The holiday season is swiftly approaching as we enter the month of December. It's the most wonderful time of the year! Presents, food, family, friends and, of course, a world of entertainment.
Can't get into the holiday spirit? Don't worry, plenty of things are happening to get you into that warm, fuzzy, holiday feeling.
Surprisingly, the movie market isn't being flooded with countless, crappy holiday movies. Instead, large-budget adventure movies, romantic comedies, and, yes, even a horror movie are spreading joy to the world.
On Dec. 16, the new Sarah Jessica Parker movie, "The Family Stone," shows the hilarious trials and tribulations of meeting your significant other's family. Interestingly enough, Parker meets her new in-laws at Thanksgiving dinner. A little late for a mid-December release, can it satisfy your holiday hunger?
The most interesting yet horrifying release must be the premiere of "Wolf Creek," a horror/sci-fi movie, on Dec. 25. This is an insult to both Christmas Day and the First Night of Hanukkah! "Wolf Creek" sounds like another typical horror movie clone involving backpackers whose car breaks down, and a "nice" family who helps them, but doesn't really help them. Instead, they will eat them, torture them, kill them or wear their faces as masks. 'Tis the season, right?
Perhaps the movies are a holiday humbug, but there still lies hope in the stage. Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre is performing two Christmas classics. On Dec. 9 to 11, The Kelsey Players will be performing a musical version of the "Twas The Night Before Christmas." And, of course, "The Nutcracker" will also be performed Dec. 17 to 18. Tickets are only $10 for students! Ah, now that's what I call Christmas!
Can't contain yourself? Well, wait! There's more! McCarter Theatre in Princeton is performing the holiday favorite "A Christmas Carol" from Dec. 4 to 24. Recall the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his Christmas Eve epiphany just days before Christmas (personally, I prefer the Muppet version). Tickets range from $15 to $49.
One of the best things about this time of year is the music! Where's the holiday music, you're asking? Well the College has exactly what you're looking for! Our very own Christian a cappella group, Voice of Hope, is performing a winter concert along with guest group 2Fish from Bryn Mawr College. The magic happens Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Spiritual Center. And the best part? It's free!
Still Scrooged? Well, maybe Sovereign Bank Arena can make you feel childhood giddiness once again. On Dec. 12, 94.5 WPST is having their Winter Wonder Jam. Pop/rock stars Gavin DeGraw, Ryan Cabrera, Lifehouse, Bowling for Soup, Natasha Bedingfield, Liz Phair and The Veronicas will be performing their hits. If you're lucky, they might throw in a "Silent Night" or "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Tickets are already on sale, and prices range from $25 to $45.
Still not satisfied? Sorry, I'm all out of ideas. But, hey! You could always watch ABC Family's "25 Days of Christmas," or head out to NYC for "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular" featuring the Rockettes! Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like a bunch of people kicking in unison.
