The Oxford Community Center is excited to embrace the end of a fantastic year and welcome in a new decade. In the last month of 2019, we invite the community of Oxford and all of Talbot County to enjoy the programs and events noted below.
Monday, December 2nd, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Alexandra Hamlet presents a history on “why” we have the tradition of gift giving. Hamlet is a Harvard educated cultural anthropologist and brings a unique perspective on the significance of Holiday giving. The class then becomes a jewelry making workshop as Hamlet teaches the art of making jewelry with beads and explains the meaning that certain beads carry. All attendees will leave with a bracelet, a pair of earrings and their own jewelry making kit. Light nibble and beverages will be included. The cost is $68 per person and reservations are required ahead of time to ensure the amount of jewelry kits.
Paul Lewis
The day continues at 3:00 p.m. launching the three-day songwriting workshop with instructor Paul Lewis. Lewis just returned from his “America’s Got Talent” filmed audition as he competes to become a contestant in 2020. Lewis understands the professional landscape and will work with each student to develop their own original song from a whistle melody and a few lines into a full song. The students can record their performance at the conclusion of the workshop for future use on their own websites or to send to their families for Holiday surprise. The songwriting workshop is Monday the 2nd through Wednesday the 4th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the cost of $60 includes all three days.
Wednesday, December 4th at 5:30 p.m. Oxford welcomes author Casey Cep. Cep has been on her national book tour with “Furious Hours”. As a native of Talbot County, she returns home to share her journey. “Furious Hours” tells the tale of Harper Lee and her unfinished work. Casey Cep’s book delivers a gripping, incredibly well-written portrait not only of Harper Lee, but also of mid-20th century Alabama — and a still-unanswered set of crimes. There is no charge for the evening. Books will be available for purchase after the talk thanks to Mystery Loves Company.
Casey Cep
Saturday, December 7th at 7:00 p.m. the stage comes alive with the Holiday show “Mistletoe Musical with Maureen Curtin and Friends”. Maureen and the Langrell family present heartfelt musical numbers that invite families and friends to remember why the season is a time to appreciate one another. Their beautiful voices illuminate the Christmas on the Creek weekend. $20 and children under 16 are free. Light nibbles and refreshments will be available at intermission.
Wednesday, December 11th at 5:30 p.m. ushers in the annual Holiday Potluck supper and a show. The tradition of bringing a covered dish to create a meal shared with family and neighbors continues yearly. It is a time to welcome Oxfordians and beyond to experience the warmth of a community meal. Theatrics are performed by the Oxford After School Program children. The after school program is one of the Center’s proudest services as it instills in the youth, a deep sense of friendship and love of learning.
Saturday, December 14th at 7:00 p.m. come and enjoy an OCC evening of acoustic music presented by “NIGHT WATCH” with local musicians Liz Fisher (mandolin, guitar and vocals), Bob Roe (vocals and guitar) and Randy Welch (guitar, harmonica, and penny whistle). The three have been jamming for years and bring a low-key, comfortable vibe to the stage.
Featuring tight, three-part harmonies and inventive arrangements, Night Watch will perform songs by the likes of Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Alison Krauss, Johnny Cash and more. The mix is upbeat folk, country, rock, Americana, traditional seafaring music and a few originals for a $10 ticket price.
We finally finish the year with a famous film from 1946, “The Best Years of Our Lives”. On Friday, December 20th at 7:00 p.m. we honor the veterans and our small towns by reminiscing triumphant times of healing. Oscar-winning epic director William Wyler’s cinematographer, Gregg Toland, known for his depth of focus camerawork in previous films (such as Citizen Kane (1941) contributed his talent to the black and white film masterpiece with richly-textured and crisp images, deep-focus shots, and framed scenes. Wyler had experienced wartime himself in the US Army Air Corps, during which he made three morale-boosting, war-related documentaries: The Fighting Lady (1944), The Memphis Belle (1944), and Thunderbolt (1945). The film was producer Samuel Goldwyn’s most successful and important work – he also was presented with the Irving Thalberg Memorial Award. The film was a major commercial success – the biggest box-office draw since Gone With The Wind (1939). The Best Years of Our Lives won seven Academy Awards.
For more information, registration and tickets please contact the Oxford Community Center at 410-226-5904, or email oxfordcc@verizon.net. Sign up for OCC’s weekly e-newsletter for additional announcements and updates or like OCC’s Facebook page at Oxford Community Center, Inc. The OCC is always open online at www.oxfordcc.org. Many of these OCC programs are sponsored in part by Kelly Distributors. the NCCF Charitable Gift Fund as well as revenues from the Talbot County Arts Council, which is funded by a grant for the Maryland State Arts Council.
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