The 8:15 p.m. concert features 28 UofL music faculty in performance, a pre-concert reception at the courtyard of the music building, and the premiere of the new lighting for the Music School’s iconic sculpture “Effervescence.” 

For years, audiences streaming into Comstock Concert Hall for the Faculty Gala have been greeted to the sounds of bagpipes, and that tradition will continue.

“With an evening that begins with dessert, features bagpipers on the hillside welcoming the concert goers, a veritable host of music faculty performers, and a conclusion to the evening that features an outdoor light show and reception, this is going to be a special event, indeed,” said School of Music Dean Christopher Doane.

The concert is free and open to the public, but the wine and dessert reception is $20 and .Ěý

As usual, the Faculty Gala serves as the gateway into the School of Music’s jam-packed year of performances, which includes world-class visiting artists along with student and faculty performances. Most of these events are free and open to the public.Ěý

Check the  for a full list. Highlights include:

• Sept. 23, , which benefits the piano program at UofL, begins the 2018-19 season with The Paul York and Dror Biran Duo performing the “Five Cello Sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven.”
• Sept. 29,  at Cherokee Park.
• Sept. 29, performs in Louisville Orchestra’s International Leonard Bernstein celebration.Ěý
• Oct. 31, University Symphony Orchestra performs 
• Nov. 6-10,  featuring guest composer Amy Williams. Dr. Williams is Associate Professor of Music Composition and Theory at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Nov. 30-Dec. 3, , the familiar story of “The Nutcracker” from the time that Clara starts dreaming of snow and the land of sweets.

The School of Music will also sponsor a series of free concerts at , 3640 River Park Drive, in West Louisville on weekends in September and October. This concert series is a part of the School of Music’s Signature Partnership outreach.Ěý

On Nov. 30, stop by the Red Barn from 12-3 p.m. for the UofL Farmers’ Market Holiday Bazaar and load up on locally grown and handmade holiday gifts from , farmers and food producers. Gifts for sale include jams, salsas, honey, baked goods, holiday decorations, soaps, crafts, jewelry, stoneware, pottery, UofL apparel and more.

On Dec. 1, take advantage of an all-day shopping extravaganza. UofL and the Louisville Independent Business Alliance will take shoppers on a whirlwind tour of local shops and restaurants during the annual Holiday Cards “Buy Local” Shopping Tour.

The tour includes stops at locally-owned businesses in a several Louisville neighborhoods such as Butchertown, Nulu, Frankfort Avenue and downtown. The $40 registration fee includes opening and closing receptions, door prizes and transportation.ĚýDoor prizes this year include a gift basket and certificate from NOVA Salon, tickets to the Derby Dinner Playhouse, passes to the Kentucky Derby Museum, Slugger Museum and Frazier Museum, a stadium blanket from the UofL Campus Store, a Cooking at the Cottage gift card, gear from UofL Athletics and Louisville FC, and more.

Also, each participate will receive one free pass for a future tour at Copper and Kings Distillery in Butchertown ($15 value).

Activities begin with festive drinks and a light breakfast at the University Club on Belknap Campus at 8 a.m.

Shoppers will board the bus at 9 a.m. to begin a day of shopping, and the group will return to the University Club for a closing reception from about 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with drink samples, hot hors d’oeuvres and door prizes. .

Are your loved ones into ceramics? Handcrafted ceramics by University of Louisville student and faculty artists will be available for purchase during the annual Ceramics Sale, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 1, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 2. The sale will be held the in the Studio Arts building, 2314 S. Floyd St.

Many items will be available in the $10 to $30 range, including plates, mugs, bowls and other tableware. Additional items, such as large vases, serving bowls and platters, will also be available.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the UofL Hite Art Institute’s Ceramic Arts Organization and help fund free public workshops with visiting artists and student travel to art conferences.

Prefer to give a handmade gift? Join the Garden Commons Workshop on Dec. 1 from noon to 1 p.m. for . Harvest some herbs and combine them with other plant materials to make a fragrant holiday wreath. Tools and gloves are provided for the workshop, held at the Cultural Center Garden Commons.

You can always treat your loved ones to an entertaining experience, too. will host “A Jazzy Christmas” Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Derby Dinner Playhouse, 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, Indiana. The cost, including dinner, is $40, with a portion of the proceeds going toward the UofL School of Music Scholarship Fund.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 5:45 p.m., and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Finally, take in a holiday tradition as the University of Louisville Dance Theatre hosts its 22nd annual performance of “Clara’s Dream,” Dec. 1-3 at the School of Music’s Comstock Hall.

“Clara’s Dream” is the familiar story of “The Nutcracker” from the time that Clara starts dreaming of snow and the land of sweets. There are cotton candy angels and toy soldiers, as well as the variations from foreign lands and, of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy appears. Her dream takes the audience along for a joyful ride through fantasy.

Directed by Cynthia Bronner and Chuck Bronson, UofL Dance Theatre is the elite level of the UofL Dance Academy. About 50 dancers from all levels of the academy will have roles in the show.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 13 and adults older than 65. .

Finally, on Dec. 3, the Cardinal Singers will be part of the Holiday Choral Festival presented by 90.5 WUOL Classical Louisville. The concert will be held at St. Stephen Church, 1018 S. 15th St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.Ěý

The University of Louisville Cardinal Singers is a select chamber choir in the School of Music conducted by Kent Hatteberg. The group joins the J.W. Tiggs Chorale, Floyd Central A Capella Choir and Western Middle School for the Arts Advanced Choir for the performance.Ěý

“Clara’s Dream” is the familiar story of “The Nutcracker” from the time that Clara starts dreaming of snow and the land of sweets. There are cotton candy angels and toy soldiers, as well as the variations from foreign lands and, of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy appears. Her dream takes the audience along for a joyful ride through fantasy.

Directed by Cynthia Bronner and Chuck Bronson, UofL Dance Theatre is the elite level of the UofL Dance Academy. The ULDA is a pre-professional, civic level ballet company that focuses on preparing middle and high school age dancers to pursue ballet after they graduate from high school. About 50 dancers from all levels of the academy will have roles in the show.

There are four chances to catch “Clara’s Dream” this season: 7 p.m. Dec. 2, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 3 and 2 p.m. Dec. 4.

The production is appropriate for all ages. Reserved tickets are on sale and available by mail through the UofL Dance Academy : $15 for adults and $10 for children under age 13 or adults over age 65. Group rates also are available for ten or more.