11/19/12 – Area Residents Invited to Kick Off the Holiday Season at the Old Courthouse

St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 19, 2012…With the holidays just around the corner, the Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis is spreading cheer by giving area residents a series of opportunities to experience the many festive sounds of the season.

The fun will kick off on Friday, Nov. 23, with a pair of performances by the St. Louis Brass Quintet and Chicago-based vocal group “The Caroling Party” at noon and 1 p.m. respectively. Guests are invited to enjoy complimentary cookies and hot cider as they gather in the Old Courthouse rotunda, which will be adorned with authentic Victorian decorations. The special event is free and open to the public.

Then, beginning on Dec. 5, the Old Courthouse will launch its weekly Noon Historic Holiday Concert Series, which will feature traditional holiday music performed in the rotunda each Wednesday, from Dec. 5 through Dec. 19, from noon – 1 p.m. The concerts also are free and open to the public, and guests are encouraged to bring their lunches. The series will feature performances from the Mehlville High School Madrigal Ensemble on Dec. 5, the St. Peters School Choir on Dec. 12 and the St. Louis Irish Arts on Dec. 19.

The Old Courthouse will also welcome visitors on Thursday, Nov. 29, from 3-8 p.m. as part of the St. Louis Holiday Historic House Tour. Guests will enjoy holiday music, light refreshments and the presentation of scenes from “A Christmas Carol” by the Etc. Senior Theatre. Additional stops on the tour include the Eugene Field House, the Campbell House Museum, the Chatillion-DeMenil House and the Tower Grove and Museum Building at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Visitors can join the Old Courthouse festivities for free, but reservations for the entire tour are required, and can be obtained by calling 314-421-0325 or visiting www.campbellhousemuseum.org.

“The holiday season is a magical time in St. Louis, and it’s an especially wonderful time at the Old Courthouse,” said Ann Honious, Chief of Museum Services and Interpretation, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial . “The musical performances provide a great way to experience the holiday spirit in one of St. Louis’ historic landmarks.”

The Old Courthouse is located at 11 North 4th Street in Downtown St. Louis, and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day.  It is one of the many attractions in the Core of Discovery – downtown St. Louis’ attractions district. For more information on the Nov. 23 kick-off performances or on the Noon Historic Holiday Concert Series, call 314-655-1614 or visit www.coreofdiscovery.com.

The Core of Discovery was created by the partners at the Gateway Arch, which include the National Park Service; its cooperating association, Jefferson National Parks Association; and its park partner, Metro. The Core also represents a commitment by the National Park Service, Jefferson National Parks Association and Metro to work in partnership with their downtown neighbors to make the visitor experience even better.

For more information, contact:

Julie Hauser, The Hauser Group (314) 436-9090

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