Norris Brings Holidays Home in 'A Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival'

ST. CHARLES, IL (Dec. 1, 2020) – With opportunities to present live performing arts events limited this year due to the ongoing public health emergency, the Norris Cultural Arts Center will present a free, 13-day, online holiday festival featuring local performers and ensembles. With all performances recorded in the auditorium at the historic Baker Community Center in St. Charles, The Norris is promoting the event as "Norris Presents A Baker's Dozen Holiday Festival."

“There’s no denying the holidays will be a little different this year for everyone, but the show still goes on, and our patrons can still engage with the performing arts,” said James L. Collins, chairman of The Norris board. “The Norris has risen to the challenge this year to provide our community with free, original holiday content right from the comfort of their living rooms. As our special gift, we are proud to bring the holidays home to audiences of all ages with a unique event jam-packed with entertainment and presented in high-quality digital video and sound.”

Starting at Noon on Saturday, Dec. 12, and daily through Wednesday, Dec. 23, The Norris will premiere a brief, original holiday-themed performance on its website, www.norrisculturalarts.com, and on its YouTube channel. Each new daily video episode of the festival will be available for viewing through the end of the Christmas and New Year holiday season.

At Noon on Christmas Eve – Thursday, Dec. 24 – the festival will culminate in a reprise of all 12 video performances in one merry, multi-genre celebration.

“A Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival” lineup

• Saturday, Dec. 12 – St. Charles Mayor Raymond Rogina
• Sunday, Dec. 13 – Brett Dean’s Shout Section Big Band
• Monday, Dec. 14 – The Ragged Rascals
• Tuesday, Dec. 15 – Tessera Winds and the Vivace Trio

• Wednesday, Dec. 16 – author Sherri Duskey Rinker
• Thursday, Dec. 17 – Fox Valley Concert Band’s Brass Quintet
• Friday, Dec. 18 – Dennis O’Brien Trio
• Saturday, Dec. 19 – Dori Erwin Collins
• Sunday, Dec. 20 – Beth Fowler Dance Company

• Monday, Dec. 21 – Daniil Krimer, Kane Repertory Theatre
• Tuesday, Dec. 22 – Mike and Julie Popplewell and pianist Scott Stevenson
• Wednesday, Dec. 23 – Taylor Sherry, pianist Andrew Blendermann
• Thursday, Dec. 24 – "Norris Presents A Baker's Dozen Holiday Festival" grand finale

Festival sponsorship

The festival’s primary sponsor is Mike Corbett Edward Jones in St. Charles. A resident of St. Charles since 1995, Corbett has also been involved with the St. Charles History Museum since 2015 and was recently named the museum’s board president. Additional sponsors include the Kane County Chronicle and the Daily Herald.

“On behalf of The Norris, I want to thank our sponsors as well as our volunteers, donors, board and staff, and others who willingly shared their time, energy, talent, and financial support to bring this special holiday event to life,” Collins said. “We also express our thanks and appreciation to the St. Charles Park District for its cooperation in facilitating our use of the Baker Community Center.”

Businesses and individuals may support the Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival through a variety of sponsorship and donation levels. Please contact The Norris by phone (630) 584-7200 or email (businessoffice@norrisculturalarts.com) by Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, for more information on available sponsorship opportunities.

For more information on “Norris Presents A Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival” – including details on performers – please visit www.norrisculturalarts.com, and follow The Norris on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheNorrisCenter/.