Weekend Planner: 'Christmas Favorites', Roller Derby, Christmas Cantata, 'Messiah' and Park Workday

Where: , 2201 S. Old US Highway 23, Brighton and , 7878 Brighton Rd, Brighton

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 (St. Mary Magdalen) and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 (BCPA)

Cost: $13 for adults and $10 for seniors or students. Get tickets at Brighton Tux, Schafer's Music or at the door.

Why go: Celebrate 20 years with the chorale and enjoy its Christmas Favorites.

2.

Where: , 6995 Grand River, Brighton

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10

Cost: Tickets are $12 at the door or $10 in advance from a derby girl or www.brightonrollerdollz.com

Why go: Watch Brighton Roller Dollz take on the Floral City Rollergirls from Macomb for a night of fun.

3.

Where: , 3619 Avon St., Hartland

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10

Cost: $8

Why go: Watch the annual Messiah performance by the Hartland Community Chorus; the holiday season production has been performed in Hartland since 1932.

4.

Where: , 12950 Grand River Rd, Brighton

When: 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10

Cost: Free

Why go: Be part of an effort to remove invasive shrubs from the Island Lake Recreation Area; meet at the Meadow Picnic Area off Grand River Road in Brighton Township. Bring your own drinking water and above all, have fun helping the environment.

Note: Long pants and closed-toe shoes are recommended. Knee-high rubber boots or waders are recommended but not necessary. Call Laurel Malvitz-Draper at 248-359-9057 or e-mail malvitzl@michigan.gov for more information.

5.

Where:  , 2101 S Hacker Rd, Brighton

When: 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 and 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 11

Cost: Free

Why go: Searching for the King is a compelling dramatic Christmas musical. This dynamic contemporary story parallels the biblical story delivering a message as powerful as the prophets and as relevant as today’s headlines. Walter L. Black’s exciting script juxtaposes one of the Magi as he follows the Star of Bethlehem, with Benjamin, a soldier stationed in the Middle East 2,000 years later who is looking up at the same stars. They are both searching for the truth, and they both find it at the foot of the manger.

MORE EVENTS:

• takes place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 at Kensington Metropark Nature Center, 2240 W. Buno Road, Milford
• , 5:30 pm Saturday, Dec. 10 at The Opera House, 123 W. Grand River Ave., Howell
• at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 and at 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. at Howell Conference & Nature Center, 1005 Triangle Lake Road, Howell