Holiday Festival, Chriskwanzukkah, Fun for the Family: Music, Songs, Poetry

A unique holiday event, playfully called “Chriskwanzukkah,” features dozens of family-friendly performers and an open mic. Enjoy the beautiful holiday and tree decorations. Shop for gifts. Raffles.

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL FEATURES LOCAL PERFORMERS

The holiday festival, “Chriskwanzukkah,” will be open to the public, free, at The Casements on Sunday, December 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Ormond Beach Arts District (OBAD), Tomoka Poets, and the Creative Happiness Institute (CHI) are teaming up to celebrate the season. The event is made possible in part by funding from the Cultural Council of Volusia County.

Instrumentalists Sitarick (Rick deYampert) and Celtic Harpist De Luna will perform, as will Julia and Marc Davidson whose songs and recitations will please a wide audience. Mary-Ann Westbrook, President of the Tomoka Poets, will emcee an Open Mic for anyone who would like to perform a 3-minute set. Any style of poetry, stories, songs and instruments are welcome. Featured authors include Linda Eve Diamond, Audrey Parente, Gittel Schwartz, Victoria Mullins, Aurora Perna, Mary Jane Barenbaum, Vicki Iorio, Debby Hughes, Sonja Jean Craig, Judith B Miller, Kevin Campbell, and Michelle Davidson.

There will be a winter solstice invocation by “Traveling Witch,” Oliver Irlam. Dr. David B. Axelrod, a Volusia County Poet Laureate and director of CHI explains that, “We’ve created a name, Chriskwanzukkah, that provides a chance to combine and enjoy many cultures and ceremonies.”

Local authors are encouraged to bring their books to sign and sell. Festivities will include raffles, light refreshments, and a give-a-gift, get-a-gift table where participants are encouraged to wrap and bring a small gift to place on a table where they can, in turn, pick a gift for themselves. Gifts shouldn’t cost more than $10.

The Casements is located at 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach, FL 32176. For more information, email Dr. Axelrod, email: axelrod@creativehappiness.org, or call 386-337-4567.

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