Live On Stage in Temecula
Theater, Concert and Dance Performances in the Inland Empire

When the Temecula-based Ballet Studio and the Fine Arts Network present “The Nutcracker,” beginning this weekend in Old Town, the sugarplums will dance right out of your head and onto the stage. Recently voted one of the Top 10 “Nutcrackers” in Southern California by the Los Angeles Times, “The Nutcracker” will be on stage at the Old Town Community Theater from December 18th through the 23rd.

The Old Town Temecula Community Theater continues their lineup of wonderful holiday entertainment this Sunday, December 14th and again on December 21st, with their annual Candlelight Classics. Presented by the Golden Valley Music Society and Temecula Presents, Candlelight Classics is a special holiday edition of the popular monthly series, Classics at the Merc, which brings some of Southern California’s finest classical musicians into the intimate setting of the 48-seat theater for a truly unique and personal experience for the audience.

The holidays are about inviting friends to join your celebration and the Inland Valley Symphony is getting into the spirit of the season by inviting some special guests to the stage with “A Soulful Christmas,” this weekend at the Gershwin Performing Arts Center at Murrieta Mesa High School. Under the musical direction of nationally known conductor John Mario, “A Soulful Christmas” will include the Symphony itself, featuring flutist Kate Prestia-Schaub, and the stylized vocal group, the Sylvia Cotton Singers.

The musical series, Cabaret at the Merc, is decking halls of the popular Old Town venue for their very special Holiday Edition and Co-Producer Jordan Beck is thrilled to have the chance to celebrate the season. “A holiday-themed show is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time but this is the first time we’ve had the chance because our usual last-Sunday-of-the-month schedule always lands us after Christmas,” Beck said.

The Christmas season is filled with delights for our senses, including the sight of beautiful light displays, the smell of cookies baking in the oven and, of course, the sounds of carols we wait all year to hear. And when it comes to Christmas music, the Southwest Women’s Chorus enhances the holiday cheer every year with their annual “Christmas in the Air,” winter concert.

Finish up those Thanksgiving leftovers because the Christmas season is upon us and the Inland Valley Classical Ballet Theatre has the perfect way to ring in the most wonderful time of the year; bringing their production of “The Nutcracker” to the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

orn and raised in China, but a resident of the U.S. since 1983, the work of Choreographer and Artistic Director Lily Cai gives new meaning to the old adage “the best of both worlds.” Founded in 1988, the Lily Cai Dance Company blends the beauty and tradition of Cai’s Chinese upbringing with the freedom of expression used in contemporary American styles. Since their inception, the company has been showered with recognition and awards, including the Isadora Duncan Award for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography.

Every Sunday afternoon, the Old Town Temecula Community Theater and the California Chamber Orchestra present the community with an opportunity for not only cultural enrichment but also to enjoy an afternoon of excellent music in an intimate setting. The weekly series, Classics at the Merc, brings the finest of classical musicians to the Inland Empire and there isn’t a bad seat in the house, by way of the popular 48-seat Merc theater.

First published by Random House in 1992, the Junie B. Jones children’s book series illustrates the challenges faced when navigating the harrowing halls of elementary school. A new musical brings author Barbara Park’s beloved characters to life in “Junie B. Jones: The Musical,” at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

Something tells me that I’m about ten years older than the core audience of comedian and actor, Nick Swardson, but he definitely wins the award for the most references to flatulence in one interview. When Swardson comes to the Pechanga Theater this Saturday, the subject matter will be much of the same so his loyal fans should be satisfied with what they see.