Christmas is truly a unique, universal and global holiday celebration.
No other holiday in the world can match its widespread appeal to so many cultures and celebrations. It is the oldest, most popular, and widely observed holiday in human history. Its concepts of faith and hope have been embraced throughout the world in an infinite variety of ways.
All of these yuletide ideas will come alive in Sun City’s Prairie Singers annual Christmas concert at Huntley High School at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 9. This year’s event is the group’s 18th Christmas presentation since it was formed in 2000 as one of Sun City’s first charter clubs.
From start to finish, here is the worldwide journey the Singers will take its audience on this weekend.
Starting at home will be a carol sing including “Let it Snow,” “Winter Wonderland,” Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” and I’ll be Home for Christmas.” Then comes the traditional English lullaby, “Coventry Carol,” and then it’s on to Hawaii, where Christmas is celebrated with gentle breezes, on lush beaches “where palm trees away.”
Then on to Jamaica, where Christmas is described as “dis ting,” calypso style. Followed by a message of peace, love, and sharing in “Happy Hanukkah, My Friend.” Then, the trip takes us to a country town in America (maybe Nashville?) where the chorus promotes family fun and camaraderie in “At Christmas.” Then back to England, where “Good King Wenceslas” and “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen” come alive.
Moving on to Los Angeles, the chorus and Irving Berlin dream of a white Christmas “up north.” Then we “Zoom” to Spain to sing a lively Spanish folk song with the catchy title, “Zumba, Zumba.” Next, we come back to America with two spirituals, “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”
In a fitting conclusion, the chorus will portray a tiny, peaceful German village and present a special arrangement of the timeless classic, “Silent Night.”
Tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for children 2-12 and will be sold at the door on concert day. For additional ticket information, call Luann Walton, 847-659-1185.
