December 2019
RESCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 1
Have you ever been away from home for Christmas? Did it change your life? In this show, a soldier finds pure Christmas peace in the middle of a battlefield. Another soldier dresses as Santa, and 30 years later is a hero in Europe for it. Here in Minnesota, a furry green cartoon character finds magic in a Mayo Clinic hospital visit. All three true stories come to life in this funny, heart-warming story of light appearing from the darkness. Sometimes what we really want is found where we least expect it. Or so says the members of the “I Won’t Be Home for Christmas Club.” Strange and wonderful things happen out on the road, including the first Christmas!
FREE TO ALL VETERANS!
THANK YOU TO SPONSOR
Prior to the Christmas Club presentation, join us in the Ives Studio Theater for a special film presentation!
Sunday, December 1 | 1 p.m.
This 100 minute documentary, “The Conscientious Objector” is the story through the eyes of the men who witnessed this man’s heroic acts and actual interviews of the humble hero, himself, Desmond Doss who was most recently portrayed in the Hollywood film story “Hacksaw Ridge”. This powerful, evocative and informational story will be shown at 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 1 in the Ives Studio at the Reif Center free of charge to all. Desmond, like a lot of young men and women who serve, came home with what we now know as PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder]. Back then, it was called “shellshock.” There’s no question that Desmond suffered from it. He dealt with PTSD partly by talking about it, which is effective. Desmond Doss, a US Army medic was the only WWII soldier to receive the Medal of Honor as a conscientious objector. All are welcome. This film is sponsored by the Blackberry Seventh-day Adventist church.
Purchase Tickets
The magic of Christmas will come alive at Santa’s Circus with an interactive show including everything that you love about Christmas. Enjoy a brand new, 90 minute show of spectacular Christmas themed circus production. From breathtaking stunts to amazing skills, take a trip through magic and illusions, comedy and the unexpected, and most importantly – family fun! This Christmas themed circus show will leave you amazed!
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Friday, December 13 | 6 p.m.
Saturday, December 14 | 6 p.m.
Sunday, December 15 | 2 p.m.
Recreated from the classical ballet by Tchaikovsky, and performed by the superb Reif Dancers, The Nutcracker tells the enchanting story of young Clara who dreams that her nutcracker doll is transformed into a valiant prince. After defeating the evil Mouse King and his army, they are transported to the fantastical Land of Sweets where they are welcomed by a host of delectable characters. A Reif holiday tradition.
THANK YOU TO SPONSORS
Foxy. Funky. An all-around good time. The young lads of Early Eyes launched their Indie-pop band in 2016 on a Minneapolis college campus with a popup show “for fun” and have not looked back. Their captivating sound is soulful and catchy well beyond their years.
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Rock & Roll Christmas is a Las Vegas caliber, multimedia, full-production show that mixes an 8-piece band with music, comedy, parodies and even a game show! Join an all-star cast of musicians as they rock their way through timeless holiday classics and bring new takes on hit songs you didn’t even know were holiday classics.
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January 2020
The wildly imaginative, truly original percussive dance/theater company, Flying Foot Forum, pulls out all the stops in the uproarious, hilarious and tender French Twist! Director/Choreographer Joe Chvala and his merry band of players bring their signature storytelling to a turn-of-the-20th century Paris nightclub filled with gorgeous music, theatrical storytelling and percussive dance; conjuring up the spirits of bygone Paris, from the jazz artists to spirited performances reminiscent of Loie Fuller, Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, cabaret singers, tap dancers extraordinaire and a Flamenca powerhouse. It’s eclectic, fun, wild, and of course there’s the Can-Can!
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Nadia Boulanger was a French musician who had a list of students that reads like a “who’s who” of twentieth century composers: Philip Glass, Aaron Copland, Astor Piazzolla, Michel Legrand, Gian Carlo Menotti, Walter Piston, Jean Françaix, and the list goes on and on. She’s been called “the most influential teacher since Socrates.” Writer/Creator Mina Fisher tells Nadia’s story through words and music performed by Michael Kim, pianist, Stephanie Arado, violin, and soprano Adriana Zabala as Nadia.
This activity is made possible by voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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Jillian Rae is a truly multi-disciplinary singer, songwriter, and performer. Always connected to her roots in Northern Minnesota, the Minneapolis musician has expanded on her upbringing as a classical violinist to become one of the most powerful and unique voices in the Twin Cities music scene.
Since performing their very first shows together in the early spring of 2004, Transit Authority has become known throughout the U.S. as the premier tribute band to the iconic group Chicago. Based out of St. Paul, Minnesota, this eight member ensemble creates an accurate musical salute to the greatest horn driven rock band to ever hit the stage. Transit Authority’s mission is to recreate the excitement of the original Chicago’s sound with each and every performance (minus the cracks and pops of the vinyl!). Transit Authority has assembled some amazingly talented musicians who meticulously capture all the nuances of the original recordings and will honestly make you believe you are witnessing the real thing. Performing mega-hits such as, “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”, “Hard Habit to Break”, “Make Me Smile”, “Old Days”, “Just You ‘n Me”, “Beginnings”, “Wake Up Sunshine”, and many more.
