THE PENN SOUTH CERAMICS STUDIO HOLIDAY SALE| Some people camp overnight, bust the door down, then jockey for a position as they elbow their way through the aisles of a dime-a-dozen chain store; but there’s only one place in the neighborhood where you can browse for a one-of-a-kind bowl, plate, vase, mug, votive, platter or piece of jewelry. Taking place for two days only, the Penn South Ceramics Studio Holiday Sale is where you’ll find perfect, personalized, practical gifts that can be enjoyed every day of the year. Every item on sale (at very reasonable prices) has been handcrafted by the Ceramics Studio students and instructors. Be sure to exit the sale with flyers listing all of the upcoming winter classes. Tuck that in along with the present, and maybe next year you’ll be the one getting something from Santa that puts a plain old gift card to shame.
Sat., Dec. 10 & Sun., Dec. 11, 11am–6pm in the Penn South Ceramics Studio (in Building 6B, 276 Ninth Ave., at the northeast corner of W. 26th St.). For more info, email them at pennsouthceramics@gmail.com or visit pennsouthceramics.com.
SANTA RESCUE SUNDAY AT THE NYC FIRE MUSEUM | How can a jolly old elf with the ability to circumnavigate the globe in one evening get stuck on the roof of the New York Fire Museum? There’s a good explanation for that, and an equally satisfactory solution to this unexpected predicament — when an FDNY ladder truck rescues Santa from his perch, then welcomes the him into the Museum, where kids can pose for photos and give their gift requests to The Man With All The Toys. Don’t put on the kids on your “Naughty” list if that Beach Boys reference flies right past them with the speed of a hypersonic sleigh; best to just let them enjoy the experience (further heightened by Christmas carols and other seasonal selections performed indoors by John Clacher’s Fire House Band).
Sun., Dec. 4, 11:30am at the New York City Fire Museum (278 Spring St., btw. Hudson & Varick Sts.). The outdoor rescue is free; admission for the in-museum event is ($8 for adults, $5 for children. Reservations recommended: Visit nycfiremuseum.org or call 212-691-1303, x13.
SELIS MANOR ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR | Selis Manor, the W. 23rd St. building that provides services and housing to the blind and visually impaired, opens its doors to the public for the first time since sustaining damage from the Sept. 17 Chelsea bombing. Sponsored by the Tenants Association and taking place in the wheelchair-accessible first floor auditorium, this sale really knows how to deliver on its promise of “something for everybody.” If the raffles and door prizes don’t sway you to stop by, then surely your holiday needs put you in the market for gift and food baskets, clothes, jewelry, fragrances, kitchen items, linens, and homemade goodies — all of which, along with Avon and Tupperware products, are normal staples of this annual bazaar. Sat., Dec. 3, 11am–5pm at Selis Manor (135 W. 23rd St., btw. Sixth & Seventh Aves.).
TREE LIGHTING AND HOLIDAY SINGS IN WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK | What good is having a song in your heart if you keep going in and out on the words? With free lyric books at the ready, The Washington Square Association has you covered, as you cover beloved Yuletide carols and Hanukkah songs while accompanied by the Rob Susman Brass Quartet — at this pair of annual events taking place at the base of the iconic Washington Square Park Arch. The stage was set on Mon., Nov. 28, when a 45-foot Christmas tree was delivered in the extremely early morning hours, then anchored to the Arch for the season (it shines bright daily, between 4pm and 1am). On Wed., Dec. 7 at 6pm, those sparkling lights get their first go-round, when Santa Claus distributes a copious amount of candy canes, then leads the crowd in an illumination countdown. Brass Quartet and songbooks at the ready, you’ll croon familiar holiday tunes — then repeat that festive holiday ritual on Christmas Eve, when revelers will gather beneath the Arch at 5pm to see if they can get through their favorite song without the help of those handy songbooks.
The Washington Square Park Arch is located at the foot of Fifth Ave., one block south of Eighth St. For info, call 212-252-3621 or visit washingtonsquarenyc.org.
WEST VILLAGE CHORALE AUDIENCE OPEN MESSIAH SING | A nonsectarian, independent chorus that’s been the voice of the people, for the people, and by the people since 1971, the West Village Chorale hosts concerts and community events from its base at that 1890 landmark, Judson Memorial Church. This month sees three of the Chorale’s most beloved annual happenings, starting with a Dec. 4 audience sing of Handel’s “Messiah.” Scores are provided, as is piano accompaniment and intermission refreshments. Come lend your voice to fill the atmospheric sanctuary as The Chorale’s new music director, Dr. Colin Britt, conducts. David Ralph, on piano, serves as the baroque “orchestra.” Other upcoming Chorale events: Dec. 11’s holiday concert and Dec. 17’s Village Caroling Walk.
The Open Messiah Sing happens on Sun., Dec. 4, 4pm at Judson Memorial Church (55 Washington Square South at Thompson St.). $15 general admission, $10 students. Visit westvillagechorale.org.
HOLIDAY EVENTS AT ST. PETER’S CHELSEA | Friendly and inclusive, St. Peter’s Chelsea Episcopal Church has been serving its namesake neighborhood since 1871, and is frequent host to, among other destination events, the Chelsea Musica concert series and the Chelsea Opera. On Sat., Dec. 3, St. Peter’s welcomes you to their Parish Open House, highlighted by a small book fair inside (4-9pm) and, outside, the singing of carols and the lighting of their Christmas tree (5pm). On Thurs., Dec. 22, their “Handel’s Messiah Community Sing Along” takes place at 7pm. Sat., Dec. 24 Christmas Eve events include a 5:30pm service for children and families; 10pm carols; and the 10:30pm Mass of the Angels. The Sun., Dec. 25 Christmas Day Service begins at 10am.
At St. Peter’s Chelsea Episcopal Church (346 W. 20th St., btw. Eighth & Ninth Aves.). For info, visit stpeterschelsea.org or call 212-929-2390.
CHELSEA COMMUNITY CHURCH CANDLELIGHT CAROL SERVICE | Congregational singing and a scripture lesson figure into The nondenominational, lay-led Chelsea Community Church’s 42nd Annual Candlelight Carol Service, the highlight of which is a reading of “A Visit From St. Nicholas.” This year, Broadway veteran singer/actor Arbender Robinson will give voice to the words penned by Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863). This service, which takes place in a church that stands on land that was once part of Moore’s estate, features choir music under the direction of Larry J. Long. Musical selections include the ancient plainsong chant “Hodie Christus natus est” (“Today, Christ is born”), John Rutter’s contemporary “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol,” and the opening movement of Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria in excelsis.” The choir will be accompanied by internationally recognized organist Christopher Houlihan, along with harp and flute/piccolo.
Sun., Dec. 18, 6pm at St. Peter’s Chelsea (346 W. 20th St., btw. Eighth & Ninth Aves.). Free (offerings accepted). For info, call 212-886-5463 or visit chelseachurch.org.
—BY SCOTT STIFFLER
