Santa's elves forged a partnership with Normal Parks and Recreation to schedule calls from Santa on Dec. 8 and 10.

There are ample opportunities to get merry and bright in and around Bloomington-Normal next month. Here is our list of more than 40 options.

Stefen Robinson, aka Yea Big, is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who releases music at a lightning fast pace. Robinson's new label, Black Flag Bonsai Club, is a way to keep the music flowing. He plans to release other artists on the label as well.

Playwright Ariel Cipolla said "So You Think You Can Stay" is designed to spark conversation and challenge both pro- and anti-immigration ideologies by reminding audiences of our collective humanity. There are four performances this weekend at the Normal Theater.

Ambrose is one of four people who spearheaded a coordinated open-studio walk in downtown Bloomington in 2000, then called the "Around the Corner Art Group" because of where their studios were situated.

Actor Greg Sestero presents "The Room" and "Big Shark" at Normal Theater on Nov. 8.

Bill Killian's daughter, who was born close to Halloween, requested her dad make a few graves with quippy epitaphs for their front yard in Gridley. Nearly two decades later, the display has about 110 homemade headstones.

Jason Reblando's forthcoming book, "This is Captured Paper," uses cut patterns and collage to "disrupt, confuse and reclaim the photographic narrative" of the Philippines during its U.S. occupation.

If you enjoy humor found in unusual places ... if you enjoy sorting through public documents ... if you enjoy bluegrass music, then this show might just be for you. It's called "FOIA Love."

For decades, singer-songwriter A.J. Croce refused to play songs by his famous father, Jim Croce, establishing a career on his own terms. That changed when he turned 50.