The Sedona International Film Festival will present “In the Christmas Mood: A Holiday Music Spectacular” at the Sedona Performing Arts Center in partnership with Khris Dodge Entertainment on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m.
“We had this group right before COVID, in December of 2019, and we’ve always wanted to bring them back when the time was right because the community loves this show so much,” SIFF Executive Director Patrick Schweiss said. “We’re excited to bring it back. Because it’s such an outstanding celebration of the holidays. They do some comedy, they do a lot of wonderful music, some new stuff, some of the classics, they do sing-alongs. It’s just a festive celebration.”
The production harks back to the golden age of Christmas variety shows and draws inspiration from venerable stalwarts of the holiday such as Andy Williams and Dean Martin, with performances by Katherine Byrnes, Jose “Chach” Snook, Crystal Stark and Nick Gallardo.
“The production is beautiful, nostalgic and warm,” Gallardo said. “It is a mixture of four fantastic soloists, an incredible band and a wonderful accompanist. We do our solo numbers, which gives us individual times to shine. But as a group, the blend that we have is wonderful. But not only that, it’s [a] powerhouse, beautiful show. We talk a lot about Bing [Crosby] and Nat [King Cole] and so you get all those warm, cozy Christmas feelings. Then we have presents all set up on the stage. We pull out a couple of tricks. I might do a little rodeo roping. It’s the thing that I look forward to every year.”
“[Gallardo] is a renowned international concert headliner with upwards of 50 cruises under his belt, but is happy to be home for the holidays with ‘In the Christmas Mood,’” a press release stated. “When on land, you can catch [Gallardo] in his favorite concerts –– ‘Lucy and Ricky Live,’ ‘Valens to Valli,’ ‘Not Fade Away’ and ‘Forever Everly.’ ‘In the Christmas Mood’ features timeless treasures such as ‘Sleigh Ride,’ ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town,’ ‘The Christmas Song,’ ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ and many more — including new songs that’ll make your season merry and bright.”
Some of the more unexpected offerings will include modern holiday music such as Harry Connick Jr.’s “It Must’ve Been Ol’ Santa Claus.”
“We do this one song called ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,’” Dodge said. “It’s a recitation of the classic story, but it encompasses over 12 different songs from the swing band era that get intermixed within the song. It’s an inventive way to tell the story. We have classics like ‘Sleigh Ride,’ but done in a hopping jump swing version … The songs that you expect to hear are there as well as a few new ones that maybe not everybody knows.”
“There’s something special about receiving live music that you can’t get from just watching a special on TV and there’s that feeling of community and coming together and feeling the sound waves come off the stage,” Dodge said. “I know that this show brings a lot of joy into people’s hearts. That’s something that we can embrace this time of the year.”
“[People should come out] to join their friends, neighbors and families in celebrating the holidays together,” Schweiss said. “This show will totally put you in the Christmas spirit. Whether you’re a Christmas fanatic or you’re a scrooge.”
Tickets may be purchased online here.
