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The AVB Community Band Christmas Concert
The AVB Community Band invites you to “A Family Christmas!
Monday, Dec. 18 Weidner Center for the Performing Arts
Doors open: 6 p.m Concert: 7 p.m.
From the opening notes of “O Come All Ye Faithful” to the very special musical reading and performance of “The Night Before Christmas,” the AVB Community Band has a magical evening planned for its annual Christmas concert on Monday, Dec. 18, at the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB), 2350 Weidner Center Drive,
Titled “A Family Christmas,” doors open to the Weidner Center open at 6 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Valet parking will be available.
“A Family Christmas” is graciously sponsored by Bellevue Family Dentistry. There is no admission charge. Donations will be accepted in the lobby following the concert to support the AVB Community Band’s continuing mission to provide “Music for a Lifetime” for our community.
Paul’s Pantry Collection: The AVB Community Band will once again host its annual “Christmas collection of canned and dry goods for Paul’s Pantry” in Green Bay in the Weidner Center lobby prior to the concert. This is one of Paul’s Pantry’s largest collections of the year. We thank our concert-goers in advance for their generosity!
The 75-member all-volunteer band (AVB) is directed by Mike Ajango and assistant director Paul Oleksy.
Come prepared to enjoy a great evening of entertainment, just one week before Christmas, says Ajango.
“We want to create a perfect opportunity for your entire family — mom, dad, kids, grandma and grandpa — to get together for an enjoyable evening of fun and familiar tunes. And, without an admission charge, the evening is totally affordable for everyone,” he said.
It will be a “traditional Christmas concert,” so expect to hear many of your holiday favorites, he added.
Taking the Weidner stage with the AVB Community Band on Dec. 18 will be two dynamic vocalists.
“Sarah Saari is an AVB favorite and has sung with the band several times,” said Ajango. “And we welcome UWGB student Chase Grabowski as our newest vocalist. Chase recently won first place at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.”
“Our two vocalists will be singing some of your all-time Christmas favorites,” he added, ”including “Do You Hear What I Hear,” "Still, Still, Still" and "Santa Baby."
And the audience will have a special treat when Parker Drew takes the Weidner Center stage to join the AVB Community Band in the narration of “The Night Before Christmas.” Parker Drew is well-known for his one-man performance of Mark Twain and is co-founder of the Play-by-Play Theatre in Green Bay.
“You won't find a better narrator than Parker to bring this classic to life,” said Ajango.
And there will be an old-fashioned sing-a-long. “How else should you close out a family Christmas concert?” said Ajango.
Music for the evening will include vocal performances of “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Still, Still, Still,” “Santa Baby,” “Away in a Manger,” “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and “Holiday Favorites,” which includes “Let It Snow! Let It Snow,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Silver Bells.”
The percussion section will also be featured in “African Holy Night.”
Other selections by the AVB Community Band will include “Snow Day Celebration! (“For Every Kid Who Knows the Feeling”),” “An American Christmas” and “A Most Wonderful Christmas,” featuring the best of the season, like “Winter Wonderland,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
And, of course, there might just be a sighting of the Jolly Old Elf, himself! We look forward to seeing everyone at “A Family Christmas” at the beautiful Weidner Center on Monday, Dec. 18. For more information, see avbcommunityband.org.
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The first concert of 2024 and the fifth of the eight-concert 2023-2024 season will be “Swing, Swing, Swing” on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. at the Riverside Ballroom, 1560 Main St., Green Bay, featuring the 18-piece “AVB Big Band.”
The dance floor will be open! There is no admission charge, but donations will be accepted to support the band’s continuing mission to provide “Music for a Lifetime” for the community.
Please note: There will be a PLATED CHICKEN DINNER after the Riverside Ballroom Concert. All tickets are ADVANCE PURCHASE and will be available for purchase from AVB Community Band members In the Weidner Center lobby AFTER the Christmas Concert. Tickets are $14.00 each.
For more information about the concert season, see avbcommunityband.org. The AVB Community Band – formerly the Allouez Village Band – is in its 42st season of entertaining the community.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2134123-0
