GuelphToday received the following recommendations for local concerts certain to uplift your spirits as the Christmas season approaches.
I don’t know about you but one of the things which I enjoy so much at this time of the year are the many wonderful musical offerings. I try to attend several, if possible, as more than any other gift, I am most uplifted by these events.
Although there are many worthy concert events to choose from, I would like to highlight just a few local ones catering to varying musical tastes and that I plan to attend or have attended in the past. The artists who mount the concerts go to great lengths to enrich us with their talent and I hope each one is rewarded with a full house and a renewed sense of calling, as they share their passion and art with us. Hope you’ll join me and take in a few! Merry Christmas!
1. Joy in the City 6: A Gospel Christmas Celebration
Saturday, Dec, 14, 7 p.m.
Royal City Mission, 50 Quebec Street, Guelph 7 p.m.
If you love gospel music, this event in its 6th year, is not to be missed and one of my very favourite. Masterfully produced by our very own Guelph gospel vocalist, Verese Vassell-Bowen, Verese not only has a breathtaking, powerful voice herself but also a remarkable reach into the local and international gospel music community bringing us artists like Juno nominated, Londa Larmond, Rufus John, Lotoya Hall-Downer, Carrie Wilson-Guse, Keturah Morris and our own Michael Austin Harris, Tracy Cain and the Joy in the City Choir. Adrian Raso, also a celebrated Guelph guitarist, is featured in this year’s production.
For tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/joy-in-the-city-6-a-gospel-christmas-celebration-tickets-1026003182137
2. Elora Singers: Festival of Carols
I just attended the Elora Singers’ Handel’s Messiah on December 10th with the London Symphonia and it was a truly beautiful rendition of this enduring, centuries old classic that never fails to move me. You can still enjoy the Elora Singers at their Festival of Carols.
Dec. 17 and 18
St. John’s Anglican Church, 36 Henderson Street, Elora.
They invite us "to step into the warmth and wonder of a candle-lit concert that will fill you with joy and wonder, and lift your spirit with timeless treasures and heartwarming stories”
For tickets visit: https://elorasingers.ca/2024-2025/
3. Do You Hear What I Hear? The Gift of Listening with music by Rags and Bones Collective, featuring the storytelling of Brad Woods, presented by Royal City Mission
Dec. 15, 7 p.m.
Royal City Mission, 50 Quebec Street, Guelph
A special gathering for a great cause with some loved Guelph musicians (remember the Great Wooden Trio?) in a newly minted musical collective and of course, Guelph’s great Brad Woods spinning us a good yarn.
Described as a “night of music storytelling and an all around great Christmas event” with proceeds going to support the work of Royal City MIssion which helps those in need in downtown Guelph.
For tickets and to donate to Royal City Mission visit: https://www.royalcitymission.ca/hearchristmas.html
4. Glory and Peace Christmas Concert: Trevor Dick and Band
Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Water Street Church, 287 Water Street Church, Guelph
Yes, Trevor, is my husband and my favourite local electric/acoustic violinist and I am still a fan of this Christmas concert which has been presented across the country since its inception in 2007. "GLORY to God in the highest and on earth PEACE to all on whom His favour rests" creatively explored through a unique blend of progressive rock/jazz/world music stylings with classical and folk overtones captures the essence of this musical retelling of the Christmas story. Some new selections from Trevor’s latest 2024 release He Died/He Rose will also be featured in this concert.
For Tickets visit:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/trevor-dick-glory-peace-christmas-concert-tickets-1076037279469?
Lee-Ann Dyck
Guelph
