December 6, 2023 / Modified dec 7, 2023 1:14 p.m.

Jane Lynch brings "A Swingin’ Little Christmas" to Tucson.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Head into the magical Valley of the Moon; New horizons encourages seniors to explore music; Spotlight Community Theatre presents "Christmas Shorts" and, Stories that Soar! returns with a touching story of motherly love.

Jane Lynch hero Jane Lynch is coming to town in "A Swingin’ Little Christmas Starring Jane Lynch" featuring Kate Flannery, Tim Davis & The Tony Guerrero Quintet.

Arizona Spotlight

December 7, 2023

NPR
(Download MP3)

Featured on the December 7th, 2023 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

  • Multi-talented performer and game show host Jane Lynch loves Christmas, and she wants everyone to celebrate it with her. Jane and her friends including Kate Flannery (from “The Office”) and Tim Davis(musical director for “Glee”) will perform “A Swingin’ Little Christmas” at The Fox Tucson Theatre on December 13th, and Mark talks with Jane Lynch about why this show is her Christmas wish come true. Tickets for the show are available here

  • The unique Tucson landmark called The Valley of the Moon is celebrating 100 years since its founding. Find out why this replica of an enchanted fairy village is still capturing the imagination of visitors young and old.
Valley of the moon spot 1 Kristina Scholz, Mark, Ariyah Roberts, Kiran Tyabah, Kelley Roberts, Penny Scholz. Penny and Ariyah are both 3 years old.
Courtesy of Kristina Scholz
valley of the moon 2 unsized VIEW LARGER Penny Scholz, Ariyah Roberts.
Courtesy of Kristina Scholz
  • Visit a rehearsal of The Tucson New Horizons Band conducted by Dr. Matthew Williams as they prepare for their annual holiday concert. New Horizons is an opportunity for local seniors to learn to play a new instrument, or reconnect with an instrument they may have learned in childhood, and connect with new friends.

The New Horizons Band will be performing in a free concert open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 3:30 p.m. in Crowder Hall.

new horizons spotlight Under the director of Dr. Matthew Williams, The New Horizons Band encourages local seniors to explore music and connect with their community.
New horizons concert poster unsized VIEW LARGER The Tucson New Horizons band will be performing Saturday, Dec. 9 at 3:30 p.m. as part of a free concert at Crowder Hall.

christmas shorts spot From Spotlight Theatre, Chris and Christopher Abeyta are the directors of a holiday variety show called "Christmas Shorts."
Leah Britton / AZPM
christmas shorts poster VIEW LARGER Catch "Christmas Shorts" Dec. 14-16, 2023 at Deus Church.
  • And, the Tucson non-profit Literacy Connects sponsors a group of performers and musicians called “Stories That Soar!”. They help young writers realize the power and potential of bringing their stories to life, for the stage, video, and radio. We are now presenting these stories on the first Thursday of every month here on Arizona Spotlight.

This week, we’ll hear from Rehema, a thoughtful second grader from Drexel Elementary, who wrote about a slice of life that demonstrates her unconditional love for her mom, who she recognizes may not be perfect, but always tries her best.

Aspiring student-age writers can submit their stories to The Magic Box Story Portal now!

the best mom spot 1 Frankie Gelb and Amaya Ravenell perform "The Best Mom" at a "Best of Stories that Soar!" event in May of 2023.
stories that soar spot Literacy Connects presents “Stories That Soar!”, a program where the Tucson non-profit empowers students of all ages by bringing their stories to life with professional actors and musicians.
the best mom unsized 1 VIEW LARGER "The Best Mom" was written by Rehema, a second grader from Drexel Elementary. Go Panthers!

Webpage by Leah Britton.

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