News Release

GOSHEN — The Goshen Theater, 216 S. Main St., has announced several upcoming events in November and December. The Goshen Theater Box office is open 12-4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. For more information about any of the events, call (574) 312-3701.

Nov. 1 to Nov. 30: Second Annual Gingerbread House Competition

An event that will be going on throughout the whole month is their second annual gingerbread house competition. This event will be broken up into two categories: adults, ages 13 and up, and kids ages 12 and under.

The rules of the competition are as follows:

• All entries must be submitted to Goshen Theater no later than Thursday, Nov. 30.
• They can be dropped off during normal business hours 12-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday or by scheduling a time to drop off. You may do so by contacting Program Director, Robert Tombari, at [email protected].
• For adults, no pre-made kits are allowed, however, they are allowed for the kids division.

There will be seven winners this year.

Community Favorite will be awarded to the gingerbread house that receives the most votes in the “Community Choice” overall and will win $25.

In the adult category, first place will win $100, second place will win $50 and third place will receive $25.

In the kids division, first place will win $50, second place will win $25 and third place will win $10.

Each category will be awarded based on votes from the community at large. Each Gingerbread house in the competition will have votes tallied.

The top 3 in each category will be awarded the prizes listed above. You will be able to vote for 3 gingerbread houses. One in each category, adults, kids, and your Favorite overall house.

There is no entry fee to participate, so get to baking, icing, and creating those magical houses that will fill your historic Goshen Theater with the holiday spirit.

Nov. 20 to Dec. 18: Visual Arts Series: Guilds of Goshen

This exhibition includes works of local artists involved in the Guild of Goshen. The exhibition will be displayed in the theater lobby. All the displayed work will be for sale; work in all mediums will be included. The exhibition will be open to the public during box office hours, for all events and during the December First Friday.

3-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18: International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

The Elkhart County Suicide Prevention Coalition invites Michiana Survivors of Suicide Loss, ages 16 and up, to join others around the world who have lost a loved one to suicide in gathering to share stories, find comfort in knowing you are not alone, and gain insight about healing after loss. The program will include a documentary film and a guided group discussion.

Register for the event here.

The Elkhart County Suicide Prevention Coalition can be reached at (574) 523-2119.

6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29: Goshen College Center for Community Engagement Presents: What Happened at Benham West

Join for a screening of What Happened at Benham West: African American Stories of Community, Displacement and Hope, a documentary about the exclusion of African Americans in the City of Elkhart, Indiana – as told through the stories of I7 local elders. The film boldly explores life in the predominantly African American neighborhood known as “the village”; segregation in the city; the clearing of Benham West; and some of the remaining elders’ hopes.

A time for Q&A will follow the screening.

This project was made possible with generous funding by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and Indiana Humanities in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities.

7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30: Jazz Cafe Cabaret

Autumn vibes are here, and so is the Jazz Cafe Cabaret with Carrie Lee Bland-Kendall, and Rafael Chávez y Moreno’s jazz trio, including Arthur Schroeder, and Buddy Pearson. Warm up with a glass of wine, and some smooth tunes from Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and many more of your favorites.

Ticket information can be found here.

5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1: First Fridays: Hometown Holiday Celebration

View the work of local artists belonging to the Guilds of Goshen. All work will be for sale. Work in all mediums will be included.

Come sing-a-long with our Drama Club students for our 3rd Annual “Caroling for Cans” as they raise funds and collect supplies to benefit “The Window, Inc.”

Find the perfect holiday gift as we host local vendors for the Holiday Market.

Don’t forget to grab a drink and snack at the bar and concession stand, and grab your tickets for one of the upcoming events.

5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1: Holiday Michiana Pottery Tour

This year’s event will be in-person for the first time with dozens of the region’s top ceramic artists coming together for a night of holiday shopping and fun. The event will be held in the historic Goshen Theater ballroom.

5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1: Goshen Theater Drama Club: Caroling for Cans

The Goshen Theater Drama Club invites you to join us for our 3rd Annual “Caroling for Cans”. Join club members as they fill our theater with holiday carols during First Fridays: Hometown Holiday Celebration. Don’t be afraid to sing along!

They will be collecting canned goods; non-perishable foods; full size foil pans – deep; silverware; cloth napkins; jeans; men’s t-shirts; men, women and children’s socks; men, women and children’s underwear; #8 white lunch bags; 5 1/2 and 8 oz deli & soup containers with lids; 12 oz styrofoam soup containers with lids; and cash donations.

The Window is low on all men’s clothing.

All proceeds will be donated to The Window, Inc., to help fulfill the community’s needs as we move into the winter months.

Dec. 8-10: 3:16 Community Theater Presents: Welcome to Virginia

Join the 3:16 Community Theater on 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9, and 2 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 in the Miller Auditorium at Goshen Theater as they present their Christmas production of “Welcome to Virginia.”

It’s Christmas Eve, and the interstate in Virginia has closed due to major snowstorms. Several travelers are forced to seek shelter in a highway rest area. The rest area janitor is stuck there even though he just wants to get home to dinner. But this special night has much in store for all of them. With echoes of It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol, and the original Christmas story, this musical is uplifting, poignant and laugh out loud funny. You’ll leave the theater filled with the true spirit of Christmas.

Tickets information can be found here.

6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15: Goshen Theater Drama Club: Winter Showcase

Join Goshen Theater’s Drama Club students as they showcase their hard work from the semester. See the creative original works of the acting students, hear the vocal stylings of our musical theater students and dance the night away with our Latin dance students.

Don’t miss this one night only performance by local youth artists.

The show begins at 6:00 p.m. Doors unlock at 5:15p.m. and seating begins at 5:30 p.m.

Ticket information can be found here.

2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16: DES Dance: Winter Spectacular

The Winter Spectacular will feature dancers of all levels and ages from DES Dance Studio. Join us for a festive time as they perform ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and pom dances to holiday classics, as well as, pop hits. Featuring amazing local artist Carrie Lee Bland Kendall as our host and special guest performer.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 1.