Soapicks December 1-7

Smell the Pine
December 3
Real or fake, big or small, green or white, it doesn't matter because the Christmas tree is an essential element to the winter holiday. Join Tender Mercies for their 7th Annual CelebriTrees event where you can view more than 60 gorgeously decorated trees and browse the holiday gift boutique. Each year businesses, organizations and individuals purchase trees to be decorated by artists and members of the community for a silent auction that will benefit homeless men and women who suffer from mental illness. Come down to the first level of Tower Place Mall this Thursday night for the Preview Party-a cocktail party catered by The Phoenix and official sneak peek of the holiday-themed trees. Cost of attendance is $75.00 and that includes two drink tickets, appetizers and the opportunity to bid on any tree you like during the silent auction. Reservations are required so don't delay. The CelebritTrees event will then open to the public on December 4-13. And attention ladies, Monday December 7 is Girls Night so get your gal pals together, make a reservation and enjoy free admission to see the trees and a cash bar from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

American Carols
December 3
We all know that the day after Thanksgiving starts the bombardment of holiday carols on every music outlet. So if you're already tired of Rudolph, Frosty and Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, come rock out to the Folk-tinged, punk-era infused Rock & Roll sounds of Chuck Prophet. This Thursday night the roots rock rambler will perform songs in The Southgate House's Ballroom from his latest CD, ¡Let Freedom Ring!, which features tunes reflective of hard living in a recession-gripped America. Doors open at 8:00 pm and show starts at 8:30pm. Tickets are $12.00 in advance and $15.00 day of show; click here to purchase tickets.

Dear Diary
December 3
Think back to your first job. Perhaps you asked hungry individuals if they'd "like fries with that" or babysat the unruly neighbor children. Whatever it was, your first job probably wasn't ideal and sometimes humiliating, especially when the most popular girl in school spotted you wiping down tables in your snazzy polyester uniform. New Edgecliff Theatre invites you to relive the humiliations and observations experienced by NPR commentator David Sedaris who wrote about his first New York job-he worked as Crumpet the Elf in Macy's Santaland. Listen to Sedaris' cheeky tales about crazy Santas, obnoxious parents and queasy children in The Santaland Diaries.  Then stick around for Seasons Greetings-another holiday narration- featuring the 'suzy homemaker' Jocylen Dunbar as she writes her annual holiday letter where she reveals disturbing details of her past year to family and friends. The humorous holiday tales are intended for mature audiences only; get your tickets early, the show runs through December 19. Click here for tickets.

Miracle In The Village
December 4-6
Covington is bringing the magic from the streets of New York to the cobblestones of the village with Miracle on MainStrasse. This weekend-long celebration in MainStrasse Village features lots of holiday events including an art gallery hop, ice carving demonstrations, the Boy Scout Christmas Tree Sale, horse-drawn carriage rides, St. Nicholas, luminaries, carolers, a visit from Cincinnati Ballet Nutcracker, holiday shopping and dining. The Boy Scouts will have five to nine foot Frazier Firs and Scotch Pine Christmas trees for sale all weekend but Sunday is when the most magic happens in the Village with the arrival of the traditional German St. Nicholas on horseback at 6:00 p.m. at Goose Girl Fountain. Saint Nick will visit with all the children and pass out the traditional treat of fruit and candy canes. Children can also receive a personal ice carving during the demonstration on Sunday from 4:40-6:30 p.m.-there will also be an ice carving demonstration on Friday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. So forget 34th street and hit up MainStrasse Village this weekend.

Praising The Proletariat
December 6
Take time out of your busy holiday shopping schedule this season to take in a little art at PAC Gallery. Currently on exhibition is Art for the People's Sake: Historic Soviet Era Propaganda Paintings and Posters- a collection of never before seen monumental sized paintings and graphic art posters that explore art and propaganda during the Soviet era. The exhibition is in collaboration with the Russian Impressionism exhibit located at the Phyllis Weston-Annie Bolling Gallery. The Opening Reception will be held this Sunday afternoon from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at PAC Gallery located at 2540 Woodburn Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45206. Guests can enjoy light hors d'oeuvres and browse through the rare collection of works. Exhibit continues through January 30.