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Festival of Christmas ignites holiday cheer on OBU’s campus BY FAITH LYMBURNER Staff Writer
Christmas is a time of joy and wonder, a time of singing carols and giving gifts. It’s a season that we all know and love, but it is especially a time of traditions. People all over America enjoy various Christmas traditions; they continue the old or start new ones. Ouachita is no different. It follows right along with the rest of the country in making and continuing holiday traditions. One of the wonderful festivities that Ouachita produces is Festival of Christmas. It is a performance that many at Ouachita will always remember and that new people can’t wait to experience. The tradition, program and the experience provided for all involved makes it unforgettable. Festival of Christmas started in December of 1993. It was one of the first major events that took place in the newly opened Jones Performing Arts Center. The production was meant to be a showcase for the music students, both choral and instrumental; it was a way to display their amazing talent as a gift to the community. This year, the performances are scheduled for Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23, at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Gary Gerber is the music director for the show, and he selects most of the music involved. The other directors, Women’s Chorus Director Natilan Crutcher and Ouachita Singers Director Joshua Brown, select the music for their own choirs. Gerber, who is responsible for coordinating the production, has been serving in this role for 15 years. It is Crutcher’s first semester at Ouachita and her first time being a part of the perfor-
‘Last Christmas’ review showcases new take on timeless holiday romances
playing a Scrooge while being able to create a caring relationship with Staff Writer the audience. The chemistry be“Last Christmas” focuses on a tween Clarke and Golding is very girl named Kate (Emilia Clarke), powerful. Yeoh’s acting is outwho works for Santa (Michelle standing in this film, and her charYeoh) as a Christmas elf, while acter aids in bringing this movie to trying to become famous as an ac- life while also enhancing the comedy of the movie. The song “Last tress. Her mother (Emma Thompson) Christmas” is played so many and father (Boris Isakovic) are times throughout this film that very judgmental about Kate’s life it starts to feel like the only song decisions. Kate and bad luck go to- that exists to celebrate the holiday. Even though this gether like peasong is played an nut butter and almost annoying jelly—that is, number of times, until she meets the movie gives Tom (Henry this song a new Golding), a meaning. man who vol“Last Christunteers at the mas” is a well-dohomeless shelne Christmas film ter. Tom makes that will put the Kate reevalaudience into the uate her life, Christmas spirit. including the I really enjoyed relationships watching this she has with comedy. There her entire fam-Wyatt Ashlock was a plot twist in ily. Tom helps this film that I did Kate to make not see coming this the last Christmas that she spends living a and threw me for a whirl. Overall, it was a good film, but I wish selfish life. “Last Christmas” is a romantic that the vulgar scene was left out comedy, focusing on the humor because it was very unnecessary. that the holidays can create in one’s Despite that scene, the movie is relife. The writing of this film is very ally good. It is a Christmas film that is unwell done, and there is a Hallmark Christmas movie vibe to this mo- like many of the stereotypical rotion picture. However, there are mantic holiday movies. There are a few plot twists in this film, and a few cheesy moments throughout there is one scene that is unneces- - especially with the song - but it sary to the plot and uses a heavy does not take away from the qualamount of vulgar language which ity of the movie. I would recomis not present in the rest of the film. mend this film to people ages 15 That scene ruins the holiday vibe and up due to some of the content in the movie. I give this film four of the movie. Clarke does an excellent job at out of five tiger paws.
BY WYATT ASHLOCK
Ouachita produces Festival of Christmas in Jones Performing Arts Center. Performances will be held Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23, at 7:30 p.m. (photo courtesy of Dr. Wesley Kluck)
mance. She is looking forward to her first Festival of Christmas and sees the tradition as a wonderful opportunity for Ouachita to come together and celebrate the Christmas season. The program features performances by Concert Choir, the Festival of Christmas band, Women’s Chorus, Ouachita Singers and Ouachita Sounds. There is also a pit band comprised of other band students. While Concert Choir is the main choir, that doesn’t detract from the rest of the groups performing. There are some pieces that the Women’s Chorus members are looking forward to performing, and those selections are mixed with some new music to give both the audience and the chorus a new experience. As a whole, the program is filled with both classics and new songs. “FOC is magic,” said Ary-
ana Gardner, a junior Festival of Christmas veteran. “Comparing the first night of rehearsal versus the first show is truly amazing. You wouldn’t believe it.” All who have been part of the tradition or have seen the production before never forget it. Gerber says that this event requires much coordination and hard work. It consists of music selection, musicians, choreography and graphic design for the poster and program. A crew in Jones works to set up the stage, costumes, lighting and sound. It takes many people to put on a production like this and there are around 150 students involved. The whole campus is excited for this magical production. “I’m just excited to kick off the holiday season with this awesome Ouachita tradition,” said Isabella Owen, a freshman Women’s Chorus member.
“It is a Christmas film that is unlike many stereotypical romantic holiday movies.”