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December 11. 2014 2:00AM Best Bets: Dec. 11-18 PHOTO/ William Babishoff Quality of Life 'The Quality of Life' Ashland Contemporary Theatre and Oregon Stage Works will collaborate a staged reading of playwright Jane Anderson's dramatic comedy "The Quality of Life." The lives of a couple from the American heartland and a couple from liberal Berkeley, Calif., turn sideways when they spend a summer weekend together in Northern California. Anderson explores ethical, religious and moral beliefs, as well as personal rights issues about life and death. Peter Alzado directs and appears in the reading, along with Jeannine Grizzard, Diane Nichols and Jesai Jayhmes. Performances are at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, and Thursday, Dec. 18, and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at Ashland Community Center, 59 Winburn Way, Ashland. Additional performances will be at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Grizzly Peak Winery, 1600 Nevada St., Ashland. Tickets cost $12 and can be purchased at Paddington Station in Ashland, Grocery Outlet in Medford or online at ashlandcontemporarytheatre.org. Call 541-646-2971 for reservations. WinterSpring Benefit Gypsy Soul — singer Cilette Swann and multi-instrumentalist Roman Morykit — will present its 14th annual benefit concert for WinterSpring, a local nonprofit for those dealing with loss and grief, at the Unitarian Fellowship, 87 Fourth St. Ashland. Swann and Morykit will perform acoustic, soulful songs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. The duo will be joined by Mikey Stevens and Michael Forney to form a full band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Tickets cost $20 for each show and can be purchased online at brownpapertickets.com, at Music Coop, 268 E. Main St., or at the door. See www.gypsysoul.com. Wanderlust Circus Orchestra & 3 Leg Torso Dinner, an interpretation of "A Christmas Carol" by the circus and orchestra troupe Wanderlust and live music for dancing by modern chamber music orchestra 3 Leg Torso will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Historic Ashland Armory, 208 Oak St. Dine on a three-course meal prepared by Loft Brasserie while Wanderlust Circus presents a spectacle of acrobats, operatic singers, jugglers and dancing. VIP tickets include dinner and cost $75. General admission costs $30, $35 the day of the show. Tickets can be purchased online at liveatthearmory.com. The show is open to ages 21 and older. Abundance Swap Bring quality items that people would enjoy as gifts and pick out something for yourself during the Abundance Swap from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Historic Ashland Armory, 208 Oak St., Ashland. Some food will be provided. Bring finger foods if you would like to share. The 13th annual event offers an alternative to traditional holiday shopping. See www.abundanceswap.org. John Nilsen The Portland-based solo pianist and recording artist will present his annual series of holiday concerts in the Rogue Valley. Nilsen tours the country playing his arrangements of holiday classics, some boogie-woogie, jazz and songs from his prolific repertoire. His newest CD, "Wild Rose," was released in 2013 on his Magic Wing label. Concerts are set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Upper Rogue United Methodist Church, 18977 Highway 62, Shady Cove, 541-878-2793; 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Newman United Methodist Church, 132 N.E. B St., Grants Pass, 541-479-5369; 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at Paschal Winery, 1122 Suncrest Road, Talent, 541-535-7957; 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at RoxyAnn Winery, 3285 Hillcrest Road, Medford, 541-776-2315; and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at United Methodist Church, 416 Fourth St., Gold Hill. Admission to all of the concerts is $10, except for the RoxyAnn Winery show, which is free. Eight Dollar Mountain & Fruition High-energy bluegrass and Americana bands Eight Dollar Mountain and Fruition will play foot-stompin' Americana full of harmonies, string music and rich melodies at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Applegate Lodge, 15100 Highway 238, Applegate. Ashland band Eight Dollar Mountain released it's third album, "Tied to the Tracks," in 2014, produced by Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon. Portland band Fruition released its first full-length album, "Just One of Them Nights," in 2013. Tickets cost $12 and can be purchased at www.liveatthegate. http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20141211/NEWS/141219984 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->