Dickens Days dazzles downtown Westfield

Date: 11/23/2010

Nov. 24, 2010

By Katelyn Gendron

Assistant Editor

WESTFIELD -- The city's green, the centerpiece of Westfield on Weekend's (WOW) annual Dickens Days, may be akin to the devastating imagery of Ebenezer Scrooge's worst nightmare due to its massive reconstruction; however, like the characters of Charles Dickens' most famous work prove, the holiday spirit cannot be stifled by one's unfortunate circumstances.

Dickens Days month-long calendar of events will kick off on Nov. 26 when Santa Claus arrives at Amelia Park via helicopter at 10 a.m. Festivities will include more than 40 different events including art exhibitions, concerts, craft fairs and a one-man performance of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" by his great-great-grandson, Gerald Charles Dickens of Oxford, England.

"As our downtown is in transition it is more important than ever to celebrate Dickens Days as we have in the past," Bob Plasse, president of WOW, said. "This year's celebration is just as exciting as all those in the past. We're especially excited to welcome Gerald Charles Dickens."

Dickens, a professional actor, producer and director, is including Westfield on his latest performance tour throughout the United States.

When asked if he was surprised by the numerous adaptations of his great-great-grandfather's holiday classic or its significance in WOW's Dickens Days, Gerald Charles Dickens replied, "I first visited Westfield a few years ago and was so impressed by the whole event, especially its community-based nature. I feel that it is so important for communities to remain intact that I applaud any event such as this. The fact that Westfield has included Dickens Days is an added bonus and I'm sure that he would be delighted that his works and name are being used as the basis for such a huge party!"

He later added, "The fact that 'A Christmas Carol' has been dramatized so often shows what a perfect little story it is. You just need to look at the roll call of actors who have been involved over the years to see what a huge influence it has had ... It is truly amazing that whatever corner of the world I visit people know of Mr. Scrooge and Tiny Tim and to be part of that story is a very humbling and wonderful experience. I don't know how many performances of 'A Christmas Carol' I have given, well into the thousands but it has never become dull and I never resent doing it -- it really is very special to me."

Gerald Charles Dickens said he uses a simple set of three props, while letting "the words to the work" in his one-man interpretation of his great-great-grandfather's play.

Children and families alike will have the opportunity to see his production on Dec. 3 or the other adaptations being staged by the Westfield Theatre Group, as well as a viewing of Disney's "A Christmas Carol" at the Athenaeum.

For more information, visit www.westfieldonweekends.org.

The complete calendar of Dickens Days events is as follows:

• Nov. 26: Santa arrives by helicopter at 10 a.m., Amelia Park, 21 South Broad St.

• Nov. 26: Fireside with Santa at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St., from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost: $5 for photos. Family photos on Zamboni from 7 to 7:50 p.m. Cost: $5.

• Nov. 26: Pizza and Film -- "How to Train Your Dragon" from noon to 2 p.m., in the Lang Auditorium, Athenaeum. Registration required by calling 562-6158, ext. 5. Free.

• Nov. 27: Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 10:30 a.m., YMCA, 67 Court St. $

• Nov. 27: Fireside with Santa at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St., from noon. to 2 p.m. Cost: $5 for photos.

• Nov. 28: Annual Arts and Crafts Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Westfield Vocational-Technical High School, 33 Mill St.

• Nov. 28: Fireside with Santa at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St., from noon. to 2 p.m. Cost: $5 for photos.

• Nov. 29: Lanternlight Parade and Holiday Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. with Westfield High School Concert Choir at 6:15 p.m., and parade at 6:30 p.m.Treelighting ceremony outside the Athenaeum, 6 Elm St. Free.

• Dec. 1: Vendor Night from 6 to 8 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 18 Broad St.

• Dec. 2: First Thursdays at the Athenaeum concert by WSU Jazz Combo with Jim Argiro from noon to 1 p.m., Lang Auditorium, Athenaeum, 6 Elm St. Free.

• Dec. 3: Fireside with Santa at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost: $5 for photos.

