If you really want a special treat, go to the big city for the 5th Avenue Theatres White Christmas the Seattle theaters new production to music of Irving Berlin, that brings to life the classic holiday movie,. But theres plenty of festive entertainment that will put you in the mood closer to home.

Blessed, an original musical
Bethlehem Lutheran Church presents its original Christmas musical based on?a book?by local authors Joneen Richards and Becky Bauer. Blessed features music and lyrics by Tom Frodsham, music director of BLC.
The musical is presented Dec. 8 – 10 at the Marysville-Pilchuck High School Auditorium, 5611 108th St. NE in Marysville.?
The musical tells the story of Mary and Joseph in a way that will have you both laughing and crying. A cast of 30 actors, 20 dancers, and a 15-voice chorus, elaborate sets and wonderful costumes make this a must see holiday performance. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday?Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10.? For information and to request free tickets call 360-659-2022 or e-mail to Office@bethlehemlutheran.com.

Skagits Heralding Christmas
Skagit Valley Chorales Heralding Christmas 2006 concert features more than 100 community members, directed by Janet Skones Hitt, conductor, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9 at and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 at McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon.
They will be singing a program of sacred choral music by 18th century composer Josef Haydn (Mass in D minor or the Mass in Time of Distress), and contemporary composer John Rutter, born 1945.
This is Haydns greatest single composition, Hitt said. Haydn scored the mass for just strings, trumpets, and tympani because of a shortage of musicians at the court at that time, she added.
The choir bonded with the music of Haydn during a trip to Salzburg and Vienna last summer to participate in the 250th celebration of Mozarts birth at the 2006 Mozart Choral Festival.
Mozart (1756-1791) and (Franz) Josef Haydn (1732-1809) were friends and they respected each others music often attending each others performances. Both composers were born in Austria and died in Vienna.
The summer of 1798 was a terrifying time for Austria. Napoleon had crossed the Alps and threatened Vienna and in then he invaded Egypt to destroy Britains trade routes to the East. Unwittingly, Haydn titled this mass and catalogued it in 1798 when Napoleon had just been defeated in the Battle of the Nile by English forces led by Admiral Horatio Nelson. Because of this coincidence, the mass acquired the nickname Lord Nelson Mass. Lord Nelson himself heard the mass performed in 1800.
The second half of the concert expresses the rich and infectious collection of John Rutters traditional holiday carols, including O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World, Deck the Hall and Oh Holy Night to name just a few of the tunes to be presented.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and students and box seats are $25. For information see the Web site at www.mcintyrehall.org or call 360-416-7727.

Childrens Chorus All the Bells
The founder of The Seattle Childrens Chorus, Kris Mason, of Marysville, has announced the choirs annual holiday program, All the Bells Shall Ring will be presented at 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 10 at the First Presbyterian Church, at 7th and Spring, on Capital Hill in Seattle and at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Everett Civic Auditorium, 2415 Colby Ave., in Everett.
Mason has directed the childrens chorus for 28 years and she works with the two top treble choirs for Seattle Childrens Chorus. Joining her are John Hendrix, director of the mixed voice choir, Camerata, and Shari Anderson, directing Brio, providing training for boys and girls ages 7 10.

Stan Boreson
The King of Scandinavian Humor Stan Boreson and Harry Lindbeck will perform with the Harmony Northwest Chorus Sweet Adelines in Home for the Holidays Show 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 10.
Tickets are $15, with a $1 preservation fee for festival seating. Groups of 10 or more receive a one dollar discount.
Boreson is celebrating his 48th year in show business and re-joins life-long friends Harry Lindbeck and his band for a performance reminiscent of their early gigs at the?Seven Cedars.?
This concert will also include special holiday performance by the talented Harmony Northwest Chorus, Sweet Adelines.
Local Scandinavian celebrity Don Wick, will graciously serve as host and interpreter for such familiar jokes and traditional holiday tunes including? I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas, Walking in My Winter Underwear and Lena Got Run Over by a Reindeer.
Lincoln Theatre is located at 712 S. First St. Mount Vernon.? For information and tickets call 360-336-8955 or 877-754-6284 toll free.

Skagit Symphony
The Skagit Symphony reunites with local favorite, soprano Diane Johnson at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 16 at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon. Johnson will be accompanied by members of the Skagit Valley College Choir in this program which includes Pifa from Handels Messiah, Mozarts Regina Coeli, Tchaikovskys Trepak and several Christmas spirituals.?
For information, please call 360-848-9336 or visit www.SkagitSymphony.com. To order tickets to either performance, contact McIntyre Halls box office at 866-624-6897 or online at www.McIntyreHall.org.

Snohomish Parlour Tour
Eight historical Snohomish parlors will be dressed in their festive best for the towns annual tradition of opening beautifully decorated historical homes, with eight private homes, a church, and a museum, all open for visitors this year.
The Historic Snohomish Holiday Parlor Tour is open from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 on the day of the tour at the Blackman Museum, 118 Ave. B, and Angel Arms, 230 Ave. B.
For information about the Parlor Tour call the Blackman Museum at 360-568-5235.