It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The Academy Center of the Arts is thrilled to present an array of shows and events for all to enjoy this holiday season.
As we know the holidays look different for everyone, the Academy is here to represent the purest forms of Christmas cheer within these upcoming months. With our approaching festivities, we hope to bring all of the light and joy that we can offer to our surrounding community. We hope to be a place where all can come this season – whether it be for comfort or celebration, or maybe even a little bit of both.
We’re kicking off the holidays with a weekend filled with the Christmas spirit!
First up on the holiday agenda is our first annual Holiday Maker’s Market! If there’s one thing everyone knows about the holidays, especially in Lynchburg, it’s that you have to get your shopping done early. What better way to do it than at our Holiday Maker’s Market, where you can shop from some of Lynchburg’s best vendors?
On Friday, November 26th, join us in the Warehouse Theatre from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM for a special VIP evening with early access to shopping and an exclusive visit from Santa! Jazz up your night with vocalist Donna Kay and Matthew Billings on piano! You might recognize the pair from their time playing at Academy events such as First Fridays, as well as Donna from working various Academy shows as a Front of House Associate!
“I am a native of Lynchburg and recently returned in March of 2021,” says Donna, “I was classically trained right here before taking my music to Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, where I still lead the gypsy jazz and swing band, Donna Kay & The Carousers.” In addition to playing across the United States, Donna spent time in 2014 as an artist-in-residence in Berlin, Germany, playing shows in Berlin and Prague.
“I play jazz, swing, and blues from the 1920s to the 1940s.,” she continues, “I write original music in that style. Matthew and I will also have jazzy holiday tunes at the market!”
On Saturday, keep the festivities going by coming into the Warehouse Theatre from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM to shop small with all of our local vendors! Patrons can expect a wide variety of ceramics/pottery, fine arts, gifts/accessories, jewelry, textiles and so much more to buy for their loved ones this holiday season.
One of our vendors, Bonnie Swanson, is the owner of Evergreen Lavender Farm. “I have always been a gardener and after moving to Appomattox from Florida, I continued my profession as a teacher but grew cut flowers during the summer for markets and florists,” says Bonnie. “After a trip to Oregon and, while there, visited lavender farms and other agritourism venues, I decided to switch the flower fields to lavender. That was 10 years ago, and now it’s a combination of flowers and lavender.”
“My family and I moved here in 1999 and I remember seeing the abandoned theater and wishing it could come back to its grandeur. It’s been a process, but it has!” she continues, “The Academy is a beautiful setting and I wanted to be a part of the festivities and share Evergreen Lavender Farm with the public.”
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- Bill Booz
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- Simply Summerville
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- I Wear Blue Tights
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- Grace, Grit + Lipstick
Another vendor, Alex, owns a small business called “AM Pottery” where she specializes in handmade stoneware ceramics. “My unique pieces range from mugs and planters with hand-sculpted mushroom/fungi ornamentation to hand-carved vases to mugs with octopus tentacle handles,” she states.
“I first became fascinated by the pottery in college when I took a ceramics class in the School of Architecture at Virginia Tech,” Alex continues, “A few years ago I started taking classes through Lynchburg’s Parks and Rec program. I finally fulfilled my dream of having a full home studio earlier this year and launched AM Pottery. ”
Alex proclaims she was so excited to hear about the upcoming Holiday Maker’s Market. “I haven’t had many opportunities since starting AM Pottery to interact locally or meet other local makers,” she concludes, “The Holiday Market is the perfect way to get involved in the local community with my pottery as well as the perfect way to kick-off the holiday season!”
Click below to get tickets and check out all of our vendors!
On that same Saturday (November 27th) starting at 9 AM until 10 pm, snuggle up in one of our cozy red seats for a Holiday Movie Marathon in the Historic Academy Theatre! This all-day event features EIGHT of your favorite holiday classics – for just $5, you can gain access to the theatre and all eight films ALL DAY!
Scheduled films include:
9am – Jack Frost
10:15am – Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
11:45am – The Muppet Christmas Carol
1:30pm – The Nightmare Before Christmas
3:00pm – It’s a Wonderful Life
5:30pm – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
7:45pm – Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas
10pm – Office Christmas Party
Last but not least on our weekend agenda is our FREE Family Vaccination Event in partnership with the Lynchburg Health Department (Central VA Health District Headquarters)! From 2-5 PM, bring your loved ones to the Warehouse Theatre to ensure they stay happy and healthy during the upcoming holidays.
Pediatric, first, and second doses of Pfizer will be available. Doors open at 2:00 PM and vaccinations will be administered between 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM!
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be on-site too! Visit with your favorite Christmas couple and participate in a number of holiday craft activities.
ALL WE WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU!
Check out our other upcoming holiday shows and events below.
DECEMBER 4, 2021 – Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra Presents: Happy Holidays
DECEMBER 6, 2021 – Charlottesville Ballet Presents: Class with Clara
DECEMBER 9, 2021 – Sara Evans Blue Christmas Tour
DECEMBER 11, 2021 – Masters of Soul “Christmas in Motown”
DECEMBER 17-18, 2021 – Academy Youth Theatre Presents: Elf the Musical
DECEMBER 21, 2021 – Christmas in Killarney
