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It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! If you've ever tried to settle contentedly into a seasonal job, this episode is for you. "Macy's" was written by Gale Brennan Jackson, and read by Silvie Zamora. Theme music by Scott Passarella and Gary Grantham. Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! "O Triple Conjunction of Bethlehem" was written by Silvie Zamora, and featured the voice talents of Abel Arias and Brett Bayone. Original music by Gary Grantham and Scott Passarella. Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! For some, the only time family gets together is during the holidays. But which holidays? Andy Crocker and Jen Bascom wrote the delightful parody lyrics to this tune about siblings and how easy it can be to get along. Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! It can be tricky to find that healthy balance between gifts for well-deserving family and friends, and the consumerism that can stifle the real meaning of the holidays. One family figured it out. "Brought To You By," written by Silvie Zamora, performed by Abel Arias, Brett Bayonne, Robyn Roth, and Denny Siegel. Gary Grantham and Scott Passarella provide the intro and outro music. Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for more about this project and the talented folks involved.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! Like a mini-culture of its own, every family has its traditions, for every day and for special days. The Weinholds are no different. Well, somewhat different: the geese, the feathers, the Barbies. Brendan Weinhold wrote today's personal story. It was performed by Keith Ferguson. Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! Today's flashback episode takes us to Norway! "Norwegian Christmas" is a story of the personal Christmases of actor/improvisor/writer Jennifer Flack. Written and performed by Jenny, with intro and outro music by Gary Grantham and Scott Passarella. This one may not make you hungry, but it will make you want to hug your loved ones. Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! If you're Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time, but you wouldn't mind spicing up your Silent Night, you need a brand new holiday vaudeville tune! Schlep over to our website to read about the actor/improvisor/comedian/writer Denny Siegel, who created this original music. Performed by Denny Siegel and Brett Bayonne, with Scott Passarella and Gary Grantham on piano and percussion. Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic. Today's episode is Lauren Pritchard's personal story, written by Lauren, read by Silvie Zamora.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic. "December Never Comes" was written by Silvie Zamora, and performed by Kiff VandenHeuvel and Keith Ferguson.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic. Today's episode, Tamale Factory, was written by Vanessa Espino and performed by Abel Arias.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic. Today's episode, "Merry Krampus," was written by Silvie Zamora.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic. Today's episode, "Elf Training Camp", was written by Denny Siegel.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it! Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

One for sorrow, Two for mirth (or joy, or luck, in some versions), Three for a wedding, four for a birth, (or a death, in some versions), (Three and four are sometimes for "a girl" and "a boy," respectively.)   So many options.  The old nursery rhyme goes on:   Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret never to be told. Eight for a wish, Nine for a kiss, Ten a surprise you should be careful not to miss, Eleven for health, Twelve for wealth, Thirteen, beware. It's the devil himself.   Look for the signs.