Last night the Englert Theater held their annual Festival of Carols. This free, family-friendly show drew a full theater of folks eager to kick their holiday spirit into high gear. This event was one of the most diverse I’ve seen here, in relation to age. Families with kids, college students, couples and seniors sat side by side to take in Christmas carols, dancing and storytelling.
The evening included a variety of enjoyable acts. The show started with the incredibly talented Kevin BF Burt whose bluesy guitar melodies gave Christmas songs an extra shot of soul. Poetic Rebound, the ethereal, playful female dance trio brought their energy onto the stage with their light tumbling and dance. I really enjoyed the piano-accompanied narration of “The Night Before Christmas” with Roy Justis and Dan Knight on the keys. I don’t think I’ve had that read to me since I was a kid. In a room full of people undoubtedly either remembering Christmases gone by or creating their first holiday memories, I joined the Christmas carol sing-along, also led by Dan Knight on the ivories. The evening was wrapped up and tied with a pretty red bow by the Old Capitol Chorus, Iowa City’s own barbershop chorus. The group of twenty-some multi-generational men belted some of the best holiday standards like “Jingle Bell Rock” and “White Christmas”. The show ended with resounding applause and lots of smiles.
