Singers who have performed over the past decade during Cottonwood Golf Course’s Family Christmas event are returning for the 10-year anniversary gala.
A Cottonwood Family Christmas is Thursday (Dec. 15) at 6 p.m. and the gala reunion event is Dec. 22 at 6 p.m.
The gala performance on Dec. 22 will be a longer performance.
“I think anybody that comes will appreciate the fine work and performance ethic of the students who have come through the studio and then gone on to secondary education and are doing really well in their fields,” said Andrea Bertram, of Andrea Bertam Studio.
The event features an evening of carols, with accompanist Chelsea Peckett and Jacqui Kaese and Faye Neal will read Christmas-themed stories. There is also a buffet style dinner on both nights, a visit from Santa, Christmas crackers and dancers.
The gala evening will begin with Samantha Cashmore singing Hallelujah.
“It’s a tribute to Leonard Cohen who just passed away. It’s a song my sister used to sing,” said Cashmore. “It’s a mix of a tribute to him and to my sister who couldn’t be here.”
Singer Raymond Salgado, who is currently hoping to attend the University of Victoria or the University of British Columbia to pursue classical voice training, will sing What I Did for Love.
“It’s a very emotional song for me. I can connect to it from a personal experience,” said Salgado.
Performer Taylor Manns, who is currently teaching dance at Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts, will perform A Baby Changes Everything. Manns said she has been singing the song for a couple of years and empathizes with the lyrics.
“It will be fun and festive,” said Manns about the evening. “It’s going to be a good performance. And you’ll see everyone who started out so little in all the music festivals, who are working in the field they went to school for, you’ll get to see how they grew.”
Tickets are $39 for adults, $15 for children ages five to 12 and children five years old and younger are admitted for free.
Tickets must be reserved by calling the Cottonwood Golf Course at 250-245-5157 and asking for the dining room.