‘Messiah’ has area performersNEW CASTLE — The 75th annual presentation of George F. Handel’s “Messiah” by the New Castle Music Club Chorus will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Vitus Roman Catholic Parish, 910 S. Mercer St.Butler County residents participating include Harry Cunningham, director, and Sharon Perschke, flute player.For more information, visit www.ncmusicclubchorus.org or call 724-652-877 or 724-654-2177.

BLT opens ‘Charlie Brown’The Butler Little Theatre’s production of the revised musical version of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” goes on stage Friday through Dec. 5 at the theater at One Howard St.The play features Justin Anderson, Megan Flannery, Matt Leslie, Molly Miller, Samantha Roth and Daniel Terwilliger. Director is Stefan Lingenfelter and producer is Karen O’Donnell.Curtain is at 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Tickets are $12. For reservations, call 724-287-6781 between 7 and 9 p.m. weekdays.

Art Center plans openingThe Associated Artists of Butler County’s annual Christmas Show and Art Sale will be open Dec. 2 to 30 at the Butler Art Center, 344 S. Main St.A reception is planned for 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4.Art and crafts will be available for purchase. Admission is free.The Art Center is a collection point for Toys for Tots, through the U.S. Marine Corps.Regular hours during the winter are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.For more information, visit butlerartcenter.org or call 724-283-6922.

Japanese gift wrap class setA gift wrapping event using furoshiki, a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used to transport clothes, gifts or other goods, is planned for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Maridon Museum.Cost is $10. Take a gift no larger than a shirt box to wrap. Festive scarves for wrapping will be provided.Reservations are required. Call 724-282-0123.

Christmas Cantata slatedJEFFERSON TWP — The Concordia Alleluia Chorale will present its annual Christmas Cantata at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 in the Haven I Dining Room at 112 Marwood Road. Use entrances 2A and 2B. Admission is free.This year’s performance, called “Mary’s Love Song,” was written and directed by Concordia Haven III resident Carol Oliver, who began playing piano for the cantatas 11 years ago and has been writing and directing them for the last five years.For more information, call 724-352-1571, Ext. 8518, or visit concordialm.org/events-news. 

Painting in the Park plannedBUTLER TWP — The Butler County Parks and Recreation Department will host the fourth Painting in the Park course at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Alameda Park office, 184 Alameda Park Road.Cost is $25 per person and registration is needed by Monday.The course is an introductory class. Painting will be done on a wine glass.Call 724-284-5383 for more information.

Symphony has tour, concertBUTLER TWP — Butler County Symphony will feature vocalist Kate Amatuzzo at the “Holiday Traditions” concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Butler Intermediate High School auditorium.The symphony’s 26th annual Holiday Tour of Homes will be earlier that day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Tickets for the self-guided tour are $20 in advance and on the day of the tour, and tickets include admission into the Maridon Museum.For more information, visit www.butlersymphony.org or call 724-283-1402.

Jazz groups to performThe Trinity Jazz Orchestra will team up with Butler High School jazz bands for a concert Dec. 12.The Trinity Jazz Orchestra Christmas Concert will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College.The orchestra will feature vocalist Adam Brock, semi-finalist from the “American Idol” television show.In addition, the Butler Golden Tornado Big Band White and Big Band Gold will perform.All proceeds from the concert will benefit the Community Health Clinic of Butler County, which provides free health and dental care for the uninsured in the county.Children will be able to visit with Santa from 6 to 7 p.m.Speckled Hen Chocolate Co. of Saxonburg and Pfleuger Candy of Butler will have candy for sale.Concert tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and free for children age 5 and younger. Tickets are available at www.butlerhealthclinic.org; May’s Music Shoppe; Fudoli Music and Repair Center; or by calling 724-841-0980.Tickets will be available the day of the concert at the box office in the Succop Theater lobby.

‘Celtic’ carol concert setPITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Camerata will present a “A Celtic Christmas Carol” concert of holiday music from Scotland, Ireland and Wales in December.Concerts are scheduled at 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 5801 Hampton St.; at 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at Sixth Presbyterian Church, 1688 Murray Ave.; and at 8 p.m. Dec. 19 at Mount Lebanon Lutheran Church, 975 Washington Road.General admission tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door; full-time students pay $5.For more information, call 412-421-5884 or visit www.pittsburghcamerata.org.