Christmas is One Language Concert
What: Concert will feature First United Methodist Lakeshore Carillon Ringers, Colombian singer Alejandra Palacios, Lupita Sosa’s Mexican Dancers, First Presbyterian Church’s Primetime Singers, Michelle Martin, The Korean Cultural Center’s Chil-Sung Kwon and Melody Kwon, New Moon Jazz Project and St. John Baptist Church Angelic Voices and the Perla Serrana Mariachi Band
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Gainesville First United Methodist Church, 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville
How Much: Free
Each year, the Christmas is One Language concert proves to be a special occasion, but this year the Gainesville tradition will be even more so.
This year marks the concert’s 15th annual showing and several performances are planned, both old and new.
“We have a pretty good variety of different cultural influences on the program,” said Sam Marley, concert director.
The concert brings together several performers of different cultures. This year it is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday at the Gainesville First United Methodist Church on Thompson Bridge Road.
“Christmas is One Language is about all the different cultures in the city of Gainesville,” said Freddie Webb, an organizer from St. John Baptist Church
in Gainesville.
“We come to celebrate the event season — the birth of Christ — in each culture’s way of doing it,” Webb added. The concert brings together various local church choirs, school chorus groups and other performers.
Among the performances planned this year is a drum and dance group from the Korean Cultural Center in Suwanee, which will perform in the concert for the first time.
“They really have some world recognition,” Marley said.
As usual the St. John Baptist Church’s Angelic Voices will perform again this year. The choir plans to perform a playlist of gospel after receiving requests, Webb said.
“Our way of expressing the birth of Christ and to praise Him with a joyous, loud and melodious song,”
Webb said.
With a large Hispanic population in Gainesville, the concert plans several performances of Hispanic culture. Among those performances will be Alejandra Palacios, Colombian singer, as well as Lupita Sosa’s Mexican Dancers and a the Perla Serrana Mariachi Band.
Planned for the weekend following Thanksgiving, the concert marks the beginning of the holiday season.
Organizers believe there’s no better way to kick off that season than bringing different cultures to celebrate together.
“I think we have truly and wonderfully enjoyed this program ... to say that we have come together as one people to present the event season and the birth of Christ,” Webb said.
“It’s more than just Christmas. It’s to know who our neighbors are, who the people in Gainesville are and how we unite as one and to be there to celebrate and be happy,” she added.
But the concert isn’t the only diverse aspect of the colorful concert. A reception that follows offers guest an assortment of cultural foods.
“I love meeting the people,” Webb said. “When I go there not only do I see people from the various churches, but I see so many of the children ... dressed in their native costumes, so I think that’s my favorite part.”