Gifts That Double Your Holiday Cheer – Gifts from the Arts in Delaware!

Often it’s hard to choose that “perfect gift.” NorthDelaWHERE Happening and Arts in Media are here to help with a few unique ideas for the Arts Lovers on your nice list. Artsy ideas that simultaneously allow you to give something special while giving back to your LOCAL community.

While small in size, Delaware celebrates a sizeable and rich assortment of high-caliber, affordable arts experiences to discover and enjoy. From ballet, interactive theater, music and art lessons to concert series, handmade jewelry and artisan-created accessories, everyone can love the arts this season. Best of all, this gift doubles your impact: You introduce someone to a new experience, and you support local artists!  Let’s take a holiday tour of the Arts in Delaware…

Buy Tickets: Holidays Live on Stage

Delaware stages come alive with plenty of theater, dance and music. Purchasing show tickets is a spectacular way to get into the spirit – grab some for a family night outing, a teacher’s gift, your mailman or even a “Secret Santa” for the work holiday party.

City Theater Company kicks off their season in December usually with something very unordinary.  Their intimate space in the OperaDelaware Studios transforms into an Irish Pub as James Joyce’s The Dead hits the stage, December 5th -20th, and two more productions follow in 2015.  Tickets for CTC’s season are available at city-theater.org.

What’s a holiday without breathtaking dance? Two organizations enliven the stage with holiday traditions: Christina Cultural Arts Center presents Eleone Dance Theatre in Carols in Color on December 14th and First State Ballet Theatre performs The Nutcracker on December 20th & 21st.Carols in Color tells the story of Jesus’ birth through modern dance and music, while the time-honored Nutcracker combines First State Ballet with music from the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and the Wilmington Children’s Chorus. Both are held at the Grand Opera House – which also boasts a fabulous outdoor holiday light show throughout December – and tickets can be purchased at TicketsAtTheGrand.org.

The holidays are filled with live musical joys as well. The Grand Opera House hosts A Charlie Brown Christmas featuring the Eric Mintel Jazz Quartet, who tour through your favorite Peanuts’ memories. World Café Live at the Queen gets into the spirit with Mad Sweet Pangs Holiday Show, blending multiple genres into a rollicking performance.  Visit TicketsAtTtheGrand.org and QueenTickets.WorldCafeLive.com to purchase.

Buy Music: Celebrate Local Artists

Nothing could be better than sharing some incredible new musical discovery with others.  A plethora of new music is available this holiday season, in every genre:
Prior to their November performance in Rio de Janeiro, local Baroque/contemporary ensemble Mélomanie released Excursions, a CD of works from regional composers. Called “…a fearless musical force of nature…” Angela Sheik released a new CD in the fall entitled, Home Before Dark.  Newark-area rapper D-Harv released his first solo CD, They Keep Asking, with a release party on Thanksgiving night.

Plenty of CDs are available from other local artists such as The Joe Trainor Trio, Brandywine Baroque, New Sweden, Hot Breakfast! and more. Visit these artists’ websites for info on CD purchases.

Buy Knowledge: Arts Lessons for Every Student of Every Age

We all value knowledge – so what’s better than giving the gift of knowledge through the arts? Plenty of opportunity exists to introduce music and visual arts education to all ages. The Music School of Delaware boasts instruction in over 30 instruments and voice, in genres that include classical, folk, jazz and rock. Visit the Music School at 4101 Washington Street in Wilmington.

Christina Cultural Arts Center, located in the heart of downtown Wilmington, offers a variety of classes for every age including music, dance, drama, visual arts and even healthy lifestyles classes like karate and pilates. Visit CCAC at 705 N. Market Street in Wilmington.

The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, the Delaware Art Museum and the Delaware College of Art & Design all offer visual arts education courses for youth and adults in media like drawing, painting, ceramics, metallurgy and more.

Give a Gift, That Gives Back: Support the Arts

The best gift is the one that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside – like you’ve truly done something in the spirit of the season. Why not give a gift back to your community in the form of a donation to a LOCAL arts organization?

Most, if not all, of the organizations listed here are non-profit arts organizations that rely on donations to help sustain their operations. Help keep the Arts alive and thriving in our community with a tax-deductible donation this holiday season. Make the gift even more special by donating in honor or memory of a loved one, favorite teacher, or friend who loves the arts. (To determine whether an organization is a 501c3 non-profit, you can visit GuideStar.org.) If your company matches donations, you can double the gift!

We hope we’ve helped you develop some great gift ideas for everyone “ARTSY” on your holiday list! Happy Holidays!