If you want to find out if Santa is really a Baymen, you’ll want to check out the performance by the Okanagan Celtic Choir.
The choir will be hosting an evening of classic Christmas carols, Celtic tunes and Maritime holiday fun straight from Newfoundland at Trinity United Church Saturday, Dec. 17.
From classic Christmas songs such as Deck the Halls, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and Joy to the World to Celtic arrangements of Christmas in Killarney, A Celtic Silent Night and I Saw Three Ships, the Okanagan Celtic Choir invites audiences to join them for a special evening of traditional music.
“This will be the first time the choir has presented a Christmas show and the performance of the 50-person SATB (soprano/alto/tenor/bass) choir has something for the entire family,” said choir leader Andrew Mercer.
“Whether you want to come out and sing along with the choir or just sit back and listen to the beautiful harmonies, as we shift our Christmas spirit into high gear, this family Christmas event has something for everyone.”
Mercer will also perform a set of Christmas songs that may be a little more unfamiliar – songs he grew up listening to in his home province of Newfoundland.
“Every region of the country has different Christmas traditions and Newfoundland is no exception,” he said. “One tradition in particular that is unique to Newfoundland is mummering. Not to give too much away, but there may be a mummer or two coming in from Newfoundland for a special visit.”
Also performing will be Carolyn Anele, a member of the choir and no stranger to the Okanagan music scene.
With a voice compared to the likes of Mary Gauthier and Judy Collins and the humorous sensibilities of Connie Kaldor, Anele writes songs that can make you laugh and make you cry.
“Carolyn’s pure natural voice, innovative melodies and well-crafted lyrics, weave a fusion of folk, country, bluegrass and Celtic roots music into uplifting stories of life, love, family and the simple journey of the human heart,” said Mercer.
Tickets for the Okanagan Celtic Choir performance are $10, available at Trinity United, 3300 Alexis Park Dr., during office hours. The choir will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Trinity United Church Food Bank at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
