December E-News, A Joyful January

Ring in the New Year with an abundant arts scene happening in The BC! January is a musical month, featuring performances by folk groups, symphony orchestras, and local bands.

Get lost in an indie-rock fairytale with the band, Ellery performing at the Fairfield Community Arts Center on January 27. Ellery is a husband-wife duo who went from friends to engaged in just four days! Their music is a blend of indie, rock, and acoustic, while having garnered awards and much acclaim since their debut in 2006. Their lush-pop sound will have you fine-tuning your emotional self and wanting more.

The Fitton Center for Creative Arts features the Cincinnati-based, award-winning folk music group Wild Carrot & the Roots Band on January 14. Rooted in traditional American music, this group performs a variety of musical styles with guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, concertina, banjo, bass, and vocals. This band has something for everyone and has been described as “honest, soothing, uplifting, and fun!”

Expand your musical range at the Middletown Symphony Orchestra Concert “From Russia With Love” at the Towne Boulevard Church of God on January 28. Under the direction of Maestro Carmon DeLeone, on his 30^th anniversary season, the concert will include Sergei Prokofiev, Overture on Hebrew Themes, Rodin Shchedrin, Carmen Suite, and Igor Stravinsky, Pulcinella Suite.

December E-News, Ice, Ice Baby

It’s time to lace up your ice skates and tie those scarves tight for a month full of ice skating in The BC! Skate with the family at Miami University, take a group of friends for shopping and skating, or catch an Ice Hockey game at the Goggin Ice Center.

Take the kids to the ice this December! The McDonald’s KidsSkate Holiday Party at the Goggin Ice Center in Oxford on December 10 will feature ice skating with Santa, music, door prizes, games, and more. And, bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Miami’s Holiday Project and receive a coupon for a FREE admission to a December Holiday Ice Skating session.

Cheer on your Miami University Men’s Ice Hockey team as they play Ohio State at the Goggin Ice Center on December 10. The 7:05 p.m. game will get your blood pumping and your hands clapping. Go Redhawks!

Take a spin on the ice at the NEW Bridgewater Falls Lifestyle Shopping Center's Ice Skating Rink. Open now through January 1, guests can skate with Santa every Saturday afternoon until December 17. After ice skating get some shopping done; when you purchase a $50 Bridgewater Falls gift card, you will receive a $10 Bridgewater gift card FREE now through December 23.

December E-News, Light Up The Night

Warm up in The BC with one of our many holiday events and seasonal light displays. Twinkling lights glittering among the trees, sprinkles of snow falling from the sky, and holiday music on the radio will all create memories for your family and friends.

Add sparkle to your holiday with Light Up Middletown running now until December 31 in Smith Park. Light up Middletown is a spectacular drive-through holiday fantasy display featuring a tunnel of lights, Santa’s workshop, and dozens of animated characters. And, be sure to catch the Annual Hot Air Balloon Glow lighting up the night sky on December 6.

See Fairfield transform into a winter wonderland at Light Up Fairfield on December 3. Help Santa welcome the holiday season and light up the big tree on the Village Green Amphitheater Stage. This event also includes a Holiday Market, Christmas ornament making, music, and more!

Take an enchanting journey through Holiday Lights on the Hill at Pyramid Hill in Hamilton. Running now through January 1, 2012 this holiday lights display transforms the rolling hills of the sculpture park into another worldly, holiday delight. Visitors can drive through the park, leaving their worries behind at this seasonal event.

December E-News, Carriage Bells and Chorus Songs

We are so excited for the holidays that we are celebrating in the streets all over the county! The BC has a variety of Christmas walks, holiday parades, and historic district events happening this December. So, bundle up and head outdoors for some holiday cheer.

Bells on horse drawn carriages will ring at the Annual Christmas Walk in Hamilton’s German Village on December 4. Stroll through the village and tour St. Julie Billiart Church, historic buildings, and local restaurants and businesses decorated in full Victorian splendor. Visitors can purchase crafts, hear musicians decked out in Dickens attire, see a marionette show, visit with Santa and his reindeer, and so much more. *Photo credit: Hamilton JournalNews/Cox Media Group Ohio

The neighbors of the newly formed Highlands Historic District in Middletown are proud to welcome you and your families to the Holiday Home Tour on December 4. This tour is designed to highlight the rich history of the Highlands neighborhoods, the second historic district formed in Middletown. See beautiful homes built in the Colonial style, Georgian Revival style, and more in this community.

The holidays and shopping go together like peanut butter and jelly. Don’t miss the Fairfield Township Christmas Parade on December 10 that starts at Fairfield North Elementary and ends at Bridgewater Falls Lifestyle Shopping Center. See local groups, churches, and businesses walking the streets, as well as floats, Christmas spirit, and more at this festive parade.