MONROE - Get in the holiday spirit and celebrate the season with the wonderful sound of The Dickens Carollers when they take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Monroe Arts Center. Decked out in colorful and festive Victorian-era costumes, this talented ensemble of vocalists will bring a helping of holiday cheer and transport the audience back to "Merry Olde England" with favorite songs and stories of the Christmas season.
Hailing from Woodstock, Illinois, The Dickens Carollers originated in 1982 as a spin-off from a local Woodstock Opera House production. They traveled around the Woodstock Square bringing holiday cheer with songs and theatrics, and were noticed by some businesses who asked if they could be hired for parties - and so, The Dickens Carollers were born.
Throughout the past 33 years, the group has morphed and refined itself to an ensemble of musicians who have performed at restaurants, parties, Christmas walks and full-sized stage shows. From 1993 to 1999, they were the featured weekend performers at Marshall Field's Department Stores in Chicago and the surrounding area. Missy Spengel, vocalist and spokeswoman for Dickens Carollers, commented, "One of our most memorable highlights was singing for Charles Dickens' great-great-great-granddaughter Lucinda at the Dickens Fest in Chicago."
Before the concert, audience members are encouraged to browse the hundreds of holiday silent auction items on display in Monroe Arts Center's Wesley Hall. Final bids will be accepted until 7:15 p.m. when the auction closes.
General admission seat tickets for The Dickens Carollers are $10, and $5 for students (18 and younger). Monroe Arts Center members may attend this concert at no charge. Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office at 1315 11th St., by calling the Monroe Arts Center at 608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249, or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This performance has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands Inc., Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing LLC, and Big Radio. Additional underwriting provided by Monroe Clinic; Gary Hessel; Lee and Chris Knuteson; Lois Kaster; Deb Thompson; and Bob and Gaida Vickerman.
Hailing from Woodstock, Illinois, The Dickens Carollers originated in 1982 as a spin-off from a local Woodstock Opera House production. They traveled around the Woodstock Square bringing holiday cheer with songs and theatrics, and were noticed by some businesses who asked if they could be hired for parties - and so, The Dickens Carollers were born.
Throughout the past 33 years, the group has morphed and refined itself to an ensemble of musicians who have performed at restaurants, parties, Christmas walks and full-sized stage shows. From 1993 to 1999, they were the featured weekend performers at Marshall Field's Department Stores in Chicago and the surrounding area. Missy Spengel, vocalist and spokeswoman for Dickens Carollers, commented, "One of our most memorable highlights was singing for Charles Dickens' great-great-great-granddaughter Lucinda at the Dickens Fest in Chicago."
Before the concert, audience members are encouraged to browse the hundreds of holiday silent auction items on display in Monroe Arts Center's Wesley Hall. Final bids will be accepted until 7:15 p.m. when the auction closes.
General admission seat tickets for The Dickens Carollers are $10, and $5 for students (18 and younger). Monroe Arts Center members may attend this concert at no charge. Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office at 1315 11th St., by calling the Monroe Arts Center at 608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249, or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This performance has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands Inc., Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing LLC, and Big Radio. Additional underwriting provided by Monroe Clinic; Gary Hessel; Lee and Chris Knuteson; Lois Kaster; Deb Thompson; and Bob and Gaida Vickerman.