With barely enough room to seat everyone, the evening showing of the Arcola School Christmas Concert was filled with friends and family.
The nearly two hour production did have some students yawning by the end as this was their second performance of the Christmas carols and plays. Performing once at 1:30 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. many were tired from a long day, though looking quite weary they were still able to bring laughter and song to the amassed crowd.
The production began with the pre-Kindergarten class taking to the stage. With some students dressed in Santa hats and others in felt reindeer antlers they performed such hits as "Peanut Butter and Jelly," which was followed by "Jingle Bells."
Thunderous applause came for these young performers who really got into their pieces by singing loudly and even dancing enthusiastically.
The very talented Kindergarten class then sang two Christmas carols including "Christmas Boxes" and "Lights on the Tree." Large smiles spread across people's faces as the young performers began to sing, dance, and, most importantly, wave to their families in costume. Wearing wrapped boxes nearly the same size as they were the young entertainers were quite the hit.
Grade nine student, Kayla McLaren, was called to the stage for a rendition of "Do you hear what I hear?" As McLaren started the song, people who had not heard her sing before whispered "wow" throughout the crowd as she hit the high notes of the song.
The grade one class, in Santa hats and sunglasses, then stormed the stage with their rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock." With excellent choreography the youth danced and sang their hearts out before slowing things down for the song, "There was a Little Baby," which they stood centre stage and crooned.
The absolutely entertaining grade twos then stepped up to perform "Chicken Soup with Rice." A single student or a pair of students would move to the front for their solo pieces as each youth was given a month to sing about. Those paired with another student would have the name of their month around their neck with the other student in costume; February saw a youth dressed as a snowman, while March had a young storm cloud looking to be blowing wind across the stage.
Joined by Carlee Annis on guitar the students then sang "Mistletoe."
As they transitioned from songs to a Christmas play, Daisy Rider, grade nine student, performed "Silent Night" during the interlude. Doing a wonderful job the difficult song was performed very well.
The grade 4/5 split class then performed a short skit which saw Santa slip one night and knock his head. He began hiding Easter eggs under children's pillows and had carved Jack-'o-lanterns set out under the Christmas tree. The reindeer thought about going on strike because Santa had begun travelling every night performing acts that others within the League of Mystical Creatures did. Santa was angering everyone from the tooth fairy to the Easter bunny and in the end it was Mrs. Claus who was upset with Santa for placing non-Christmas candy in her Christmas baking that set him right. Mrs. Claus knocked Santa over the head with a rolling pin, which led to his memories of what he was actually supposed to be doing at Christmastime coming back to him.
The final performance then came with the grade three class and grade six class performing a total of thirteen Christmas songs with a couple of jokes interspersed between them. The first song was the Twelve Days of Christmas, which gave way to the youth wondering why those were thought to be good gifts and them saying they had a much better idea of what the Twelve Days of Christmas should be. This led to songs about Santa, crazy relatives, ugly Christmas sweaters, and much more.
Overall it was a long day for the youth who put on two shows; but, the family and friends in the crowd were happy to watch as their young sensation was onstage.
Special thank yous were given to Cathy Burton for making props and to Val Lees who donated a quilt for the school to use in a draw with all funds raised going towards the School Gym Fundraiser. The quilt was drawn for at the end of the night and won by Bev Grimes.
