What's Happening (12-22-11)

THURSDAY

MUSIC:

• Open acoustic jam night. Thursdays at the Nelsonville Eagles Lodge bar.

• Musicians Open Stage. Every Thursday at Donkey Coffee from 9 p.m. to midnight.

• Maplewood Tavern holds an open stage every Thursday night at 9.

• Every Thursday evening Zach Parkman & Jeremy Wright will be performing an acoustic set at Casa Lopez Mexican restaurant at 1017 E. State St. from 6-9 p.m.

• No shows at the Casa Cantina on Thursday or Friday, and the business will be closed Saturday through Monday.

ART:

• "Photographic Images: A Local to Global Perspective on Critical Issues Affecting Our Planet and Its People." Kennedy Museum of Art. Through Dec. 22.

• Starbrick Cooperative Gallery presents A Starbrick Alternative Holiday. The co-op artists of Starbrick will present new work with gift giving in mind. This show runs through Dec. 24. 5-10 p.m.

• "Another Language Altogether: Posters Celebrating the Poems of Wendy McVicker." Stuart's Opera House Gallery 1879. Through Jan. 17.

• The 2012 Ohio University School of Art Faculty Exhibition, part of the College of Fine Arts 75^th anniversary. An opening reception is Jan. 6 from 6-8 p.m. Kennedy Museum of Art, OU. The exhibit runs through April 15.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Supper: Weekly free supper sponsored by UCM: Center for Spiritual Growth and Social Justice. 5:30 p.m. at UCM, 18 N. College St. Open to everyone, no questions asked. 593-7301. (Volunteers are needed, and donations are welcome with advance notice.)

Free Food: The Nelsonville Community Center provides a free breakfast to anyone under 18 Monday through Friday at 9 a.m.

Childhood Immunizations: Every Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1-5:30 p.m. in Parks Hall room 014, OU. OU-COM Community Health Programs' Childhood Immunization Program. Free to all area children from birth through 18. Bring your child's previous shot records. 1-800-844-2654.

Weekly Auction: 6 p.m. at the Golden Wings C.B. Radio Club, on Rt. 13 just outside of Chauncey. Fishtail sandwiches and other good food. This event usually happens on Saturdays, but this week is set for Thursday, with no auction on Christmas Eve.

Holiday Trail of Lights: Annual event held at Lake Hope State Park and featuring 75,000 lights and animated displays, decorated trees, landscape lighting and holiday music, along with a quarter-mile trail near the park's nature center. The lights run every night through Dec. 31.

Theater: "A Christmas Carol" as told by Charles Dickens with live musical underscore. Frank Babbitt of Lyric Opera of Chicago brings his critically acclaimed one-man performance to Athens for one night only. Proceeds will send at-risk youth to equine/nature camp at The Osage Corral, an equine-assisted counseling and learning center in Albany, Ohio. 6:30 p.m. at The Donkey Café. Tickets are available at Little Professor Book Center, Mountain Laurel Gifts and at the door. Limited seating on first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, phone 590-8514.

Film: At 7 pm ARTS/West will have a screening of "The Sound of Music" starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. All those who attend are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite character and sing along with the film. The cost is $8 for a household, $5 for an individual, $2 for an ARTS/West member and $2 with the donation of a non-perishable food item. Concessions (including fresh baked goods and cider) will be available.

Friday

MUSIC:

• Open Stage. Every Friday at 9 p.m. in the Front Room, OU.

• Steve Zarate. 5-7 p.m. at The Oak Room, Athens.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Friday Night Life: A free community meal for people from all walks of life, especially including those in need. 5:30 p.m. every Friday. The meal is provided by churches and community groups who volunteer. For info, call Good Works at 594-3339.

Free Food: The Nelsonville Community Center has a free lunch open to the public every Friday from noon to 1 p.m.

Farmers Market: Trimble Township Farmers Market, every Friday. 4-6 p.m. Hosted by Community Food Initiatives and ACEnet. Info on being a vendor is available atmollyjocfi@frognet.net or 740-593-5971.

Saturday (Christmas Eve)

Editor's note: This being Christmas Eve, please contact any venues listed here ahead of time to make sure listed events are still happening (unless it's obviously a Christmas-related event).

