Skip to content

Luck of the Irish with Big Rock Singers

Okotoks: Annual fundraising concert a Christmas Joy – A Celtic Celebration Dec. 6-7
Big Rock Singers Ireland
The Big Rock Singers, here on a trip to Ireland, will bring some of that Irish cheer to their Christmas Joy – A Celtic Celebration concert on Dec. 6-7 at the Okotoks United Church. (Photo submitted)

An Okotoks Christmas tradition will leave Irish eyes a smilin’.

The Big Rock Singers presents their 29th annual holiday concert with Christmas Joy – A Celtic Celebration Dec. 6-7 at the Okotoks United Church.

The sold-out concerts are just months after the singing troupe visited the Emerald Isle where their performances were warmly received.

“It was such a magical trip for us,” said Carey Gruber of the Big Rock Singers. “The performances were really beautiful and the places that we saw were really incredible. To be able to finish the year out with a little bit more of that magic, I think will be very meaningful.”

The singers are bringing a touch of Ireland with them to the Okotoks’ performance.

They will perform O Night Divine, which has the words of O Holy Night, performed to the tune of the Irish classic Danny Boy.

A tough combination but more heart-rendering than a Mauve Binchy novel.

“Because O Holy Night and Danny Boy means so much to people, I wouldn’t say it was hard, I would say it was moving,” Gruber said. “Many people found it very moving to sing that.

“One of our finale songs is the Irish blessing May the Road Rise Up to Meet You. We sang that on tour in Ireland and there were many tears while we were singing that."

Of course, Irish music isn’t just heart-dropping ballads, it’s about lively music that get your feet moving as well.

“This (Okotoks) show is a fabulous mix of lively up-tempo Celtic with the energy of the dancers and our live instrumentalists,” Gruber said. “Then also the beautiful more mellow Irish sounds.

“It is a great blend.”

Some feet will be flying as members of the Okotoks-based Possak Hampshire Academy of Irish Dance will perform with the Big Rock Singers for a few tunes.

“We will have nine performing, a mix of boys and girls,” said Ali Hampshire Bilcox, owner of the dance academy. “All of the dancers are qualifiers for the North American dance championships some are qualifiers for the World championships.”

The dancers will perform while the Big Rock Singers perform a medley of Christmas carols with an Irish flair.

“It’s going to be a great fit,” Hampshire Bilcox said. “The dancers provide a lot of the percussion for these songs.

“We have been rehearsing with the choir, so we can ensure the sound levels are good and the dancers will be located on stage and throughout the aisles, so the audience gets a good vantage point."

Gruber said a highlight of the show is the wardrobe of the dancer and the singers.

Also making a guest appearance at Christmas Joy  are the Calgary Burns Club Singers.

The Big Rock Singers have contributed more than $42,000 to Okotoks area charities in the past four years. This year is no exception. Thirty per cent of proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the Western Wheel Cares charity, which has donations being shared between eight Foothills organizations.

As well, a group of Okotoks students are holding a bake sale for the Dec. 6 concert with proceeds going to KidSport Okotoks and the Rowan House Emergency Shelter (see story in the Regional).

Christmas Joy – A Celtic Celebration runs Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The Big Rock Singers are always inviting new members. No experience is necessary.

For more information about the concert and the Big Rock Singers go to bigrocksingers.com

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks