Area Christmas Concerts Celebrate The Season
The Collingsworth Family sings at Calvin College on Dec. 11 It seems like we’re barely into the month of December and already some of the area’s Christmas concerts are in the rearview mirror.But there are still plenty of opportunities to join a musical celebration of the season at a number of different West Michigan events.
For an arena-sized experience, gospel music maven Bill Gaither and his Homecoming artists mark the Christmas spirit in a big way at 6 p.m. Sat. Dec. 13 at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids.
Not only will Gaither sing with his Grammy-winning Vocal Band (featuring tenor David Phelps), but he’s brought along fan favorites such as The Isaacs, The Martins, soloist Charlotte Ritchie, funny-man (and former Vocal Band member) Mark Lowry, among others.
A local choir, coordinated by Chris Hansen of Hark Up Ministries, will sing background on many of the songs.
Ticket information is available at https://www.premierproductions.com/tour/gaither-tour-2014/grand-rapids-mi
Meanwhile, Calvary Church of Grand Rapids finishes up its two-weekend musical “A Christmas Carol” as this year’s Festival of Lights at 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 12-14 in the church sanctuary at 707 E. Beltline NE.
The production features an 80-member cast, 100-voice choir, full orchestra, and roughly 200,000 twinkling lights from which the annual festival draws its name.
Tickets are $6 and $7, and are available at www.startickets.com, 800-585-3737 or at the church. www.calvarygr.org.
AND THE SONGS KEEP COMING
Singer Natalie Grant and the inspirational trio Point of Grace join forces for a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Thurs. Dec. 18 at Sunshine Community Church, 3300 E. Beltline NE.
Point of Grace has several Christmas albums over its recording career, including a “Home For the Holidays” collection. Grant has one of her own (“Believe”) as well as songs on various holiday compilation albums.
Grant comes to West Michigan with a new Grammy Award nomination for her CD “Hurricane.”
Reserved seat tickets are $25, gold circle seats $35, available via www.itickets.com
The all-girl pop group 1 Girl Nation, which performed at this year’s Unity Christian Music Festival in Muskegon, stops at WestShore Mall in Holland at noon Sat. Dec., 13 to spread some musical Christmas joy. There is no admission charge. http://www.bandsintown.com/event/9015617?app_id=fbjs_www.1girlnation.com&artist=1+Girl+Nation&came_from=39
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The three singers perform hymns, contemporary and sacred music equally well and will offer each at their local concert. Reserved seat tickets are $34.50 and are available at the box office or on line at www.vsfac.com, 878-6800.
The lively string ensemble known as the Annie Moses Band presents a concert of Christmas music in their “classical-crossover” style at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at Grace Community Church, 3500 New Holland St. Hudsonville. Special guest is Joshua Carswell. General admission tickets are $15 and available at www.itickets.com or 800-965-9324.
And five-time Grammy winner Sandi Patty’s soaring vocals will be showcased by the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra in a “Yuletide Joy” concert at 7:30 Tues. Dec. 23 in DeVos Performance Hall in downtown Grand Rapids.
Patty will perform some of her Christmas favorites from carols such as “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “O Holy Night” to the mainstream melody “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Reserved seat tickets start at $32 and are available from www.ticketmaster.com, or the DeVos box office.
OTHER HOLIDAY MUSIC EVENTS
*Collingsworth Family - 7 p.m. Thurs. Dec. 11 in Covenant Fine Arts Center, Calvin College. Tickets $20. 616-526-6282 http://www.calvin.edu/calendar/event.html?id=4e9a16fc-a6a0-439e-8c2f-cbb99abecdd1
*Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys “Lessons and Carols” - 7 p.m. Sat. Dec. 13 in St. Andrews Cathedral, 265 Sheldon Blvd. SE. Free-will offering. www.grcmb.org
*Messiah Sing-Along – 7 p.m. Sun. Dec. 14 in Trinity Lutheran Church, 2700 E. Fulton St. $5 at the door. www.chamberchoirgr.org
*Edelweiss Choir Christmas Concert – 3:30 p.m. Sun. Dec. 21 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 431 1st St. NW. Free-will offering. www.edelweissclubgr.com
