'A Night of Ho-Ho-Hope' on the menu at Legion Dec. 10

NEWS RELEASE
BRIGHTER DAYS
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Hope and happiness are coming to the holiday season through the power of music, heart and humour with another exciting evening of entertainment next week in Orillia.

'A Night of Ho-Ho-Hope' on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Orillia Legion will be a gathering of superb local talent and key note speakers, certain to make the Sunshine City even brighter.

“The end of the year is not only a time of joy but also a time of reflection,” says co-organizer Ralston Harris. “Personal events over the past 12 months can sometimes be overwhelming for many. We all need reasons to look forward to the New Year with hope.”

Harris and his long-time Orillia friend, Ian McRae, have developed “A Night of Ho-Ho-Hope” as way to give back to the community. Harris, now a Vancouver-based screen and stage actor, will fly in from the West Coast to host the evening alongside McRae.

The inaugural 'Night of Hope' this past August was an enormous success. The December event will be even bigger.

Special guests include members of the popular Simcoe County improv group, The Old Dance Hall Players. Get ready for some hilarity! The Players always bring laughs and good fun everywhere they perform.

“The Old Dance Hall Players are pleased to bring our own special brand of improvisational levity to this worthy fund-raising event!” says group leader Stephen Bainborough. “We make it up on the spot and need your ideas and maybe even your participation. So, get ready to 'yes...and…"

Musically, Alex Black, accompanied by guitarist Greg Martin, will return with her unique vocal stylings that thrilled the audience back in August. Local musician Alex Rabbitson, rapper Nate Br!ganté, respected counsellor Brian Adams and environmentalist Jacob Kearey-Moreland will join other performers and speakers to round out the evening.

The $20 entry ticket includes free pizza and a cash bar. All net proceeds go to the Sharing Place Food Centre in Orillia.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. at the Orillia Legion, 215 Mississaga Street East at Centennial Drive.

Since tickets are limited, Harris and McRae encourage the purchase of tickets online in advance, through an eTransfer to [email protected]. Some tickets will be held for sale at the door.

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