Dino Dunsford will host the last Dino and Friends Christmas Ceilidh of the season on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2 p.m., at the Fort Augustus Recreation Centre.
It’s a fundraiser in aid of the playground equipment fund.
For the occasion, Dino is adding two guest singers – Rita Watts and Jacinta MacDonald.
Although, this is his first Christmas concert at the centre, Dunsford is no stranger to the Fort Augustus Recreation Centre. Back in the 1970s he played there every Saturday night for nine years. He’s hoping to see some familiar faces this week.
Dunsford has been presenting Gaither-style gospel concerts for more than 10 years with musicians Judy Lowe, Brian Knox and Heartz Godkin.
That night, Dunsford will perform his favourite Christmas songs including “O Holy Night” and “Mary Did You Know?”
The award-winning performer picked up the Music P.E.I. Contribution Award for 2018. He has released five albums and is known for the energy he puts into his live shows.
Watts grew up singing in Victoria by-the-Sea, her childhood home. In fact, she loved it enough to write about it and use it as the title of her first, award-winning song. Since then she has written and performed many at concerts and benefits. Watts has also performed backup vocals on several CDs. One of her greatest honours was being one of four Islanders invited to perform at a Summerside Lobster Festival Concert, emceed by Valdy, one of her all-time singer-songwriters.
MacDonald has won talent shows and has performed at the Country Music Week in Hamilton, Ont., and at the Canadian National Exhibition in Vancouver. She is also featured on the Christmas album “Stars of the Island” and her own album, “Good Old Maritimes”.
She was the opening act for Wayne Rostad from “On the Road Again” and is involved in the music ministry at her church. MacDonald is also the newest member of the Lady Singers of our Century, paying tribute to Patsy Cline and Reba McEntire.
Dunsford, MacDonald and Watts will sing old and new Christmas songs, backed up by Brian Knox, Judy Lowe and Heartz Godkin.
Admission is $12 at the door, which opens at 1 p.m.
