Holiday options

Entertainment and the holidays just go hand-in-hand -- the joys, and sometimes terrors, of the holiday season have long been an inspiration for artists across the Western world. This holiday locals have plenty of options to get their holiday entertainment fix, even though the Trans-Siberian Orchestra won't stop in Cape Girardeau this year. Here are a few of them.

Heartland Pops Chorus members rehearsed for the Nov. 30 Christmas concert. (Fred Lynch)

Heartland Pops Orchestra and Chorus

Holiday entertainment kicks off Friday with the popular annual Heartland Pops Orchestra and Chorus concert, at 7 p.m. at Cape First Church. An orchestra of about 30 members teams up with the Perry County Lutheran Chorale to present a concert that mixes instrument and voice, secular and religious. The concert also features a telling of the story of Christmas by KFVS12 anchor Mike Shain.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Call 579-6127 or 243-3367 for more information.

Christmas with Mike and Robyn

Local entertainment favorites Mike Dumey and Robyn Hosp are teaming up this year for a series of what Dumey said are more like variety shows than concerts, called Christmas with Mike and Robyn. The first concert starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Deerfield Lodge. Other concerts follow on Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15.

Dumey said the shows include a variety of music, singing waiters and waitresses and audience participation. Tickets are $27.95, including catering from Tractors Classic American Grill.

For more information, call Hosp at 243-7775.

"Messiah" concerts

Two local symphony orchestras will present their versions of Handel's Christmas classic, "The Messiah," in concert this season. The Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra takes the stage first, with a concert at 7:30 p.m. today at Shryock Auditorium in Carbondale, Ill. This concert is a sing-a-long "Messiah," with audience participation encouraged (audience members will be seated according to voice type). Tickets are $15. For more information call 618-453-2787.

The Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra will team up with the University Choir and Choral Union (a mix of students and community members) for its annual "Messiah" concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8. This concert is commonly the most popular of the symphony orchestra season, and this year it will be in the Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus for the first time.

Ticket prices range from $7 to $12 for adults. For more information, call the River Campus Box Office at 651-2265.

"Sounds of the Season"

On Sunday, the Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation continues its new tradition with its "Sounds of the Season" concert at 2 p.m. at Cape Bible Chapel. Proceeds from the concert benefit the hospital's cancer programs.

Dumey will be master of ceremonies, with young singers Casie Janet, Quitman McBride and Brodrick Twiggs each presenting a "set" of music of their choosing. They will be joined by award-winning dancers from the Academy of Dance Arts.

A $5 donation per ticket is suggested. For more information, call 334-9254.

Moscow Ballet's "Great Russian Nutcracker"

The Moscow Ballet will bring its "Great Russian Nutcracker" to two local venues this year, starting with a Thursday performance at the Carson Center in Paducah, Ky. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $65. For more information call 270-450-4444 or visit thecarsoncenter.org.

Those who can't make the Paducah show can catch one of two performances closer to home when the ballet brings its show to the Bedell Performance hall at the River Campus at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13. Tickets range from $30 to $65. For more information call the River Campus Box Office at 651-2265.

Wynonna Judd's "A Classic Christmas"

Country vocal powerhouse Wynonna Judd takes her "A Classic Christmas" album on the road and makes a stop at the Carson Center at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Ticket prices range from $45 to $150 for VIP seating. For more information call 270-450-4444 or visit thecarsoncenter.org.

Eileen Ivers "An Nollaig"

"An Nollaig" basically means "An Irish Christmas," and Irish fiddle queen Eileen Ivers gives audiences just that. Ivers has performed for presidents, royalty and for crowds at the Kennedy Center. Tickets range from $25 to $35. For more information, call 270-450-4444 or visit thecarsoncenter.org.

Live country and rock benefits

Details are still coming on two benefits featuring live music this season. One will take place on Dec. 22 at the Arena Building featuring country performer Wes Potts and his band Jackpot Country, along with a vintage rock act. The concert will benefit local food pantries.

The other is the annual Christmas Hoot, a series of performances in downtown bars to benefit Cottonwood Treatment Center. Organizer Bob Camp said the Hoot will happen on Dec. 23 this year.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra played at the Show Me Center Wednesday night, Nov, 15, 2006. (Diane L. Wilson)

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Local TSO fans won't get their annual concert this year, but the holiday rock opera will play two dates at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on Dec. 9 and the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., on Dec. 20.

For more information, visit the band's site at trans-siberian.com/ontour.