Annual Winter Solstice Concert at ChurcHouse

LONG EDDY, NY — The 14th Annual Candlelight Winter Solstice Concert Celebration will be held at the ChurcHouse atop Gould’s Mountain near Long Eddy on Friday evening, December 22, at 7:30 p.m. The concert celebration is free of charge, a gift to the community at this holiday season, and has become a greatly-loved tradition in the area.

All are asked to bring a candle and candleholder, as well as a dessert or appetizer to share following the concert. Folding chairs are also welcome. Reservations are requested and early arrival is recommended for seating. For reservations and directions to the ChurcHouse, call Alan Seale at 845/482-9309.

The Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, has been celebrated over the centuries as a time of introspection and retreat, as well as a festival for the return of the sun and the light. Participating in this year’s concert will be singer Alan Seale, pianist/singer Bill Lewis, storyteller Able Rae (formerly Myra Winner), and guest Broadway singer Jane Labanz. The concert promises something for all ages, from familiar holiday music to music of the heart to storytelling. The performers take advantage of the wonderful acoustical space of the ChurcHouse in magical and mystical ways. The space will be entirely lit by candles for the concert portion of the evening.

Alan Seale is a singer and voice teacher in New York City, and has appeared as soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Spoleto Festival, New York City Opera National Company and the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra.

Pianist/singer Bill Lewis has appeared on concert stages all over the world with such noted singers as tenors Ronan Tynan, Marcello Giordano and Rockwell Blake, and soprano Maureen O’Flynn. He appeared at the White House accompanying Patti LaBelle. He has been the head vocal coach for Central City Opera Festival, and has served on the coaching staffs of Santa Fe Opera and Texas Opera Theater, as well as on the faculty of Rutgers University.

Storyteller Able Rae is well-known to Delaware Valley audiences from her stories on Catskill Public Radio under the name Myra Winner. She is now regularly heard as a storyteller on Jacksonville, FL public radio, and has recently released her second CD, “I am Able Rae.” Her stories have also been published in collections by Simon and Schuster.

Jane Labanz’ many Broadway and National Tour credits include Hope in “Anything Goes” (opposite Patti LuPone), the opera cat in “CATS”, and numerous shows with Tommy Tune. She has toured Europe as a soprano in Beethoven’s “Missa Solemnis” with Robert Shaw. She makes her home in New York City.