• Dec. 3: "A Christmas Carol," Westfield Theatre Group's original musical, at 7:30 p.m., Westfield Woman's Club, 28 Court St. For reservations, call 572-6838. $

• Dec. 3: Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, will perform his acclaimed one-man version of "A Christmas Carol" at 8 p.m., Central Baptist Church, 115 Elm St. Tickets: $15 for adults, $8 for students can seniors. Tickets available at www.tix.com or the Athenaeum. For reservations, call 562-2277.

• Dec. 4: Second annual Dickens Days Stroll in downtown Westfield. Free. Including sales, treats and surprise at shops in the District including Aunt Peggoty's Olde English Breakfast from 7 to 11:30 a.m., at Leo's Gallery Deli, 3 Main St.

• Dec. 4: Fezziwig's Holiday Faire from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the YMCA, 67 Court St.

• Dec. 4: Dickens Days Open House at Flowers by Webster, 52 Court St.

• Dec. 4: Ebenezer's Attic and Bake Shop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Central Baptist Church, 115 Elm St.

• Dec. 4: Martha Cratchit's Boutique from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 18 Broad St.

• Dec. 4: Queen Victoria's Honors Ceremony and Royal Reception at noon at Central Baptist Church, 115 Elm St.

• Dec. 4: Fireside Santa from noon to 2 p.m. at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St.

• Dec. 4: Family Movie -- Disney's animated version of "A Christmas Carol" at 1:30 p.m. in the Lang Auditorium, Athenaeum, 6 Elm St.

• Dec. 4: Young Singers of Greater Westfield in concert at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 18 Broad St.

• Dec. 4: Amahl and the Night Visitors at 3 and 7:30 p.m. at Dever Stage, Parenzo Hall, Westfield State University (WSU). Tickets: $8 for adults or $5 for seniors and students. For reservations, call 572-8323.

• Dec. 4: "A Christmas Carol," Westfield Theatre Group's original musical, at 7:30 p.m., Westfield Woman's Club, 28 Court St. For reservations, call 572-6838. $

• Dec. 5: Scrooge's Wassail Party and House Tour of Dewey House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 87 South Maple St. Free.

• Dec. 5: Fireside with Santa at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St., from noon to 2 p.m. Cost: $5 for photos.

• Dec. 6: Lights of Hope Victorian Luminaries at 6 p.m., Genesis House, 53 Mill St. Cost: $5 luminaries benefit the Cancer House of Hope. Event is free.

• Dec. 6: WSU Night Owls in concert at 7 p.m., Dever Stage, Parenzo Hall, WSU. Free.

• Dec. 7: Dickens Days Holiday Teas for ages three to five at the Boys and Girl's Library, Athenaeum, 6 Elm St., at 6 p.m. Registration required by calling 562-6158, ext. 5. Free.

Dec. 7: "Talking with Dolores," a one-act play from the Center for Human Development at 7 p.m., Ely Studio Theatre, Ely Hall, WSU. Tickets: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students. Tickets available at the door. For reservations, call 439-2106.

• Dec. 7: Music for Percussion and String Ensembles at 7:30 p.m., Dever Stage, Parenzo Hall, WSU. Free.

• Dec. 8: Dickens Days Holiday Teas for ages three to five at the Boys and Girl's Library, Athenaeum, 6 Elm St., at 6 p.m. Registration required by calling 562-6158, ext. 5. Free.

• Dec. 8: WSU Speakers Series Robert Feldman, psychologist and author of "The Liar in Your Life: The Way to Truthful Relationships" at 7 p.m., Scanlon Banquet Hall, WSU. Free.

• Dec. 9: Dickens Days Holiday Teas for ages three to five at the Boys and Girl's Library, Athenaeum, 6 Elm St., at 9:30 a.m. Registration required by calling 562-6158, ext. 5. Free.

• Dec. 9: Gallery Reception for "Enchanted Worlds," the art of illustrator Ruth Sanderson from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at WSU's Downtown Art Gallery, 105 Elm St. Free.

• Dec. 9: DanceWestfield. General dancing with lessons at 7 p.m. for $5 or $8. Dancing from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church Social Club, 335 Elm St.

• Dec. 9: An Evening of Choral Music at 7:30 p.m., Dever Stage, Parenzo Hall, WSU. Cost: $5 or $3.

