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Elliot Lake residents celebrated what has become a Christmas tradition with the 12th annual Community Christmas Concert.
The event, hosted by the city, saw a capacity crowd packed into the theatre at the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre for the event that has become a mainstay for Christmas in the community. Proceeds from the event, including $5 ticket sales and non-perishable food items donated by audience members went to the local food bank.
Well-known musician, songwriter, actor Jim Graham served as master of ceremonies for the evening on Wednesday night to the delight of those attending. He entertained with music during the intermission and filled in with jokes as some of the performers were delayed between acts.
As noted by one of the performers on stage the concert has become a tradition in Elliot Lake for Christmas.
The music ranged from traditional Christmas carols to more modernized versions of songs of the season.
Local singer Kim Arnold performed songs from her recently released CD.
The concert was kicked off by the Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Lourdes choirs of young people who put on a dazzling show of music and chorus. In particular their medley of Christmas music was a hit among the audience.
Other entertainers included, Denis Morel, dancers from Studio Dance Arts, Shane Miljevic, the Hillbilly Harmonizing Duo, the Villa Francaise des Jeunes band known as Les Accidents, Lasso the Moon whose tunes raised the Christmas spirit to a more modern level, Roger Legacy who was superb in his presentation and trio Trilogy.
The audience was encouraged to lend their singing talents, which they did for several numbers.
The producer of the event was Kate Matuszewski, the city’s coordinator of arts and culture assisted by a group of volunteers.
“Our sincere thanks and appreciation to all the performers…who have graciously volunteered their time and talent in support of the Elliot Lake Food Band and to entertain the community,” Matuszewski said in the evening program notes.