Home for the Holidays

While the rest of the world goes its not-so-merry way, Eureka is set to kick up its heels this weekend with a whirlwind schedule of music, parties and eye-opening events.

  On Thursday, Chadwick Martin will direct the city's Middle and High School Music Students in "A Christmas Celebration of Music" at the Auditorium beginning at 7 p.m.

  This is a fundraiser for our next generation of young musicians. Proceeds will go toward purchasing new musical instruments, improving both schools' music rooms, purchasing choir robes and the students' end-of-the-year trip!

Food Bank Benefit

  Also Thursday night, the Pied Piper Pub will host a Flint Street Food Bank benefit sponsored, and catered, by a glittering bevy of local restaurants from 5 p.m. to midnight.

  It'll only be 12 days before Christmas and the Food Bank is dangerously short on food for those in town who need it the most.

Eureka Dancers

  Charlotte Hancock's irrepressible, syncopated cotillion and welcome guests will celebrate the Eureka Dancers' 10th annual Christmas Dance and Gala in high fashion, Friday, Dec. 14, high atop the Basin Park Hotel in the legendary Barefoot Ballroom, beginning at 8 p.m. You are invited to trip the light fantastic to your heart's desire with Charlotte and her talented friends.

  **Home for the Holidays** is Eureka's 6th annual Christmas present to itself and its lucky visitors.

  According to diva, and the city's most special Events Director, Janet Alexander, Joe Easton and 60th annual Ozark Folk Festival Queen Lindsay Petter will preside over an evening of performances by local luminaries who will usher in the holidays. Friday night's announced cavalcade of stars will feature Pearl Brick, Catherine Reed, Maia Archote, Rachel Fields, The Hogscalders, Brent Pearce, Gayle & Melody, Lany Ballance, Acra Turner and Santa-knows who else. Can you see Melissa Carper and a slew of other talented hometown minstrels missing a gig like this?

  Come Home for the Holidays, Friday night, Dec. 14 at the Auditorium. The show will start at 7 p.m.

  Garrison Keillor, eat your heart out.

'The Gay Agenda'

  For those of us who hover close to hound and hearth on Friday nights, news producer Jacqueline Froelich, with National Public Radio KUAF, will profile the release of a new documentary by the American Family Association, an evangelical Christian organization which claims Eureka Springs has undergone a hostile takeover by radical homosexuals.

  The film is titled "The Gay Agenda: They're Coming to Your Town."

  Froelich's broadcast will air Friday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. on "Ozarks At Large." at 91.3 FM

  Ho, ho, ho and homophobia. Merry Christmas.

-- Vernon

Thursday, Dec. 13 H

* Auditorium: ES Middle & High School Music Students' "A Christmas Celebration of Music," 7 p.m.

* Eureka Live: Couples' Night, (Romantic Slow Dancing)

* Lumberyard Bar & Grill: Free Pool & 9-Ball

* Michael's Center St. Pub & Grill: Ladies' Night, (Co-Ed), and Dart-Throwers' Gathering, 7 p.m.

* New Delhi Cafe: Open Jam

* Pied Piper Pub: Flint Street Food Bank Benefit, 5 p.m.-midnight

* Rowdy Beaver: Ladies Night hosted by Mary Bo

* Shawbee's Big Dawg Saloon: Ladies Night

Friday, Dec. 14 H

* Auditorium: "Home for the Holidays" Concert, 7 p.m.

* Basin Park Hotel Barefoot Ballroom: Eureka Dancers 10th Annual Christmas Dance & Gala, 8 p.m.

* Chelsea's: Rachel Fields

* Crescent Hotel Dr. Baker's Lounge: TBA

* Grand Central Hotel Grand Taverne: Arkansas Red, (Jazz Guitar), 6-9 p.m.

* Henri's: Karaoke with Tiny

* New Delhi Cafe: Dionysus, (Singer/Songwriter), 6-8 p.m. & later

* Rowdy Beaver: Burnett & Taylor, 7 p.m.

* Shawbee's Big Dawg Saloon: Karaoke with the Big Dawg, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 15 H

* Chelsea's: Sarah Hughes Band

* Crescent Hotel Dr. Baker's Lounge: Catherine Reed

* Henri's: Karaoke with Tiny

* Lumberyard Bar & Grill: Karaoke, 7 p.m.

* New Delhi Cafe: Melissa Carper & Michelle Levy

* Shawbee's Big Dawg Saloon: Karaoke with the Big Dawg, 9 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 16 H

* Crescent Hotel Crystal Dining Room: Brunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and Locals' Night with the Crescent Trio, (Swing & Jazz Dance Music), 5:30

* Eureka Live Underground: Football

* Michael's Center St. Pub & Grill: Open Jam

Monday, Dec. 17 H

* Chelsea's: Ladies Night

* Crescent Hotel Crystal Dining Room: Locals' Night with the Crescent Trio, (Swing & Jazz Dance Music), 5:30 p.m.

* Michael's Center St. Pub & Grill: Hospitality Workers' Appreciation Night

* Pied Piper Cathouse Lounge: Bike Night

* Shawbee's Big Dawg Saloon: Free Pool Night, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 18 H

* Chelsea's: Open Mic

* HI Elks Lodge: Charitable Bingo, 6:30 p.m.

* Shawbee's Big Dawg Saloon: Guys Night Out

Wednesday, Dec. 19 H

* Rowdy Beaver: Service Employees' Night

* New Delhi Cafe: Open Jam, 6:30 p.m.