for the ARTS record
Children's Christmas Theater, done in the British style
Christmas tales told by a reliable British narrator are as much a part of American Christmas tradition as are grade school wrapping paper fundraisers and magazine subscription drives. Because of this, having an astute Anglo actor like John Knox-Johnston relate Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales" (for free) is a real treat for the island this week. This classic short story narrates a traditional Welsh Christmas, but it contains elements as eternal as snow in winter - including the giddiness of children in love with the holiday and the challenges of packing many family members into one home to celebrate. The Theatre Workshop of Nantucket describes the tale as "heartwarming reminiscences from a child's-eye-view of the duties, delicacies and delights of Christmas traditions of old." Added TWN President Pam Murphy, "John's charming British accent and silver pate lend the perfect blend of wistfulness, whimsy and weight to the roughly 40-minute story."

John Knox-Johnston

When: Friday and Saturday,

Dec. 1 and 2, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Upstairs at the United Methodist Church,

2 Centre Street Cost: Free For more information, call 228-4305.

It wouldn't be a festival without a food tent And ACKtivities' Caroline Sallee Reilly, who is organizing the Food Tents, said the six restaurants and four nonprofits providing food for the Food Tent take home all the proceeds they make at their location in the Grand Union parking lot during Stroll. So if you have completely resigned yourself to getting fat over the holidays, you might as well do it for a good cause or a local business. Though the official hours of the Food Tent are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., sometimes, people are ready earlier than 11 a.m., so it's good to come by and see who is set up, Reilly said. Entrees range from $5-$10, sides from $1-$2 bucks. "Cash is king," but local checks may be taken by some vendors. Some of the foods available include: • Scallop rolls (Sayle's Seafood, Sea Grille) • Chowder (a 27-year tradition from Sea Grille) • Pulled pork sandwiches (Cowboys) • French fries, chicken fingers, and scallops

wrapped in bacon (Faregrounds) • Shellfish Newburg,Texas Chili, cookies (Tacos

Tacos with the Nantucket Cookie Company) • Grilled sausage grinders (The Rotary) • Burgers and hot dogs (The Boy Scouts) • Baked goods and coffee (The Girl Scouts) • Delicious soups (St. Paul's Church)

NISDA Ornaments from the Sea Drop-in Workshop Beautiful, natural materials are given to us in abundance all throughout the year on

Nantucket, and this Christmas, continue to make the most of our natural surroundings with organic ornaments - made of scallop shells, jingle shells, seaweed tinsel, grass flowers and traditional sparkles. The Nantucket Island School of Design and Art will provide the know-how, the materials and also mulled cider, snacks and music. All you need to bring with you is a holiday spirit grateful for our natural beauty, and a little bit of creativity. When: Saturday, Dec. 2, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Where: NISDA Harbor Cottages Artists Colony,

71 Washington St.

For more information, call 228-9248.

Stroll Craft Show This is one-stop shopping for authentic, Nantucket-made arts and crafts from local artisans who will be selling lightship baskets, pottery, jewelry, knits, floral arrangements, woven items, ornaments, cards, wooden boxes and more.

When: Friday, Dec. 1, 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Where: Preservation Institute: Nantucket,

upstairs at 11 Centre Street Cost: Free For more information, call 228-5755.

Madrigal Performance Madrigals were a preeminent form of musical expression in Renaissance Europe, prior to the advent of the opera. You can cap off the sunset of Stroll Saturday by enjoying a concert of this traditional, lyrical group-song beneath the gilded dome of the Unitarian Church, with all proceeds benefiting the South Church Preservation fund. Tickets are available at the door. When: Saturday, Dec. 2, 5 p.m. Where: Unitarian Church, 11 Orange Street For more information, call 228-5466.

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