’Tis the season on campus for events guaranteed to lift your spirits.

Music is the hallmark of the holidays and there are many opportunities this month to enjoy live performances, from classical to jazz to hip-hop. And December wouldn’t be complete without Scrooge. University Theatre’s presentation of “A Christmas Carol” runs through Dec. 11. Finally, you won’t want to miss the spectacular outdoor presentation of Aleph Earth on the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art’s north lawn Dec. 1.

Exhibitions

Don’t miss the outdoor presentation of Aleph Earth, a collaboration between the UO’s Artificial Intelligence Creative Practice Research Group and Grammy Award-nominated vocal quartet New York Polyphony. Starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 1, this 12-minute audiovisual piece that merges artificial intelligence with art and music will play on continuous loop for one hour on the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art’s north lawn.

The Visual Arts Team presents an exhibition of prints by UO printmaking student Alexis Barrett in the Erb Memorial Union Aperture Gallery through Dec. 2. The focus of Barrett’s artwork is human emotions and how people interact with their feelings.

Curated by UO comic studies professor Katherine Kelp-Stebbins with associate curator and director of comic studies professor Ben Saunders, “The Art of the News: Comics Journalism” spotlights the original artwork and artifacts by New York Times best-selling author-artist and UO graduate Joe Sacco. It runs through Jan. 16 at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Arts. Can’t make it in person? Explore the exhibition via virtual tour at the museum’s website.

Art

Subversive art will be on display Dec. 2 in the lobby of the Global Scholars Hall. The UO Critical Art Show is a student-run art show featuring the work of students, faculty members and the creative community.

Crafts

The EMU Craft Center’s outdoor studio offers its final Freeby Friday craft of the term: a fir tree embroidery project. Pick up the kit Dec. 3 and take it with you to work on over winter break. The kit includes fabric with an image, a hoop, an embroidery needle, thread and instructions.

Music

Performances at Beall Concert Hall this month include the Oregon Wind Ensemble led by director of bands Dennis Llinas, Dec. 1; an evening of selections from the Chamber Music on Campus, Dec. 2; and a presentation of Beethoven’s violin sonatas with violinist Fritz Gearhart featuring David Riley on Dec. 3. The UO Chamber Choir, a mixed chamber ensemble specializing in a capella from the 16th through 21st centuries, and the University Singers will perform Dec. 4. On Dec. 5, catch the soulful sounds of the UO Gospel Ensemble.

Drop by Aasen-Hull Hall Dec. 3 for an energetic performance of jazz improvisation from the Jazz Combos student ensemble.

School of Music and Dance faculty members Jacqueline Cordova-Arrington, flute; Arnaud Ghillebaert, violin; Rosanna Moore, harp; and Steve Vacchi, bassoon will perform together as a faculty quartet at Berwick Hall on Dec. 5.

Dance

Duck Jam Fall 2021 happens Dec. 1 at Gerlinger Annex. Come out and watch the dance department’s hip-hop finals showcase performance.

Don your “flyest” 80s/90s hip-hop style and join the party at the Eighth annual UO Hip Hop Jam Dec. 2 in the Global Scholars Hall. This year’s entertainment lineup includes artists from Portland and the UO’s Duck Street Dance Club and Flock Rock.

The UO School of Music and Dance presents Fall Dance Loft, featuring a number of pieces choreographed and performed by students, Dec. 3 at Dougherty Dance Theatre.

Theater

Join Scrooge in a night of spooky spirit visitors in the classic Dicken’s holiday drama “A Christmas Carol.” Presented by University Theatre, the production runs through Dec. 11 at the Miller Theatre Complex, Robinson Theatre.

Streaming resources

Stay in where its warm and enjoy online entertainment from the comfort of your own home. Google Arts & Culture is a great starting place for finding exhibits, collections, audio, video, images and more.

Warm your toes virtually with five hours of The Duck posing in front of a crackling fire.

Learn about Oregon’s story via the Museum of Natural and Cultural History’s virtual exhibit “Oregon—Where Past is Present.” Through interactive displays and anthropological collections learn about the first Americans as well as the dynamic cultures of today’s tribes.

Explore the UO Channel for a variety of livestreamed events, Department of Art Visiting Artist Lecture Series videos, guest speakers and more.

—By Sharleen Nelson, University Communications