It’s beginning to sound like the holidays
There are plenty of shows to get you in the Christmas spirit
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/12/2016 (2672 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
It’s that time of year again — social calendars are bursting with events from now until New Year’s (and possibly even beyond) with work parties, get-togethers and, of course, concerts.
If, by some holiday miracle, there are still a few open evenings you’re looking to fill with something festive, here’s a collection of shows that are sure to get you in the seasonal spirit:
West End Cultural Centre:
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of his holiday LP Almost a Full Moon, Hawksley Workman is on tour, performing special shows “celebrating Christmas, community, family and singing,” and will kick things off in Winnipeg at the West End Cultural Centre Monday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. In addition to the tour, there will also be a limited-edition vinyl pressing of Almost a Full Moon, which also comes with a lyrics and chords songbook and a free download card for the album, which includes two new tracks. Workman has also announced the release of a children’s book of the same name that pulls its story from the lyrics on the record. Tickets are $35 in advance, and are available at Ticketmaster and the Winnipeg Folk Festival office.
On Friday, Dec. 9, the WECC will host Toronto-based roots trio the Good Lovies as they “celebrate a decade of music and camaraderie” with a holiday performance, beginning at 8 p.m. “The trio will mark 10 years as a band in the way it all began, with classic holiday and winter selections of timeless and original material polished to a warm and welcoming glow,” says a release about the show. Tickets are $30 in advance, available at the WECC, Into the Music, Music Trader and online at Ticketfly.com.
That same weekend at the WECC, Winnipeg singer-songwriter Don Amero is back for the eighth edition (fourth time at the WECC) of his Amero Little Christmas holiday concert (Saturday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m.). While the mood is festive, Amero also likes to focus on what the season is really about — relaxing, looking at the blessings in life and showing love to others. Tickets are $17 in advance and are available at the WECC, Into the Music, Music Trader and online at Ticketfly.com.
Club Regent Event Centre
For vocalist and harpist Janelle Nadeau, coming home to the Prairies is an important part of Christmas, so she and her ensemble will been touring all over Manitoba for the first week of December, winding things up with a show at the Club Regent Event Centre (Thursday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m.). Her show, A Prairie Christmas, celebrates traditional music of the season as well as families that share it together. “We want the audience to sit back and enjoy the enchanting journey of our music. We will share our Christmas memories and create new ones for friends and families attending,” Nadeau says in a news release. Tickets are $21-$26.25 at Ticketmaster.
Centennial Concert Hall
On Sunday, Dec. 4, the tradition of A Prairie Christmas Celebrations continues this year, as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra teams up with a handful of talented Manitobans for their annual holiday classic show. This year, Ace Burpee of Virgin Radio will host the afternoon event full of comedy, storytelling and sing-alongs. Other artists scheduled to appear include vocalist Amber Epp, the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus, magician Chris Funk and, of course, Alexander Mickelthwate as conductor of the WSO. Tickets range in price from $26-$56 and are available online at Ticketmaster or wso.ca. The show starts at 2 p.m.
Award-winning fiddle virtuosos Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy will present their A Celtic Family Christmas at the Centennial Concert Hall (Friday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m.). The duo recently released a record of the same name, and will be accompanied by other musicians, as well as their children, making it a true family affair. “Christmas is where this whole concept started and we are excited to be travelling as a family,” Leahy says in a release. “It’s a perfect time to travel across Canada and bring light and happiness to families and fans across the country.” Tickets are $29.50-$59.50 and available at Ticketmaster.
Singer-songwriter Jann Arden will play a pair of concerts with the WSO on Dec. 9 and 10. The show pulls its title from Arden’s holiday record — a Jann Arden Christmas — will obviously feature a bevy of Christmas tunes. Shows begin at 8 p.m., and tickets range in price from $25-$133, though, fair warning, most of the more inexpensive seats have already sold out.
There are a few other holiday shows that will be performed at the concert hall this December; for a full list, and more information about the concerts listed above, visit centennialconcerthall.com.
Burton Cummings Theatre
For many Winnipeg music fans, it just wouldn’t be Christmas in Winnipeg without the JP Hoe Hoe Hoe Holiday Show, which hits the Burton Cummings Theatre Friday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. The show has been a holiday staple for 10 years and will once again donate a portion of the proceeds to the Christmas Cheer Board. As always, the pop singer-songwriter promises campy decorations, good music and a sizable cup of holiday cheer. “No stress, no mess, this concert is a night you can share with anybody and everybody,” he writes on his website. Tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for kids, available at Ticketmaster.
https://youtu.be/g-2nB6pDupQ
Park Theatre
In the less-traditional holiday concert category, there’s Vancouver soul/dance duo the Funk Hunters, who will Funk the Halls at the Park Theatre Wednesday, Dec. 14. The pair of DJs pull inspiration from classic hip hop and funk and blend that with electronic music — there won’t be any Silent Night here, just some thumping beats that will guide you into the last couple weeks of the holiday season. Tickets are $25 at Ticketmaster.
In the more-traditional holiday concert category, vocalist Chad Celaire presents Songs of the Season at the Park Theatre Thursday, Dec. 22, at which he will perform some of the most popular Christmas classics. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $10 for children 12 and under. Music starts at 9 p.m.
Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre
And last, but certainly not least, over at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre, a capella group Those Guys presents An Evening with Those Guys: Under the Mistletoe Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11. The show will be a mix of both holiday and non-holiday tunes, and will feature performances by the individual guys in Those Guys as well. Both shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available at thoseguys.brownpapertickets.com for $20, plus fees.
Twitter: @NireRabel
Erin Lebar
Manager of audience engagement for news (currently on leave)
Erin Lebar spends her time thinking of, and implementing, ways to improve the interaction and connection between the Free Press newsroom and its readership.