Area talent showcased in Repository free holiday variety show

Story Courtesy of CantonRep

A remarkable lineup of local musical talent has been assembled for the Holidaze Kickoff Spectacular, the Repository’s second annual Christmas-themed free concert.

The festive family event will happen at 5 p.m. Nov. 30 in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall at McKinley High School. (Note the change of venue from last year.)

While there is no admission charge, tickets are required. These will be available online starting at 9 a.m. Friday, at HolidayKickoffSpectacular.com. There is a limit of four tickets per order. All seats are reserved. About 1,500 tickets will be distributed. Last year, they went quickly.

The concert will feature holiday songs from an array of performers.

--The Americana-style band Yankee Bravo, the rock ‘n’ roll trio Ohio Weather Band, and acclaimed singer-songwriter Cody J. Martin have all been showcased in the Canton Symphony’s Divergent Sounds concert series.

--Joy Ellis has shined brightly in the leading roles of the musicals “Aida,” “Sister Act” and “Memphis” at the Players Guild Theatre.

--Broken Transmitter, the duo of Scott Paris and Tim Benner, has a snappy pop-rock debut album.

--Singer-guitarist Willis Gordon and his band recently headlined a concert at Minerva’s Roxy Theatre.

--“Saxy Rob” Thompson is a soulful saxophonist beloved for his appearances at a variety of area venues.

--Singer-songwriter Ryan Humbert is frontman for the rising honky-tonk combo The Shootouts.

--Half the Nation is a duo whose members, Jay Secrest and Ken Harding, hail from the party band New Wave Nation.

--Roslyn Pratt has a mighty voice and riveting style that straddles the genres of soul and gospel music.

--Brian Lisik is a rustbelt singer-songwriter with numerous albums under his belt.

--The Canton Symphony Brass Quintet will serve up a holiday arrangement.

--Wayne Ballet from Wooster will perform a classical ballet piece.

--The Players Guild Dickens Singers are part of the Canton holiday tradition “A Christmas Carol.”

--Colors of May is a husband-and-wife acoustic duo now recording its first album.

--Chandler Lago Dance will perform a modern work choreographed by Lago especially for the show.

At the program’s conclusion, concertgoers may opt to be escorted by the McKinley Drum Line to the field of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium where a festive tree-lighting and concert event will be underway.

At 8 p.m., there will be an after-party on the club level of Benson Stadium with food, entertainment and a cash bar. Party admission is $10, and tickets may be ordered at HolidazeKickoff Spectacular.com, when securing the free concert tickets.

The concert is sponsored by Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.