Sara Wilson
Black Press
Music, merriment and magic will fill the air at the 2016 Ken Lavigne Christmas Roadshow as Vancouver Island’s resident crooner, Ken Lavigne, takes a look back to the great radio shows of old.
Audiences will be transported with his nostalgic and enchanting musical tour through the 1940s and golden age of radio with Lavigne’s band and special guests Alison MacDonald and Daniel James White joining him on stage.
On this tour, which arrives in Vernon Dec. 13, Lavigne made a point of visiting smaller venues throughout the province from Golden to Chemainus to spread the Christmas cheer.
“I’ve been very fortunate that my fan base has yet to abandon me,” he said laughing.
“Small towns are the best! I live in a small town and I know that this time of year it can be difficult for folks to travel, besides I can’t call it a roadshow if we only go to the big cities.”
Audiences throughout the province will enjoy a traditional and modern take on classic Christmas tunes as Lavigne’s tenor voice and charming personality will fill you with the joy and spirit of the holiday season.
As an all-round entertainer Lavigne invites you into his life with nostalgic Christmas favourites, ballads, and up-tempo numbers. With 18 to 20 songs, the concert has an old-time variety show feel, with some audience participation.
“We have a dance number, and throw -backs to the great radio dramas in the 1940s, and even a snowball fight to name a few,” he said.
Lavigne got his start at nine years old, performing in amateur musical theatre.
Eventually, he fell in love with classical singing and music, and set his sights on becoming an opera singer, enrolling in the music program at the University of Victoria.
It didn’t take long for his professional career to take off, and in 2004, Lavigne was recruited by an instructor at the Victoria Conservatory of Music to join a singing trio called the Canadian Tenors. All of that experience led him to make his Carnegie Hall debut in 2009.
Since then, he has worked with industry greats such as David Foster, performed for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles, and has toured internationally.
Lavigne is at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $38/adult, $18/student (with ID) at the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, www.ticketseller.ca.
– With files from Pamela Roth.