Debbie Croft: Music and more at Christmastime

December is here with all the joys of Christmas. In the foothills we’ve planned lots of special events for your holiday celebrations, and we’re hoping you’ll join us.

A Cowboy Christmas will be presented in two concerts this weekend. Tim Johnson leads The Cowboy Band, with musicians Keith and Arnie Johnson, Cliff Neufeld, Rudy Helm and Eddie Guzman. They’ll be accompanied by guest artists Bobby Black (of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame), folk musician Jimmy Collier and harpist Wendy LeBlanc.

Johnson was the founder and music director of the Merced College Orchestra. From 2000 to 2007, he traveled and performed across the nation, including an appearance at Carnegie Hall with the Sons of the San Joaquin.

The concerts take place Saturday at 2 and 6 p.m. at Oakhurst Lutheran Church. Tickets are available prior to the performances for a $20 donation. Seating is limited.

The church is at 39255 Black Road, across from PG&E. Details are available by calling 559-683-4673 or by email, olc@sti.net.

Experience Christmas as it used to be at Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park in Oakhurst. Families will learn about pioneer traditions and enjoy old-fashioned holiday décor, baked goods and refreshments for purchase, plus much more.

On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., docents in period costumes will be on hand to answer questions as visitors enjoy self-guided tours through the 19th century-era structures.

Christmas music will be presented by the Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church Hand Bell Choir, the Yosemite High School Choir, the Sierra Chamber Singers and the choir of New Community United Methodist Church.

Fresno Flats is located on School Road (427) in Oakhurst. Call 559-683-6570 for details, or go to www.fresnoflatsmuseum.org/events.html.

Lamplight Tours, A Miner’s Christmas, photos with Father Christmas, the Christmas Equestrian Parade and the 33rd annual Las Posadas Nativity Procession all take place at Columbia State Historic Park in Tuolumne County this month.

Go to www.visitcolumbiacalifornia.com or call 209-588-9128 for more information about these events.

The annual Pop Hudson Community Sing will be held in Sonora at Courthouse Park on Dec. 18. Residents and visitors will gather to sing Christmas carols, starting at 12:45 p.m. Community service groups participate by taking turns leading the music and stirring up holiday spirit.

“Songs of the Season” is a one-night-only production by Sierra Repertory Theatre. Join Artistic Director Scott Viets, along with talented SRT performers and guests, as they present songs from the 2016 season. Each upcoming musical will be represented, including “My Fair Lady,” “State Fair,” “Beehive” and “Hank Williams’ Lost Highway.” A few holiday songs will be included, too.

All proceeds support SRT’s artistic programs. Details are available at www.sierrarep.org.

In between decorating, baking, shopping, cleaning and doing whatever else gets crammed in these next few weeks, the Mariposa Symphony Orchestra is rehearsing for its annual Festive Holiday Concert.

On Dec. 19, you won’t have to bundle up for the MSO’s performances of four musical sleigh rides. In the program will also be compositions by Mozart, Prokofiev, Delius, Humperdinck, Vaughn Williams, and Mariposa’s own Les Marsden and the late Dr. Phil Smith.

The concert starts at 7 p.m. in the Fiester Auditorium of the Mariposa County High School. Tickets are affordable and available at the Mariposa County Arts Council office and website (www.mariposaartscouncil.org), at the Mariposa Visitors Center and at the door. Call the MCAC for details at 209-966-3155 or 800-903-9936.

I hope you’ll carve out a little time to enjoy simple pleasures this month, to hum or sing along with your favorite holiday tunes, and to reflect on the wonder of Christmas.

This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 4:46 PM with the headline "Debbie Croft: Music and more at Christmastime."