Best 2015 Holiday Concerts In Minnesota
A Center For The Arts
124 Lincoln Ave., W.
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
(218) 736-5453
www.fergusarts.org
Date(s): Dec. 19, 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Back in the 50s, The Diamonds had an acapella hit with "Little Darlin'." Written by Maurice Williams, himself a singer and member of Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs, "Little Darlin'" blended R & B, the doo-wop sound and acapella into a pop musical sensation. The Diamonds and other pop artists of the 50s engineered a sound that was the forerunner of Motown music. Still around long after doo-wop, The Diamonds deliver a silver-toned "Yuletide Rock & Roll Revue" at A Center For The Arts. It's a merry "Boomp, boomp, boomp dee yoo!"
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
501 W. 78th St.
Chanhassen, MN 55317
(952) 934-1525
www.chanhassendt.com
Date(s): December 29 - 30, 8:15 p.m.
Andy Williams and Bing Crosby will always be present with albums full of timeless Christmas music treasures. The two began their singing careers during World War II and the post-war years. But their songs and melodies continue to reach music fans through entertainers such as Mick Sterling and his band. Inside the Fireside Theatre, the band performs two albums of beautiful Christmas classics: Andy Williams' "The Holiday Song," "Jingle Bells" and "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and Bing Crosby's "Let it Snow," "Joy to the World," and "White Christmas." But the rhythm and harmonies don't stop here. The band entertains with more songs from these albums in unforgettable vocals and memorable orchestral arrangements.
www.chanhassendt.com
Date(s): December 3-6 and 10-13, 1:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
The bright side of Christmas rings in with a multi-media mad music mashup of 70s rock and gentle parodies of yuletide favorites. Rock singer Peter Frampton's "Show Me The Way!" blends into "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." The classic ballad of a reindeer shamed for his unusual nose was composed by Johnny Marks and originally sung by country-western singer/actor Gene Autry. Such clever mixes and authentic musical arrangements make a merry yuletide season all the merrier.
www.chanhassendt.com
Date(s): December 22 - 23, 8:15 p.m.
This tenor trio is not to be confused with the operatic trio of Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti. But Nathan Bird and his NorrSound Tenors have their own operatic rendition of Christmas and classical music. The original Three Tenors are the inspiration for these three. The trio will sing with a musical accompaniment of piano and string quartet.
Pantages Theater
710 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(855) 705-7413
www.minneapolis-theater.com
Date(s): December 11-13, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
A vocal quartet from North Dakota that made Minnesota home, The Blenders built a fan base with tightly harmonized acapella singing. Their songs have been featured in movies — one of these starred Queen Latifah. The Blenders have appeared as guests of Arsenio Hall, Jay Leno, Howie Mandel, The Today Show and other TV shows. The group has won three Emmys for their TV commercials. The fab acapella four has opened acts and performed with music legends such as Chicago, The Righteous Brothers, Lou Rawls, Chuck Berry and more. This holiday season, the four will be at Pantages Theater, singing their hearts out with Christmas music.
