Thursday, December 19, 2019

Day 357- Home for the Holidays- Celebrate the Season with Some Hometown Cheer


 One of my blog inspiration books, Everything I Need to Know About Christmas, I learned From a Little Golden Book reminds us to “make time for family and friends” and as we do, we often come home for the holidays. Now in its third year,  Home for the Holidaycelebrates the season with the best of our local talent coming home to Pittsburgh and bringing some hometown cheer with a musical night of rock, blues and soul.



Reflection
Home for the Holidays is a collaboration of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and the  Pittsburgh Winery. There was wine tasting before the show and I must admit that the Pittsburgh Winery makes some good vino.

This event showcased the best of Pittsburgh’s hometown talent with:
Kevin Garrett, Clinton Clegg, Scott Blasey, Lyndsey Smith, Billy Price, Margot Bingham, Joy Ike, Anthony Jardine, Jimbo Jackson, Morgan Erina, John Schisle and Buffalo Rose.  

Home for the Holidays celebrates the season with a little soul and rock. The artists preformed a traditional holiday song with their own personal style and then sang something original or secular. The show opened with the Steel Town Horns playing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”  Joy Ike started off the vocals with a jazzy rendition of “Go Tell it on the Mountain” and her brilliant cover of Mr. Rodger’s “Won’t You Be My Neighbor.”
 
The artists united to end with “Xmas (war is over)” 
The breath of talent in this show was amazing. John Schisle’s “Hallelujah” dedicated to his late parents had me in tears.  Keven Garrett at the piano was smooth with “This Christmas “and Morgan Erina’s wispy indie folk sound made a fan out of me.


I was surprised when Scott Blasey (The Clarks) morphed into Perry Como with a spot on “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” The show had punches of energy with powerful Lyndsey Smith and soulful Billy Price. The three vocalists from the band Buffalo Rose (Lucy Clabby, Shane McLaughlin, Roseanna Spindler) that backed up all the acts, never left the stage and adapted to each artist’s style got my vote for the most versatile.

The backdrop of falling snow and Pittsburgh scenes made it feel like home. When all collaborated to end with “Xmas (War is over)” if felt like “our own came home for the Holidays” to celebrate the season with us all. This show is going to be my new Holiday tradition for some hometown cheer.

 (You can find more shows to celebrate the season and enjoy into the new year at  trustarts.org!)

Spiritual Source
In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)

 Other Source