December Arts Off 75: Season of Celebration and Renewal

This year has felt like a full-on sprint of creativity — a glorious, art-soaked marathon that carried us from one moment of wonder to the next. We’ve seen so much, experienced so much and felt so many sparks of inspiration along the way. I’ve shared a number of highlights from the first half of our 2025 arts season, and as we ease into the holidays, I find myself reflecting on what makes this time of year feel so magical.

For me, the best part of the holiday season is the gentle winding down of a year filled with performances, exhibitions, concerts, festivals and creative connections—yet, wonderfully, December is still packed with artistic delights. It’s the month when the arts become our companion in celebration, reflection, and renewal.

And you know me by now: I have a soft spot, an unabashed soft spot when it comes to dance. While I wholeheartedly endorse the two annual regional productions of “The Nutcracker” from Dayton Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet, both of which are lovely traditions unto themselves, there are two additional dance offerings this year that deserve a spotlight and are worth taking a chance on.

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), one of the premier modern dance companies in the world, returns with “The Littlest Angel” at the University of Dayton’s Boll Theatre, bringing heart, virtuosity and cultural resonance to the season. And down in Cincinnati, “David Choate’s Hot Chocolate,” presented by Revolution Dance Theatre at the Aronoff Center, offers a vibrant, spirited, joy-filled take on holiday storytelling.

What many people may not know is that David trained for a time at DCDC, and yours truly had the pleasure of teaching some of his ballet classes. Watching his trajectory, his vision, his commitment, his drive has been one of those quiet joys that remind me why mentorship and community matter. Both DCDC and David Choate are part of a vital lineage: expanding opportunities for Black voices and Black experiences to take center stage. They are standard-bearers of artistic excellence, carrying forward and reimagining a rich legacy of dance in Southwest Ohio. Their work is a gift; not just artistically, but culturally as well.

And speaking of gifts… As the holiday gift-giving season approaches, may I gently encourage you to think beyond the usual shopping lists? Consider gifting original art, handcrafted works, or tickets to one-of-a-kind performances (Psst check out our exclusive gifts available during the membership drive at https://www.cetconnect.org/get-exclusive-gifts-during-our-membership-drive-starting-november-28/.

Gifts like these support artists, invest in our local ecosystems and give your loved ones something meaningful — something made with intention, heart and craft.

A few wonderful places to explore for some creative energy and inspiration this season: The Contemporary in Dayton, with its beautiful array of prints, paintings, and ceramics in its shop; Pendleton Art Center in Cincinnati, home to floors of studios and creative makers; and Front Street Art Studios in Dayton, our filming spot for The Art Show and a treasure trove of galleries, makers and artisans.

Visiting these spaces makes for a delightful family holiday excursion. You may walk in browsing, but you’ll leave inspired and perhaps with something extraordinary tucked under your arm.

Once the turkey has been carved and the last slice of pumpkin pie has disappeared, December becomes our invitation to recharge, nourish our spirits and slow down long enough to feel the soft glow of the season.

May your holiday be filled with music, movement, color, conversation and moments that warm you long after the snow melts. And may our constant, radiant companion – the arts – continue to weave beauty into your days as we bring this remarkable year to a close. Happy Holidays!

Rodney Veal
CET/Think^TV Producer and Community Arts Liaison