Days ahead full of seasonal events

When Thanksgiving happens on its latest possible date — as it did this year — it feels as if we are plunged headfirst into the deep end of the Christmas pool almost before the turkey has been digested.

Grab a life preserver. The coming days are filled with events to get us all in the holiday spirit, whether we are ready or not.

Because of a love for all things quirky, let me begin with the Bazaar Market that is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday in the lecture hall at Eastern New Mexico University’s Art and Anthropology building.

Catherine Czacki, who teaches art history and studio art at Eastern, is coordinating this sale of “abandoned and unclaimed ceramics” (are you feeling tugs on your heartstrings yet?) along with newer works from ENMU students.

She explained that a number of clay pieces that had been “left behind” by previous students have been glazed and fired, and will be joining other works created by current students. All items (ranging from bowls to unique art pieces) will be sold on a sliding scale, “affordable to all.”

Proceeds will help buy materials and provide field trips for the recently revitalized Clayhounds (an excellent candidate for best name of a student organization).

Portales’ newest little miss merry christmas will be crowned at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Yam Theatre, and then you’ll have to skedaddle to grab a seat in the Campus Union Building ballroom at 7 p.m. for ENMU’s annual holiday concert.

You’d have to be a true Grinch to not enjoy this merry gathering of all of the school’s music ensembles, not to mention the cake and cider served after the concert by the ENMU Friends of Music.

Stock up on cocoa Friday evening for Portales’ Christmas lights parade and festivities. Live music begins on the courthouse square at 5:30 p.m. and the parade will wind through town starting at 6:30 p.m.

Clovis’ “A Christmas Story” parade follows suit at 6 p.m. Saturday on Main Street.

(The forecast, by the way, is balmy for both of these twinkling traditions.)

At 3 p.m. Sunday, we are all invited to join the ENMU choirs and vocal performance faculty for a sing-along performance of Handel’s Messiah at the First United Methodist Church at 1501 Sycamore St., Clovis.

Bring your own sheet music or arrive early and nab one of the loaners. Whether or not you sing (my plan for these things is to sit near a talented vocalist and move my lips), you’ll be surrounded by some amazing vocalists performing some of the most beautiful music ever written.

This experience is guaranteed to lift your spirits — who doesn’t love “The Hallelujah Chorus?”

With your suggested donation of $10, you’ll also have ENMU music students singing, “Hallelujah!” They are the beneficiaries of this fundraiser performance; all monies will be used to defray expenses for next May’s ENMU choir tour to Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and Tangier.

If your inner Ebenezer Scrooge is still somehow grumbling, take heart, you old humbug. Portales High School is staging “A Christmas Carol” at 6 p.m. Dec. 13-14 in the PHS Performing Arts Center.

Tell Santa the tickets are only $7 ($5 for students and military with ID, and free for children 5 and under) — maybe he can tuck some into your stocking for an early gift.

’Tis the season. Save me a seat.

Betty Williamson needs a little Christmas. Reach her at:

[email protected]