By Cecilia Nasmith
Christmas at Port Hope's Capitol Theatre is still festive – only this year, everything is specially arranged to celebrate the season safely.
The Festival of Lights and Trees is on, with 71 raffle items up for grabs thanks to some very generous sponsors. Viewings can be enjoyed through Dec. 18 (available on-line) and – as always – raffle tickets are available on the items of your choice. Make your purchase, and the Capitol elves will deposit your ballot in the appropriate boxes. You can keep them really busy with the special deal being offered by the Capitol – for $71, you can get a ticket put in each of the raffle boxes.
Capitol Christmas Virtual House Tours begin this weekend, with artistic director (and holiday enthusiast) Susan Ferley conducting one-hour virtual tours of six distinctive Port Hope homes that are beautifully dressed for the holidays. When you book your tour on the Capitol website, you will be e-mailed a link and password on the day of the performance that will be active from 2 to 8 p.m. on the same day.
Four holiday programs will be offered in the final run-up to the big day.
A Celtic Christmas (Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.) features local talents Saskia Tomkins and Steafan Hannigan sharing Christmas Celtic songs.
The Nutcracker (Dec. 20 and Dec. 24 at 2 p.m.) is a film screening of the National Ballet of Canada performing this Tchaikovsky classic.
Seasonal Songs (Dec. 22 at 2 p.m.) brings Brighton's annual holiday concert to Port Hope.
Classic Tales and Festive Reflections (Dec. 23 at 2 p.m.) is a program of seasonal stories and music by Saskia Tomkins, Sean Carthew and Susan Ferley.
Tickets are available on the Capitol Theatre website.
Safety is the highest priority for the Capitol Theatre, which will adapt as news of the COVID-19 virus continues to emerge.
“We will remain vigilant and informed of our region's health and safety regulations, and make schedule changes or program cancellations accordingly,” the press release pledged.
The Capitol Theatre also reminds everyone of the support offered to the larger community by Holton Flowers at 62 Walton St.
Northumberland Fare Share is supplying a traditional Christmas dinner to local families in need for each $20 donation. If you have $20 you can spare, Holton Flowers will accept your donation until Christmas Eve.
