Adelaide Festival Centre Supporting Those in Need at this Year's Christmas Proms

The spirit of Christmas comes alive with Adelaide's all-time favourite, Christmas Proms at Her Majesty's Theatre from 15 - 17 December. Soak up the festive spirit and be transported back to the roaring 20s featuring two of Australia's much loved performers Emma Pask and Stephen Mahy in a Great Gatsby themed Christmas celebration. Stephen will channel the young and mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby, whilst Emma takes centre stage as his quixotic passion the beautiful former debutante Daisy Buchanan.

Expect an evening of decadence and idealism as the two performers' deck the halls, leading the audience in a night jam packed full of your favourite carols. Timothy Sexton will once again conduct the sensational Adelaide Art Orchestra in this concert series with plenty of laughs along the way!

This year Adelaide Festival Centre will support five worthy Adelaide charities and organisations at a time when people need some much needed cheer and good will. The Australia Refugee Association, Foodbank South Australia, Catherine House, Youth Opportunities Association and Common Ground Adelaide, will all receive 50 tickets to give to those who will benefit from a night of entertainment. In addition, Festival Centre will take donations in the foyers of the theatre before and after the performances as well as collecting non-perishable food goods that will be distributed evenly between the charities to provide support to those who need it most. Adelaide Festival Centre encourages you to give a little more to those with a little less.

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and Artistic Director Douglas Gautier says, "Christmas is a time of reflection and for giving thanks. It's also an opportunity to give back to the community. Throughout the Christmas Proms season, we hope to raise awareness around the charities we help support. We understand that making a donation leaves you with a little less, but your generosity will provide a lot more to those in need. The smallest gesture will provide an enormous amount of cheer to struggling families."

Greg Pattinson CEO Foodbank SA says,"Foodbank is the largest hunger relief organisation in Australia and we wouldn't be able to do what we do without the support of organisations such as the Adelaide Festival Centre. Christmas is a time, more than ever, where we need to ensure we help people in struggling in our community. Approx. 85,000 seek help in SA each month, so we appreciate this partnership with Adelaide Festival Centre giving people attending the Christmas Proms the opportunity to bring a non-perishable food donation such as Canned Tuna, Canned Fruit or Canned Vegetables, Pasta, Pasta Sauce etc., with them and make a difference to someone doing it tough this Christmas."

Award winning vocalist Emma Pask has firmly established herself as one of Australia's favourite voices in jazz. Her talent was first spotted by multi-instrumentalist James Morrison during one of his regular visits to high schools when she was just 16 years old. Emma first sang with James' band that night and their musical collaboration has continued to entertain audiences nationally and internationally over the past 20 years. Multiple musical highlights throughout Emma's career include performing the Bridal Waltz for Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's wedding in 2006. She has been awarded a 'Mo' for Jazz Vocalist of the Year, received ARIA award nominations and has performed for VIP audiences including the late Diana Princess of Wales and Princess Mary of Denmark.

Emma has performed to audiences of up to 80,000 people. Sung in London at the Queen Elizabeth Hall with the BBC Concert Orchestra; played support for George Benson on his tour of Australia; performed in China with The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra; Auckland with the NZ Philharmonic; with WA Symphony Orchestra in Perth; and recorded with the BBC Big Band in London. She is a standout choice for Christmas Proms and has previously been featured on Channel 9's Carols by Candlelight live from the Sidney-Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne.

Stephen Mahy is an Australian born tenor from Sydney. Best known for originating the role of Bob Gaudio in the Australian production of Jersey Boys. Mahy toured nationally in Grease playing the role of Kenickie alongside notable cast members Rob Mills, Gretel Scarlett, Anthony Callea, Lucy Maunder, Todd McKenney, and Bert Newton as Vince Fontaine. He featured in Stephen Schwartz in Conversation at Sydney's Theatre Royal where he performed on stage for the noted composer.

To add some sparkle and Great Gatsby magic to the stage, Ding Production dancers will be swinging on stage busting out the Charleston and bringing the decadent party mood for which Gatsby's parties were renowned. An event for all the family, grandparents, mums, dads, and the kids will enjoy singing along to carols that will lift your spirits and have you humming all the way to Christmas.

What

CHRISTMAS PROMS

When

15 - 17 December 2016

Venue

11am & 7.30pm 15 - 16 Dec, 2pm & 6.30pm 17 Dec

Her Majesty's Theatre

Times

Friday 18 at 11am and 7.30pm / Saturday 19 at 2pm & 6.30pm

Cost from

Premium $52, A Res Adult $46, A Res Conc $42,

Bookings

BASS 131 246 or online at bass.net.au

More info

For further information visit adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au

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Donations can be made before and after all performances at Her Majesty's Theatre. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at Her Majesty's Theatre during performance times or placed under the Christmas Tree in the Festival Theatre foyer from 15 November.