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December 10, 2009

'Not Your Typical Silent Night': 150-artist show

Andover saxophonst Lance Bryant helps headline extravaganza

Many sounds and styles of music and dance offered by more than 150 artists will help bring a bit of Christmas magic to the Rogers Center for the Arts during the 2009 production of Not Your Typical Silent Night later this month.

The Blue Window Arts Group will return with its popular show on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 4 p.m., at the Rogers Center for the Arts, Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike St., North Andover.

Star fiddler folk artist Jake Armerding of Ipswich and international jazz saxophonist Lance Bryant of Andover top the list of diverse talent joining The Choral Majority gospel choir for this contemporary interpretation of the classic Christmas celebration. Also featured are singer/guitarist Ryan Phelps of Bradford, pianist/composer Peter Vantine of Middleton, soprano Shaunielle McDonald of Merrimac, singer/songwriter Gail Dorey of Watertown, and members of Andover's Dance Infusion company.

Singer/actress Robin Allison Lindahl will direct children's choirs, cue dancers and wear a few other hats as she and singer/songwriter Eric W. Lindahl, her husband and co-creator of this annual community concert, bring their vision of Christmas magic to the Rogers Center stage.

With its artists, creativity and scope, NYTSN continues to attract loyal fans throughout the Merrimack Valley, North Shore and southern New Hampshire. A Nor'easter in 2008 forced a 48-hour postponement, and the concert still sold out, according to the group.

"Since our start in 1992, we've collaborated with a very talented and dedicated community of artists whose creativity helps us to deliver new elements and original compositions every year," says Eric Lindahl in a release.

Dance Infusion will have three youthful performers who will co-create with Robin Lindahl an original work to the music of Tears For Fears' Famous Last Words that will also include a multimedia aspect. "

It's very powerful and not what you'd expect at a Christmas variety show," Lindahl says.

Always the audience favorite, three children's groups "borrowed" from area churches will perform. There is a kids choir of first- to third-graders, a youth choir of fourth- to seventh-graders and a girls ensemble of eighth- to 12th-graders who will sing a beautiful and powerful ballad that Lindahl says "won't leave a dry eye in the house."

Every ticket buyer will receive a button emblazoned with this year's theme: Spread Peace. In view of the flu problem, patrons may purchase refillable bottles of hand sanitizer with the logo "Spread Peace, Not Germs" for a dollar.

Tickets are $20 adults, $10 children 12 and under, lap-sitters free with parent, on sale at Rogers Center for the Arts Box Office, 978-837-5355, Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. People can pay by cash or check only, with checks made payable to Blue Window Arts Group.

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'Not Your Typical Silent Night': 150-artist show
by Anonymous , , Thu Dec 10, 2009, 10:52 AM EST
Arts/Entertainment

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