Allison Crowe's Tidings Returns to Campbell River with Guests Galore to Aid CR Hospice Society and Food Bank December 11, 2008

Fresh from New York City, Allison Crowe is delighted to launch her west coast Tidings tour in Campbell River. Expect plenty of holiday cheer, laced with overtones of Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, jazz and Broadway, when Crowe, Canada’s popular bicoastal singer-songwriter, together with the Campbell River Children’s Choir featuring Jennifer Abbott, bring “Tidings” to St. Peter’s Anglican Church (228 South Dogwood on Thursday, December 11th, 2008 Doors: 7:00 p.m. Music 7:30 p.m.)

This special holiday concert event will help aid an essential pair of community non-profit groups: the Campbell River Hospice Society and CR Food Bank. The mission of the Hospice Society “to provide compassionate support and companionship to individuals facing death, their families and friends and to those grieving a loss due to death” is summed up well by the motto: “Support when you need it most”. Also filling a great need is the Food Bank, which, for more than two decades now, has provided sustenance for people year-round. Though the holiday season can being joy, it means extra stresses for many in the community, especially in today’s difficult economic times, making the work of Food Bank’s volunteers so beneficial right now. Local concert organizer Ron Nicolaye has, once again, brought music and people together for important causes.

"Music for the season and all time." Tidings stirs together traditional Christmas carols and holiday favourites with an organic blend of rock, jazz, folk, gospel and soul. "The Yuletide find of the year," says The Record. "Be prepared to be amazed," chimes ChristmasReviews.com, "Allison Crowe is a stunningly talented performer." Longtime NPR broadcaster Ross Hocker calls Allison Crowe's show, "The most honest, heartfelt, and directly intimate concert in my entire life."

"Treat yourself to one of the mightiest talents on the singer-songwriter scene today," says Bob Muller, song curator at JoniMitchell.com "Ever wonder what it would have been like to listen to a gifted singer/songwriter from Saskatchewan in a small, intimate hall before she became Joni Mitchell? Don't fret the missed opportunity. There's no need to turn back the clock. Check out Allison Crowe," writes Robert Reid in The Record. "Her version of 'I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)' would give Aretha Franklin goose-bumps," notes Robert Moyes in Boulevard.

There’ll be plenty more goose-bumps as the voices of the Campbell River Children’s Choir ring out and join in the festive fun. The community-based C.R. Children’s Choir helps youth experience the joy of music, learn about other cultures and work with internationally acclaimed musicians at home and abroad. Over the years, the choir has performed in venues across Canada, the United States, Cuba and England. Some of the choir’s singers have gone on to pursue careers as performers or, even, to have choirs of their own. The Chamber Choir is a group of dedicated young people who attend extra rehearsals and challenge their skills with more difficult music. They will perform with, and under the direction of, one of the choir’s best known Alumni, Jennifer Abbott. Jennifer Abbott (nee Shires) sang in the Children's Choir as a child, and now, after studying music at Vancouver Island University she’s come back to help and learn as the Assistant Director to Barbara Prowse.

Date/Time: Thursday, December 11, 2008 Doors: 7:00 p.m. Music: 7:30 p.m.

Venue: St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 228 South Dogwood, Campbell River

Advance Tickets: $20 General/$15 Students & Seniors -all charges incl. (Door: $22/$17)

Tickets: IRIS (in Campbell River and Courtenay), The Music Plant, St. Peter's Anglican Church, & Ron Nicolaye c/o 250-923-6972; & online @ http://www.allisoncrowe.com/shoptickets.html

Info: http://www.allisoncrowe.com

Contact: Ron Nicolaye c/o 250-923-6972 and/or email [email protected]

Official Website: http://www.allisoncrowe.com