Sounds of yule in Sandy

This year may mark the beginning of a new tradition for the Sandy community. Some of the most popular local performers will join to present Sandy city's first "Christmas Concert Spectacular" in the South Towne Expo Center Monday.

Steven Ireland, marketing manager of Sandy City Community Events, said that the lineup will include Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand, Sam Payne, Peter Breinholt, George Dyer, Cherie Call, Jenny Jordan Frogley, Alex Boye, the Jordan High School Madrigals, Ladies Chamber Choir and Handbell Choir.

"We've set it up theater-style at the Expo," said Ireland. "We have one of the big halls there, and we'll have big screens on both sides of the stage, so the people in the back will be able to see better.

"We're trying to make it a really festive atmosphere. It should be really fun."

Ryan Shupe's RubberBand, said Ireland, will be the house band, playing for any of the other performers who don't already have their own band. And Payne, in addition to performing in the concert, will also act as master of ceremonies.

The lineup, he said, combines different types of song and music styles. "Cherie Call has her own unique songs that she's done on a Christmas CD that's come out this year. Sam Payne, of course, has his own versions of songs. And then we have all the familiar songs from George Dyer and the choirs, too."

And in terms of style, Ireland said that it will have a nice variety. "Alex Boye is really a soul-singer type, and then you've got George Dyer with the opera, and Peter Breinholt and Ryan Shupe, with their folk music. And I think the choirs will really add a community effect to the concert, so it should be a really good mix."

Some of the performers, he said, would even combine on a few numbers — like Dyer and Call performing a duet, "The Prayer."

The concert, he said, builds on the annual singalong that the Sandy Arts Guild has sponsored for the past five years. Like the other singalong, people are invited to bring contributions for the Food Bank, and the concert will end with the audience joining in song.

If you go

What: "Christmas Concert Spectacular"

Where: South Towne Expo Center, 9575 S. State

When: Monday, 7 p.m.

How much: $10-$15

Phone: 568-ARTS or 467-8499.

Web: sandy.utah.gov

Also: Donations requested of non-perishable food items for the Utah Food Bank

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E-mail: rcline@desnews.com