Nine ways to celebrate the holidays in and around LW

SEASONAL FUN

The only flurry that Leisure Worlders will experience this December is a flurry of festive holiday events. Musical showcases, seasonal holiday celebrations and resident performances will fill this festive month with camaraderie and cheer.

Here are nine ways to celebrate the season in and around Leisure World: —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Seal Beach Christmas Parade Friday, Dec. 5 | 7 p.m.

Main Street in Seal Beach | Free The 47th annual Seal Beach Christmas Parade is described by its organizers as “a great hometown event that brings the community together year after year for an evening of warm holiday spirit.”

The parade features floats, cars, wagons, strollers, bikes, boats, bands and animals, all coming together for a seasonal celebration for all ages. Arrive early for a drone show over the pier at 6 p.m. —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Band of the Battalion and Wind Symphony Performance Monday, Dec. 8 | 7 p.m.

Clubhouse 4 | Free The Long Beach City College Evening Wind Symphony and Band of the California Battalion will perform a special holiday concert featuring the concert march “Colossus of Columbia,” “Chorale and Shaker Dance” by John Zdechlik, a poignant setting of Franck Tichelli’s “Loch Lomond” and several fun holiday favorites.

The Band of the California Battalion, a fully reenacted Civil War brass band, will provide a program of music from a period when “instruments had character and characters had instruments!” —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Art in Bloom Holiday Festival Sunday, Dec. 9 | 4-7 p.m.

Clubhouse 4 | Free The LW Art League will hold a holiday festival and art exhibition that will feature works by LW residents.

People can purchase works curated by the Art League and sold directly by the artists. Complimentary wine service will be provided by Gasper Monteer Realty Group, and entertainment will be provided by country rock favorite Abilene. —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— LW Orchestra Holiday Concert Saturday, Dec. 13 | 1 p.m.

Clubhouse 2 | Free The Leisure World Orchestra, under the direction of Linda DeRungs, will perform a holiday concert featuring Tschaikovsky, Prokofiev and Bartok and traditional Christmas and Hanukkah favorites. The orchestra will be joined by the Leisure World Korean Community Church Choir’s 40-plus voices in Handel’s classic “Hallelujah,” as well as concert pianist Yuri Lotakov in duos with LA Opera’s first violinist, Armen Anassian.

See page 14.

—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— GRF Toy Drive Dance

Saturday, Dec. 13 | 6 p.m.

Clubhouse 4 | Donation Suggested

The toy drive dance is the culmination of GRF’s season-long toy drive that supports children in need. Residents and guests are welcome. The cost of entry is one new, unwrapped toy (no stuffed animals). Live entertainment starts at 7 p.m., provided by The Legends of

HOLIDAY EVENTS, page 2

Santa Claus will join the fun and collect toys at the GRF Toy Drive Dance. HOLIDAY EVENTS

from page 1

Rock, which performs rock hits from the ‘50s-‘80s. Complimentary cookies and hot beverages will be provided, and Santa will collect the loot for the kids. The dance is sponsored by SCAN. See page 14. —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— GRF Menorah Lighting

Monday, Dec. 15 | 4:30 p.m.

Veterans Plaza | Free

This year’s Menorah Lighting will present a special musical program featuring Nancy Linder, Cantorial Soloist from Temple Beth David and the Beth David Choir. This event is for Jew and Gentile alike and is sponsored by SCAN.

Residents are invited to bring their menorahs to share this annual tradition with the community. Congregation Sholom will serve hot cider and Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and GRF Director Carol Levine will deliver welcome remarks.

This holiday, known as the Festival of Lights, celebrates the Jews defeating Syrian-Greek oppressors who had tried forcing them to abandon their religion and adopt Greek culture. The story has it that, led by Judah Maccabee, they recaptured the holy temple in Jerusalem. Arriving there, they found only enough olive oil to light candles for one night. The miracle of Hanukkah is that it lasted for eight nights. This eight-branch candelabra, known as the menorah is lit each year, one candle or light, each of the eight nights in remembrance. —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— NOCE Tone Chime and Chorus Monday, Dec. 15 | 10 a.m.

Clubhouse 4 | Free North Orange Continuing Education students in both the LW Chorus and Tone Chime classes will put on a 90-minute performance. Instructor Lee Lassetter has been preparing the students all semester for this moment. Come see the incredible talents of friends and neighbors. Arrive early for best seating and light refreshments. —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— GRF Holiday Light Tours Dec. 15-19 | 4:45 and 6:45 p.m. Optum Health Care Center | Free Explore the beauty and splendor of holiday lights and decorations inside Leisure World’s walls from the comfort of a Minibus. GRF’s annual holiday light tours will be held Dec. 15-18 at 4:45 and 6:45 p.m.; and Dec. 19 at 4:45 p.m. only.

Seating is first come, first served; no reservations are allowed. GRF Minibuses seat approximately 15 passengers; no wheelchair access is available. Holiday dress is welcome. Passengers are picked up for the tours at the Health Care Center.

At the conclusion of each tour, passengers who need a ride will be taken home or to any location inside Leisure World. For more information, call 562431-6586, ext. 2372. —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Simbang Gabi Celebration Dec. 17 | 5 p.m. Clubhouse 2 | Free The Filipino Association of Leisure World will celebrate the annual Simbang Gabi, a tradition for the coming of Jesus Christ. Filipinos all over the world celebrate this festivity for nine consecutive days before the birth of Christ on Dec. 25.

Large communities do the traditional nine-day celebration, but this smaller event will celebrate one day. Father Juan Caboboy, Holy Family Catholic Church’s priest, will officiate the Mass with members and guests.

People are encouraged to bring potluck dishes. Authentic Simbang Gabi foods will be served. —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-

For more holiday events in Leisure World or club-specific events, visit www. lwsb.com/calendar or reach out to club representatives directly.

For religious celebration and study related to the holidays, see the Religion section on page 8.

Festively dressed people boogie on the dance floor at the 2024 GRF Toy Drive Dance. This year's dance will feature music from The Legends of Rock.