Shortcuts December 05 2001

Huntsville, Ala.
Grandma Moses in the 21st Century, a collection of works by one of the most popular artists in the 1940s and ’50s, is on display Dec. 10-Jan. 27 at the Huntsville Museum of Art, one of only seven major American museums to host the exhibit. Eighty-seven works from private and public collections reflect the holiday spirit as well as the zeal of everyday life. Sun. 1-5 p.m.; Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (open Thurs. till 9 p.m.); Mon. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Dec. 10-Jan. 21. $5. 300 Church St. 800-786-9095 or www.hsvmuseum.org.

Memphis, Tenn.
Elvis may have sung about having a blue Christmas, but the decorations on his mansion tell otherwise. The lights for the Christmas at Graceland celebration clicked on the day after Thanksgiving and will shine through Elvis’ birthday festivities Jan. 5-8. Decorations adorn Christmas trees that have been placed throughout the house. Two displays are set up on Graceland’s lawn — one with a large Santa, sleigh and reindeer with “Merry Christmas to All, Elvis” suspended above it; the other with a life-size nativity scene, lighted aluminum trees lining the front of the house and blue lights lining the winding driveway. Through Jan. 8. Closed Tues. Nov.-Feb.; closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Call for holiday hours. $16-$25 adults. 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd. 800-238-2000 or www.elvis.com.

Macon, Ga.
The Tubman African-American Museum is celebrating the holidays with a Nigerian-themed Christmas tree. Artist Chi Ezekwueche decorated the tree with strips of Asoke, Akwete and other Nigerian textiles, as well as Jigida necklaces and miniature instruments. Also hanging on the tree are masks painted with Uli designs. The masks symbolize the masquerade celebrations held in Nigeria, where in most areas Christmas lasts Dec. 20-Jan. 2. Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 2-5 p.m. $2-$3. 340 Walnut St. 478-743-8544 or www.tubmanmuseum.com.

-- Lea K. Holland??