November 27, 2019 Page 7 Arts & ENTERTAINMENT PassinArt’s presentation of Black Nativity is an annual holiday gospel play. Celebrate the Season The community is invited to celebrate this holiday season at Beaverton’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 6. Activities begin at 5 p.m. at City Park located at Southwest Hall Boulevard and Third Street, with the tree lighting at 7 p.m. This year’s ceremony will feature live music, a roast-your- own s’mores and hot cocoa station, as well as photo opportunities with Santa Claus and Elsa and Olaf from Frozen 2. photo froM p assin a rt . org Black Nativity at Bethel AME PassinArt is proud to pres- ent for the fifth year, Black Nativity, a special holiday gospel play that retells the fa- mous nativity story with a ma- jority African American cast. This year’s production opens Friday, Nov. 29 and continues through Dec. 15 at Bethel AME Church, 5828 N.E. Eighth Ave. For tickets, visit passinart.org. The play by Langston Hughes and directed locally by Jerry Foster is performed in an uplift- ing gospel style which includes some traditional Christmas car- ols. It’s a production that has been enjoyed by audiences from all walks of life regardless of their cultural backgrounds. The show was originally first per- formed off-Broadway in 1961. PassinArt: A Theatre Compa- ny is an African American pro- ducing theatre company whose mission is to entertain, educate and inspire artists and audiences while addressing critical issues facing our community; and to celebrate our history and cul- ture.