By David DeRocco

 They say that location is everything. For a singer with dreams of sharing her annual Christmas concert with as many fans as possible, performing on a small stage across from the City’s most prestigious concert hall proved to be an extremely inspiring location.

In December 2017, Niagara singer Melissa-Marie Shriner found herself performing a Christmas show at the Mahtay Café, a popular hangout for the downtown St. Catharines hipster and artist crowd. Although she had traditionally staged her popular Christmas concert at larger church venues to accommodate audiences the last week before the holiday, Shriner had already hosted a combined concert/CD release party earlier that November. As a result, she scaled down her traditional event for the eventual December 23^rd concert at Mahtay – which happens to be located directly across the street from the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.

“I was standing on that stage (at Mahtay) the whole night long, looking out at the Performing Arts Centre going, ‘why aren’t I over there,’” remembers Shriner, a talented classical and jazz singer who has been featured in the TD Niagara Jazz Festival. “I’m singing away having this whole other conversation in my mind while I’m performing. And then at the end of the song I said, ‘you know what everybody, I’m going to do my show at the PAC next year.’ They all clapped and a friend said go for it so that’s what I did. I made a plan to make it happen.”

The results of that plan can be heard and enjoyed December 22^nd at FirstOntario’s Cairns Recital Hall, as Performance BMW presents “Melissa-Marie Shriner Sings The Songs of Christmas.” Along with Shriner’s beautiful vocals, ‘The Songs of Christmas’ features the talented Robert Horvath on piano, along with top rate jazz musicians Clark Johnston on upright bass and Adam Fielding on drums. Collectively, the quartet of performers deliver a warm and nostalgic evening of traditional and contemporary Christmas favourites.

“I love Christmas music,” exclaimed Shriner, who has tried to schedule the concert as close to Christmas each year as part of tradition. “I believe in this music. And so do others. Many people have told me they don’t feel the holiday season starts until they come to enjoy this concert.”

Shriner released a full-length CD of holiday favourites called “A Christmas Love Song” in 2017, which will also be available for sale at the concert. The event is tailored to families who love to celebrate with the music of the season, and is highlighted by a visit from Santa Claus, who arrives mid-concert to share in the revelry. The event is fully handicap accessible, and tickets are available now at the FOPAC box office. For more details visit: https://melissamarieshriner.com/