A Nanaimo singer is celebrating Christmas a couple days early.
On Dec. 23, Elise Boulanger is holding her annual Christmas concert the Night B4 the Night B4 at the Vault Café. This is the fifth year she’s presenting the show, and with dates in Port Alberni and Duncan, it’s the first time she’s bringing it to other communities.
“You always put so much work into creating a show that it’s nice to do it more than once,” she said.
Boulanger will be performing alongside pianist Sarah Wood, a longtime accompanist who was part of the Night B4 the Night B4 in 2019. Wood got into the Christmas spirit early this year, having put up her Christmas tree on Nov. 28, the first Sunday of Advent. She said the concert brings her “incredible joy.”
“I have been enjoying preparing this program,” Wood said. “I’m really excited to share this program with people of all ages and walks of life. I think it’s going to be a real gift that we’re offering.”
Wood say she and Boulanger will be presenting their biggest show yet, featuring both religious and secular Christmas and winter songs as well as some Boulanger originals. Along with singing the songs, Boulanger said she’ll be telling the stories behind them as well.
“I always think that’s so interesting to learn about,” she said. “And since the songs are so familiar, then everyone can understand and become more familiar with them even more so.”
Boulanger said Christmas concerts have a unique feeling that isn’t always present in other performances.
“When people come together for a Christmas show it can be really cozy and inclusive,” she said. “And everyone kind of feels a sense of connectedness that they don’t necessarily otherwise at concerts they go to throughout the year.”
WHAT’S ON .. Elise Boulanger presents the Night B4 the Night B4 at the Vault Café, 499 Wallace St., on Dec. 23. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $16, available at the venue.
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