Start the new year with your January monthly calendar

1) Happy New Year!










4) For art lovers: The "Creative Works" exhibit continues at Gannon University's Schuster Gallery, third floor of the school's Nash Library, 619 Sassafras St. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to midnight.; Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 12:30 p.m. to midnight. Show continues through Jan. 20. Call 871-5467.


Young voices: The Young People's Chorus of Erie, open to singers ages 7-18, will hold auditions for new members, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., through Jan. 7. Call 898-6789 for location and to make an appointment.


5) Musical talent: New player auditions take place for the Erie Junior Philharmonic orchestra, including prelude string, intermezzo string and ensemble groups. Call 774-8598 for location details and to schedule a time.


7) Gather around: Toddler Story Time, 10:30 a.m., Experience Children's Museum, 420 French St.; includes a story and craft with a different theme each week. Admission, $5; free to museum members and children younger than 2. Also Jan. 14, 21 and 28. Call 453-3743.


8) High school musical: High school musicians from the tri-state area will perform with the Mercyhurst Jazz and Wind Ensembles, 7:30 p.m. On Jan. 9, they will perform with the Tri-State Wind Band at 2 p.m. Both programs at Mercyhurst College's Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center. Call 824-2394.


Calling all artists: Deadline for submitting poems and works of art to the Erie County Poet Laureate 2009-2010 Book Project. For details and guidelines, visit eriecountygov.org.


Miles to go: Take a snowshoe night hike at Asbury Woods Nature Center, 4105 Asbury Road, 7-9 p.m.; $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers. If no snow, a hike without snowshoes will take place. For adults and children ages 8 and older. Call 835-5356.


It's showtime: Erie Playhouse Youtheatre presents Disney's "High School Musical 2," 7 p.m., at the Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10th St. Additional shows: Jan. 9, 10 and 15-17. Performances are Fridays, 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Tickets, $13. Call 454-2852, Ext. 0.


9) Tracks at TREC: Bring the kids to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Drive, from 1-2:30 p.m. to learn about animal tracks. No registration required; small fee applies. Call 833-7424.


Enjoy the snow: Beginners' cross-country ski clinic, 10 a.m.-noon, for adults and children ages 8 and older, Asbury Woods Nature Center, 4105 Asbury Road. $8 members; $10 nonmembers. No registration needed. Call 835-5356 for snow conditions. Equipment available. Also, Jan. 16, 23.


Comedy and chocolate: Meg Maly and other local comedians, including Mark Bradley Morrow and M.C. Diehl Edwards, perform stand-up comedy while the audience enjoys chocolate desserts and hot beverages, 7 p.m., Masonic Temple, 32 W. Eighth St.; $8 per person; proceeds benefit A.N.N.A Shelter. Call 825-2200.


Learn to ski: Meet at Presque Isle State Park's Rotary Pavilion for a cross-country ski class, 10:30 a.m.-noon.. Rent equipment or bring your own; registration appreciated. All ages welcome. Call 833-7424.


Let it snow: Adults and children ages 8 and older can learn the basics of snowshoeing and enjoy a winter hike with an Asbury Woods naturalist, 12:30-2 p.m. Meet at the Nature Center, 4105 Asbury Road; $8 members; $10 nonmembers. Call 835-5356. Also, Jan. 16, 23.


10) Bird by bird: Observe and discuss the winter birds that visit the Asbury Woods Nature Center's feeders, 2-2:45 p.m. Free. Also, Jan. 24. Call 835-5356.


Plant life: Children ages 6-10 can learn about types of plants in a class at Experience Children's Museum, 420 French St., 1-4 p.m.; $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers. Registration required. Call 453-3743.


11) Factory story: Mercyhurst College Labor Film Series presents "Made in L.A.," a documentary about Latina immigrants working in Los Angeles garment sweatshops, 7 p.m., Taylor Little Theatre at Mercyhurst College; free. Call 824-3027.


12) Women's work: New York's 92nd Street Y satellite broadcast series presents New York Times Op-Ed columnist Gail Collins and author/screenwriter Nora Ephron in a discussion on how American women's lives have changed during the past five decades; 8 p.m.; Taylor Little Theatre, Mercyhurst College. Adults, $5. Call 824-3000.


13) Higher education help: Learn about the college financial aid process at a free workshop, 6:30 p.m., in Room 1200, Gannon University's Palumbo Academic Center, 824 Peach St. Call 871-7337.


Food faceoff: Compare low-fat, low-cal versions of foods against their traditional versions, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Student Union Great Room at Mercyhurst College. Cost: 50 cents to taste both versions of an item. Proceeds benefit Mercy Center for Women. Call 824-2388.


14) Students' night to shine: Exhibit of works by Mercyhurst College art students will open with artists' reception, 7-9 p.m., in the college's Cummings Gallery. The show remains on display through Jan. 24. Call 824-2092.


Beautiful voice: The Mercyhurst College Faculty Recital Series presents mezzo-soprano Lydia Howery, 8 p.m., in the school's Walker Recital Hall. Free. Call 824-2394.


Good advice: The German Cultural Society of Erie meets, 7 p.m., at Erie Maennerchor, 1607 State St. Hospice Director Kristine Ridinger will discuss Hospice Care and Services. Free. Visit www.gcsoe.org.


