennie. For ages 4 and older, cost $5. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

•Nativity House Open House — 1-5 p.m. at the Holder home, 606 Oakland Place NE. The public is invited to visit this private home displaying almost 900 nativity sets — all sizes, all shapes, all kinds of materials. Free will donation which goes to the Salvation Army. For more information or to arrange for private tours outside of this time can be made by calling 507-433-2643.
Monday

•History Happy Hour — Holiday Stories and Songs, and the History Behind Them, 5:30 p.m. at the Hormel Historic Home.  Presented by Lisa Deyo, owner of Sweet Reads Book and Candy Store and Morgan Dickman, president of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. This event will take place in the historic living room. Families welcome for holiday fun. Social portion begins at 5:30 p.m., presentation at 6 p.m.. Free for members of the HHH, Mower County Historical Society and Friends of the Library; $5 for non-members. Cash bar and light refreshments. For more information, call 507-433-4243.