FOCUS:  Enjoy the season at the Charleston Gaillard Center

Holiday Pops at the GaillardStaff reports  |  Take a break from the frenzy of the holiday “to do” list by enjoying an afternoon or evening at the Charleston Gaillard Center.

Two of the biggest names in big band jazz will be at the Gaillard on Friday, Dec., 7 and Saturday, Dec.  On Friday, Harry Connick Jr. brings his big band and New Orleans influence to toast the holiday and perform a selection of holiday favorites. New Orleans native Wynton Marsalis brings back the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on Saturday for a big band holiday concert that is certain to swing in the holiday spirit. Both shows begin at 7:30 pm.

Marsalis on trumpet

Fans of inspired holiday music can ring in the holidays with Chris Tomlin, an accomplished church singer whose worship-focused catalogue has made him TIME Magazine’s “most often sung artist anywhere.” Join Chris as he brings praise and worship to the meaning of holiday spirit. This performance is on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Join members of the Seacoast Churches as they present Christmas Collective LIVE, an unforgettable night of Christmas music and worship. Headlined by Seacoast Worship, Christmas Collective LIVE will feature Robbie Madison with special guests, Kidscoast Worship. This performance is on Friday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.

Charleston’s own School of the Arts has a special family performance on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. Featuring the School of the Arts Symphony and Singers, the 7 p.m. performance will feature holiday favorites that will be a hit with the entire family.

Rounding out the holiday season, the Charleston Gaillard Center is proud to present the world-acclaimed Vienna Boys Choir, known as one of the finest vocal ensembles in the world. The Choir was first established by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I in 1498, and since then, the many incarnations of the group have been continuously performing. The enormously popular chorus is comprised of young male singers, ages 10-14 who are admitted by a rigorous audition process. The program for this concert includes classical choral pieces as well as traditional holiday carols. The performance is on Friday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.

There are three coming performances at the Charleston Gaillard Center presented by the Charleston Symphony: Holiday Brass with Doc Severinson (Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.), Swingin’ Christmas with Tony Desare (Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.) and Holiday Pops (Dec/ 22 at 7:30 p.m.).

And if these shows don’t whet your whistle, you can always give the gift of tickets for future events by calling the Gaillard Box Office at 843-242-3099. Speaking of gifts, membership is a great way to be involved in the Gaillard, and the gift of membership provides great benefits, such as pre-sale access to tickets, invitations to member-only events and exclusive access to back-of-house tours.

• More information on membership
• Have a comment? Send to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com