Nicole Yunker wishes everyone a merry Christmas.
And to help make that happen, the local diva has planned a special evening of music to ease people into the holiday season, while raising funds for the Watson Arts Centre.
Tickets for Nicole and Friends: A Christmas Celebration go on sale tomorrow.
The Nov. 29 concert is a chance to sit back, take a breath and enjoy the the holidays.
“Christmas, as much as I love it, I admit it’s a busy time of year. I want people to have the opportunity to come to hear Christmas songs they love, maybe hear some they haven’t, but just to sit and enjoy. Let their heart rate slow down,” Yunker said.
“Let’s have the room filled with people, friends and family and joy. And those events are really important during busy times. We don’t always take that time to just sit and be. And that’s what this concert will be. It’ll be a joyful night.”
The friends portion of the bill includes Dauphin’s Keystone Chorus, The Basement Band, Ste. Rose Community Choir and Emanuel Nakonechny.
“These are all performers I’ve heard over the years and I thought of them right away,” Yunker said.
“I think it really speaks to the region because everybody I called said yes.”
The two-hour show will feature holiday favourites, food, drink and a few surprises along the way.
“This is joy. It’s more than the music,” Yunker said.
“I really want all of us to celebrate together and I come from a place of gratitude, because without the support of the Parkland . . . my music wouldn’t be heard. So it’s a way of saying thank you and I can do that by bringing people together.”
The classically trained Yunker has two EPs under her belt, “My Dream” and “Christmas By The Fire.” It is the success she has experienced that moved her to give something back to the organization and venue which helped her realize her life long dream.
“I’m at a point now in my career where I’m recording and I love that. But I think of the WAC, because before I was recording, I got the opportunity to sing at many events because of the WAC and I am forever grateful. And without those years of singing at concerts and people saying, ‘Nicole, you should record’, that’s what gave me the motivation to take my career to the next level. So, I want to be able to give back to the WAC,” Yunker said, adding all the performers on the evening’s bill agreed that the concert should be a fund-raiser.
“We all agreed that we’re going to do this for the WAC. We want to support them in their efforts knowing the impact they’ve had in all our lives.”
Tickets are available at the Watson Arts Centre and on the WAC website at www.watsonartcentre.com. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
“I have my sequined dress. I’m ready to go. I want everyone to join me,” Yunker said.
