Holiday Cheer, Here

At Boston University, the holiday spirit means fun from a cappella to Zwirn (that is, Lisa Zwirn, author of Christmas Cookies: 50 Recipes to Cherish for the Holiday Season and host ofa cookie-decorating party on December 13 at Barnes & Noble). Today’s events include concerts by the Treblemakers and the Allegrettos, rehearsal with the Boston University Medical Center Holiday Choir, and Jingle Ballin’, a hip-hop reggaeton party hosted by Alianza Latina.

A list of University holiday celebrations — including a sled-decorating competition at the faculty and staff University Holiday Party — is below. Click on the links in each listing for more information, or visit the University calendar.

Friday, December 5
BUMC Holiday Choir Rehearsals: Anyone who enjoys singing or playing a musical instrument is invited to join the BUMC-BMC Holiday Choir. Attendance at rehearsals is required to participate in the choir performances. There are only five rehearsals (45 minutes each) and three public performances (one hour each) on the Medical Campus. Caroling on the patient units will take place two times. There are no auditions, and all voices and musicians are welcome.
1-1:45 p.m., BUMC Newton Pavilion, 88 East Newton St., Interfaith Chapel, 2nd floor. Open to Boston University students, staff, and faculty. Repeats every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through December 10, 2008.

Treblemakers Winter Show: Performance by one of BU’s premier coed a cappella groups.
6 p.m., COM 101. Free admission and open to the public.

Allegrettos Winter Concert: Guest performance by Northeastern’s Treble on Huntington all-female a cappella group.
6:30 p.m., Photonics Center, Room 206, 8 St. Mary’s St.Open to the public: $7 general admission, $5 for students, and $3 for members of other a cappella groups.

Catholic Center Christmas Party: Come celebrate with friends at Newman House. Events include decorating our Christmas tree, making gingerbread houses, and caroling. Vote in the annual "choose the best Christmas movie," followed by a viewing of the winning pick. Catch the celebration and excitement while enjoying lots of goodies.
7 p.m., Newman House, 213 Bay State Rd.
Catholic Center/Newman House, 617-353-3632.

Jingle Ballin’: Trying to beat the cold? Come party where it’s hot! Join us for a relaxing time right before finals. Don’t let the weather keep you from making it out to the party of the semester. Featuring DJ CASE and DJ SURG Reggaeton, Hip-Hop, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, etc. Come out and practice those salsa skills we taught you earlier this semester.
10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Sargent Activities Center, One University Rd. Admission: $5 in advance, $10 at the door. Open to the University community. Hosted by BU Alianza Latina.

Saturday, December 6
Dance Marathon Winter Warmup: Come have some hot chocolate and cookies as we kick off the first opportunity to sign up to dance for 18 hours at Dance Marathon. You can also sign up to be a “moraler” (morale building in four-hour shifts to encourage the dancers who go for all 18 hours), or to volunteer at the event. Everyone who signs up to be a part of Dance Marathon during Winter Warm-Up will have the opportunity to win an iPod.
2 to 3 p.m., GSU Academy Room, 775 Commonwealth Ave., 1st floor. Open to the University community.

Sunday, December 7
Making Music Winter Wonderland Festival:Featuring performance by the a cappella group Terpsichore
1:45 p.m., GSU Metcalf Hall, 775 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd floor.Open to general public and admission is free.

In Achord Winter Concert
5 p.m., Jacob Sleeper Auditorium, CGS 129, 871 Commonwealth Ave. Open to the public.

Thursday, December 11
Chordially Yours Winter Concert
7 p.m., Jacob Sleeper Auditorium, CGS 129, 871 Commonwealth Ave. Open to the public.

Friday, December 12
BUMC Holiday Choir Performance at the Moakley Building:The first performance of the BUMC-BMC Holiday Choir. No tickets required.
1-2 p.m., BUMC Moakley Building Lobby, 830 Harrison Ave. Open to the public, and admission is free.
joyd@bu.edu, 617-414-1470

University Service of Lessons and Carols: An annual tradition featuring the Marsh Chapel Choir.
6 p.m., Marsh Chapel, 735 Commonwealth Ave. Open to the public, and admission is free.

Saturday, December 13
Holiday Tubas:One of Boston’s largest outdoor tuba concerts will serenade Kenmore Square with classic and favorite holiday selections. Warm up with complimentary cider and doughnuts. Hosted by Barnes & Noble at Boston University.
11 a.m., Kenmore Square. Open to the public, and admission is free.
Barnes & Noble at BU, 617-267-8484

Cookie Decorating Party with Lisa Zwirn: Celebrate the holidays while you enjoy tasty treats. Zwirn, author of Christmas Cookies: 50 Recipes to Cherish for the Holiday Season, will help decorate cookies and sign copies of her book.
2 p.m., Barnes & Noble at BU, 660 Beacon St., Kenmore Square.
Jeanne Haight, jmhevent@bu.edu, 617-236-7448

BU Figure Skating Club Winter Show: Come take a break from studying and enjoy some fun skating performances choreographed (and performed) by members of the BU Figure Skating Club.
7 p.m., Brown Arena, 285 Babcock St. Open to the public, and admission is free.

Monday, December 15
BUMC Holiday Choir Performance at the Menino Pavilion: The second performance of the BUMC-BMC Holiday Choir. No tickets required.
1 to 2 p.m., BUMC Moakley Building Lobby, 840 Harrison Ave. Open to the public, and admission is free.
joyd@bu.edu, 617-414-1470

Wednesday, December 17
BUMC Holiday Choir Performance at East Newton Pavilion: The third performance of the BUMC-BMC Holiday Choir. No tickets required.
1 to 2 p.m., BUMC Newton Pavilion Lobby, 88 East Newton St. Open to the public, and admission free.
joyd@bu.edu, 617-414-1470

Thursday, December 18
2008 University Holiday Party for Faculty and Staff: Once Upon a Winter’s Night party, featuring a sled decorating contest. Celebration is open to current University faculty and staff only.
3 to 5 p.m. GSU Metcalf Hall, 775 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd floor.

Ongoing
BU ASDA Toys for Tots Drive:BU’s Chapter of the American Student Dental Association is collecting new toys for children newborn to age 10. Toys for Tots drive will run from December 1 to 12. Toys will be donated as holiday gifts. Please drop off toys at the Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 100 East Newton St., sixth floor portfolio room. E-mail buasda@bu.edu for more information.