• ISing Choir presents winter concert: Vivaldi, the Red Priest Revisited 
• Beaverton Community Band presents: Music from Stage, Screen & Page
• Family Day at Grey Raven Gallery: Make & Take Crafts
• Let’s Dance fundraiser for free dance programs in schools 
• December events at the Reser
• Village Gallery of Arts December News

ISing Choir presents winter concert: Vivaldi, the Red Priest Revisited 

Friday & Saturday, December 13 & 14, 7:30 pm, and Sunday, December 15, 3 pm, Cedar Hills United Church of Christ, 11695 SW Parkway, $14, Purchase tickets on the ISing website. 

ISing Choir, under director Stephen Galvan, will be joined by Big Horn Brass Quintet, members of the Portland Chamber Orchestra, and organist Dan Miller. The concert begins with music colored by the darkness of winter and despair, then Vivaldi moves listeners to joy and hope with the popular “Gloria” and the Spring movement from the “Four Seasons” rewritten for the choir. 

ISing Choir is a nonprofit choir dedicated to raising funds for other deserving nonprofits. Free will donations will be accepted at the concerts for the season beneficiary Rock’n Rooms to support their mission to assist children experiencing long hospital stays. Please join us in support of this worthy organization.

Beaverton Community Band presents: Music from Stage, Screen & Page

Sunday, December 15, 3 pm, Pacific University campus Taylor-Meade Performing Arts Center, Forest Grove Pacific University campus, Adults $15, Senior/Veteran $10, Students under 12 free, Family of 4 $30. 

Beaverton Community Band, with conductor Martin Sobelman, invites you to a holiday concert filled with nostalgia and holiday cheer. We’ve prepared an enchanting lineup that brings together timeless classics, cinematic themes, and toe-tapping jazz to warm your holiday season. We will also be accompanied by Dr. Lisa Neher, Mezzosoprano! Ms. Neher, praised for her “full and rich” voice, has performed with groups like Third Angle New Music, Experiments in Opera, and the Portland Opera Chorus. 

Enjoy The Lord of the Rings (excerpts from Symphony No. 1): Journey through Middle-earth with Johan de Meij’s symphonic suite, inspired by Tolkien’s trilogy as you experience the triumph of good and evil through powerful and mesmerizing music. Hear selections from Ain’t Misbehavin’ that pays homage to the influential jazz pianist Thomas “Fats” Waller and the Harlem Renaissance. Plus, in the roaring twenties, the music from Chicago transports audiences to the lively, jazz-infused world of gangster-era Chicago. With bold brass, syncopated rhythms, and sultry melodies, this music captures the drama, excitement, and edge of the Jazz Age. This performance features soloist Lisa Neher, whose powerful vocals bring to life the glitz and glamor of one of America’s most iconic musical eras. And enjoy A Muppets Christmas Carol Overture: relive the holiday spirit with the whole Muppets gang in this nostalgic overture from a beloved classic. Bring the family and sing along with Kermit, Ms. Piggy, and the whole crew.

For over 40 years, the Beaverton Community Band has shared its music, making it the oldest standing community band in Washington County, Oregon. We keep the long-standing community wind band tradition alive through diverse local performances and by fostering the next generation of musicians through music education. The band’s members volunteer their time to support music educators throughout the Beaverton School District to encourage beginning musicians and build a vibrant arts community. 

Before the concert and during intermission is the second annual silent auction. Visit the Beaverton Community Band website for more information. This concert is funded in part by a grant from the City of Beaverton Arts Program, a strong supporter of Arts and Cultural events in the community. The Beaverton Community Band is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and a proud member of the Beaverton Chamber of Commerce.

Family Day at Grey Raven Gallery: Make & Take Crafts

Saturdays, December 7 and 14, 12-4 pm, Grey Raven Gallery, 12695 SW Crescent St., Suite 150, free

Families are welcome to make and take crafts together using our art supplies! Spend time together and make some art to celebrate the coming of winter. Check out our curated selection of jewelry and small gifts while you’re here and get some holiday shopping done too! Please visit the Grey Raven website to learn more.

