From holiday classic tunes to a decorated Royal Theatre to VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 largest indoor snowball fight, Ken LavigneB次元官网网址檚 Home for Christmas concert next Tuesday will be filled with tradition.
Which is not to say audience members wonB次元官网网址檛 be pleasantly surprised with what they hear when the popular tenor returns to the Royal Theatre stage for the first time since 2014.
B次元官网网址淭he idea is to give people the familiar with a new flavour to it,B次元官网网址� he says of the material. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e taken a lot of these familiar classics, whether from the Bing Crosby era or Christmas hymns, and tried to envision the orchestrations with new eyes. ItB次元官网网址檒l be in a format that is exciting and new and fresh; the goal from the outset is have people standing and cheering, to be excited for this music.B次元官网网址�
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOOzdpMYbtE
Lavigne, one of the original Canadian Tenors, has been staging holiday concerts in his hometown for 10 years or so. The Dec. 5 show is aptly named, as it winds up a busy fall for the entertainer, who is coming off the Great Canadian Songbook tour in Ontario to celebrate Canada 150.
Being close to his Cowichan Valley home in time for the holiday season is becoming more important for him. The ages of his children B次元官网网址� theyB次元官网网址檙e now 13, 12 and eight B次元官网网址� was among the aspects of his life that prompted a serious rethinking of his career last year, he says. That led to structuring his 2017 schedule, with shorter tours that allow him to spend more time back on the Island.
B次元官网网址淚 get to be dad at different times of the year,B次元官网网址� he says, adding of his kids, B次元官网网址渢hey say IB次元官网网址檓 the biggest kid of them all.B次元官网网址� Eldest daughters Grace and Lucy will join him on stage for a number during the concert and will no doubt help when the snowballs fly.
Lavigne characterizes his Christmas spirit and love for tradition as kind of a combination between Homer Simpson and Chevy ChaseB次元官网网址檚 Clark Griswold. That said, his loyal fans are aware that he isnB次元官网网址檛 one to rigidly stick to a script on show nights.
B次元官网网址淭hey know me, I throw a curveball at them sometimes,B次元官网网址� he says, referring to some offbeat arrangements of well-known songs. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just about having fun and being entertaining and trying to be my very best on the day.B次元官网网址�
Local singer Stephanie Greaves is a guest performer for the show and Pierre Simard conducts an all-star orchestra of Island musicians backing Lavigne.
Having performed on stages around the world, including New YorkB次元官网网址檚 Carnegie Hall, Lavigne has worked with producer David Foster and performed for His Royal Highness Prince Charles in recent years. In spring 2018 Lavigne will tour China as part of a cross-cultural musical exchange.
But Victoria always holds a special place in his heart.
B次元官网网址淭he opportunity to perform in front of a hometown crowd; thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of love and a lot of forgiveness even if sometimes things go sideways. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a genuine warmth with the audiences, itB次元官网网址檚 my hometown.B次元官网网址�
Ken Lavigne music up for grabs at concert
VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 favourite tenor produced two albums last year, although neither was on an official release. B次元官网网址淭hey were more for fans and family, but IB次元官网网址檓 really proud of them,B次元官网网址� he says of Closer Than Ever and The Ken Lavigne Christmas Radio Road Show.
Both will be available, along with his other CDs, at the Dec. 5 show at the Royal Theatre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s730HKN-deI
