Southport Magazine

Local concerts offer opportunities for getting into the Christmas spirit

BY: NEILL CALDWELL

“Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share.”

– “Christmas Time Is Here” from A Charlie Brown Christmas, by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson

Christmas and music seem to go together like “jingle” and “bells.” There are so many wonderful holiday carols, many of which we identify with our childhood. And we seem to start enjoying those songs in stores and on the radio beginning just after Labor Day.

But if you’re slow to join in on the Christmas merriment, there are some upcoming concert opportunities that will get you wrapped up with a bow in the proper spirit.

The Amuzu Theater in downtown Southport is offering a seven-course musical banquet starting on Dec. and continuing Dec. 4, 5, 6, 10, 12 and 13. All shows start at 7:30 p.m.

Laura Furpless is directing the group of 18 performers and a five-piece band in “Christmas at the Amuzu 2015.”

“The music includes classics such as ‘O Holy Night’ as well as more modern songs by artists Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Stevie Wonder, The Ronettes and Celine Dion,” Furpless said. “The cast have been preparing a few comedy numbers such as ‘The Christmas Can-Can,’ and a beautiful a capella arrangement of ‘Mary Did you Know?’”

Furpless said one new addition to the 2015 lineup is a group of five children ages 5 to 11 who will join the performance, adding to the experience of “an entertaining night for the whole family, and one sure to bring out the Christmas spirit for all who attend.”

In addition to the music, this year’s show will include a lot of choreography plus a special appearance by a tap dance group – Tappers Extraordinaire – and a sound and light show. Tickets are available at Ricky Evans Gallery on Howe Street and at Color Me Graphics on Country Club Drive. They will also be available at the door if the show is not sold out.

“The adults (in this year’s show) are all experienced Amuzu cast members, who’ve appeared in many of our previous shows, and will be familiar to our regular audience.”

“There’s so much talent in Southport and Brunswick County,” said Cathy Furpless, Laura’s mother and the band leader. “People seem to come out of the woodwork.”

The Amuzu Theater is located at 111 N. Howe Street. For more information, call (910) 523-2552, email amuzutheatre@yahoo.com or look for the theatre on Facebook.

Meanwhile the area’s other Christmas music performances will come from the Sea Notes Choral Society, which will present its holiday concert twice. On Dec. 5 there will be a Saturday evening concert starting at 7:30, followed by a Sunday matinee on Dec. 6 at 3:00. Both concerts will be offered at the Odell Williamson Auditorium on the campus of Brunswick County Community College.

The free 2015 concert – “Joys of the Christmas Season” – will be led by Sea Notes Choral Society director Larry Reinhart. The choir, which has numbered as large as 150 singers and has been providing entertainment to Brunswick County for more than 40 years, will present a mix of sacred and secular favorites. Jane Boberg will be back as the accompanist.

For more information on the Sea-Notes’ concerts, call (910) 620-6275, visit www.sea-notes.com, visit the group’s Facebook page or send an email to SeaNotesChoral@gmail.com.