Don't Miss It!

“Holiday Cheer and All That Jazz,” one of several seasonal concert events

This installment of Don’t Miss It! will be the final one in 2019. It covers the period through the week of Jan. 13, when Purdue Today will publish the next Don’t Miss It! and spring semester will begin.

Be of good cheer — and some really sweet jazz singing and playing. That’s the vibe at “Holiday Cheer and All That Jazz,” one of four seasonal celebratory events Friday and Saturday (Dec. 6 and 7) by groups from Purdue Bands & Orchestras. They’re all part of the semester’s last blast before finals, and it’s one of Purdue’s most entertaining and heartwarming weeks. There’s dancers and tubas and French horns, oh my, and cherished traditions at the Union and the Purdue Christmas Show. Don’t Miss It!

DECEMBER 2-7

Holidays at the Union kicks off with arrival at the tree about 12:30 p.m. Monday, followed during the week by a lighting ceremony, midday musical performances, Holidays Around the World, and Breakfast with Santa. PSUB calendar | News release

DECEMBER 6

The annual fall Cultural Arts Festival from the Black Cultural Center will display artistry, thought and growth in understanding from the BCC performing arts ensembles. 7 p.m. STEW, Loeb Playhouse. Admission: public, $7; Purdue students, $5. BCC

Emily Wilson, translator of “The Odyssey,” this area’s chosen Big Read

The Big Read capstone event: Emily Wilson, translator of a widely praised version of Homer’s “The Odyssey,” will read, participate in a Q&A, and have a book signing. Organizer: Department of English. 7:30-9 p.m. STEW, Fowler Hall. The selection for the 2019-20 Big Read, a campus-community project, is an acclaimed new translation of Homer’s “The Odyssey.” An extensive list of events, including a professional dramatic presentation, is here. Big Read news release | Wilson news release

Tuba Christmas is exactly what it says it is, and it’s sleighfuls of fun. 7:30 p.m. St. Thomas Aquinas Center, 535 W. State St. Free. Bands & Orchestras

DECEMBER 6-7

"Winter Works," the annual fall showcase of the Purdue Contemporary Dance Company, will feature student dancers and choreography by Division of Dance faculty. 7:30 p.m. on Friday; 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Pao Hall, Nancy T. Hansen Theatre. Reserved seating: public, $14; students, $11; children 1-12 years, $7; under age 1, free. Dance

DECEMBER 7

Christmas Horn Extravaganza. It’s a short trip to hear French horns, but a pleasant trip at that. 1-2:30 p.m. Matthews Hall, Room 210. Free. Event | Bands & Orchestras

The Lafayette Christmas Parade again will include “All-American” Marching Band, and hopefully North Pole visitors without North Pole temperatures. 5:30 p.m. On Main Street, Lafayette, from 1000 block to 200 block. Website | Bands & Orchestras

Holiday Cheer & All That Jazz will give the season more mood than a mall can and as much spice as a cup of wassail. 7:30-9:30 p.m. STEW, Loeb Playhouse. Bands & Orchestras

Purdue Contemporary Dance Company in “Winter Works.”

DECEMBER 7-8

The 86th Annual Purdue Christmas Show from Purdue Musical Organizations is a campus and area tradition without parallel. It’s big, it’s joyous, it’s delightful. Noon, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Elliott Hall of Music. Tickets: adults, $35; senior citizens (65+), $27; students (age 13-college), $20; ages 12 and under, $12. Call 765-494-3933 or 800-914-7469 or go to PMO Christmas Show for online, mail or in-person options.

A PEEK AHEAD

JANUARY 13

The exhibition “Creative Muses: Art + Fashion” (Jan. 13-Feb. 15) opens in the Robert L. Ringel Gallery in the Stewart Center. Art and fashion intertwine as culture, social change, and new techniques and materials influence both, so what is art? Featuring items from Purdue Department of Theatre and Purdue Galleries’ collection. STEW, Robert L. Ringel Gallery. Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday (except holidays). Exhibition reception at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 23. Exhibition

The exhibition “Into a Study [Among the Gods]” - Paul X. Rutz and Amanda Hampton Wray (Jan. 13-31) opens the semester at the Patti and Rusty Rueff Galleries in Pao Hall. Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday (except holidays, and closing at 5 p.m. on final day of an exhibition). Reception 5:30 p.m. Jan. 30. Rueff Galleries schedule

JANUARY 16-18

The 30th annual Purdue Jazz Festival will warm up winter with a variety of events plus Saturday clinics. More to come. Jazz festival

JANUARY 17

Artemis, a supergroup of six jazz giants who lead their own groups, will light a fire under the 30th Purdue Jazz Festival in Purdue Convocations’ contribution to the multi-day event. 8 p.m. STEW, Loeb Playhouse. Tickets $24-$30. Pre-show discussion at 7 p.m. with composer, pianist and music educator Judd Danby. Event

SPORTS IN SEASON

Intercollegiate Athletics home
Women's volleyball | Tickets
Women's swimming and diving | Free admission | Information for attending
Men's swimming and diving | Free admission | Information for attending
Wrestling | Free admission | Information for attending
Men’s basketball | Tickets
Women’s basketball | Tickets
Track and field | Free admission | Information for attending
Women’s tennis | Free admission | Information for attending
Men’s tennis | Free admission | Information for attending

These and other events including varsity sports events, plus other timely information, are listed in the Purdue Today calendars under "Events" under the Campus News pulldown at www.purdue.edu/newsroom/purduetoday.