An appearance by Landau Eugene Murphy on Dec. 20 at the Strand Theatre in Moundsville will be one of several special events set to take place there this month.

Other attractions will be a Christmas Cabaret, an Oglebay Institute Production of the Nutcracker Ballet, the Ron Retzer Trio, Free Christmas Craft and Movie event, and a Children’s Action Showcase.

Murphy, the 2011 winner of “America’s Got Talent,” is celebrating his 12th annual “Home for the Holidays” Christmas tour by doing 12 performances in 12 different locations statewide.

For the first time he will have a special guest for the holiday tour, a non-musical variety act called “The Cline Twins.”

Those attending are encouraged to bring a new, unopened toy for Landau’s “Kids Joy Toy Drive.”

General admission to the show will be $30. A Golden Ticket may be purchased for an additional $20. The latter ticket will include preferential seating, a copy of Landau’s “Christmas Made for Two” album, and a pre-show meet and greet with the artists.

While tickets to the event can be purchase online, tickets will also be available at Frame and Fortunes and at the door.

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The Christmas Cabaret will consist of favorite Strand Theatre performers joining together for an evening (7 p.m. on Dec. 16) of holiday music and cheer. The Strand Theatre Christmas Cabaret members will perform holiday selections both classic and new.

The singers will be accompanied by Justin Jones. The show will be emceed by Sadie Crow.

Admission will be $10.

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The Nutcracker Ballet (to take place at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10), will feature Oglebay’s Youth Ballet on stage swooping and soaring in their costumes in this treasured holiday tradition. And Friday, Dec. 9 will be the Ron Retzer Trio who will be performing a holiday concert titled, “Christmas at the Strand.”

Doors to this event will open at 6 p.m.

Tickets can be obtained online or at Frame and Fortunes.

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The free Christmas Craft and Movie Event is being sponsored by Gold, Khourey & Turak.

The Strand Theatre is pleased to offer one showing of a beloved holiday classic movie on Dec. 17.

The Christmas craft will be at 1:15 p.m., followed by the movie at 2 p.m.

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The Strand’s Children Acting Class will present an acting showcase at 10 a.m. today.

Students will demonstrate various theatrical skills and scenes they learned and developed during fall semester classes. Admission is $5 for ages 6 and up, while those under 5 will be free.

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There will be a free film showing Monday at the Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library. It will begin at 6 p.m., in the downstairs meeting room.

The film is “Elvis.” It is a music-laden bio-drama based on the life of Elvis Presley.

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The 7th annual Marshall County Schools West Virginia History Bowl was held recently at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville.

Teams made up of eighth grade students from Cameron High, Moundsville Middle and Sherrard Middle competed in the tournament, which consisted of games of two rounds, 10 minutes each, with 30 questions.

The first round featured toss-up questions allowing a team to hit a buzzer to answer. Teams went back and forth answering questions in the second round. A team was able to steal a question from the other team if answered incorrectly or not at all.

The Sherrard Middle School (Team Red), coached by SMS teachers Dan Gatts and Jeff Stephens, was awarded the county W.Va. History Bowl Club. Team members were Ella Finley, Ryan Himrod, Allison McGraw and Zoe Zervos.

All Marshall County Schools teams will compete again at the Region VI West Virginia history Bowl on Feb. 10 at West Virginia Independence Hall in Wheeling.

Two teams will advance to the state competition at the Culture Center in Charleston on April 25.

Sherrard Middle School won last year’s state competition.

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The Moundsville VFW Auxiliary is sponsoring Christmas gifts for 12 local veterans and three auxiliary members.

According to Della Deskins, among items needed are personal care items such as deodorants, toothpaste, brushes, shampoo, and conditioner. Also, puzzle books, playing cards, writing paper, envelopes, stamps and ink pens can be donated.

Those wishing to assist with this undertaking can drop off items at the VFW Post on north Grant Avenue in Moundsville prior to Dec. 12.

Contact Deskins at 304-810-5192 with any questions.

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The Opus Music Club of Moundsville will hold its annual Christmas Concert at 2 p.m. this Sunday in the auditorium at John Marshall High School.

A freewill offering for scholarships will be accepted.

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The annual Cameron Parade will take place today (Saturday), getting underway at 1 p.m.

There will be several other attractions during the day, taking place at the Cameron Elementary School, and the Cameron Blue and Gold Christian Center.

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The Pittsburgh Puppet Works will present a Holiday Puppet Show at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library. It is titled, “A Chris Mouse Tail.”

It will consist of festive music, silly jokes and a fun-filled holiday storyline.

It is aimed at preschoolers through age 8, and is free and open to the public.

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Students in Kelsea Bashioum’s class at Moundsville Middle are learning life skills during a new activity every Friday.

The students run a coffee and snack cart they named “The Cool Beans Cart.”

Teachers and staff members at the school can place custom coffee orders and buy snacks from the students who prepare and deliver them.

Bashioum’s students use a cash register to learn financial skills.

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There will be a Blood Drive on Jan. 5 at the Training Center within the walls of the former West Virginia Penitentiary.

The hours will be 12:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

The Moundsville Lions Club and the Moundsville Economic Development Council will be the co-sponsors.