SANTA ROSA, Calif. (November 17, 2022)— From new takes on the classics and the traditions of Mexico to Symphony Pops and the drama of drag queens, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts (LBC) decks the stage with eight new shows in December, covering diverse tastes in live dance, music, and comedy and offering an assortment of options to enjoy throughout the month-long season of holiday celebrations with family and friends.
To encourage fans to include live performances in their holiday celebrations, LBC will hold a Black Friday sale on gift certificates, offering an extra $25 value for every $100 spent, and a Cyber Monday sale, which will waive convenience fees for online ticket purchases for one day only.
A Drag Queen Christmas, presented by Murray & Peter, brings it all to the stage on December 2 with glitzy costumes and glamorous scenery, as well as sassy music, dance, and comedy to kick off the season. Ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro brings his Christmas in Hawai’i tour to LBC on December 3, when he will draw on a vibrant catalog of holiday classics with bassist Jackson Waldhoff, singer-songwriter Justin Kawika Young, and special guest Nate Lopez. Then, on December 4, New World Ballet and the 16-piece Marcus Shelby Orchestra will come together to
present Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker, a jazzy interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s European classic, with brilliant choreography by Artistic Director Victor Temple.
As part of LBC’s Rodney Strong Dance Series, the Calidanza Dance Company presents the Center’s annual Posada Navideña on December 9, featuring the vibrant music and dance of Mexico’s traditional holiday celebration under the leadership of Artistic Director Steven Valencia. In the Santa Rosa Symphony Pops presentation of A John Denver Rocky Mountain Christmas on December 11, vocalist Jim Curry reminds fans that little can conjure the spirit of the winter holidays better than the warm hearth of John Denver’s music. Join the student performers of Roustabout Theater December 16 – 18 for the mirthful holiday musical, Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” the Broadway comedy hit that includes the infectious rhythms of “Happy Holidays,” “Blue Skies,” and “I Love a Piano,” plus a “White Christmas” finale that invites everyone to sing. For a fresh holiday sound that tugs at the same heartstrings as the classics, The Mavericks, joined by special guest JD McPherson, bring their Very Merry Christmas Tour to the LBC stage on December 14 with jazzy ballads and bluesy tunes. Finally, the ever-popular LBC holiday tradition, Dave Koz and Friends, returns on December 21 with special guests Rick Braun, Peter White, Keiko Matsui, and Rebecca Jade.
For more information about performances and upcoming sales and to purchase tickets, visit YourLBC.org.
About Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts is home to world-class performances, nationally recognized education programs, contemporary visual art, and many popular events. The Arts Center is located in the heart of the Sonoma wine country and ranked among California’s top performing arts presenters. Together with its resident companies, the Center presents more than 230 performances in music, dance, theater, renowned speakers, and comedy; provides education programs serving more than 50,000 children and adults; and hosts more than 800 community events a year. Owned and operated by the Luther Burbank Memorial Foundation, the Center relies on charitable community donations to achieve its mission – to enrich, educate, and entertain. For more information, visit lutherburbankcenter.org.
