CANTON
Love Lights a Tree at Cannon Park
Like many towns, both big and small, the Christmas season officially ignites in Canton with a flick of the switch. The Love Lights a Tree event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, begins at the park’s gazebo area with the Southern gospel sounds of the group Daily Bread. Festive footwork follows, courtesy of the Academy of Dance Arts. Vocalist Linda Buchanan will then take the stage and sing as the tree is lit. Santa Claus takes time during his bustling holiday crunch to chat with tots. Parents are encouraged to bring their own cameras and snap as many pictures as they’d like. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies help keep taste buds in line with the holiday spirit. The 2012 tree will be dedicated to all kids with cancer, and to the memories of Collins Dixon and Abigail Kelley, a pair of children who succumbed to cancer this year. Starting at $15, guests can donate funds to the American Cancer Society in exchange for an ornament to hang on the tree in honor or memory of a loved one.
5:30 p.m. Nov. 23. Free. Cannon Park, 130 E. Main St., Canton. 770-479-5551.
LAWRENCEVILLE
‘Christmas Canteen’ at Aurora Theatre
The candy cane sweetness of a classic holiday TV variety show jingles and mingles with the yuletide revelry of a USO performance. The 17th version of “Christmas Canteen” gives a Santa-style salute to the men and women of America’s armed forces. The show’s head writer, Brandon O’Dell, returns for his ninth year and leads the “Canteen” charge. Fellow show vets Eric Moore and Jevares Myrick are back, too. They’re all joined by a trio of ladies who are no stranger to the Aurora stage: Courtney Godwin, Kathryn Berrong and Taryn Bryant. Aurora, however, isn’t confining the Christmas spirit to the stage. More than 30 trees, each decorated by local businesses, pack the lobby. Guests are asked to bring unwrapped toys to benefit the United States Marine Corps and its annual Toys for Tots drive. Canned food donations will be dispensed to local food banks through the Holtkamp Can Challenge. Organizers suggest ordering tickets in advance. “Christmas Canteen” tickets tend to go faster than popular playthings at toy stores.
8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Nov. 23-Dec. 23. No performance Nov. 28. $30-$40; $20 10 a.m. Dec. 12 and 19. Aurora Theatre. Free parking at 153 Crogan St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222, www.auroratheatre.com.
MARIETTA
‘The Summer of Daisy Fay’ at Marietta Theatre
Some area theater fans had tear-stained playbills after learning that Marietta’s Theatre in the Square closed its doors. Now they can wipe away the mist as Ed Howard, creator of the “Greater Tuna” series, attempts to revive the space as Marietta Theatre. Folks have a few more chances to catch the debut production of this fresh out-of-the-box company. Veronika Duerr, a Suzi Award-winning actress, plays the title character in this Southern-centric coming-of-age tale adapted for the stage by Howard. Daisy Fay’s comedic adventures find her in a local theater group and making tracks to the Miss Mississippi Pageant in Tupelo. The character originally sprang to life in Fannie Flagg’s novel “Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man.”
8 p.m. Nov. 23-24; 2:30 p.m. Nov. 25. $20. Marietta Theatre, 11 Whitlock Ave., Marietta. 678-594-7272, www.mariettatheatre.org.
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