Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix will perform at the Chenango Arts Council at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 10. Peers is a Ringley Brothers Clown College Graduate who is joined by his pack of rescue dogs to perform both challenging and comedic tricks for audiences of all ages. (Photo from MuttvilleComix.com)

NORWICH — The Chenango Arts Council has several fun and exciting events scheduled for the holiday season. The season kicks off this weekend with the Norwich Theater Company's performance of Elf: The Musical on Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 at 2 p.m.

"Tickets are still available, but it's filling up fast," said Chenango Arts Council Administrative Assistant Mary Beth Miller. "You can purchase them at the door and I'm sure we'll be able to accommodate you, but they are going pretty quickly so we're just advising people to get those tickets purchased."

Tickets to see Elf can be purchased at the Chenango Arts Council before the show, or online at NorwichTheaterCompany.org. Prices are $20 for adults, $10 for kids under 12 years old, and $15 for Arts Council members.

On Saturday, December 10 the fun continues at 7 p.m. with a performance by Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix in the Martin W. Kappel Theater. A Ringley Brothers Clown College graduate, Johnny Peers and his pack of rescue dogs will delight attendees of all ages with their comedic tricks.

To see Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix, visit ChenangoArts.org or call the Arts Council at 607-336-2787. Tickets are $25 per person, with discounts for seniors, members, and senior members, and students up to 18 years old can get tickets for just $10.

Additionally, the Chenango SPCA will be set up in the Chenango Arts Council lobby during the show for a fundraising event.

Lovers of the visual arts will also have the chance to check out work created by talented local artists at the Member's Show and Holiday Party at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 16 in the Mariea Raymond Loft Gallery.

"We have a Member's Show every year. This year we decided to combine it with a Christmas party for members and also for the public," said Miller. "All members they can submit up to three pieces in a variety of categories: drawing, painting, sculpture. It’s a great way to just see all the different talented artists in our area. There’s always quite a variety of pieces in the member show. It’s one of my favorites."

Chenango Arts Council members interested in displaying their artwork at the Member's Show still have time to register. Registration forms are available at ChenangoArts.org or by calling Miller at 607-336-2787. Artwork drop offs for the show will begin next week.

Membership is not required to attend the Member's Show or Holiday Party, however. Miller said both events are free and open to the public, and she encourages area residents to stop in and enjoy refreshments and local art.

"The Cottage Bakery always provides baked good for our receptions. We’re very lucky tot work with them, and they always provide delicious treats. We also have things like wine and cheese and crackers, and things like that," she said. "It’s just a great way to get everybody to gather and see all the new artwork. It’s a fun time."

Following the Member's Show and Holiday Party, Christmas rock orchestra Twelve Twenty-Four will take the Martin W. Kappel Theater stage at 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 18. The show is sponsored by the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID).

Tickets are $20 per person and on sale now at BrownPaperTickets.com/events/5624359.

This season of events at the Chenango Arts Council is made possible by sponsorship from NBT Bank, Preferred Mutual, and the Community Foundation of South Central New York.

Miller encourages area art and theater lovers to brace the winter chill and stop by the Chenango Arts Council this holiday season for a series of delightful acts and beautiful art.

"It's a good variety of fun, it should be fun for all ages," she said. "It should cover a variety of fun things, what with the visual arts in the gallery and the three different kinds of shows, so we're really excited."

More information on the Chenango Arts Council can be found at ChenangoArts.org and on the Chenango Arts Council Facebook page.