Series Of Concerts Across The West Island Usher In The Holiday Season

A lot of celebratory performances are about to usher in the holiday season.
The Octet plus Choir, under the direction of Constance Osborne launches the West Island holiday season with a Christmas concert to benefit the Vision Self-Help Association West Low Island, in the church of St-John-the-Baptiste, Ste 233 Claire Pointe-Claire Ave., on November 26 at 19:30

The 20 singers come from choirs around Montreal. Octet Plus was established in 1988 by Sue Maule, the late wife of former US consul general in Montreal. The performance includes a holiday singalong and is followed by a reception. Admission is free, but an offer of good will of the partnership is welcome.

* The West Island Chorus of Sweet Adelines brings his special brand of a cappella singing to Lindsay Place High School, 111 Broadview Ave. in Pointe-Claire, November 29 at 7:30 pm the concert features 40 voices and a list holiday-themed songs. Tickets cost $ 20. A portion of the proceeds go to Community Shares of West Island.

A cast of local celebrities is back to reading the traveling version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, as part of the Concert Series at St. Columba-St-Columba-by-the-Lake Presbyterian Church, 11 Rodney Ave . In Pointe-Claire, December 6 at 7 pm

Dickens created a five-part version of the classic tale of epiphany and redemption he took public tours back in the day. Each section - called a "stick" - is read by a local personality, with musical interludes with the Festival by the indie band Motel Raphael, blues singer Dawn Tyler Watson, jazz pianist John Roney, MSO harpist Jennifer Swartz, Celtic fiddler Kate Bevan-Baker, soprano Manon Feubel and vocal jazz quartet Quavaria.

Shari Okeke, CBC Radio Daybreak avoid reads 1; Ian Victor, from McGill University 'Presbyterian College, read around 2; Actress Elizabeth Prevost read avoid 3; CBC Daybreak host Mike Finnerty shared reading 4 long staff member Clare Reid-St Columba, and producer Kevin Tierney May avoid reading.

"No entry as a director, so I'm on tenterhooks to hear the personal interpretations of the rich characters of Dickens," St-Columba Concert Series Artistic Director Michael McAuley said. "And the music is a real mix. The evening closes with a wonderful mix of jazz Christmas music by Quavaria. In this age of all things digital, listen Live is electric."

Tickets are $ 25, $ 15 for students and $ 70 maximum for families. Proceeds go to Tyndale St-Georges Community Centre in Little Burgundy and St-Columba-by-the-Lake Church.

Students from John Rennie Actors Studio 'cause hilarity with British pantomime Beauty and the Beast, a pantomime Christmas by Toby Bradford and Tina Webster, Louise Chalmers Theatre at 501 St-Jean Boulevard in Pointe-Claire, 11 to 12 December at 7:30 pm and December 13 at 15:00

Pantomime is traditionally performed during festivals. Its roots go back to comedy it in Italian art of the 16th century over the years expanded to encompass the influence of European fairy tales. Pantomime today continues to offer a set list Stooges archetypal characters and is a mixture of slapstick comedy, music and audience participation. Pantomime has been a hit with families for generations.

Tickets are $ 12 for adults and $ 6 for students and seniors and can be purchased at the door or online www.onlineticketspot.com or www.goticketsnow.com.