15) Fit for a king: Gannon University's Erie Chamber Orchestra, along with the Shiloh Baptist Church Choir, performs an annual tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., 7:30 p.m., St. Patrick Catholic Church, 130 E. Fourth St. Free. Call 871-7755 or 871-5467.


Folk art: New exhibit, Making It Better: Folk Arts in Pennsylvania Today, opens in the main gallery, Erie Art Museum, 411 State St. Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, 1-5 p.m. Admission: $2-$4. Call 459-5477.


16) Brush up: Join artist Brian Payne for a watercolor painting workshop, noon-3 p.m., Asbury Woods Nature Center, 4105 Asbury Road; $30 per person. Call 835-5356.


Opera favorite: The Metropolitan Opera presents Bizet's "Carmen," live on screen, 1 p.m., Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center, Mercyhurst College. Tickets, $10-30. Call 824-3000.


Remembering Mendelssohn: The Mercyhurst Orchestra celebrates the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn with a concert featuring violin soloist Barton Samuel Rotberg, 8 p.m., in the college's Walker Recital Hall. Free. Call 824-2394.


Pet safety: Grey-Save of Northwestern Pennsylvania holds a pet first-aid class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Howlabaloo Dog Park, 11290 Lay Road, Edinboro; $30 per person; registration and payment required in advance. Call 825-7825.


17) Animal life: Class on nocturnal animals, 1-4 p.m., Experience Children's Museum, 420 French St., for children ages 6-10; $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers. Registration required. Call 453-3743.


18) Martin Luther King Jr. Day


You Otter know: Autism Awareness Night with the Erie Otters benefits autism services at the Dr. Gertrude Barber National Institute. Attend the game against the Kitchener Rangers, 6 p.m., at the Tullio Arena, then stay to meet the players and get autographs and photos. Visit www.barberinstitute.org/events.


19) Consider this: Michele Norris, co-host of National Public Radio's All Things Considered, speaks on current events at Penn State Behrend, 7:30 p.m.; McGarvey Commons, Reed Union Building. Free. Call 898-6171.


Expert opinion: New York's 92nd Street Y satellite broadcast series presents Joseph E. Stiglitz, economist, author and professor at Columbia University, 8 p.m., Taylor Little Theatre, Mercyhurst College; $5. Call 824-3000.


Let It Be: "Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles," 7:30 p.m., Warner Theatre, 811 State St. Tickets: $29.75, $39.75, $49.75.. Call 452-4857.


20) Creature feature: Animals in the Snow is a series of six classes for 2- to 3-year-olds with an adult; 9:30-10:15 a.m. or 10:45-11:30 a.m., Wednesdays, Asbury Woods Nature Center, 4105 Asbury Road. $40 for members; $45 for nonmembers. Registration and prepayment required. Call 835-5356.


21) Students on stage: Mercyhurst Preparatory School's Department of Performing Arts presents the comedy, "The Curious Savage," 7 p.m., 538 E. Grandview Blvd. Also, Jan. 22, 23 at 7 p.m.; Jan. 24 at 3 p.m. Tickets, $5-$7.


22) Under the moon: Take a nighttime snowshoe walk, Presque Isle State Park, 6-8 p.m.; meet at the Lighthouse parking area. Bring your own gear or borrow the park's equipment. Free. Call 833-7424.


Color your world: Object as Color, an exhibit of oil paintings by Malcolm Christhilf, opens in the Erie Art Museum's Frame Shop Gallery, 423 State St. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Call 459-5477.


23) Comic opera: The Metropolitan Opera presents "Der Rosenkavalier," by Richard Strauss, on screen, 1 p.m., Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center, Mercyhurst College. Tickets, $10-$30. Call 824-3000.


24) Weather or not: Kids ages 6-10 can learn about weather and basic weather instruments from TV weatherman Tom DiVecchio, 1-4 p.m., Experience Children's Museum, 420 French St. Members, $15; nonmembers, $20. Registration required. Call 453-3743.


26) Art lesson: Get in-depth instruction in watercolor technique in a three-session watercolor class, 6-8 p.m., at Asbury Woods Nature Center, 4105 Asbury Road. $75 per person; continues Feb. 2 and 9. Call 835-5356.


28) The final frontier: Keith Noll, of the Space Telescope Science Institute, discusses the Hubble Space Telescope and shares pictures from the telescope, 7:30 p.m., McGarvey Commons, Penn State Behrend. Call 898-6105.


29) Night trek: Full Moon Cross Country Ski, Presque Isle State Park, 5:30-7 p.m. Meet at the Lighthouse parking area. No fees, but registration required. Bring your own equipment. Call 833-7424.


30) Highland feast: The Robert Burns Scottish Club hosts the annual Burns supper, 6 p.m., Erie Maennerchor, 1607 State St. Event will include a presentation by Jeremy Brown, president of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, as well as bagpipers, dancing and a taste of traditional haggis. Make reservations by Jan. 15. Call Sheila at 898-3417 or Alan at 474-2431.


On frozen pond: Meet at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Drive, 1 p.m., to experience the frozen Presque Isle Bay with a park naturalist. No fees or registration. Call 833-7424.


31) Golden globes: The Harlem Globetrotters showcase their eye-popping antics, 2 p.m., Tullio Arena. Tickets start at $18; available online at www.ticketmaster.com. For information, visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com.