This article appeared on the Journal-Pioneer website today...
Christmas festival breathes new life into P.E.I. churches
Desiree Anstey / Journal Pioneer / Published
on November 06, 2015
© Google
Street View / St.
Mark's Anglican Church in Kensngton
Festival
in Charming Churches is an all-new Christmas-themed storytelling and music
event taking place in architecturally and acoustically remarkable churches over
three weekends in late November and early December. “We intend to make this
such a special event that we feel folks will travel from away to see and hear
uplifting, as well as, poignant sights and sounds of the season,” said creator
Ray Brow. “Shops, restaurants and accommodations on P.E.I. rarely get visitors
in November but with the variety of shows and experimental events there should
be something to draw persons of all ages...and the net benefit is an important
cause.” The not-for-profit fundraiser
will feature 18 shows provincewide with the goal of contributing to the Syrian
refugee crisis campaign, as well as, providing a measure of support for local
churches. “This
is a way every Islander can do a small part in raising money for the Syrian
refugees,” said Brow. The idea was
sparked from the award-winning Festival of Small Halls. Historic St. Mary’s Anglican Church in
Kensington is hosting a children’s show scheduled on December 6. The event is associated with the ‘Festival in
Charming Churches’ and will also coincide with a Santa Parade. singers, songwriters,
fiddlers and storytellers back to their roots, in charming rural settings. “After years of running the Festival of Small
Halls I realized there were additional largely unknown community treasures
across the Island that needed to be discovered just as the halls were back in
2008.” Before the Festival in Charming
Churches officially kicks off, associated events will pave the way. Brow explained that Georgetown is leading the
pack with a "Black Tie Affair" fundraiser - the first of its kind. Georgetown Baptist congregation volunteers
are acting as servers. All the food,
meal preparation and prizes have been donated by businesses and members of the
surrounding community. A talented
storyteller or two will regale the crowd and fine music will enhance the
evening,” he said. The Black Tie Affair
is scheduled on Nov. 21, at 6 p.m., and has three beneficiaries. Tickets are $55 with the proceeds to be split
between Playhouse, Destination Georgetown (volunteer community group working to
better Georgetown’s future) and $5 of each ticket to the Syrian Refugee Relief. Brow hopes the festival will grow into a new
Christmas tradition and annually support a charitable cause, and provide a
measure of support for Island churches. “We
want to bring more smiles to faces across the province second only to Santa’s
Christmas Eve visit. However, the Christmas themed marketing will only be
launched the day after Remembrance Day out of respect for our veterans.”
For more information on the event visit:
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