Carols and cheer broadcast this year

THIS Christmas, the show must go on!

The Ballarat Carols by Candlelight committee has produced a special online broadcast of festive song for this weekend.

On Sunday, 20 December from 7.30pm to 9pm, the groups will livestream the Carols and a Christmas Open Mic Night via Facebook live, so families can sing all their favourite seasonal tunes from the COVID-safe comfort of home.

The show will include highlights of last year’s spectacular Carols at the City Oval, hosted by television icon Glenn Ridge and Power FM’s Julia Zass, some special festive messages, an appearance from the jolly man in red, and an exploration of the city as it sparkles for Christmas time.

Carols president Matt Hustwaite said the committee is delighted to share some choral cheer for a second year.

“We’re thrilled to still be able to share the Christmas spirit with the Ballarat community, beaming into people’s homes,” he said.

Once the main formalities wrap up, it will be time for the second act, where you could have your moment to shine.

Those who express interest in singing a carol in the Christmas Open Mic Night via [email protected] could be given the opportunity to have their performance seen by families across the city.

“This is a small way that we can bring the community together after the year that we’ve had. We want to curate and include as many people as we can,” Mr Hustwaite said.

Voice FM has partnered with Carols to broadcast the sounds of the Sunday night show on the big day, Friday, 25 December.

Chair, Ron Egeberg said it’s an extra Christmas present “from your 99.9 Voice FM for our community this Christmas morning.”

“Voice FM is delighted to announce that we are in partnership with Ballarat’s Carols by Candlelight and Harcourts to replay the two-hour 2020 Carols Facebook Special at 8am Christmas morning,” he said.

“At 10am we will replay the 2019 Ballarat Carols by Candlelight hosted by Glenn Ridge and Julia Zass.

“It’s a morning of Christmas cheer for everyone. From all of us at our 99.9 Voice FM, have a very merry Christmas.”

Mr Hustwaite said the radio broadcast is an opportunity for Ballarat to support and enjoy local performing arts talent as they’re unwrapping their presents around the tree.