Art Scene Selections: Dec. 16-23
All the Jingle Ladies Ugly Sweater Party & Fundraiser
Calling all the “jingle” ladies! This rockin’ third Thursday ladies night at The Monarch is going to be a Christmas party hop and fundraiser. Join the BEST ugly sweater bash in town, with holiday shopping from unique local vendors, music by DJ Bryson, a local Comedy Collective show, silent raffle and special workshops by Monarch creatives including Intention Spell Candles by Wild Meraki, a Centerpiece Class from Hope and Evolution, an Art Box candle special and more. Bring your friends, get dolled up in your ugliest garb and give. All proceeds will go to help a local family whose 7-year-old Jonah was diagnosed with leukemia last year.
Thursday, 6-9 p.m.; The Monarch, 455 25th St.; themonarchogden.com/happenings.
Imagine Ballet Theater presents ‘The Nutcracker’
Enjoy a local rendition of the favorite holiday ballet”The Nutcracker,” presented by Imagine Ballet Theatre at the Peery’s Egyptian Theater in the heart of downtown Ogden. In this year’s annual performance, the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is played live by the New American Philharmonic under the direction of Ogden’s Gabriel Gordon. Choreography is by Raymond Van Mason, artistic director of Imagine Ballet Theatre, and local artist Sherry Ferrin created the beautiful artwork on set. Experience one of the most popular ballets ever performed inside Ogden’s historic theater by an esteemed local ballet company.
Now through Saturday, dates and show times vary; Peery’s Egyptian Theater, 2415 Washington Blvd.; $15-$30; ogdenpet.com/events.
Nochebuena: Christmas Eve in Mexico
Onstage Ogden presents Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar for a holiday concert that highlights Nochebuena, a Mexican Christmas Eve tradition that begins with midnight mass and ends with a late-night feast and lots of music. “Beautiful dance, colorful costumes, and lively songs combine with Christmas cheer for an unforgettable performance that’s fun for the entire family!”
Thursday, Dec. 23, 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Val A. Browning Center at Weber State University, 1901 University Circle; $25/$10 students and children under 12; onstageogden.org.
Ogden’s Christmas Village
Ogden Christmas Village, since 1961, has become one of Ogden’s most beloved seasonal events attracting visitors from all of Utah to see the spectacular lights and enchanting cottages. There is fun for all ages with nightly music, Santa’s cottage, a mini Polar Express train ride, a Christmas Village store, hot cocoa booth, Santa’s reindeer (Friday only) and over 70 tiny cottages, each with a unique holiday display — see if you can find all 63 purple ornaments hidden inside the cottages. There is nightly live entertainment on the amphitheater stage Monday through Saturday nights, and lights are on every night until midnight. Vote for your favorite cottage at christmasvillagemap.ogdencity.com and find special programming hours at facebook.com/ogdenschristmasvillage.
Daily through Jan. 1, 5 p.m. to midnight; Ogden’s Municipal Park, 353 E. 25th St.; free; facebook.com/ogdenschristmasvillage.
December Exhibits, Shopping & Holiday Lights at Eccles Art Center
The Eccles Art Center (EAC) hosts a wealth of warm holiday traditions each year for the community. The historic Victorian-era mansion, built in 1893, welcomes all for another round of its annual art exhibits, workshops and midweek holiday shopping (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 1-4 p.m. through Dec. 23) for unique gifts. Patrons receive a free EAC keepsake and purchases over $50 include a free EAC membership. A new art exhibit opening at EAC displays the accepted works from two statewide competitions: Modern Abstracts featured in the Main Gallery and works from the Petite Impressions competition in the Carriage House Gallery. Stop by to see the winning pieces, shop and enjoy the beautiful lights and Christmas decorations.
Now through Dec. 30 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.); Eccles Art Center, 2850 Jefferson Ave.; free; ogden4arts.org.
‘LAND BODY’ Exhibit Opening at OCA Center
“LAND BODY” is the new winter exhibit presented by Ogden Contemporary Arts that explores the connections between the human body and its landscapes from the perspectives of 11 female-identifying artists. The exhibited works are woven together with themes including environmental issues and climate concerns, female identity, human impact on nature and more, with a focus on desert environments by artists from Utah, New Mexico and Arizona in a variety of mediums “The body and the landscape have been comparatively explored throughout art history, particularly with feminine connotations and from the perspectives of male artists,” curator Kelly Carper stated in a media release. “‘LAND BODY’ is a contemporary exploration of this inherent relationship featuring female artists of various cultural backgrounds.”
Now through Feb. 20 (Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.); OCA Center, 455 25th St.; free; ogdencontemporaryarts.org.
‘R E V I V E’ at Dumke Arts Plaza
The debut exhibit at the new Dumke Arts Plaza, located in the heart of the Nine Rails Creative District, is on display now. The new plaza is an arts-focused community space, a dynamic outdoor gallery and an intimate performance venue designed to inspire creativity, elevate diverse perspectives and anchor Ogden as a hub for contemporary art. The plaza’s inaugural exhibition, “R E V I V E,” is a selection of work by internationally renowned American sculptor Chakaia Booker, curated by Weber State University. Booker’s monumental, abstract sculptures constructed with materials such as repurposed automotive tire rubber “(embody) characteristics that the plaza represents for Ogden: transformation and recontextualization,” said Lydia Gravis, director of art exhibitions and public programs at WSU. Also on display is the “Beacon,” a permanent sculptural piece that extends from the plaza over 25th Street.
Daily through May 15; Dumke Arts Plaza, 445 25th St.; free; ogdencity.com/1977/Dumke-Arts-Plaza.