Community Band’s Mayor’s Christmas Concert is tonight

It’s a traditional tripleheader. Three highprofile events will remind southern Albertans we’re well into the Christmas season.

Tonight, it’s the annual Mayor’s Christmas Concert. Next weekend, the

Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra

will present two concerts featuring Celtic carols. And on Dec. 18,

— now back in the familiar Yates Centre — will kick off its seasonal run, continuing through Jan. 5.

Initiated 27 years ago, in the days of David Carpenter, the Mayor’s Christmas Concert is set for 7 p.m. today in Southminster United Church. The

Theatre Lethbridge Community Band

organization’s two ensembles — Silver and Gold — will present seasonal favourites and they’ll be joined by members of the

Magrath Elementary School Choir.

The family concert will end with the choir and both bands leading the audience in familiar carols. For tickets, go online to or check at the door for any remaining seats. Food or cash donations to the city’s food banks will be appreciated.

••• Edmonton-based a folk and Celtic vocalist who’s toured the nation, will be guest artist for two concerts — Dec. 16 and 17 — with the symphony orchestra.

“This will be like no concert seen before in Lethbridge,” predicts

the orchestra’s executive

Gattiker,

New West Lizzy Hoyt, Melanie

director.

“Lizzy Hoyt is an amazingly talented woman, and so versatile.”

Favourite carols, familiar tunes, Celtic songs, fiddlers — they’ll all be on the program at Southminster United.

Concert time for the Dec. 16 performance will be 3 p.m., then 7:30 p.m. for the Dec. 17 repeat, with tickets available online at

••• And it’s your “Hit Parade” coming up as New West’s winter show, with 14 performances from Dec. 19 to Jan. 5, Wednesday through Saturday each week — plus the Tuesday opener and their popular New Year’s Eve show.

The “young audiences” show, “Munsch-o-Rama” will run from Boxing Day to Jan. 5. New West will be announcing more details next week.

••• Here’s a bonus: There’s a “Tudor/Victorian” celebration planned for Friday — complete with mince pies, gingerbread, eggnog and mulled wine!

The

Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society

is staging “Shakespeare Meets Dickens,” an imaginative event including a performance of “A Christmas Carol” as well as scenes and songs from Shakespeare.

Audience members are invited to add to the occasion by dressing in Victorian or Tudor style. The event will be held at Casa, and tickets are available there now.

••• Both traditional and contemporary selections will be on the program Monday, when the community choir presents its Christmas concert, 7:30 p.m. in Southminster United. Founding director says the evening will include the Pentatonix a cappella group’s modern setting for “O Come All Ye Faithful” as well as African praise music and timeless favourites like “Silent Night.”

No need to scramble for tickets — they’ll be available at the door.

••• A variety of choirs will be heard next weekend during the annual Festival of Nativities event at the LDS Chapel near the Enmax Centre. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, then 3 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 16.

••• In a city that enjoyed far more “live music” locations in the past, it’s encouraging to see a new one that’s supporting local musicians. The Hydro Lounge is the new name for the lower level at the Water Tower Grill, and extensive renovations have made it a truly unique attraction.

Caritas Frank Gnandt

And then there’s the view. . . On Friday, longtime Lethbridge artist and musician will be back in town to join guitar guru and song stylist for an evening of seasonal music and jazz standards. Music starts about 8 p.m.

Ketcheson Lawson

••• Let’s lift a wee dram to salute Lethbridge-born cinema choreographer whose work can be appreciated in the current seasonal movie “Anna and the Apocalypse.”

Her parents, point out she choreographed and directed the fight scenes, and was also one of the stunt “doubles” in the production. She lives in Toronto, but the movie was produced in Scotland.

••• Time for our last-minute reminders:

This afternoon, 2 p.m. is the time for the final presentation of the radio version of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Director

and a cast of seven — plus sound effects — are staging the event in Immanuel Lutheran Church on Rocky Mountain

Rude Billy McCarroll Dale Sheena EmmaClaire Brightly,a Fiona and David Miller, Fran

Boulevard West near University Drive. Check for tickets at the door.

••• Tonight, the university-based

ensemble will offer a selection of works from its eclectic repertoire, reflecting Brazilian, African, Chinese and Taiko influences, plus steel band and chamber percussion styles. The University Theatre performance is set for 7:30 p.m., check for tickets.

••• And next Saturday, Dec. 15, the

Drums Global Southern Alberta Ethnic Association

is

inviting everyone to a no-charge “community Christmas dinner” at the Multicultural Centre. Entertainment will begin at 3 p.m. and dinner will follow about 5 p.m.