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This Week’s Listings

“Santa’s Polar Bear Express” runs December 1 through 22 at Swift Creek Mill Theatre in Colonial Heights. (748.5203)

The VCU Chamber String Ensembles perform December 1 at 5:00 at the Singleton Center. (828.6776)

Richmond’s Jefferson Hotel presents its “Tree Lighting Festivities” December 1 at 5:30. (788.8000)

Richmond’s Cathedral of the Sacred Heart hosts the “Commonwealth Catholic Charities” benefit concert December 1 at 7:00. (545.5935)

The University of Richmond Chamber Ensembles perform December 1 at 7:30 at Camp Concert Hall. (289.8277)

The VCU Women’s Choir and the Madrigalists perform December 2 at 8:00 at the Singleton Center. (828.6776)

John Tyler Community College’s “Study Abroad” information meetings run December 2 and 3. Details at 706.5188.

Maymont offers “Wreath Workshops” December 2 through 4. For more information, phone 358.7166.

The VCU University Band performs December 3 at 7:00 at the Singleton Center. (828.6776)

The Virginia Historical Society offers the “Solving History’s Mysteries” gallery walk December 3 at noon. (358.4901)

Williamsburg Library Theatre screens the film “Bitter Harvest” December 3 at 7:00. (757.259.4070)

The University of Richmond Orchestra’s “Fall Concert” takes place December 3 at 7:30 at Booker Hall. (289.8277)

January 15 is the deadline for the James River Writers’ “Best Unpublished Novel Contest.” Details at jamesriverwriters.com

Art 180’s “Art Karma” event takes place December 4 at 7:00 at Richmond’s Plant Zero Art Center. (233.4180)

The VCU Symphony Orchestra, Commonwealth Singers and Choral Arts Society present a concert December 4 at 8:00 at the Singleton Center. (828.6776)

The Virginia Historical Society hosts the “Lincoln, President-Elect” lecture December 4 at noon. (358.4901)

The Henrico Concert Band’s “Holiday Concert” takes place December 4 at 7:30 at Henrico Theatre. (501.5115)

The Global Music Ensembles perform December 4 at 7:30 at the University of Richmond’s Booker Hall. (289.8277)

The “Miniature Treasure” group exhibit runs December 5 through January 3 at Richmond’s Brazier Fine Art. (359.2787)

The Metropolitan Richmond Artists Association’s “Small Works Show” opens December 5 at 5:00 at Uptown Gallery. (353.8343)

The “Lily Lamberta and the Museum of Mounted Heads” exhibit opens December 5 at 6 at Richmond’s Metro Space Gallery. (643.7125)

Ashland’s Patrick Henry High School hosts a “Madrigal Dinner” December 5 and 6 at 7:00. Details at 883.6505.

Javier Tapia and Isabel Bigelow’s “New Paintings” exhibit opens December 5 at 7:00 at Richmond’s Reynolds Gallery. (355.6553)

Local artists’ exhibits open December 5 at 7:00 at Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch. (646.4740)

Mar Watt New’s “Open Road” exhibit opens December 5 at 7:00 at Main Art Gallery in Richmond. (355.6151)

The VCU Holiday Gala to benefit the Hospital Hospitality House takes place December 5 at 8:00 at the Singleton Center. (828.6776)

The “Gallery Art Show” runs December 5 through 7 at 4524 Grove Avenue in Richmond. (301.0775)

The “Living Nativity Pageant” runs December 5 and 6 at 7:00 at Moseley’s Swift Creek Presbyterian Church. (639.2196)

The April Verch Band is in concert December 5 at 7:30 at Williamsburg Library Theatre. (757.259.4070)

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden hosts the “Arranging with Garden Greens” demonstration December 6 at 10:00 a.m. (262.9887)

Heathsville’s “Oysters and Oldies” event takes place December 6 at 12:30 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. (804.580.5060)

Chesterfield’s Magnolia Grange hosts a “Christmas Open House” December 6 at 1:00. (777.9663)

The American Youth Harp Ensemble performs December 6 at 3:00 at Richmond’s Grace Baptist Church. (353.7001)

Submissions for the James River Writers’ “Poetry Contest” will be accepted through December 15. Details at 230.4575.

