Middletown This Weekend: Free Concerts, Drive-Thru Nativity, Holiday on Main

Holiday on Main 
Saturday — Includes photographs with Santa, holiday films, ornament decorating workshops, holiday story times, a mobile petting zoo, fun train rides and dance and kung fu demonstrations.

Holiday Book Sale
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - The Friends of the Russell Library will be selling their best, most recently published (2011-present) fiction and non-fiction books on Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. The books represent a wide range of subjects such as art, sports, cooking, history, home and hobbies, science, nature, and travel. There will also be collectible and vintage books. All books are great bargains, priced to sell at $2+, and are in excellent condition. Movies, music and recorded books will also be on sale. All proceeds from the sale go towards library materials and programs.

Concert with Soprano Amanda Kohl and Pianist Paula Biedma
Saturday, 2 p.m. - Join “re Vera Duo” on a tour through Europe and beyond on Saturday. This classical duo, featuring Spanish pianist Paula Biedma and American soprano Amanda Kohl, will be sharing an afternoon of music showcasing gypsy influences, with works by Donizetti, Verdi, Rachmaninov and more. Kohl holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Hartt School of Music and a Master’s of Music degree from Indiana University. She has participated in notable concert series throughout New England with superb reviews. Biedma graduated with high honors from Conservatorio Padre Antonio Soler in San Lorenzo del Escorial and received her Graduate Professional Diploma from the Hartt School of Music. She has performed numerous times as a soloist and with chamber groups in different settings all over Spain and in the New England area with great acclaim.

Food Drive and Photos with Santa
Saturday, 9 a.m. - Come down to Village Cabinets with a non-perishable food item and get a free picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. The Salvation Army will be there with a Brass Quartet playing many of your favorite Christmas and Holiday Songs. Food donations will be distributed to the Connecticut Food Bank. For more information, contact Bruce Clark at 860-894-2619.

Drive-Through Nativity
Saturday, 5 p.m. - The drive-through Nativity has 10 scenes, live animals, and over 40 costumed "actors" to depict the journey of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men traveling to the manger. There is no charge for vehicles, although donations of non-perishables or cash are accepted for local food and fuel banks.

Christmas Concert "We Sing Gloria!"
Sunday, 4 p.m. - The Sanctuary Choir (45-plus voices) of Bethany Covenant Church, joined by vocal soloists and the Bethany Festival Orchestra, will present “We Sing Gloria” on Sunday. This Christmas concert, offered as part of the annual Bethany Music Series, will feature the rousing cantata “Gloria,” by John Rutter, with organ, percussion and brass. Also featured will be “A Feast of Carols,” by Randol Alan Bass; and “Agnus Dei,” A Concert of Worship for Christmas, by Michael W. Smith and David Hamilton, with full orchestra. Other participants will include members of the Messengers of God youth choir, drama narrators, organist Natasha Ulyanovsky and director Olga Ljungholm. Concerts in the Bethany Music Series are open to the public and tickets are not required. A reception will follow the Christmas concert on Sunday. Child care will be provided and a free-will offering will be received. Additional information about the Bethany Music Series is available at www.bethanymusicseries.net, and additional information about Bethany Covenant Church is available atwww.bethanycovenant.org.