In what promises to be a fun-filled afternoon the whole family can enjoy, performers from across North Bay and area, are pooling their talents to present a Christmas concert for the entire community, Sunday, November 18th .
This year, the Nipissing Serenity Hospice’s Annual Christmas Concert is in memory of Jim Marmino, a well-known community leader, and devoted volunteer with the hospice.
Marmino was instrumental in helping to raise awareness and money to make the hospice a reality. He sat the board and served as vice-chair.
Sadly, Marmino passed away last April.
The annual Christmas concert which began four years ago was the brainchild of Marmino and Adele Williams, another dedicated volunteer, who passed away the previous year.
Last year the concert was dedicated to Williams.
“They were really a pair of fundraiser's who came on to our board together, and they were the ones who started most of the community fundraising activities. They started with dinner shows, and then it was the Christmas concert a few years ago. They really were the driving force behind our community events,” explain Mathilde Gravelle Bazinet, board chair.
“We miss them terribly, but their spirit continues to inspire us and energize us.”
Entertainment coordinator Pat Veltri, and stage manager Jared Hill have been hard at work putting together the show which will feature entertainers singing traditional and non-traditional Christmas songs, in a variety of languages.
”They will all be putting on stellar performances. They’re all great. They’re all seasoned performers, and it is all singing. It is an eclectic mix of songs. A few songs are not Christmas related but they’re in the spirit of the Hospice and the spirit of the cause,” said Veltri.
“The group FOX GLOVE will be performing. We also have Robert and Donna Guillemette, Frances D’Andrea Huard and Paolo Dottori, Gateway Harmony, Joshua Pride, the Canadian Military Wives choir, Eric Foisy, Jason Brock, who will be playing a Chapman stick, Keri Underwood and keyboard accompanist Christine Saini.”
This year the concert is being held in the afternoon, to make it easier for people to attend.
“I hear it all the time that people do not like to night drive in the winter. So, having a Christmas show in the afternoon is a nice change. Having it from 2-4 is a good time and people still have their whole evening ahead of them.”
The stage at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall will be transformed into a winter park.
“Let me tell you this, at the end of the show, you will be full of the Christmas spirit. So, come out and enjoy the show. You’re helping a wonderful cause, and it is just a great afternoon out. It is two hours, it is not long, and it is just a great way to start your Christmas season,” said Veltri.
The matinee is being held at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall. Doors open at 1:30. Tickets are $20.00 each and are available at the door.
Proceeds from the event will go to the hospice.
Gravelle Bazinet says construction of the 10-bed residential, multi-denominational hospice is well underway.
“The foundation has all been poured now and the walls should be going up soon. We are hoping to have the shell enclosed by Christmas time.”
