PORT ANGELES — Geoffrey Castle will bring the magic of Christmas to Port Angeles on Sunday.
In the Geoffrey Castle Celtic Christmas Celebration, the electric six-string violinist will perform with a host of guests from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Port Angeles High School Performing Arts Center, 304 E. Park Ave.
Advance tickets are $35 for premium seating, $25 for general and $15 for budget seats. Youth 14 and younger will be charged $10. Tickets are available at http://jffa.org/, Port Book and News at 104 E. First St., in Port Angeles and Joyful Noise Music at 112 W. Washington St., in Sequim.
Tickets also will be available at the door.
“Basically this show is all about the magic of Christmas and a time that predates the commercialized Christmas of today,” Castle said. “Be ready to be transported back to the Misty Isles.”
A Port Angeles tradition, the Christmas season just wouldn’t be the same without a visit from the Geoffrey Castle Celtic Christmas Celebration,” said Dan Maguire, executive director of the Jun de Fuca Foundation for the Arts, which will present the show.
As in past years, the Christmas celebration is a benefit for the Port Angeles Performing Arts Center to help pay for much needed equipment updates.
“This Celtic Christmas extravaganza show features an amazing amount of talent,” Maguire said.
The Seattle Irish Dancers, the only professional performance Irish dance company located in the Pacific Northwest, will provide Celtic dancing. Well known for their “innovative and fresh approach,” they have performed with many of the top Irish musicians from around the world – from the Chieftains to Gaelic Storm.
This year’s guest singers include Gaby Borromea and Dan Connelly of Seattle. Some might recognize Borromea from her recent appearance as a contestant on “The Voice.” Connelly is a popular singer of Irish and Celtic music from the Seattle area.
A big favorite each year is a visit from the North Pole by the chief Elf (and close friend of Mac MacDonald) Santa Claus.
For many however, perhaps the highlights are the powerful and moving performances by young local artists.
The Port Angeles High School Choir will sing two songs to kick off the show. The Chamber Orchestra also will perform and a featured number will combine the high school band, orchestra and choir all performing together with Castle.
Other highlights will include a performance of “O Holy Night” by the choir and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” with choir instructor Jolene Gailey.
“As always, however, the fiery fiddle of violin virtuouso Geoffrey Castle leads the way,” Maguire said.
Castle has been playing the violin since he was 8 and has emerged as the preeminent pioneer on the six-string electric violin.
When not performing locally and around the world, Castle volunteers his time encouraging school orchestras to keep on playing, according to his website at http://www.geoffrey castle.com/.