Midlothian’s Episcopal Church of the Redeemer hosts a Christmas Bazaar December 6 starting at 9:00 a.m. (379.8899)

The Ginter Park annual “Arts and Crafts Show” takes place December 6 at 10:00 a.m. at 3421 Hawthorne Avenue in Richmond. (359.5567)

The Richmond Men’s Chorus presents “A Child’s Christmas” December 6 and 7 at Richmond’s St. John’s United Church of Christ. (241.0446)

Emilio’s in Richmond hosts the Tele-phonic Jazz Trio December 6 at 7:00. (359.1224)

Richmond’s Cathedral of the Sacred Heart’s “Christmas Concert” takes place December 6 at 7:30. (359.5651)

Richmond’s Virginia House hosts a “Family Gingerbread Tea” December 6 at 10:00 a.m. (353.4241)

Twyla Kitts lectures on “Maps: Picturing the World” December 6 at noon at The Science Museum of Virginia. (864.1400)

The Science Museum of Virginia offers its “DNA Science Saturday” and Dr. Craig Kinsley’s “Offspring Enrich More than Just Parents’ Lives” lecture December 6 at noon. (864.1400)

Chase City’s MacCallum More Museum and Gardens hosts a “Christmas Bazaar” December 6. (434.372.0502)

Richmond’s Grace Baptist Church hosts The American Youth Harp Ensemble December 6 at 3:00. (353.7001)

Auditions for the Henley Street Theatre Company’s production of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” take place December 6 in Richmond. (340.0115)

“Klezm’ Or’ Ami’m” performs December 6 at 8:00 at Glen Allen’s Shady Grove Coffeehouse. (323.4288)

Heathsville’s “Oysters and Oldies” event takes place December 6 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. (804.580.5060)

Richmond’s Reveille United Methodist Church hosts the “Glorious Gifts Holiday Fair” December 6 and 7. (359.6041)

Richmond’s American Civil War Center hosts its “Holiday Happenings” December 7 at 1:00. (780.1865)

Organist Cheryl Van Ornam joins Richmond’s First Church of Christ, Scientist’s carol sing December 7 at 1:30. (749.3900)

The Chester Community Chorus performs December 7 at 3:00 at Chester United Methodist Church. (748.6006)

The Richmond Choral Society’s “Advent Concert” takes place December 7 at 4:00 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. (967.9878)

Richmond’s St. James’s Episcopal Church presents “Advent Lessons and Carols” December 7 at 5:00. (355.1779)

South Hill’s Christmas Parade takes place December 7 at 2:00. Details at 434.447.4547.

Richmond’s First Baptist Church presents the “Child of Light” concert December 7 at 7:00. (358.5458)

Richmond’s “Woodland Heights Holiday Tour of Homes” takes place December 7. Details at 291.1154.

The Mechanicsville Ruritans’ “Christmas Parade” takes place December 7 at 2:00 in Old Town. (305.4098)

South Hill’s “Christmas Parade” takes place December 7 at 2:00. Details at 434.447.4547.

Midlothian’s St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church hosts “An Evening in December” piano recital December 7 at 4:00. (272.8588)

The Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra offers a “Holiday Concert” December 8 at 7:00 at Richmond’s James Center. (740.2890)

The Chesterfield Community Band performs December 8 at 7:00 at Midlothian’s Brandermill Church. (213.9118)

Auditions for SPARC’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” take place December 9 at 7:00 in Richmond. Details at 353.3393.

Jazz violinist Karen Briggs is in concert December 9 at 7:00 at Richmond’s Capital Ale House. (643.1972)

Chesterfield’s Magnolia Grange hosts a “Christmas Tea” December 10 at 2:00. (777.9663)

Richmond’s St. John’s Christian Church hosts the European Wind Ensemble December 10 at 7:00. (267.5954)

IMAX film “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” runs through December 11 at the Science Museum of Virginia. (864.1400)

The Richmond Triangle Players’ production of “Bite Me!” runs through December 13 at the Gay Community Center of Richmond. (346.8113)

IMAX film “The Greatest Places” runs through January 4 at the Science Museum of Virginia. (864.1400)

“Sanders Family Christmas” continues through January 25 at Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern. (282.2620)