Students perform in the Fine Arts Auditorium at last year’s “Holiday Variety Show.”
November 22, 2016
Story by Micah Oelze
Barton to host holiday-themed events
Barton Community College invites the public to celebrate the holidays with a series of events from quilts to song and dance to Santa.
Shafer Gallery Holiday Open House - Featuring Santa!
The Shafer Art Gallery's Holiday Open House features holiday decorations and a photo session with Santa Dec. 4 from 1-4 p.m.! All photos will be available free at bartonccc.edu/santa following the event. The gallery will also feature its current exhibit “New York Beauty: New Quilts from an Old Favorite 2016” and performances by the McCrae Puppet Theater of Kansas City at 1:30 and 3 p.m.
Barton Planetarium Show "Star of Bethlehem"
In conjunction with Shafer Gallery’s Holiday Open House, the Barton Planetarium will offer holiday and winter-inspired light shows every half hour from 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.
One presentation will begin at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. and is titled “Star of Bethlehem,” which will teach audiences about the origin of the star and how it played into the story of the “Christ Child.” The other show will be a live star show which will look at winter constellations and will begin at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.
The planetarium is located in the college’s Science and Math Building on the north side of campus. Tim Folkerts, the college’s Planetarium director, will host the presentations and will be available to answer questions. Reservations are not required and admission is free.
Barton Hilltop Singers to host Jingle Bell Swing big band dance
Area residents are invited to kick up their heels at the Barton Community College Jingle Bell Swing big-band dance from 8–11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 at the Great Bend American Legion, 1011 Kansas Ave. The evening will feature a live big band and the Hilltop Singers will also provide a special presentation during the evening.
Tickets can be purchased in advanced by contacting Vern Fryberger, Director of Choral Activities at frybergerv@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9395 or at the door for $15 or $25 per couple. Proceeds from
the event will help fund the Hilltop Singers spring 2017 tour. This dance is sponsored by the Hilltop Singers and Barton Community College.
Barton to host holiday vocal and instrumental concert
Christmas music is something almost everyone can relate to and often creates a nostalgic glimpse into childhood memories. The Barton Music Department will take its audience down memory-lane and beyond as it hosts its Holiday Variety Show at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5 in the Fine Arts Auditorium.
“We know this type of music hits people a lot of different ways,” said Vern Fryberger, Director of Chorale Activities. “It’s sentimental and joyous. It can be happy or sad in a reminiscent kind of way and it just brings about so many intense emotions than most other music does depending on people’s different personal experiences.”
The concert will feature Christmas music performed by Barton’s Concert Choir, Hilltop Singers and Barton Jazz Ensemble. Special selections will include traditional sacred and secular Christmas music by each ensemble as well as several solos and duets.
Fryberger said he hopes community members will seize this opportunity to enjoy some great holiday-oriented entertainment.
“We think this show is a good way to break into the whole holiday season and get things going,” he said. “We’ve got some talented students and community members and the audience will hear some really fine performances.”
Admission to the concert is $5 with all proceeds going to benefit the Barton Music Department. Students will be admitted for free with an ID.