Here are a selection of brief news items pertaining to arts, entertainment, culture and other fun things to do in your spare time:

Swinging Yuletide ushers in holidays

An upbeat performance of big band and vocal jazz holiday favorites is once again planned at UW-La Crosse.

The Great River Big Band will join the UW-L instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles, along with the La Crosse Jazz Combo, for a Swinging Yuletide. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition.

Seating for the event is cabaret style. An annual visit by Santa Claus is expected during the concert.

Tickets are a suggested donation of $5 for students and $10 for others. Reserved tickets are $20. Seating is limited so getting tickets early is recommended since the concert typically sells out.

For tickets or more information, contact the UW-L Music Listening Lab in 145 Center for the Arts or call 785-8415.

UW-L Choral Union to perform Nov. 23

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Choral Union, will present the “Gloria" by Francis Poulenc and the ninth of the “Chandos Anthems" by Handel.

The concert begins at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at English Lutheran Church in La Crosse, 1509 King St.

Each of the “Chandos Anthems" is a medium length cantata for choir, solo voices and small orchestra. Number 9 is “O Praise the Lord with one Consent." Soloists are alto Jane Powell, tenor Jason Bernhagen, baritone Hans Laping and soprano Sarah Severson.

One critic describes Poulenc’s “Gloria" as a “vast and joyous dance, a swirl of light and color before the throne of heaven, as the angels announce the birth." Vocal soloists for the work include sopranos Nancy Matchett, Andrea Van Gelder and Marilyn Lee.

General admission is $5 for students and $10 for others. Tickets may be purchased in advance from Choral Union members.

Youth orchestras to perform at OHS

The La Crosse Area Youth Symphony Orchestras will give their fall concert at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Onalaska High School.

The Philharmonic Orchestra, an intermediate string orchestra, is conducted by Linda Lebakken, who teaches music in the Onalaska School District.

The Youth Symphony Orchestra, an advanced full orchestra, is conducted by Randall Mastin, who teaches music in the Viroqua School District.

Some of the music to be performed include “Antique Dances and Airs" by Respighi, “Entrance of the Queen of Sheba" by Handel, “Night on Bald Mountain" by Mussorgsky and “The William Tell Overture" by Rossini.

Tickets are $8, $4 for seniors and students, and will be available at the door. Children 5 and younger get in free.

Seniors’ works featured in UW-L gallery

Seniors graduating from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in December will show their artwork in the University Art Gallery before they pick up their diplomas.

The semi-annual senior exhibition will feature a variety of artwork Nov. 21-Dec. 10 in the University Art Gallery on the first floor of the Center for the Arts. The exhibit opens with a reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, in the gallery. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

Among the artists exhibiting are Carrie Crase, Libby Hansen, Aala Daous, Stacy Johnson, Matt Duckett, Kylie Parry, Lanore Hahn, Megan Rhodes and Nancy Maring.

During the exhibit, the adjacent Study Gallery will feature “Art 160, Books.”

Regular gallery hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and during events in Toland Theatre. The gallery will be closed Nov. 27-30 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

UW-L to stage Shakespeare comedy

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will present William Shakespeare’s magical romantic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” on Dec. 5-6 and 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinee performances are Dec. 7 and 14 at 2 p.m.

All performances will be in the Toland Theatre, Center for the Arts on the corner of 16th and Vine streets.

Shakespeare’s comedy features two pairs of star-crossed lovers, a feuding pair of supernatural sprites and a love potion gone awry all coming together in an enchanted moonlit forest.

The theatrical vision of director Walter Elder, in combination with the surreal scenic design by senior theater major Tim Barbiaux, creates a charming combination of classic and contemporary theater.

Tickets go on sale Monday, Dec. 1, at 1 p.m. The box office is located in the lobby of the Center for the Arts. Tickets are $12, $10 for non-UWL students, senior citizens and children, and $4 for UW-L students with a valid student ID.

For reservations, call the box office at 785-8522.

Norskedalen plans Christmas cards class

Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center near Coon Valley will host a class focusing on making a set of Christmas cards from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 22.

Participants will design a set of 12 cards, each one being one of the 12 days of Christmas, starting with a partridge in a pear tree. Participants will stamp their own 12 cards and learn to add embellishments and coloring techniques. Students will leave with a set of 12 cards and a cute poem, plus ideas on how to bestow 12 days of Christmas wishes on someone special.

Tuition is $20 per person, which includes all supplies. Call Norskedalen at (608) 452-3424 to register.

UW-L prof to lead spring Irish hiking tour

The history, archaeology and nature of Ireland are among the highlights of an eight-day walking tour next spring. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Professor Emeritus Jim Gallagher leads a hiking tour in the south coast of Ireland from June 10-18.

The tour will feature hikes along coastal cliffs, offshore islands and to shorebird nesting sanctuaries. Highlights of the tour include the Clare Island, the rugged Sheep’s Head Peninsula and the mountains of Gougane Bara. The area where the group will be heading is scenic, rugged and great for hiking and bird watching, said Gallagher, who has led tours to Ireland since 1996.

Gallagher will give two free public programs on “Hiking in Ireland.” Presentations are set for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, in the auditorium of the La Crosse Main Branch Public Library, 800 Main St., and at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 25, in the meeting room of the North Community Library, 1552 Kane St. Gallagher will show slides of last year’s trip and talk about the upcoming 2009 trip.

For a detailed tour itinerary and registration information, log onto www.uwlax.edu/conted/tours/, or call the UW-L Office of Continuing Education and Extension at 785-6506.

Cab Calloway Orchestra to play at Viterbo

The Cab Calloway Orchestra, directed by Cab’s grandson C. Calloway Brooks, will perform on the Viterbo University Main Theatre stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22.

The Cab Calloway Orchestra delivers both the authentic sound of a hot jazz orchestra and a snazzy stage style to bring out a jump, blues, and boogie experience.

This performance is part of Viterbo’s Bright Star Season and is sponsored by Wisconsin Public Radio and La Crosse Graphics Inc. Tickets are $27 for upper balcony seating. For more information, contact the Viterbo box office at 796-3100 or www.viterbo.edu/finearts.aspx.

Women sought for ‘just for fun’ volleyball

Holmen area women age 30 and older are sought for a free “just for fun” women’s recreational volleyball program.

Games will be played from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays when school is in session at Viking Elementary, 500 E. Wall St. in Holmen.

For more information, call Sally at 788-3047.