Norris in St. Charles to bring holidays home by streaming 'A Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival'

ST. CHARLES – With opportunities to present live performing arts events limited by the pandemic this year, the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles will present a free, 13-day, online holiday festival featuring local performers and ensembles.

Organizers compare it to an inventive holiday twist on the "Twelve Days of Christmas," featuring online vocal, instrumental, dance and spoken-word performances from area talents.

With all performances recorded in the auditorium at the historic Baker Community Center in St. Charles, The Norris is promoting the event as "Norris Presents A Baker's Dozen Holiday Festival."

“There’s no denying the holidays will be a little different this year for everyone, but the show still goes on, and our patrons can still engage with the performing arts,” James L. Collins, chairman of The Norris board, stated in a news release. “The Norris has risen to the challenge this year to provide our community with free, original holiday content right from the comfort of their living rooms. As our special gift, we are proud to bring the holidays home to audiences of all ages with a unique event jam-packed with entertainment and presented in high-quality digital video and sound.”

Starting at noon Saturday, Dec. 12, and daily through Wednesday, Dec. 23, The Norris will premiere a brief, original holiday-themed performance on its website at www.norrisculturalarts.com, and on its YouTube channel. Each new daily video episode of the festival will be available for viewing through the end of the Christmas and New Year holiday season.

At noon on Christmas Eve – Thursday, Dec. 24 – the festival will culminate in a reprise of all 12 video performances in one merry, multigenre celebration.

“A Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival” lineup

• Saturday, Dec. 12 – St. Charles Mayor Raymond Rogina

• Sunday, Dec. 13 – Brett Dean’s Shout Section Big Band

• Monday, Dec. 14 – The Ragged Rascals

• Tuesday, Dec. 15 – Tessera Winds and the Vivace Trio

• Wednesday, Dec. 16 – Author Sherri Duskey Rinker

• Thursday, Dec. 17 – Fox Valley Concert Band’s Brass Quintet

• Friday, Dec. 18 – Dennis O’Brien Trio

• Saturday, Dec. 19 – Dori Erwin Collins

• Sunday, Dec. 20 – Beth Fowler Dance Company

• Monday, Dec. 21 – Daniil Krimer, Kane Repertory Theatre

• Tuesday, Dec. 22 – Mike and Julie Popplewell and pianist Scott Stevenson

• Wednesday, Dec. 23 – Taylor Sherry, pianist Andrew Blendermann

• Thursday, Dec. 24 – "Norris Presents A Baker's Dozen Holiday Festival" grand finale

Festival sponsorship

The festival’s primary sponsor is Mike Corbett Edward Jones in St. Charles. A resident of St. Charles since 1995, Corbett has been involved with the St. Charles History Museum since 2015, and recently was named the museum’s board president. Additional sponsors include the Kane County Chronicle and the Daily Herald.

“On behalf of The Norris, I want to thank our sponsors – especially Mike Corbett with Edward Jones as our main festival sponsor – as well as our donors, board and staff, and others who willingly shared their time, energy, talent and financial support to bring this special holiday event to life,” Collins said. “We also express our thanks and appreciation to the St. Charles Park District for its cooperation in facilitating our use of the Baker Community Center.”

Businesses and individuals may support the performing arts festival through a variety of sponsorship and donation levels. Contact The Norris by phone at 630-584-7200 or email businessoffice@norrisculturalarts.com by Thursday, Dec. 10, for more information on available sponsorship opportunities.

For more information on "Norris Presents A Baker's Dozen Holiday Festival" – including details on performers – visit www.norrisculturalarts.com.