University of Lethbridge Students take centre stage this week in University Theatre with several shows happening in the next couple of days.

Today, Dec. 5 ,  the final music at noon recital of the semester features Studio Showcase featuring performances by Madelyn Appleton, trombone; Ashlee Dowdle, horn; Franz Faeldo, tenor; Spencer Kindret, piano; Isaac Risling, piano

Saxophone Quartet - Cori Campbell, Veronique Fortier, Payge Laverdiere, Rayden Wong; Ellie Shifflett, bassoon Jessica White & Steve Yu, marimbas.

 The free concert begins at 12:15.

 Tonight, a grand night of Musical collaboration features The University of Lethbridge Collaborative Ensemble, Guitar ensemble and U of L Opera Workshop performing at University Theatre  at 7:30p.m.. Admission is also free for this concert.

Global Drums go around the world on  Friday, Dec. 8 in University Theatre. They will be performing Limerick Daydreams ; Phillip Glass’ Aguas da Amazonia  and Rolling Walnuts - A traditional Chinese arrangement 

 Tickets for the concert  are $20 adults, $15 seniors and alumni and $12 children infants and students.

 It’s starting to sound a lot like Christmas, so  the Caritas Chamber Choir will be performing Songs of Hope at Southminster United Church, tonight, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 adults, five dollars seniors and students.

On Wednesday, Dec. 6,  Ron Robb and Randy Epp return to  the Watertower Grill to play some jazz music from 6-8 p.m.

Megan Windle and  Brian Dawydiuk are hosting Pro-Amateur night at Good Times on Dec. 6.

 Tommy Mellor returns to Good Times on Friday, but they are closed for a private event, Dec. 9.

Mandy Fox returns to the Slice to host the open mic, on Wednesday, Dec. 6.

On the weekend, Undefined rock Casino Lethbridge Friday and Saturday. Bruce Peterson and Ranahan return to Honker’s Pub for a show on Friday, Dec. 8. A New band, Uncle Cranky play a show at Honkers Pub on Dec. 9.

The Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens are looking forward to bringing the whole community together for the holiday season with the eighth annual Winter Lights Festival, which officially opens to the public, Nov. 30.

 This year’s theme is a celebration of the seasons —  Haru (Spring), Natsu (Summer), Aki (Fall) and Fuyu (winter). The display includes three light tunnels, light panels and Japanese lanterns and parasols done up in at least 170,000 lights.

“I’ve been hanging lights too. I lost count around summer,” said Nikka Yuko  Japanese Gardens executive director  Michelle Day Miles.

“ We’re about 90 per cent finished putting it together,” she continued, adding Nikka Yuko have been working on the display since October.

 There will be no ice sculptures this year.

“The company we work with changed their business plan to focus on smaller sculptures,”  said Miles, who has been involved with the festival since it started in 2016.

She said there will still be a lot to see and do at the Winter Lights Festival.

“What I enjoy most about the Winter Lights festival is watching  people experience it. It is about bringing the whole community together,” Miles said, crediting generous sponsors for  helping the Festival become a success.

It seems fitting that it would start snowing for the opening  preview of Glow Lethbridge in the Agri Hub Building at  Exhibition  Park, last night, Nov. 22.

It took dedicated workers 10 days to put together an intricate arrangements of lights, taking audiences  on a tour of Christmas in the People‘s Republic of China, The United Kingdom, France, Mexico, India and the Netherlands.

“ There are approximately 1 million lights,” said Lethbridge and District Exhibition CEO Mike Warkentin, adding it took 10 days to set up the display. Glow has toured  in Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton, Langley, Saskatoon and Hartford, Connecticut.

 Warkentin said this  Glow is a unique experience apart from the other cities .

“It really is spectacular and really shows the holiday spirit,” he said.

“ You really get a feel for how people celebrate the holidays in these countries,” he continued.

As you enter the DA Hall  and KB Hall  there is a big stage which will feature local musicians including choirs playing Christmas favourites every night from Nov. 23 to Dec. 31. Next to that is a slide  for kids to play on.

“It won’t be Taylor Swift or Trooper, but everyone will be here for a good time. It’s all local, budding artists who might not get a chance to play a big stage like this one,” said Lethbridge Exhibition Park CEO Mike Warkentin.

The schedule is still being tweaked due to illness and unavailability, but as of Nov. 23,  the performers are Nov. 23  Lady Grime ; Nov. 24 – Isaac Neufeld ; Nov. 25 James Moore  ; Nov. 26 TBD ; Nov. 30 Maria Pickering ; Dec. 1  James Moore ; Dec. 2  The Southern Accord Chorus ; Dec. 3  Eve Lacey ; Dec. 7  Maria Pickering ; Dec. 8 – Charlie Navratil ; Dec. 9 – James Moore ; Dec. 10 – Maria Pickering ; Dec. 14  St. Pat’s School Choir ; Dec. 15 James Moore ; Dec. 16  Rachel Graf ; Dec. 17 Maria Pickering ; Dec. 21 Charlie Navratil ; Dec. 22  James Moore ; Dec. 23James Moore ; Dec. 24 Eve Lacey ; Dec. 28 TBD ; Dec. 29 Maria Pickering ; Dec. 30  MAK ; Dec. 31  MAK  .

 The updated schedule is at https://www.glowgardens.com/lethbridge/entertainment/

 The stage is set next to a giant red heart surrounded by glittering lights spelling “Love.”