Three campus traditions, plus a performance of "A Christmas Carol" and reception at the Wells Theatre sponsored by the Alumni Association, highlight this year's holiday offerings for the university community.

The popular Madrigal Banquets are back with a Spanish/Latin-American Winter Fiesta at 6:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 3-5, in the atrium of the Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center.

The music, performed by the Madrigal Singers and Collegium Musicum under the direction of Lee Teply, promises to be lively, with selections from Spain and the New World.

Following a sangria punch to toast the season, diners will be served chicken paella with vegetables and salad. A special flan will be prepared for dessert. A glass or carafe of wine may be purchased during the banquet.

Tickets for the meal and entertainment are $25 general admission and $10 for Old Dominion students. To purchase tickets by credit card call 683-4444. Tickets may be purchased by cash or check at the music department, 244 Diehn Center.

For more information call 683-4061.

"Kwanzaa: Celebrating an African-American Tradition" will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, in Webb Center.

A holiday celebrated by people of African descent, Kwanzaa revolves around fundamental activities that celebrate and reinforce family, community and culture.

This year's celebration - Old Dominion's seventh annual - will include a procession of elders, a fashion show, food samples and entertainment in the African-American tradition.

Performers include SEED (jazz, reggae, hip-hop), Tallwood High School Gospel Choir, Old Dominion's Ebony Impact Gospel Choir and Phalishia Jackson of the Colonial Boys and Girls Club. The university Speech Chorus will give a spoken performance. Also performing will be the Graceful Silhouettes Dance Troupe from the Colonial Boys and Girls Club.

Old Dominion faculty, staff and students with a university I.D., as well as children 8 or younger, will be admitted free. General admission is $5.

For more tickets call 683-4406.

The Old Dominion University Ballet, directed by Istvan Ament, will present the 27th anniversary production of its critically acclaimed "The Nutcracker" this holiday season.

Performances of the Tchaikovsky classic will be at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at Norfolk's Chrysler Hall.

Special guest artists include Caroline Sayo Iura from the Dutch National Ballet dancing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Tamas Solymosi from the Vienna State Opera in the role of the Cavalier.

Other guest artists include Adam Toth and Attila Bongar from the National Ballet of Hungary. Two more special guest artists from the North Carolina School of the Arts will join the cast, and Jerome Shannon of the Mobile Opera Company will conduct the orchestra.

Ticket prices range from $16 to $34, with discounts available for Old Dominion faculty, staff and students, and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets by calling 671-8100 or at the Scope box office, 664-6464.

For more information call the Ballet office at 683-4486.

The Old Dominion University Alumni Association is offering the campus community a special holiday treat next month at the Wells Theatre in Norfolk.

For one price, theater-goers can see an afternoon performance of the Virginia Stage Company's production of "A Christmas Carol" and enjoy a buffet after the show featuring holiday desserts and fancy beverages.

The Dickens classic will be performed at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. Tickets are $25 for adults and $17 for children 16 and under. For each adult ticket purchased, the Virginia Stage Company will donate $8 to Old Dominion's performing arts programs.

For reservations or more information call 683-3120.