Committee members for the Downriver Council for the Arts’ Ye Ole Wassail Feaste display some of the decorations to be used at the Dec. 3 fund-raiser in the Wyandotte Arts Center. From left are Joan Brophy (chairman), Karen Wilson Smithbauer and Norma Wurmlinger, who will reign as the queen of the medieval-themed event.
James Skura and Norma Wurmlinger, both of Southgate (she’s the city’s former mayor), will don period costumes to reign as king and queen during an evening of medieval merriment Dec. 3 when the Downriver Council for the Arts presents Ye Olde Wassail Feaste.
Guests will gather at 7:30 p.m. at the Wyandotte Arts Center for a sumptuous five-course medieval feast interspersed with entertainment by the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Michigan, a brass quartet, a juggler and a magician, all in colorful costumes. In addition, games and contests will be led by members of the Royal Court.
On the menu will be Wassail (apple cider with citrus and spices); Hearty Vegetable Soup in Bread Bowls; Cornish Hen with Cranberry Relish and Wild Rice; Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding, Boiled Red-Skin Potatoes and Carrots; and Plum Crumb and Coffee.
Each guest will receive a colorful goblet as a memento of the occasion.
Members of the feast committee will decorate the Arts Center with replicas of a medieval castle, banners, flags, crests and armor.
Joan Brophy, chairman, is being assisted by Paula Boase, Phillipa Matakas, Karen Ranka, Karen Wilson Smithbauer, Faye Tabor and Evelyn Cairns.
The Vocal Arts Ensemble, composed of eight singers who specialize in a cappella music of the Renaissance era, will sing madrigals and songs of the season, inviting the audience to join them.
Tickets, $55, are available by calling the Downriver Council for the Arts at (734) 720-0671 before Nov. 29. Early reservations are suggested as seating will be limited.
Proceeds will fund DCA programs at the center, at 81 Chestnut.
Americana ballet slates Nutcracker
Two principal dancers with the New York City Ballet, Megan Fairchild and Andrew Veyette, will appear as the Sugar Plum Fairy and The Prince in the Taylor Ballet Americana production of “The Nutcracker” Dec. 3 and 4 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn.
In addition, guest dancers Brittany DeGroff and Al-berto Velazquez of the American Ballet Theatre will join the cast of approximately 100 to perform the roles of the Snow Queen and Snow King.
The Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra will accompany the dancers.
The production is scheduled for 8 p.m. Dec. 3, and 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 4 in the center’s Michael A. Guido Theater.
Tickets, $12 to $24, are available by calling (313) 943-2354 or going to www.dearborntheater.com.
The Ford Center is at 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn.
Coming up . . .
Nov. 25 — America’s Thanksgiving Parade; 9:20 a.m. step-off at Woodward Avenue and Mack, ending at Woodward and Congress; the two-hour procession will be featured on WDIV-TV Channel 4; for more information, go to www.theparade.org or call (313) 923.7400.
Nov. 26-Jan. 9 — Holidays in Henry Ford Museum, featuring the museum’s 25-foot Christmas tree, hands-on activities, visits with Santa, a Lionel train display, and an opportunity for children 5 and older to build a train locomotive of LEGO (only on Saturdays); free with museum admission of $15, adults; $14, seniors; and $11, youths (children 4 and under are free); for more information, call (313) 982-6001 or go to www.thehenryford.org.
Dec. 3 — Twenty-third annual Downriver Community Prayer Breakfast; 7 a.m. buffet followed by a talk at 8 a.m. by Christian evangelist and author Ed Hindson, formerly of Allen Park; for tickets, $15, send a check payable to: Downriver Community Prayer Breakfast to Bovitz CPA, 1651 Kingsway Court, Box 445, Trenton, MI, 48183.
Dec. 4, 10, 11, 17-23, 26, 27 — Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village; 6:30 to 10 p.m.; Victorian-era carolers, Model T and carriage rides, sing-alongs, ice skating, food and fireworks; special dining packages (Supper with Santa and holiday feast at Eagle Tavern); village admission is $17, adults; $15, youths (children 4 and under, free); to purchase tickets, call (313) 982-6001 or go to www.thehenryford.org.