MUSIC:

• Belly-dancing and music. Every Saturday. Restaurant Salaam.

• Every Saturday through the end of the year Zach Parkman & Jeremy Wright will be performing an acoustic set at the Athens Farmers Market at 1000 E. State St. from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• Christmas concert by the choir at Christ Lutheran Church. 69 Mill St., Athens. 10 p.m. Candlelight services are at 7 and 10:30 p.m., with Sunday worship at 10 a.m.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Athens Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Every Saturday on East State Street at the Market on State (former University Mall). 132 E. State St., Athens.

Saturday Lunch: Weekly free meal sponsored by UCM: Center for Spiritual Growth and Social Justice. 1 p.m. at UCM, 18 N. College St. Open to everyone, no questions asked. 593-7301. (Volunteers are needed, and donations are welcome with advance notice.)

Weekly Auction: 6 p.m. at the Golden Wings C.B. Radio Club, on Rt. 13 just outside of Chauncey. Fishtail sandwiches and other good food. No auction on Christmas Eve.

SUNDAY (Christmas Day)

Editor's note: This being Christmas Day, we're making an educated guess that the first listed event probably won't be happening. If you're intent on checking up on our guesswork, at least call the venue ahead of time to make sure the listed event is still happening. The Jackie O's event, however, is scheduled especially for Christmas.

MUSIC:

• Hocking College music professor George Hertzel, a working studio and live musician for more than 25 years, is performing at 9:30 p.m. every Sunday at Casa Cantina. His solo shows will include "a stage with keyboard instruments everywhere." Free.

• The Paranormals. A Christmas Bizarre. 10 p.m. Free. This event is happening, despite it being Christmas Day.

Monday

MUSIC:

• Open stage. 10 p.m. at Jackie O's. Junebug hosts.

• Rattletrap Stringband. Most Mondays at the Casa Cantina. (Closed the day after Christmas.)

MISCELLANEOUS:

Free Clinic: The OU-COM Community Health Programs provides free health services for low-income adults, ages 18-64, who are without health insurance. 8-11:30 a.m. in Parks Hall, OU. Call 1-800-844-2654 or 593-2432 to see if you qualify and to make an appointment.

Free Lunch: Every Monday at the First United Methodist Church, 2 S. College St., Athens. Noon to 1 p.m. Free and open to all, no questions asked.

Tuesday

MUSIC:

• Celtic Night. Most Tuesdays at Jackie O's Public House.

• Open stage with Dale Kulchar Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at the Court Street Grill, Pomeroy.

• Open Stage. Tuesdays at The Union.

• Open Stage at the Smiling Skull. Tuesdays at 9 p.m.

• Live jazz by the Word of Mouth Jazz Band. 8-10 Tuesday evenings at Tony's Tavern. Players are invited to join in this semi-formal weekly event.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Community Meal: The Athens Church of Christ, 785 W. Union St., Athens; a free community meal every Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Everyone welcome.

Spoken Word Open Stage: "Designated Space." Every Tuesday, 9 p.m. to midnight at Donkey Coffee.

Wednesday

MUSIC:

• Open stage. Every Wednesday. 10 p.m. Casa Cantina.

• Karaoke. Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. at the Smiling Skull.

• Karaoke every Wednesday from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Maplewood Inn.

• Steve Zarate plays 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Oak Room.

• Jackie O's presents Wednesdays with Jess & Kyle in Jackie O's Brewery every Wednesday night, starting at 9:30 p.m. Music provided by Jess Kauffman and Kyle Martin (of Duke Junior & the Smokey Boots). Free.

• Every Wednesday through October, November and December Zach Parkman will perform a solo acoustic set at the Athens Farmers Market from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Athens Farmers Market: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday in the parking lot of The Market on State, East State Street.

Free Community Lunch: Noon to 1 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, University Terrace. Every Wednesday.

Free Lunch and Food Pantry: The Friends & Neighbors Community Food Center Wednesday Soup Kitchen. Noon to 3 p.m. at the Lottridge Community Center, 2754 Lottridge Road. Everyone welcome. Choice pantry open for USDA income guidelines eligible people from 12:30-3 p.m. For info call 667-0684 or 592-3969.