Entertainment to Shine at Old Fashioned Christmas
This year's edition of the Old Fashioned Christmas in Sherbrooke Village will kick off on Friday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. with the lighting of the community tree at the Maple Manor Senior's Complex, followed by a candlelight procession down Main Street.
That evening in the village square, Guysborough County recording artist Gertie Grant will be performing songs from her recently released Christmas recording. Ms. Grant, who is a regular performer at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival, has written nine of the 10 songs on the new release.
On Saturday, Nov. 24, the Old Fashioned Christmas Concert will return to the St. Mary's Lions Community Centre. The concert will feature skits, recitations and music ranging from Celtic to folk to seasonal. Performers will range in age from elementary school students to retirees. The concert begins at 7 p.m.
The Sunday, Nov. 25, Ecumenical Choir service has been moved to 7 p.m. This event will feature an array of Guysborough County performers including Terri MacDonald, the St. Mary's Male Choir and the Bells of St. Mary's.
On Friday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. lessons and carols will be held at St. James Anglican Church.
On Saturday Dec. 1, at 7 p.m., a semi-formal dinner dance featuring the Greg Carter Orchestra will take place at the Lions Community Centre. The orchestra has strong ties to the renowned St. F.X. music program and saxophonist/leader Greg Carter is the head of the school's music faculty. Other faculty members include guitarist Alan Sutherland, trumpeter Paul Tynan and senior students Corbie Dorner on piano and voice, and Liam Tucker on bass. They will perform songs by such artists as Glenn Miller, Tony Bennet and Mel Torme.
The culinary side of the menu will include a traditional Christmas dinner of roast turkey with all the trimmings. The meal will be prepared and served by the St. Mary's Lioness Club.
For the finale of the Old Fashioned Christmas, multiple East Coast Music Association Award winner John Gracie will perform many of his Christmas recordings at the Sherbrooke Courthouse, on Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Gracie's closing concert has become an Old Fashioned Christmas tradition and is the highlight of the season for many. His interpretation of classical Christmas and original songs, the acoustics of the courthouse, and the setting, make this an event not to be missed.
For information on any of the Old Fashioned Christmas activities call 1-888-743-7845 or visit the Web site at museum.gov.ns.ca/sv/christmas.html.