EVENTS CALENDAR

The Kellogg Community College Jazz Band will perform a series of holiday favorites and seasonal classics at its annual holiday concert on campus in Battle Creek.

The KCC Jazz Band’s “Ugly Sweater Swing” concert event will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Binda Performing Arts Center, on campus at 450 North Ave. in Battle Creek. The event is free and open to the public.

Band members under the direction of KCC Jazz Band Director Eric Campbell will perform holiday favorites including “Jingle Bells,” “White Christmas” and a playful jazz rendition of “Yo Tannenbaum!” Additional selections include a heartfelt performance of “A Child Is Born” – highlighted by the warm tones of Campbell on flugelhorn – as well as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Christmas Time Is Here,” with additional pieces announced live from the stage.

Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their most festive holiday sweaters to fully embrace the spirit of the event.

Director Campbell said whether you’re a longtime jazz enthusiast or a casual music lover, “Ugly Sweater Swing” offers a cozy, family-friendly experience sure to uplift and inspire anyone during the holiday season.

“We’re excited to bring the community together through music and celebrate the season with upbeat and heartwarming performances,” Campbell said. “This year’s set list is designed to be both nostalgic and lively, perfect for audiences of all ages.”

For more information about the KCC Jazz Band or the group’s holiday concert, contact KCC’s Arts and Communication offices at 269-965-4126. For more information about upcoming events at KCC, musical and otherwise, check out KCC’s online events calendar at kellogg.edu/events.

Kellogg Community College Theatre invites the public to celebrate with a cast of KCC all-stars at a one-night-only fundraiser event in December in Battle Creek.

The special “All-Star Cabaret!” event will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Binda Performing Arts Center, on campus at 450 North Ave. Tickets can be purchased online at kelloggcommunitycollege.ludus.com and are $15 for the general public and $10 for students, KCC staff, seniors and members of the U.S. military.

All proceeds from the event will go to defray the costs for KCC Theatre students to perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland this summer.

The event will run for approximately two hours and will include performances from a dozen or more familiar KCC Theatre program and performance alumni, including showtunes, pop songs, dance, dramatic and comedic monologues and sketches, and a chunk of holiday-themed pieces perfect for the season.

KCC Theatre Coordinator Brad Poer – who will be performing in the show – said the event will be “an evening of song, dance, comedy, drama, a bit of holiday merriment and everything in between.”

“It’s going to be a really fun show,” Poer said, “and it’s a great opportunity for folks to help support the skill of our students and community members and bring the cost down for those going on the trip.”

For more information, email Poer at poerb@kellogg.edu or watch the KCC Theatre Facebook page at facebook.com/KCCTheatre for details.

The members of Kellogg Community College’s Branch County Community Chorus will ask the audience to join them in singing holiday carols and more at the group’s annual “Sounds of the Season” holiday concert this weekend in Coldwater.

The concert, which this year doubles as a community sing, will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 27 E. Chicago St. The event is free and open to the public, though a freewill donation will be collected to support upcoming music initiatives including a Summer 2025 international concert tour of the Baltics.

The evening will be conducted by Dr. Gerald J. Case-Blanchard, director of vocal music and Music Area coordinator at KCC, accompanied by Nancy D. Brown.

Selections for the community sing portion of the concert include “Deck the Halls,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Here We Come A-wassailing,” “Jingle Bells,” “Joy to the World,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer,” “Silent Night,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and “White Christmas,” as well as the chorus to the famous “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah,” which will close out the show.

A second portion of the concert will feature performances of classical holiday selections by the BCCC as well as special guests including the Kellogg Singers, the KCC Choral Union, organist Kathy Cary and select student soloists.

Audience members are invited to bring their personal copies of Handel’s “Messiah,” though a limited number of copies will be made available for loan during the concert.

Case-Blanchard said the event is open to all, whether they wish to actively participate in the community sing or “simply immerse yourself in the joyous music of the festive season.”

All audience members are invited to join the performers for a festive cookie and punch reception in the St. Mark’s fellowship hall following the concert.

For more information about the “Sounds of the Season” holiday concert or other music events and initiatives at KCC, contact Case-Blanchard at 269-965-3931 ext. 2566 or email case-blanchardg@kellogg.edu.

For information about opportunities to perform or study music at KCC, visit kellogg.edu/music.