Stage is set for fun and festive Carols

FINAL rehearsals are done and the reindeer are fed and primed for Bendigo’s marquee Christmas event, Bendigo Rotary Carols by Candlelight, which takes place this Sunday evening, 18 December, in Rosalind Park.

Macedon Ranges-based vocalist Gabriel Macura is relishing the opportunity to perform three songs during the show, two of which she has especially written, orchestrated and produced original arrangements for.

“The songs are O Holy Night and a jazz medley we’re affectionately calling White Chestnuts, because it starts with The Christmas Song Chestnuts roasting on an open fire and leads into White Christmas,” she said.

“I’ll also be singing Silent Night with the Bendigo Youth Choir and the City of Greater Bendigo Brass Band.

“Performing at the Carols feels very full circle for me. I first started learning singing with Valerie Broad, who is the program coordinator for the Carols.

“I also studied VCE music and drama at Bendigo Senior Secondary College, just up the hill from where we will be performing, as did Ben Gibbons who will join me on stage for one song to play double bass.”

The fabulous Goldfields Ukestra, a group that started off in 2017 with two friends ‘having a strum’ and has grown to a weekly Monday night congregation of 54 at St John’s Presbyterian Church in Forest Street, will also make an appearance.

“During the COVID time, we were not able to meet up face to face but continued Zoom sessions each week,” Ukestra president Lorraine McSween said.

“Because we have not been able to perform in the community as much as we would have liked during the past couple of years, we are looking forward to performing three songs on Sunday evening at the Carols by Candlelight.”

“We try and diversify our style, and the songs we will be performing for your enjoyment will prove that. Bring your smiles and your voices to celebrate the music that will be happening!”

Entry to the Carols is by gold coin donation, with candles provided as you arrive.

For further information, please visit the Rotary Club of Bendigo website via bit.ly/3BxJOyu.