Holiday happenings at Eastman House

Gingerbread house display Sweet Creations, a popular Rochester holiday tradition, opens Nov. 14

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — George Eastman House invites young and old to enjoy a feast for the eyes and nose — a display of more than 60 cleverly designed and decorated gingerbread houses. The Eastman House's 13th annual gingerbread house exhibition, Sweet Creations, is on view Wednesday, Nov. 14 through Wednesday, Dec. 19. This popular exhibition has become a favorite holiday tradition for Rochester families.

The gingerbread creations are produced by professional bakers, hobbyists, Scout troops, families, schools, and community groups. A scavenger hunt is available each year involving the current entries, providing entertainment for families and inviting a closer look at the designs and details.

This season's clever confections, in addition to storybook cottages and traditional gingerbread houses, will include "Christmas on Main Street," several scenes from The Wizard of Oz, Santa's stable, a Ferris wheel, a cuckoo clock, the School of Rock (Candy) featuring recorded music, and a recreation of a Dorothea Lange photo.

Most of the gingerbread houses will be sold via silent auction, with proceeds benefiting future restoration projects at Eastman House. The Sweet Creations display is organized by the Eastman House Council, under the direction of chairwomen Linda Gillim of Pittsford and Bev Pickering of Chili. The exhibition is supported by Tops Markets and Mapstone Financial Group.

Holiday Decorations
The gingerbread houses will be on display throughout the historic 1905 home of George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak Co. The Eastman House itself will be decorated for the season in turn-of-the-20th-century holiday style from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. Decorations include garland on the grand staircase; elaborately adorned fireplace mantels; a plethora of poinsettias; the formal dining room decorated for Christmas dinner; Christmas trees in every room (decorated by local businesses and organizations and sold via silent auction); and an old-fashioned tree encircled by an antique toy train in the Living Room.

Family Day
A day of activities and gingerbread viewing, from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. Events include a gingerbread house-building demonstration by baker Tanya Foster at 1:30 p.m.; children's crafts in the Discovery Room; and holiday music from the Silver Tones Flute Choir from 3 to 4 p.m.

Holiday Homecoming
A favorite event during the Sweet Creations gingerbread house exhibition is Holiday Homecoming, taking place 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, and featuring festive decorations, live holiday music, family activities, refreshments, and a visit from Santa (offering a great photo opportunity in the decorated Living Room).

Holiday Musicales
Join us on select Sundays in November and December for live musicale performances, entertaining visitors at the house just the way George Eastman used to. Performances will include organ concerts in the Conservatory or performances in the Living Room. Included with museum admission. All concerts are 3 to 4 p.m.

• Nov. 18: Organ concert in the Conservatory with Margaret-Anne Milne
• Nov. 25: Piano concert in the Living Room with Beata Golec
• Dec. 2: Siler tones Flute Choir in the Living Room
• Dec. 9: Holiday organ music in the Conservatory with Margaret-Anne Milne
• Dec. 16: Clarinet Collection in the Conservatory

Pancake Breakfasts with St. Nicholas
Guests will be treated to the tale of St. Nicholas by storyteller Vivian Brummer after enjoying a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, and all the trimmings. Breakfast will be followed by a visit from St. Nicholas himself, in traditional attire, who will lead families to the decorated historic house and gingerbread house exhibition. Tickets include admission to Sweet Creations: Gingerbread House Display. Space is limited. Reservation can be made at (585) 271-3361 ext. 249. Admission is $15 adults; $13 adult members; $12 children; and $10 member children. Hosted by Eastman House Council.

Muppets, Music, & Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy
As a follow-up to last year's hugely popular Muppet Movie retrospective in the Dryden, Eastman House is proud to present a new series that once again celebrates the genius of Muppet creator Jim Henson. In addition to feature films, this time we've added rare television shows, archival footage, commercials, experimental work, and more! We'll offer Sunday matinee screenings of Muppets from Space and Muppet Treasure Island, the two most recently completed features starring the classic Muppet characters - Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and all your favorites. You'll have two chances to see Henson's second collaboration with conceptual designer Brian Froud, the elaborate and wonderful fantasy Labyrinth, starring David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, and a whole new universe of Muppet creations. Admission to each film is $6 adults: $5 students; $4 members. For more information, please visit dryden.eastmanhouse.org or call (585) 271-4090.

2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25
Muppets from Space

8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2
Labyrinth

8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9
Muppet Commercials and Experiments

2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16
Muppet Treasure Island

8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas and Muppet Music Moment

For a full film calendar, please visit dryden.eastmanhouse.org.

Attention Media: For additional information or high-resolution images, please fill out this form to obtain the address of the Press Room's FTP site.