Christmas music from the Tri-Octaves, Boys Choir, CSO
LISA DENTON: OK, Barry, buckle up. I know we’ve been talking about Christmas events for a couple of weeks already, but now that we’re past Thanksgiving, the pace quickens.
Or maybe that’s my pulse. That’s what happens when you listen to too much Mannheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra holiday music. I love it, but maybe it’s time for some Perry Como. BARRY COURTER: It’s always time for some Perry. Man was smooth as homemade eggnog and a nice shot of Tennessee … well, he was as smooth as hot chocolate by a nice fire. How’s that?
LISA: Sounds as cozy as one of his sweaters.
There are several places to hear live Christmas music this weekend, starting with Tri-Octaves concerts Friday and Saturday at Christ United Methodist Church. Admission is free, but they’ll be accepting donations for the Bethlehem Center. This year’s theme is “A Christmas Tribute,” and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Willie Kitchens, who is one of the Tri-Octaves, will be writing Christmas lyrics for hit songs by late great artists like Michael Jackson and Prince.
I’ve been working on new lyrics for “O Christmas Tree.” So far it goes: “Oh Amazon, oh Amazon, my Christmas tree delivered.” Trying to find a rhyme for the next line has left me so bewildered. Hey, wait …
BARRY: I like where you are going with it. You know, we really do need to finish our own Hallmark Christmas movie script like we talked about last week. Something original. Like, a big-city daddy’s girl is suddenly relocated to small-town Maine, where it hasn’t snowed in weeks, and yet the town is preparing for their annual Christmas extravanganza that brings in the tourists, which are needed to save the gingerbread cookie factory … I watch too much TV, don’t I?
LISA: I wouldn’t worry about it. If it’s possible to overdose on schmaltz, the Hallmark channel would have been brought up on charges a long time ago.
Speaking of sentimentality, the Chattanooga Boys Choir is doing its Singing Christmas Tree on Saturday at the Tivoli Theatre. That’s a long-standing Chattanooga tradition.
And the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera is doing “A Classical Christmas” in its Chamber Concert Series at Chattanooga State on Sunday. I don’t see any Perry Como on the program, but Music Director Kayoko Dan says it will include “beautiful and peaceful music.”
BARRY: You can also hear plenty of holiday music, and get a lot of shopping done, over the next three weekends at the Chattanooga Holiday Market at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Many of the same folks who sell at the Chattanooga Market at First Tennessee all spring, summer and fall move inside for this. Plus, a lot of out-of-town vendors come as well. It’s a good place to find unique gifts.
Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.chattanooganow.com.