CHRISTMAS NOTES: Holiday music takes center stage this weekend
Published 9:10 pm Thursday, December 4, 2014
Silver Bells; Jingle Bells; O Christmas Tree. Silent Night; O Holy Night; The First Noel. For so many, the holidays are only made complete by the sound of music — Christmas music.
Starting tonight, there is ample opportunity to ring in the season with music made for Christmas. First, Celtic musician, and eastern North Carolinian, Jennifer Licko will take the stage at the Turnage Theater tonight with a Celtic Christmas Concert. Licko is an internationally touring artist whose band features three-time All-Ireland fiddle champion Dylan Foley, called “one of the finest Irish fiddlers of his generation.” While Licko has gained critical acclaim, and national airplay, for her most recent album, “A Thousand Curses Upon Love,” many may recognize her voice from a decade ago.
“Locally, people might remember Jennifer Licko from back in the early days of Music in the Streets,” said Joey Toler, Beaufort County Arts Council’s executive director. “When the arts council was doing the music programming, she called me and she wanted to play that first year. That was the first time I met her, and since then she has gone on to do wonderful things.”
Toler said Licko has gained quite a following since, the reason for which will be apparent as she performs more familiar Christmas songs like “We Three Kings” and “What Child Is This?” along with traditional and original songs in Gaelic.
“There will be not only musicianship, but there will be singing and dancing. Jennifer’s very engaging and it’s certainly one of those things that will put you in the holiday spirit,” Toler said.
On Saturday, the musical festivities continue with the annual HeART of the City Christmas concert, a free event that is open to anyone in the mood for some Christmas spirit. Co-sponsored by the City of Washington, the Beaufort County Choral Society, an all-volunteer choir, and the handbell choir River City Ringers will bring Christmas to the Turnage stage.
The always popular concert combines traditional and modern, with old, favorite carols and new takes on old favorites.
“There’s always a sing-along section, where the audience gets to sing along and the best thing about it is it’s free. It’s open to the public.
Toler said the theater holds 430 people and seating is on a first come, first served basis.
“We’re going to fill the house,” Toler said. “If we have to turn people away, that’s a good thing. We have the theater wired for sound now, so if people want to sit out in the lobby and listen, they can.”
A Celtic Christmas Concert starts at 8 p.m. tonight. Tickets are $12 for Beaufort County Arts Council members; $15 for nonmembers. Doors for the HeART of the City Christmas Concert open at 6 p.m., seating will start at 6:30 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. curtain. For more information, call 252-946-2504.