As the longest night of 2009 approaches, Lopez Center will light up to celebrate the winter solstice with music, stories and poetry.

On Friday, Dec. 18, Stanley and Kip Greenthal, with special guests Christos Govetas and Eliot Grasso, will share spirited traditional and original songs and stories of the season starting at 7:30 p.m.

Nationally acclaimed Northwest songwriter and instrumentalist, Stanley has arranged a compelling mix of his original songs, and fresh arrangements of instrumental music from Brittany, Scotland, Ireland, and the Balkans to reflect the turning of the year. He plays guitar, bouzouki, laouto and lavta (Greek and Turkish lutes), while Kip joins him in harmony vocals and on percussion. For this unique occasion, Stanley and Kip have chosen material not heard at most holiday concerts.

Govetas has performed extensively in the U.S., Canada and Greece. He plays clarinet, oud and bouzouki with the Greenthals and performs regularly with his group Pangeo in the Seattle area. Christos is the 1999 recipient of the prestigious Northwest Folklife Fellowship Award, honoring his cultural contribution to the Greek-American and Folk dance communities.

Oregon resident Grasso plays the uilleann pipes, flute, and tin whistle. He has appeared nationally with Liz Carroll, Mick Maloney, Cherish the Ladies, and made an appearance on “A Prairie Home Companion.”

Critics say, “Grasso plays with great maturity and a startling understanding not only of his chosen instrument, but also of Irish music in general.”

Tickets

Tickets are $15 general, $10 youth, , kids under 5 free. They are available at Lopez Center, 468-2203, online at www.lopezcenter.com, and at Paper Scissors on the Rock, Blossom Organic Grocery, Islehaven Books, Islandale Southender.