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TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calf. — Well it is the holiday season — we are in the thick of it for sure. Many of us are waiting for the “spirit” to take us over … some of us can find it easier than others. What makes it possible for one person to get into the spirit while others are left sniffing Christmas trees or looking at candles or holiday decorations? What leaves some of us wanting to be overcome with that good feeling, that happy crush that invades our chests when the spirit at last lands on our shoulders?
Well — if you are looking for a way to get there — this article can help. First of all — you need music — holiday music. Whatever got you in the spirit when you were a kid. If you cannot attend a live holiday concert then pick up a CD and play it in your house or car — or download something on the gadgetry you got last holiday season — there are many ways to get into the spirit of the holidays through music and it is essential. Secondly, attend a holiday performance. Even if it is the elementary school annual show or a performance at a congregation down the road — there is nothing that will squeeze your heart more than seeing kids with construction-paper antlers on stage, or dressed as a major character from a religious story.
How about the Nutcracker? Or Peter Pan … c'mon … you have to get into the spirit somehow and these are all great ways to do so, and they are all nearby.
Could it be that simple? Well, I think it is worth a try … just a few ingredients (OK and maybe some eggnog) and you should be able to stir something up. Notice I did not say to go shopping. I also wanted to remind every adult (which I am pretty sure is the majority of our readers) giving is the best gift of all for ourselves. There are many arts organizations that are well deserving of your support and who need your support more than ever. You do not need to write some ginormous check to make a meaningful contribution. If everyone gave even a modest gift it will collectively make a difference. Do you have $25 to give? Then give it.
You can even tell your loud-mouth sister-in-law instead of giving her some crap-tac-u-lar garbage from Walmart you donated $25 on her behalf to a local art organization that brings music, theater, dance and visual arts to our community. Of course I did not invent this idea … people have been making donations in honor of someone for almost a decade now — but it doesn't matter this is not my idea — it is a good idea and one worthy of your support. If you can afford more than $25 then give more. Do what you can for the local art organizations that do everything they can year round to make living in the mountains a well-rounded place to raise your kids — a place that does not only include one of the most spectacular geographies on the planet, but one that provides meaningful artistic and cultural experiences for your family.
One story I love to share is a family who moved here in the thick of winter. They were not used to the snow load. It kept snowing, and snowing, and snowing … and the mother began to wonder if they had made a mistake. Then a dance company came and performed at her daughter's school … and it was beautiful and inspiring. The daughter told her mom “That's what I want to do when I grow up” and the mother thought … OK, we can do this. There is more to the mountains than sports related to the snow. And they have lived here ever since … and the daughter is now working with an internationally acclaimed dance school. See what a difference some art can make in our lives. This is one small example.
There are a number of local art organizations worthy of your support — you do not have to look far. Here are a few suggestions, all of which can be found on-line and all of which are 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations, making your donation tax deductible:
Arts For the Schools, www.artsfortheschools.org
Cymbal – Youth Music Shows, www.youthmusicshow.com
InnerRhythms Dance Theater, www.innerrhythms.org
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, www.laketahoeshakespeare.com
North Tahoe Arts, www.northtahoearts.com
Toccata Symphony Orchestra, www.toccatatahoe.com
Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus, www.singttcc.org
These organizations, and more, provide artistic and cultural programming for our communities and play a vital role in offering some balance to life in the mountains. If you need to purchase a gift shop locally and purchase goods made from local artists. Hand-made gifts are special and you can always find something appropriate for the entire family. Best of all they are the gifts that will make you feel good inside, and give you that holiday spirit you are longing for.
Well — if you are looking for a way to get there — this article can help. First of all — you need music — holiday music. Whatever got you in the spirit when you were a kid. If you cannot attend a live holiday concert then pick up a CD and play it in your house or car — or download something on the gadgetry you got last holiday season — there are many ways to get into the spirit of the holidays through music and it is essential. Secondly, attend a holiday performance. Even if it is the elementary school annual show or a performance at a congregation down the road — there is nothing that will squeeze your heart more than seeing kids with construction-paper antlers on stage, or dressed as a major character from a religious story.
How about the Nutcracker? Or Peter Pan … c'mon … you have to get into the spirit somehow and these are all great ways to do so, and they are all nearby.
Could it be that simple? Well, I think it is worth a try … just a few ingredients (OK and maybe some eggnog) and you should be able to stir something up. Notice I did not say to go shopping. I also wanted to remind every adult (which I am pretty sure is the majority of our readers) giving is the best gift of all for ourselves. There are many arts organizations that are well deserving of your support and who need your support more than ever. You do not need to write some ginormous check to make a meaningful contribution. If everyone gave even a modest gift it will collectively make a difference. Do you have $25 to give? Then give it.
You can even tell your loud-mouth sister-in-law instead of giving her some crap-tac-u-lar garbage from Walmart you donated $25 on her behalf to a local art organization that brings music, theater, dance and visual arts to our community. Of course I did not invent this idea … people have been making donations in honor of someone for almost a decade now — but it doesn't matter this is not my idea — it is a good idea and one worthy of your support. If you can afford more than $25 then give more. Do what you can for the local art organizations that do everything they can year round to make living in the mountains a well-rounded place to raise your kids — a place that does not only include one of the most spectacular geographies on the planet, but one that provides meaningful artistic and cultural experiences for your family.
One story I love to share is a family who moved here in the thick of winter. They were not used to the snow load. It kept snowing, and snowing, and snowing … and the mother began to wonder if they had made a mistake. Then a dance company came and performed at her daughter's school … and it was beautiful and inspiring. The daughter told her mom “That's what I want to do when I grow up” and the mother thought … OK, we can do this. There is more to the mountains than sports related to the snow. And they have lived here ever since … and the daughter is now working with an internationally acclaimed dance school. See what a difference some art can make in our lives. This is one small example.
There are a number of local art organizations worthy of your support — you do not have to look far. Here are a few suggestions, all of which can be found on-line and all of which are 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations, making your donation tax deductible:
Arts For the Schools, www.artsfortheschools.org
Cymbal – Youth Music Shows, www.youthmusicshow.com
InnerRhythms Dance Theater, www.innerrhythms.org
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, www.laketahoeshakespeare.com
North Tahoe Arts, www.northtahoearts.com
Toccata Symphony Orchestra, www.toccatatahoe.com
Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus, www.singttcc.org
These organizations, and more, provide artistic and cultural programming for our communities and play a vital role in offering some balance to life in the mountains. If you need to purchase a gift shop locally and purchase goods made from local artists. Hand-made gifts are special and you can always find something appropriate for the entire family. Best of all they are the gifts that will make you feel good inside, and give you that holiday spirit you are longing for.
