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WHAT’S HAPPENING
TOPEKA MAGAZINE | Winter 2021
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE WINTER
DECEMBER FEATURED EVENT
TARC’S WINTER WONDERLAND
December 1–31
A Topeka tradition—two miles of holiday lights strung across the Lake Shawnee campgrounds for families and friends to enjoy. Ticket proceeds benefit the mission of TARC, the city’s nonprofit dedicated to assisting individuals with intellectual, developmental and related disabilities. For more information, go online at winterwonderlandtopeka.com. A model scene recreates Chevy Chase’s iconic moment in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Shutterstock.
December 1–19
Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn The Topeka Civic Theatre brings this beloved musical to the stage, with dinner and brunch performance options. For ticket reservations and more information, go online at topekacivictheatre.com or call 785.357.5211.
December 3–18
Songs of the Seasons
Artist Louis Copt creates a painting with the new YinMn blue pigment. Photograph by Jason Dailey.
A range of musical groups– including choral circles, flute ensembles and jazz bands– perform seasonal songs in the rotunda area of the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. All concerts are free. For more information, go online at tscpl.org or call 785.580.4400.
December 4, 11 and 18 NOTO Holiday Market
Arts district merchants offer antiques, crafts and original art for holiday gift purchases. For more information, go online at explorenoto.org.
December 13
New to Medicare
Members of the Mannheim Steamroller group perform a Christmas concert. Photograph courtesy Mannheim Steamroller.
Volunteer experts with the nonprofit Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging provide guidance and suggestions for those signing up for Medicare for the first time, or for anyone who wants a refresher. The free event is held at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library and requires registration. For more information, go online at tscpl.org or call 785.580.4400.
December 18
Old Prairie Town Christmas Topeka’s 19th-century living history park hosts holiday events and even one of Santa’s reindeers for an evening of family activities. For more information, call 785.251.6989
December 18
Lucero Padillo: Put a Bow on It! The gallery space of the Jayhawk Theatre hosts an evening of comedy and seasonal tunes with Lucero Padillo and Norsemen Brewery beer for good cheer. For ticket reservations or more information, go online at jayhawktheatre.org.
December 10–12
Ballet Midwest: The Nutcracker Ballet Midwest continues its tradition of more than 40 years with a multi-cast performance of the holiday classic. For ticket reservations and more information, go online at balletmidwest.net or topekaperformingarts.org.
December 18
Mannheim Steamroller Pop-music meets holiday classics with the famous national touring group. For ticket reservations or more information, go online at stormontvaileventscenter.org or call 785.251.5552.
December 18–19
Nutcracker with Kansas Ballet Kansas Ballet Academy presents two performances of the Nutcracker with professional guest dancers and a live musical performance by the members of the Topeka Symphony Orchestra. For reservations and more information, go online at kansasballet.com or topekaperformingarts.org.
December 23
An Evening with Chevy Chase Enjoy a screening of the 1989 classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and then stay for a Q+A with the star of the film, legendary comedian Chevy Chase. For reservations and more information, go online topekaperformingarts.org or call 785.234.2787.
JANUARY FEATURED EVENT
SENTIMENTAL SARABANDE
January 22
Topeka Symphony Orchestra kicks off the second half of its season dedicated to dance music with a concert featuring Antonin Dvorak’s Serenade for Winds, Gabriella Lena Frank’s Coqueteos (from Leyendas) and more. For ticket reservations and more information go online at topekasymphony.org or call 785.232.2032.
January 2–February 28 Combat Air Museum
Topeka’s museum showcasing authentic military aircraft and the stories behind them moves to winter visiting hours of noon–4:30 (with entrance closing at 3:30) for January and February. For ticket, exhibition and other information, go online at combatairmuseum.org.
January 7 Art Walk
Held on the first Friday of every month, this event allows visitors to enjoy new openings, special shows and ongoing exhibitions at galleries and studios across the town. For a full listing of venues and showings, go online at artsconnecttopeka.org.
January 14–February 5 Out of Order
Topeka Civic Theatre stages Ray Cooney’s comedy and thriller as a romantic rendezvous turns into a terrible mishap. For ticket reserations and more information, go online at topekacivictheatre. com or call 785.357.5211.