• Dec. 10: Dickens Days Holiday Teas for ages three to five at the Boys and Girl's Library, Athenaeum, 6 Elm St., at 9:30 a.m. Registration required by calling 562-6158, ext. 5. Free.

• Dec. 10: "A Taste of Sweeney Todd" at 1:30 p.m., Dever Stage, Parenzo Hall, WSU. Free.

• Dec. 10: Fireside with Santa at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost: $5 for photos.

• Dec. 10: "A Christmas Carol," Westfield Theatre Group's original musical, at 7:30 p.m., Westfield Woman's Club, 28 Court St. For reservations, call 572-6838. $

• Dec. 10: An Evening of Chamber Music by Student Performers at 7:30 p.m., Dever Stage, Parenzo Hall, WSU. Free.

• Dec. 11: Westfield State Foundation Santa Breakfast from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Scanlon Banquet Hall, WSU. Tickets: $8 for adults, $6 for children. For reservations, call 572-5449.

• Dec. 11: David Copperfield's Craft Table from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Boys and Girls Library, 6 Elm St. Free.

• Dec. 11: Artist Reception with Children's Illustrator Ruth Sanderson in conjunction with Snow Stories exhibit from 10 a.m. to noon, Jasper Rand Art Gallery, Athenaeum, 6 Elm St. Free.

• Dec. 11: Annual Victorian Tea at 1:30 p.m., First Congregational Church. Cost: $15. For tickets, call 568-2833.

• Dec. 11: Fireside with Santa at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St., from noon to 2 p.m. Cost: $5 for photos.

• Dec. 11: Dickens Days Holiday Teas for ages three to five at the Boys and Girl's Library, Athenaeum, 6 Elm St., at 2 p.m. Registration required by calling 562-6158, ext. 5. Free.

• Dec. 11: A Dickens Days Show -- "Nicholas Nickleby Revisited" from 2 to 5 p.m. at Arno Maris Gallery, Ely Hall, WSU.

• Dec. 11: Christmas Carol Festival with Novi Cantori and New England Brass Quintet at 3 p.m., First Congregational Church, 18 Broad St. Free.

• Dec. 11: "A Christmas Carol," Westfield Theatre Group's original musical, at 7:30 p.m., Westfield Woman's Club, 28 Court St. For reservations, call 572-6838. $

• Dec. 12: Fireside with Santa at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St., from noon to 2 p.m. Cost: $5 for photos.

• Dec. 16: Dickens Dinner -- "A Christmas Carol." A rollicking interactive between-courses version at 6:30 p.m., School Street Bistro, 25 School St. Doors open at 6 p.m. For reservations, call 562-8700. Tickets available at School Street Bistro, the Westfield Athenaeum and www.tix.com. $

• Dec. 17: Fireside with Santa at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost: $5 for photos.

• Dec. 18: Fireside with Santa at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St., from noon to 2 p.m. Cost: $5 for photos.

• Dec. 18: Westfield State Rep. Don Humason's Holiday Public Skate Party from 7 to 7:50 p.m., Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St. Free.

• Dec. 19: Fireside with Santa at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St., from noon to 2 p.m. Cost: $5 for photos.

• Dec. 21: Snowfire! from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Amelia Park, 21 South Broad St. Free.

• Dec. 31: New Year's Eve Skate at Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St.

• Jan. 1: New Year's Day Activities will take place all day, Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St., including big screen broadcast of the National Hockey League's Winter Classic, BBQ and skating.

Ongoing events throughout Dickens Days, include:

• Dec. 2 - 30: "Enchanted Worlds," the art of illustrator Ruth Sanderson at WSU's Downtown Art Gallery, 105 Elm St. Gallery hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 2 to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m. Free.

• Dec. 1 - 31: "Snow Stories," the art of illustrator Ruth Sanderson at the Jasper Rand Art Gallery, Westfield Athenaeum, 6 Elm St. Gallery hours: Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.

• Dec. 1- 17, Dickens Days Art Show at Arno Maris Gallery, Ely Hall, WSU. Gallery hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. Free.