Let’s Dance fundraiser for free dance programs in schools 

Saturday, December 14, 7-10 pm, Leedy Grange Hall, 835 NW Saltzman Rd., singles, couples, and families welcome. Lesson at 7-7:30 pm, followed by open dancing. $15/adults, $5/students, kids 10 and under free

Leedy Grange and Impressions Dance Club invite you to join in for this festive fundraising event that supports free dance and art programs in local schools. This year’s Annual Holiday Fundraiser Dance includes a DJ’s mix of Swing, Salsa, Ballroom, and Latin Music. More info can be found on the Leedy Grange and Impressions websites. 

Dance lessons can have many benefits including teaching students to both lead and follow, to interact with their peers one on one, and to improve their social skills, all the while improving their dance moves! For example, this year, fourth and fifth grade students at Terra Linda Elementary School participated in the free social dance program where they learned Swing, Salsa, Merengue, and Line Dancing. The Beaverton School District put together a short video of the program that can be seen on the district’s YouTube channel. 

Whether you know how to social dance or not, this is a fun event with lots of friendly community members. All of our regular participants are happy to help you learn a few basic steps so you can get up and dance. You can also contact Cynthia Hively at 971-226-1119 for details.

December events at the Reser

Various dates and times, 12625 SW Crescent St., free and ticketed

In December, the Reser presents a variety of cultural and arts programs you won’t want to miss including: Singer Kalani Pe’a with Hawaiian Christmas; It’s a Tony Starlight Christmas; The Klezmatics; and much more! For the full schedule, please visit the Reser events page.

Village Gallery of Arts December News

Visit the VGA website for late-breaking classes and events!

ArtChat and Holiday Show

Sunday, December 8, 3-5 pm. Show runs December 3-December 24 

Come hear our featured artists talk about their art and see our Holiday show. We have a myriad of affordable artworks in many different media! If you can’t decide between all the unique items for a special someone, gift certificates are available!

2D Featured Artist: Natasha Ramras

“The Pacific Northwest brings endless sources of inspiration and makes it very easy to be inspired and excited about painting.” Oil and watercolor are her choice media, but she works in gouache, acrylic and pastel as well.

3D Featured Artist: Enola Bowers 

“I am self-taught by reading and watching videos. I thoroughly enjoy learning, growing and exploring everything having to do with wire wrapping, tumbling, and hopefully soon, my own rock cutting and cabochon making. I also collect all types of wonderful wood pieces from beaches to deserts to create tabletop holders, hangers and sun catchers.” Enola calls her art Tangled Treasures.

Big and Bold: Phyllis Meyer

“Talismans appeal to me because of their magical power which brings luck and keeps away the evil spirits. I like working on a textured surface which has collage under the gesso on the surface. The primary media is acrylic with the addition of metallics, ink, Caran d’Dache sticks, and colored pencil. I hope the viewers respond to the bold painting as much as I enjoyed painting it.” .

Free drop-in art activities for all 

Saturdays in December, 1-3 pm, no registration required, all ages

December 7: Make Kirigami Trees, December 14: Make a Yarn Bird, December 21: Make a Snowflake. Projects take between 30 minutes to an hour. All materials provided. Gallery staff on hand for inspiration or assistance if needed.

Children’s Classes

Thursdays, December 5, 12, and 19, 3:45-5:15 pm, ages 7-11, max 8 students, $52.50, VGA Instructional Team 

Join an exciting class learning a variety of art forms! A team of rotating instructors provides a chance to explore a variety of media and approaches while building artistic concepts and skills. All supplies included. Featured projects: Printmaking, Cork and Pinecone Trees, Fused Glass Trees and Gnomes!

The VGA mission is to: ignite the joy of learning, creating, and appreciating art in our community. We support professional and emerging artists by providing high quality affordable art education to children and adults as well as providing venues for sharing their work. Village Gallery of Arts is a non-profit (501c3) organization, receives no taxpayer money, and is staffed entirely by member volunteers.