THE LIST: 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever' ... Christmas Cantata ... UND Bookstore fashion show ... more

'Pageant'

- Tonight through Sunday at RRHS: Red River High School's traditional holiday performance of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" will be at 7 tonight and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Red River theater. A preshow of fine arts and singing by the RRHS Madrigal will begin in the lobby one hour before "Pageant." Cast: Bailey Altman, Hannah Borgstrom, Ana Brakel, Nina Coster, Michael Current, Niall Davis, Sydney Drees, Alex Fischer, Thomas Gandrud, Emily Gisi, Sarah Goodman, Billy Heigaard McGurran, Callie Hjelmstad, Trisha Hoeger, Ramsey Jones, Kelly Knutson, Erin Lesch, Chris Loeffler, Jessica Loeffler, Abby Kroke, Mariah Kuntz, Liz Machart, Kelsey McCullough, Loni Muus, Luke Opp, Evan Pankratz, Desi Price, Kristin Rambeck, Jennifer Regimbal, Charlie Rerick, Brittany Scheer, Heather Schuler, Ryan Schuster, Cole Sherwood, Brent Shrum, Jenna Spicer, Devin Taylor, Jacoba Woodard, Courtney Young. Director: Allison Peterson. Assistant director: Jake Geffre. Tickets: $6, $3; (701) 746-2411.

Cantata

- Tonight at First Presbyterian Church: A community choir sponsored by First Presbyterian and Augustana Lutheran churches will perform "Once Upon a Night," a cantata by Pepper Choplin directed by Nolan Weisz, at 7 tonight at First Presbyterian Church, 5555 S. Washington St., Grand Forks. Admission: A freewill offering will be taken to benefit Community Violence Intervention Center with a reception afterward. Info: (701)775-5545.

Fashion and dance

- Today at UND Bookstore: The UND Bookstore, Grand Forks, will host a fashion show at 11 today with feature performances by the UND Dance Team at 3 p.m. Info: (701) 777-2746.

Christmas tour

- Saturday in Grafton, N.D.: The annual Historic Elmwood Christmas tour will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday in Grafton. Tickets, $15, and maps as well as Christmas goodies will be available at the historic Elmwood house, Stephen Avenue and Second Street in Grafton.

'Wizard' auditions

- Sunday and Monday at Fire Hall: Greater Grand Forks Community Theatre will hold auditions from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday for its annual children's show, "The Wizard of Oz," at the Fire Hall Theatre, Grand Forks. The year's show will be cast entirely with local children. No preparation necessary, but all children must be accompanied by an adult. Info: info@ggfct.com .

Children's workshop

- Sign up now for Dec. 18 event: Theater games, song and dance, and Frosty the snowman live. What better way to spend a wintery afternoon? Children from ages 5 to 12 can take part in the Greater Grand Forks Community Theatre children's workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 18. (A workshop Saturday already is filled.) Volunteers including music teacher and children's theater director Mare Thompson will go over basic breathing and acting techniques, dance and movement. Central High School theater students will assist. To apply: Go to www.ggfct.com, download the application and send in the $25 payment. Children should bring a lunch that does not include nut-based foods or sugary drinks. Comfy clothes that can get dirty are recommended. Info: info@ggfct.com .

Holiday cheer

- Sunday in Pembina, N.D.: The Pembina State Museum will welcome the winter holiday season during its eighth annual Holiday Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Visitors can make their own Christmas ornament, decorate the tree and enjoy music, crafts and games for both young and old. All events, including admission to the seven-story observation tower that overlooks the Red River Valley, are free and open to the public. Sponsors: State Historical Society of North Dakota, Fort Pembina Historical Society. Of interest: Members of the Fort Pembina Historical will answer questions about the organization and give updates on the project to restore the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Pembina. Visitors will see the exhibit, "Lincoln's Legacy in North Dakota." Info: (701)825-6840.

Christmas in the Park

- Today through New Year's Eve: The Lions Christmas in the Park will open at 5 tonight and run from 5 to 10 p.m. nightly through Dec. 30 and from 5 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31. Take Lincoln Drive to Lincoln Park to find the lighted Christmas displays sponsored by area businesses and churches. Admission: $5 per car, $10 per limousine and $20 per bus. Proceeds from the ninth annual display will be shared by the Grand Forks Lions, Red River Lions, South Forks Lions and UND Campus Lions and distributed to charities.

Santa Village

- Today through Sunday at Lincoln Park Clubhouse: Santa Claus and his elves have set up Santa Village at Lincoln Park Golf Course Clubhouse and will be open from 4 to 8 today, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Visitors can make ornaments and share cocoa and cookies, take a sleigh ride and enjoy activities for all ages, sponsored by the Grand Forks Park District. Other open days: 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 16-17; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 18; noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 19. The clubhouse is at Elks Drive and Belmont Road, and Santa will be there from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission: A canned food item, a new toy or a cash donation.

