by Lee Stott
Imagine living in a densely packed 2.2 square-mile area in which individuals and families celebrate Christmas in over 50 languages.
Imagine Hamtrammck, Mich. Hamtrammck was founded by a French-Canadian explorer named Jean-Francois Hamtrammck, and farmed by German settlers. In about 1900, the Dodge Brothers moved to Hamtrammck and built an enormous factory on the edge of town and started making cars and trucks. Waves of Polish immigrants poured in to take advantage of the good assembly line wages.
In 1970, 90 percent of Hamtrammck’s population was Polish. By 2010, their number had dwindled to under four percent.
A large sign near the city limits reads “The World in 2.2 Square Miles.” Today Hamtrammck is a landing pad for Ukranian, Bosnian, Armenian, Lebanese and Bengali families, to name a few.
Most of us would probably think of Bowling Green as a multi-cultural gathering place. Within the precincts of Warren County live Pa
cific Islanders, Native Americans, Japanese, Korean, Hispanic, Swahili, Russian families and more.
NATIVITY FESTIVAL
Reflecting strength in our diversity is the Ninth Annual Nativity Festival, hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located on the corner of Cave Mill and Smallhouse roads in Bowling Green. On display are some 200 nativities, both large and tiny, from all over the world including countries such as Guatemala, Kenya, Taiwan, Germany, France, and many more, all celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and reflecting the joy of the season.
The free event this year features live music and concerts by local solo artists and groups. The refreshments served will no doubt assume a distinctive international flavor. Doors are open from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, December 7 and 8. The concerts begin at 7 p.m. both nights.
THE MOSCOW BALLET NUTCRACKER
Marking 25 years of touring North America, Moscow Ballet brings this stunning annual staple to an eagerly awaiting Bowling Green audien
ce Monday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. The SKyPAC stage will be filled with “the best Russian ballerinas and dancers” dressed in brilliant handcrafted costumes, life-size nesting dolls, larger-than-life puppets, and a five-story-tall growing Christmas tree.
MANY WAYS TO CELEBRATE
Orchestra Kentucky and Music Director Jeffrey Reed mark the season with a dazzling concert of “music, dance and more.” Reggie & Lady Love Smith and the Orchestra Kentucky Chorale open the show with “A Christmas Festival of Carols.” The Dancing Elves follow with “A Holiday Medley.” Sofiane Sylve & Tiit Helimets and Her Cavalier present highlights from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker.” Some familiar carols, and “Christmas at the Movies” are also included. The Jody Richards Elementary School Choir, Pamela Thurman, Children’s Choir Director, will conclude the program with “Somewhere in My Memory.” Be in your SKyPAC seats by 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16.
OAK RIDGE BOYS 2017 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
The original four-member group began making music in Oak Ridge, Tenn., in the mid 1950s. The legendary group is made up of lead singer Duane Allen, tenor Joe Bonsell, baritone William Lee Golden and bass Richard Sterben. Their four voices combine to create an unmistakab
le signature harmony referred to as the “Fifth Voice.” The Oak Ridge Boys perform four decades of charted singles. They claim over a dozen No. 1 singles and over 30 Top 10s. Filling 150 concert dates each year, this famous group comes to SKyPAC to perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8.
EXILE HITS AT CHRISTMAS
Exile formed in 1963, looking to play small clubs in Richmond, Ky., but managed to top both the pop and country charts during their more than 50-year career. Exile has achieved more than ten No. 1 singles. The group’s SKyPAC engagement is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9.
CHRISTMAS ON THE HILL
An “evening of holiday-themed musical selections,” including excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” featuring members of the WKU Department of Theater and Dance, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 at Van Meter Hall.
“Winterfest, a Choral Celebration,” an annual WKU tradition, takes place this year at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
CHRISTMAS AT PTK
Barbara Robinson’s funny play, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” concludes its current run at the Phoenix Theatre (PTK) this month.
Beth Bradley’s church pageant is predictable every year. The angel choir wears too much lipstick. The shepherds all come in their dad’s bathrobes. This year, however, the pageant director breaks her leg. It’s up to Beth’s inexperienced mother Grace to step in. The timing couldn’t have been worse. The Herdman kids, a rowdy bunch of siblings from the other side of town, descend upon the pageant, lured by the promise of free dessert. But things somehow eventually work out.
The large cast of youngsters required for the play reflects broad diversity and delivers many moments of hilarity. The fun begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 and 8; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 and 9; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 and 10.
HOW TO SAY IT IN MULTI-CULTURAL BOWLING GREEN
“Merry Christmas” in Polish: Wesolych Swiat
Bosnian: Sretan Boznic
Japanese: Meri Kurisumasu
Russian: Schastivogo Razhdestva
Swahili: Krismasi njema
Samoan: Manuia le Krisimasi
Spanish: Feliz Navidad!
About the Author:
Lee Stott is retired from WKU Public Radio, lives near Franklin with his daughter Cindy Wade’s family and has 30 grandchildren and one great-grandson.
