THIS WEEKEND

The Radio Play’s the Thing

On Saturday, bring the whole family to an old-fashioned night, including a staged reading of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” carols, cocoa, and conversation, at 7:30 at the Veterans Memorial Building on Halstead Avenue in Harrison.

The Harrison Players Community Theatre Group production is directed by Anthony Valbiro, with carols and music by Chloe Bodt, featuring the Stepinac Chorus.

Tickets are $10 per person. For more information, visit harrisonplayers.org.

Year-End Jamboree

At the Jay Heritage Center’s season finale, Sunday at 2 in their award-winning estate gardens, three a cappella college groups, Dartmouth Sings, Princeton Tigers, and Shades of Yale, have been invited to hit the high notes.

The concert is free but, as part of an ongoing tradition with the Carver Center, guests are asked to bring something for their food pantry.

Registration is required. Go to events.r20.constantcontact.com/register.

Seasonal Scenes

SPRYE will host a delightful selection of readings by members of the Play With Your Food company, Sunday at 2 at the Rye Free Reading Room. 

The program includes “Going Home” by Matt Hoverman, a comedic look at the irresistible pull of home during the holidays for a young wife; Suzanne Zeilitch’s “I Had a Little Dreidel,” a poignant Hanukkah tale about a young Peace Corps worker teaching English in a small town in Hungary in the 1990s; and a special reading of “The Christmas Truce” by Aaron Shepard, a series of letters recounting the spontaneous one-day truce between the British and the Germans during World War I. 

Holiday refreshments will be served after the performance and give guests a chance to mingle with the actors. 

Admission is free for SPRYE members, $5 for non-members.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

An August Wilson Occasion

Patti Hartigan’s recently released biography of playwright August Wilson received rave reviews. She will be at the Rye Free Reading Room Dec. 6 at 7 to share her insights about this complex, poetic, and Pulitzer Prize-winning individual who depicted what he knew best — the Pittsburgh neighborhood he grew up in. Hartigan grew up in Rye. 

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Wild Things

Read Sanctuary is hosting its second photography exhibit of wildlife and natural landscapes. All are invited to the opening on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 1-4. Refreshments will be provided. The exhibit closes Jan. 27.

GOOD TIDINGS

Comfort & Joy

The Rye Historical Society invites the community to step back in time and learn about the holiday traditions enjoyed by the Haviland family, the early owners of the tavern on Purchase Street that has long served as the Square House Museum. 

Two centuries ago, there were no candy canes, Christmas stockings, or festive trees adorning homes. Instead, the Havilands enjoyed apple pudding for something sweet and indulged in bowls of hot, spicy punch. The families may have made pomander balls or delighted in crisp gingerbread cookies and sipped rich hot chocolate.

The Society will offer guided tours lasting 15 to 20 minutes on December 9 and 16 between 1 and 3:30. Admission is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted.

For more information, call 914-967-7588.

The Soaring Sounds of Christmas

The tradition of Cantata Sunday at Rye Presbyterian Church continues Dec. 10, beginning at 10 a.m., when choir, soloists, and orchestra present Part 3 of the Christmas Oratorio by J. S. Bach. In addition, the orchestra will perform selected movements from Bach’s Orchestral Suite in D Major, as part of the musical offerings that morning. Jason Charneski, Director of Music, and organist at Rye Presbyterian Church, will conduct.

The Christmas Oratorio is comprised of six independent cantatas; the third focuses on the journey of the shepherds to Bethlehem and then back to their flocks, as told in Luke 2:15-20. 

There is no charge for the performance, but an offering will be received for the purpose of supporting the church’s work in the community.

A festive reception will follow the service.

TEEN TIME

Sweet Lock-In

At the Gingerbread House Contest at the library, December 8 from 5:15-7:30, teams comprised of up to eight youth are invited to create eminently edible art.  Registration and permission slip required. 

For further information, visit ryelibrary.org or call 914-967-0480.

JUST FOR KIDS

Simple Snacks

Students in grades K-5 are invited to the Rye library’s next Cooking with Kids program, Dec. 11 from 4-5. Who doesn’t want to learn how to make White Hot Chocolate No Bake Cookies?