Story & Photography by Kris Hilliard
Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, Pa – Lehigh Valley Musicians’ kicked off the holiday season during their 20th Annual, A Lehigh Valley Christmas in Concert. The show was presented by the Allentown and Greater Lehigh Valley Chambers of Commerce. The show has been produced for twenty years by Miriam Huertas and Mike Krisukas. The show was a bit emotional for the producers as they have decided for now this will be the last of this holiday concert which began in 1996, originally at the J.I. Rodale Theatre. Miriam at times held back tears of joy, as she and Mike helped announce a few of the artist this evening.
The Masters of Ceremony this evening were Berrisford Boothe of Lehigh University, Dave Fry of Godfrey Daniels, Deb and Miguel Carey of WDIY 88.1FM, also George Miller and Kate Scuffle of Selkie Theatre.
A full house of patrons packed the house for this finale. Performing for the Christmas Concert this evening were; George Miller, James Ruhf Bagpipers & Fionna Hennessy, they performed Farewell to Camrow and Highland Cathedral, James Bartley and Gerry Pegues with the Fusion Jazz Trio who performed Mary Did You Know and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Fusion Jazz Trio performed A Few of my Favorite Things and The Little Drummer Boy, Mike Krisukas and Darlene Finelli Holly and the Ivy and The Christmas Waltz, Dave Fry performed Mary had a Baby and Zat you, Santa Clause with audience sing-along, Craig Thatcher and Nyke Van Wyk performed God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and A Christmas Song ( Jethro Tull’s version) they received an many yells and cheers from the enthusiastic crowd ! and finishing up the first half of the concert was Jake Kaligis & The New Constitution who performed We Three Kings and Jake’s version of Blue Christmas with an Elvis swag.
After a brief intermission the following performers continued the concert; Hector Rosado & Ensemble Siete performed O Holy Night and Santa Clause is Coming to Town with a bongo salsa twist, Myron Haydt beautifully sang Last Christmas and I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas, The BC Combo with full band performed Mary Don’t You Weep and their version of Fly Like a Reindeer with a comedic twist, Jack Murray & The Blue Tarp Wranglers performed Hot Butter Rum and Santa Clause is Back in Town, Doug Hawk, Mike Krisukas and Dave Smith performed What Child is This and Christmas Time is Here, Lucky 7 and The Casino Horns performed This Christmas and December(September). The show ended in an all star finale with everyone back on stage singing We Are The World and a few others before it was all done. A very enjoyable evening to put everyone in the Christmas and holiday spirit. There was mention that this group of performers may gather again the future with other options and possible relocation but as of now nothing is definite.
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