for the ARTS record
Festival of Trees Oh, how time does fly, and here we are at the end of the year with a chance to check in with one another at the 13th annual Festival of Trees - when all manner of Nantucket vendors and organizations turn in something of an end-of-theyear tribute to the island in the form of a personalized Christmas tree.

"This is the second year the Festival of Trees is in the museum, and it really does transform the museum into a winter wonderland," added Peter J. Greenhalgh, Manager of Public Relations for the Nantucket Historical Association, which hosts the Festival.

Greenhalgh said that the Festival is also beloved by the community because the trees (over 80 this year) showcase the personalities of the island's businesses, organizations and individuals. Some of the standouts include a massive, sea-themed tree by Nantucket bookworks, a '60s themed aluminum tree (plus '60s living room) by BPC Architecture and an adorable miniature town with working train.

When: Through Dec. 18; every

Thursday - Monday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.,

and Friday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Where: NHA Whaling Museum, 13 Broad St. Cost: $5 for Nantucket residents with valid

Nantucket licenses; $15 general admission;

Free for children and NHA members.

For more information, call 228-1894, ext. 0.

David Lazarus reprises "A Child's Christmas in Wales" Taking over for John Knox-Johnston and reprising the role he debuted on Nantucket, David Lazarus will continue the performances of "A Child's Christmas in Wales," produced by the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket.

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."

Last year, Lazarus wowed the Christmas audiences as "Marley" in the TWN's "Scrooge and Marley." Though he is, like Knox-Johnston, a British actor, his version of the reading is sure to be a different interpretation, according to TWN President Pam Murphy, who added that even though the reading has been playing to packed houses, the TWN is happy to host it for free - especially when

many year-rounders were hard at work during the readings performances around Thanksgiving and Stroll.

"We just like to give back. The community is very good to us, and this is an opportunity to give back. And it's a good time of year to do that," Murphy said. "During Stroll, a lot of people like myself don't have time, so I wanted to do something for those of us who work, for people who have businesses to get out with their families and enjoy the holiday season."

When: Friday and Saturday,

Dec. 8 and 9, 15 and 16, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Theatre Workshop of Nantucket,

2 Centre Street

Cost: Free

Poetry Slam: Richard Cambridge An arbiter of something called "poetry theater," Cambridge won the Master's Slam at the 1997 National Poetry Slam.

According to LivePoets.com, Cambridge cofounded Singing with the Enemy - a troupe of poets, musicians and performance artists. "Their show, 'IEMBARGO!' is a dramatic mural of poetry, music and dance dedicated to bringing awareness to the devastating effects of the United States' 40-year economic blockade on the people of Cuba." In 1998, the troupe went to Cuba on an invitation to perform their poetry at the First U.S.-Cuba Friendship Conference. When: Saturday, Dec. 10, 2-4 p.m. Where: UMASS Field Station,180 Polpis Road Cost: Free, but NPS "passes the hat"

for the feature For more information, please call (774) 836- 5035.

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