Photo: The Rotary Center for the Arts
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy’s A Celtic Family Christmas at Home.
The Rotary Center for the Arts gives people the opportunity to celebrate the holidays from the comfort of their homes with five festive virtual shows.
From concerts to theater shows, the RCA presents the shows from November 28th to December 19th.
“We know the Christmas season will be very different this year, but we wanted to find creative ways to help our community celebrate this festive season. We hope that you will stream one or more of our great shows and create a new festive tradition with your family, ”said Colleen Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of RCA.
The RCA also accepts donations for the Central Okanagan Food Bank. Non-perishable groceries can be dropped off at the RCA box office at 421 Cawston Avenue Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Donations are now accepted through December 13th.
The five shows include:
- Tom Jackson’s The Huron Carole on November 28th at 7pm
The Huron Carole features vacation classics, unique stories and original music by Tom Jackson and award-winning musicians Tom McKillip, Darryl Havers, John MacArthur Ellis, Kirby Barber and Chris “the Wrist” Nordquist. The Huron Carole was founded in 1987 by Jackson. It toured Canada and became a celebratory favorite while raising millions for food banks. Jackson and his crew will be traveling virtually this year to help local food banks along the way.
Click here to watch the Huron Carole trailer.
Corporations and groups can purchase package tickets from the RCA box office at 250-717-5304. If you want to donate to the food bank, you can do so when you buy your ticket.
Tickets start at $ 20 and are available online here.
- Andrew Allen’s All Hearts will be home on December 5th at 7:30 p.m.
Allen, a multi-platinum singer / songwriter from Vernon, brings a mixture of festive originals, Christmas classics and his own top 10 hits to a special achievement. He has five top 10 singles, including his first “I Wanna Be Your Christmas” (2009). Allen has written songs with Meghan Trainor, Cody Simpson, Carly Rae Jepsen, and others. He has shared the stage with Bruno Mars, One Republic and others.
Tickets start at $ 20 and are available here.
- It’s a wonderful life from December 10th to 13th at 7pm
The RCA, in partnership with New Vintage Theater, brings this vacation classic to life through a radio show from the 1940s. The story of George Bailey takes place with the help of an ensemble on Christmas Eve, while he looks at his life with the help of an angel.
The show features Matt Gunn, Kirsti Hack, Chuck Peeren, Aaron Johnson, Jimmy LeGuilloux, Braeden Rachfall and Tamie Williams with special guests. It is directed by Josie Morrow.
Tickets start at $ 15 and are available here.
- Craig Thomson and Lindsay May’s fundraiser for the Jazztastic Christmas Food Bank on December 18th at 7pm
Kelowna’s own Lindsay May and Craig Thomson met during a band tour in the early 1990s. Both have had very different music careers, but they have come together this season to spread cheers and support the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank.
Thomson and his crew rethink May’s Christmas album Sweet Cinnamon with a jazzy brush, including their original songs and favorites. The audience can expect two special guests.
May toured Europe four times and won numerous songwriting awards including the Kerrville New Folk Finalist. She has also shared the stage with the likes of Valdy, Shari Ulrich and John Gorka.
A BC favorite, Thomson is a tenor saxophonist, music educator, artistic director, and original jazz artist.
Tickets are $ 30 and are available here.
- Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahys A Celtic Family Christmas At Home on December 19th at 8 p.m.
Natalie MacMaster of Nova Scotia, Donnell Leahy and their seven children virtually welcome viewers to their home to share their music and unique way of life, including farming and Christmas traditions.
This show features traditional and original pieces as well as some numbers with their band; Mac Morin on piano, Mark Kelso on drums, Remi Arsenault on bass and Elmer Ferrer on guitar.
MacMaster is a multiple JUNO award winner who has toured with Carlos Santana, Faith Hill, Alison Krauss, and others.
Tickets start at $ 20 and are available here.
