Holly Jolly Concert celebrates the true spirit of Christmas
Laughter and music rang out from the G.F. Strong gymnasium at the 4th annual Holly Jolly Christmas Concert on December 18. A bevy of performers and a technical crew volunteered their time to bring the joy of the season to an appreciative audience.
Four clients demonstrated the significant strides they have made in their physical and cognitive recovery through their singing, playing and storytelling. Most notably was Graeme Kingston, aka Bobby Loonie, a former client on the Acquired Brain Injury Program. As a magician, he has traveled internationally to entertain audiences with his illusions. His inability to remember his lines caused him to withdraw from the 2012 concert but it served as a goal in his ongoing speech therapy. His determination paid off as he delighted the crowd with his tricks and his rabbit.
Rounding out the program were the Allied Health choir who lead a carol sing-along with fulsome piano accompaniment by Dr. Rhonda Willms; the VCH BFF line dancers spearheaded by Nelia from the Switchboard; the always impressive Razzmatap including therapists Cath Le Cornu-Levitt and Dianna Mah-Jones; Music Therapy intern Mara Salter, and singer Claire Robertson. Nigel Kam and his crew rapped out the big finish with his GF version of Thrift Shop!
Many thanks to Adele and Bill MacNeill for audio services, Matteo Di Orio for videography, Mikki Bartel for technical assistance, Anthony Purcell for hosting the evening, Scott Dirom and Mark Houlden for set-up and support, and to the volunteers and Housekeeping.