Calls from Santa

- Little ones talk to Santa: "North Pole Calling" is a new Park District program in which parents can have their kindergartner or first-grader talk directly to Santa or Mrs. Claus. Applications must be received by Dec. 20. Calls will be made from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 20. Application forms: Park District office, 1210 Seventh Ave. S., or online at www.gfparks.org. You can fax completed forms to (701) 746-2753.

'Carol'

- Tonight and Saturday in Bemidji: "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens will be performed at 7:30 tonight and Saturday at Chief Theater, downtown Bemidji, presented by Bemidji Community Theater and KG Entertainment and supported by Paul Bunyan Playhouse. Tickets: General admission, $10; students, senior citizens, $8; available at Harmony Food Co-op, Brigid's Irish Cross Pub, Wild Hare Bistro and at the door. Info: boxoffice@paulbunyanplayhouse.com .

READ dogs

- Saturday in Grand Forks library: Want to encourage your young reluctant reader? Make an appointment for your child to read to the READ program dogs from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Grand Forks Public Library. In addition to being man's best friend, these dogs are good, patient, nonjudgmental listeners. For an appointment: Call (701) 772-8116. 'Kids in the Kitchen': Also on Saturday at the Library, the Winter Reading Program "Kids in the Kitchen" will begin at 1 p.m.

Santa Lucia

- Saturday in Argyle, Minn: Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Argyle, Minn., will host the 24th annual Santa Lucia Festival at 2 p.m. Saturday featuring a Swedish reading of the Christmas story and a candle-crowned Queen Lucia and her attendants. Sponsored by the Agassiz Swedish Heritage Society, the Festival of Lights program will be followed by a reception with Swedish goodies and coffee.

Senior High concert

- Monday at EGF PAC: East Grand Forks Senior High will present its Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the East Grand Forks Performing Arts Center featuring the Concert and Varsity choirs, and Pop Singers. The Jazz Band will provide music before the concert. Vocal music director: Shelley Bares. Admission: Free.

Holy Family/St. Mary's

- Thursday in Grand Forks: "Fill the World with Light," a Christmas program presented by the K-5 students at Holy Family/St. Mary's Catholic Elementary School, Grand Forks, will be presented at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Thursday in the school auditorium. Admission: Free; public welcome.

Central program

- Thursday at Central: Central High School will present a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Empire Arts Center featuring the Central Orchestra and Centralian Choir. Admission: Free.

'Northern Exposures'

- Local photography contest: East Grand Forks Campbell Library is seeking photographers to submit work for the "Northern Exposures" photo contest. All entries must be original work of the artist. Deadline for entries is 8 p.m. Feb. 10. For full entry guidelines, go to the library or http://library.egf.mn /activities/contests/. The contest will be juried for prizes and all photos will be exhibited at the library from Feb. 28 through April 2 with an opening reception at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28. Info: (218) 773-9121.

Sammy Kershaw

- Dec. 17 at Mahnomen, Minn.: Country singer Sammy Kershaw, a three-time Recording Industry Association of American platinum artist with hits such as "She Don't Know She's Beautiful," will present a holiday show at 8 p.m. Dec. 17 at Shooting Star Casino, Mahnomen. Tickets are $20 to $25. Call: (800) 313-7469.

'Brothers Grimm'

- Dec. 17-19 at Central High School: "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon," a comedy that combines the stories of Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstilskin, Cinderella and many other tales into one superstory, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17-18 and 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at Grand Forks Central High School auditorium. Director Tanner Beauchman said: "The script is absolutely hilarious." Cast: Leah Biberdorf, Haley Bratvold, Mike Cornell, Joe Frech, John Gaul, Ryan King, Daniella Lima, Ivy McGurran, Mike McGurran, Katherine McNamara, Matt Stavens, Jacy Thibert, Lynneah Thompson, Tickets: Adults, $6; students K-12, $3. Reservations: (701) 787-4075.

Lorie Line

- Dec. 18 in Grand Forks: Minneapolis-based pianist and show woman Lorie Line is bringing her annual holiday show, "Making Spirits Bright," to Grand Forks with a 7 p.m. Dec. 18 show at UND Chester Fritz Auditorium, Grand Forks. Tickets: Available at UND Chester Fritz Auditorium box office; all Ticketmaster locations; charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Video award

- Contest in Australia: Kale Eickhof, a student at University of Minnesota studying abroad, won third place in the 2010 video contest, "Study in Australia: An unexpected adventure," sponsored by the Australian Trade Commission. For his submission, he will receive a flip camcorder. He is a 2007 graduate of East Grand Forks' Sacred Heart High School. You can see Eickhof's video and other winning videos at the Study in Australia website, www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/Help/NorthAmerica2010VideoContestWinners.htm.