Barbara Roden
Free Press
A major snowfall on the morning of the Swing Into Christmas concert by the Eclectica Community Choir on Dec. 13 meant a slightly lower attendance this year, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of audience members who donated more than last year.
“It was still a pretty big crowd,” says spokesperson Barbara Hooper. “Martin Exeter Hall felt really full from the stage!”
More than $2,400 and four bags of groceries were donated to the 100 Mile House Food Bank and Loaves & Fishes Outreach at the event. Representatives from the two organizations collected donations before the event and spoke at the end of the concert.
Wendy Hamblin of the Food Bank said she would love to give “the usual warm and fuzzy about our work,” but advocated instead for people to be “rabble-rousers” because of government cuts.
“We need to speak up about these cuts,” she said, adding there are at least 55 families in need in the 100 Mile House area.
Rusty Martin from Loaves & Fishes Outreach echoed what Hamblin said about the need for people to become rabble-rousers. “There’s so much need in our community.”
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #260-100 Mile House paid the hall rental for the event, and Hooper says that it was greatly appreciated.
The Front Porch Bluegrass Band, which played before the concert began at 2 p.m., was really well-received, she adds. “People loved them.”
The concert opened with the Liberian folksong “Banuwa,” which translates to Noel, and as Jeffrey Newman performed on the djembe (drum), the 53-member choir began singing in the foyer and then entered down each aisle and met on stage.
Members of the audience were able to participate in a sing-along of Christmas carols in both halves of the concert, and Hooper says people really sung out during these sessions.
“There was a real family grouping in the audience; people were of all ages.”
Hooper notes the Eclectica Community Choir starts again on Jan. 13, and anyone interested in joining can register in January. The choir meets at 7 p.m. at the 100 Mile House United Church, with anyone interested in registering asked to be there at 6:30.
“We welcome any and all who want to take part.”
