While some worry about last-minute Christmas shopping, others who perhaps started earlier may worry about last-minute Christmas concerts they may choose to attend. I prefer to be in the latter category rather than the former...
For me, listening to Christmas carols just sounds better in a church environment rather than a concert hall. The music may be the same but the ambiance makes all the difference for me. So I am happy to report there are several concerts planned for tomorrow, just a week before Christmas. Oh I am sure there are plenty others should you choose to look, but these are all reasonably close to home or a short drive away.
The annual holiday concert featuring Glissandi and local actor Guy Bannerman, part of the Gallery Players concert season, takes place Sunday afternoon at 3 pm at a new venue for them, St. Catharines United Mennonite Church. Entitled Celtic Folklore, the concert will feature a mix of celtic folklore of course, along with tales and traditions intertwined with festive music of the season.
In addition to actor Guy Bannerman, performers include harpist Deborah Braun, violinist David Braun, Douglas Miller on flute and Nicholas Braun on percussion.
You can purchase tickets in advance by calling 905-468-1525 or emailing info@galleryplayers.ca. You can also go to the website: www.galleryplayers.ca. New this year however is a Pay-What-You-Choose option at the door. If you choose this option, please be as generous as you possibly can be.
Also tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 pm, my own church, the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria on Lyman Street in downtown St. Catharines will hold their annual Advent Christmas choral concert. Featuring the Cathedral cantors and choir, the performance is a free-will offering event at the Cathedral.
Of all the Anglican churches in Niagara I have had the pleasure of visiting, one of my true favourites is St. Barnabas Church on Queenston Street. Their church community is always tremendously welcoming and I remember years ago visiting the church for any number of events and sneaking downstairs to check on their resident cat, Barney.
St. Barnabas will host a Christmas Carol Sing-Along open to everyone in the community tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm, and there is no charge.
If you don't mind the drive to Toronto tomorrow there is a Festival of 9 Lessons & Carols by Candlelight evensong service scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm at the Church of St. Peter and St. Simon the Apostle Anglican Church on Bloor Street East. The performance will feature traditional carols and readings and music by Willcocks, Holman, Edwards, Sweelinck and others. There will also be a reception afterwards with festive treats and mulled wine!
And finally, there is a decidedly un-carolly concert this evening down at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines if you are ready for something a little jazzier. The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra will present A Very Swingin' Basie Christmas this evening in Partridge Hall at 7:30pm. Directed now by Scotty Barnhart and featuring special guest vocalist Carmen Bradford, this will be a very upbeat and rather hip take on the Christmas season.
This is the final concert of the fall season for Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts as part of the TD Jazz Series. Tickets are available through the PAC box office or by going to www.bravoniagara.org for more information.
So there you go, lots of reasons not to go to the mall tomorrow afternoon...
Enjoy your weekend!
December 17th, 2022.
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