ETV adds enchanting mix of festivity

Throughout the month of December, ETV will treat viewers to an enchanting mix of festive programs for the entire family. From the San Francisco Ballet's magical production of "Nutcracker," to the exhilarating "Lights! Celebrate Hanukkah Live in Concert," to the perennial seasonal favorite, "Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir," family-friendly holiday entertainment is ETV's gift to the Palmetto State.

Saturday at 5:30 p.m., "Anuna Christmas Memories" airs, featuring the singers, musicians and dancers of Ireland's Celtic group, Anuna. Performing excitingly creative and contemporary renditions of timeless holiday classics, this extraordinary musical is a feast for the eyes as well as the spirit.

Later in the month, ETV broadcasts "Lights! Celebrate Hanukkah Live in Concert," a musical celebration of the Jewish Festival of Lights. This hour-long program spotlights jazz artist Dave Koz, Emmy Award-winning actress Mare Winningham, singer-songwriter Michelle Citrin, the Grammy Award-winning Klezmatics, cantor Alberto Mizrahi, kosher-gospel singer Joshua Nelson, and others. The show airs Wednesday at 7 p.m.

On Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m., Great Performances presents San Francisco Ballet's "Nutcracker." Hosted by Olympic champion Kristi Yamaguchi, this visually stunning production will captivate viewers with flawless choreography and dazzling sets that help sustain the legacy of one of the most popular and enduring ballets the world over.

Following at 10 p.m., "L.A. Holiday Celebration II" showcases highlights from the largest multi-cultural holiday show in the country. This musical mosaic includes jazz-African fusion, Korean drums, Philippine dancers and Russian children's choirs.

Coming Sunday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m., is "Tonic Sol-Fa Christmas." The a cappella group, Tonic Sol-Fa, performs a spirited holiday program filled with humor and a mix of traditional and original holiday songs. Then at 7 p.m., The Raleigh Ringers entertain viewers with handbell selections from such classics as "The Nutcracker Suite" as well as enduring contemporary favorites "Blue Christmas" and "Sleigh Bells."

On Christmas Eve at 7:30 p.m., ETV brings "Memory of a Large Christmas." Based on Southern writer Lillian Smith's heartwarming book, this program recounts the touching memories of the author's turn-of-the-century childhood and her family's celebrations of Christmas. And at 8 p.m., stay tuned for Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir featuring the King's Singers. This timeless Christmas tradition is a grand holiday celebration featuring some of the season's most beloved songs.

The slate of holiday shows culminates on Thursday, Dec. 25, as ETV underscores its special seasonal broadcasts with a day of festive programming beginning at 9 a.m. with "Mr. Christmas, America's Children's Parade" at 2:30 p.m., "Faith Hill: Joy to the World: A Soundstage Special" at 9 p.m. and much more all day.

ETV is South Carolina's statewide network with 11 television stations, eight radio stations and a closed-circuit educational telecommunications system in more than 2,000 schools, colleges, businesses, and government agencies.