Portsmouth — For November Portsmouth will go from the horror of it all to bright holiday cheer.
Those who lived in Hampton Roads for many years may remember Friday’s local late night horror film showcase of the ‘60s, “Shock Theater,” hosted by Ronald the Crypt Keeper and his pals Maurice and the Cool Ghoul.
On Nov. 16, the nonprofit Support Portsmouth Public Art will host its own “Shock Theater” double feature beginning at 7 p.m. at 532 North St.
Attendees will “view two horror films; one filmed in Olde Towne and the second starring Olde Towne resident, Anne Glenn,” according to a press release. Sounds positively scary boys and girls.
Tickets to this inaugural “Shock Theater” fundraiser are $15 per person, available only in advance either online at www.sppava.org, by calling 582-5330 or 897-5986, or at Little Shoppes on High, 302 High St., between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
The scary screenings will also include a cash bar and concessions available for purchase.
Proceeds will benefit Support Portsmouth Public Art, founded by volunteers in 2010 with the mission of purchasing and installing public art, educating citizens and creating outreach, according to the group’s website.
After getting your fill of local horror, emerge into the light of the Christmas season on Nov. 22 at the Olde Towne Holiday Open House and Crafters’ Market featuring a holiday tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. around the Middle Street Pedestrian Mall.
Besides bright holiday lights, the event will also feature seasonal songs and carols performed by the Olde Towne Arts and Music Children’s Chorus. To make things even merrier, the courtyard of the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center at 400 High St. will be open and decorated for the season.
Before the tree lights up, check out the Holiday Open House and Crafters’ Market from 4-8 p.m., also at the Middle Street Pedestrian Mall.
Also on Nov. 22, browse through the creations of budding artists at the Tidewater Community College Art League Student Art Sale from 5 to 8 p.m. at the TCC Visual Arts Center, 340 High St. There will also be an opening reception for the 50th Art Faculty Exhibition from 6-8 p.m. at the Visual Arts Center.
And, finally, for some additional holiday cheer, the historic Trinity Episcopal Church at 500 Court St. will host a concert of carols, hymns and seasonal songs performed by the TCC Chorale.
Admission to all the holiday and TCC events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 405-3500 or visit oldetowneportsmouth.com.
BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CRAFTIES
Suffolk will bring in the Christmas holiday season with its annual Grand Illumination celebrations Nov. 22, followed by the eighth annual Artisan Gift Fair on Nov. 23.
The big ho-ho-holiday happening begins with the Grand Illumination from 6-8:30 p.m. at Market Park in downtown Suffolk on the corner of Constance Road and North Main Street.
The illumination opens at 6 p.m. with the city’s 32-foot-high fir lit up like a, well, Christmas tree at 6:15 p.m. The kiddies will be delighted with the 6:15 p.m. arrival of the North Pole’s most famous citizen, Santa Claus, accompanied by carols sung by a variety of city choirs.
Santa will then meet and greet the little ones and listen to their holiday gift wishes. Parents: Be sure to bring your smartphones, camcorders or cameras.
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Children will also decorate letters to Mr. Kringle, enjoy puppet shows and horse and carriage rides.
Parking is available at the Suffolk Visitor Center lot at 524 N. Main St. Beginning at 5:45 p.m., a free shuttle will take participants to and from the illumination fun from the First Baptist Church and the Godwin Courts Building lots.
To get your holiday shopping in gear while having more seasonal fun, visit the eighth annual Artisan Gift Fair in conjunction with the Suffolk Farmers’ Market. It runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Suffolk Visitor Center Pavilion, 524 N. Main St.
Shoppers will be able to browse through the many stalls and booths brimming with holiday decorations, wreaths and ornaments along with artisan crafts, soaps, candles, jewelry, birdhouses, crocheted items, woodcrafts, jellies, jams, salsas, baked goods, totes, seasonal produce and various meats.
But it’s not all shopping, there will also be live seasonal music, a petting zoo, face painting, bounce houses and holiday treats available for purchase.
For more information, call 514-4130 and let the season begin.
Eric W. Feber, ewjfeber@gmail.com