How to go
What: Rhapsody in Blue will present “A Very Hamilton Christmas”
When: Friday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. and Sat. Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (The show runs about 2 hours and includes an intermission with refreshments available.)
Where: Hamilton High School Auditorium, 1165 Eaton Avenue, Hamilton
Admission: Tickets are $8 children/students; $10 seniors and $12 adults
More info:
Advance ticket sales are available at Hamilton Welcome Center, 1 High Street, Hamilton, (513) 844-8080. Tickets are also available for purchase at the door.
Rhapsody in Blue will present a “A Very Hamilton Christmas,” at 7 p.m., Friday, and at 2 and 7 p.m., Saturday at the Hamilton High School Auditorium.
According to producer Ian MacKenzie-Thurley, the live concert event was created for the whole family and features some of Hamilton’s finest talent, including the show choirs from both Hamilton and Ross High Schools, a traditional carol sing-along and of course, Santa.
Featured guests include professional singers, dancers, instrumentalists and performers, including Hamilton High School alumni Kelly MacKenzie-Thurley and Katelyn Fox, Alex Roby, Curtis Roth and Dravin Downey, a fourth-grade honor student in the Hamilton City School District. Shaun Higgins will host the show.
“We have tried, wherever possible to use local singers, musicians and performers, and to involve local businesses, which have all been fantastic,” said MacKenzie-Thurley. “The essence of the show is ‘A Very Hamilton Christmas’ so we have a local, community-based focus. We’ve had a great response from the community — the City, Hamilton Welcome Center, TvHamilton, the schools, stores and businesses. It’s been quite overwhelming and very encouraging.”
“There is a wonderful Christmas spirit here in Hamilton,” MacKenzie-Thurley said. “ We’d like people to come and have fun, experience some Christmas cheer, enjoy Christmas music and celebrate some of Hamilton’s finest talent.”
During the concert, everyone will hear some of their favorite Christmas songs. The show is set up in sections such as “A Winter Wonderland,” where guests can expect to hear a medley of songs like “Let It Snow,” and “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.” There is also a segment of the show called “A Country Christmas” with a country-style theme and a grand gospel-flavored finale with songs such as “I Pray on Christmas,” “Amen,” and “Jesus What a Wonderful Child.”
With “A Kid’s Christmas,” there are child-friendly numbers like “Frosty the Snowman” and “Jingle Bells,” and children will be invited to the front to be a part of the experience. The show will also highlight the newly written “Twelve Days of Hamilton Christmas,” which will lead into an audience sing-along featuring “Silent Night” and “Hallelujah Chorus,” among others. Additionally, there will be several instrumental and dance numbers, along with the arrival of Santa Claus.
“This is something that is unique to Hamilton, using Hamilton talent to put on the show,” said Laurin Sprague, director of fine arts, Hamilton City Schools. “With this show, we wanted to start a tradition in Hamilton that we really haven’t had for a few years.”
As part of “A Very Hamilton Christmas,” organizers said they are pleased to partner with St Raphael – Mercy Health in Hamilton for a Can Opener Drive, “Open Your Heart To Open Some Cans.” There will be can openers available for purchase for $2 and donation at the event, or guests may bring a new can opener to donate at the show.
For nearly 70 years, St. Raphael has provided people living in the city of Hamilton and surrounding communities with emergency shelter, financial assistance, food, personal items and access to medical care in times of crisis.
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