An Acoustic Christmas Comes To Williston

The sights and sounds of the season are all around us. The tree and decorations are up. The shopping is wrapping up. You hear all your favorite Christmas carols everywhere you go. It is a busy, but fun time.

Williston and the James Memorial Art Center are getting ready for a unique event called An Acoustic Christmas. It's a fundraising concert featuring some the area's most talented individuals in an acoustic setting. The big day is Saturday, December 17th in the lower level of the James Memorial Art Center. The James is a perfect spot too. It offers an intimate setting where you can hear every note each artist plays. The decorations and lighting set off the stage beautifully.

Let me introduce you to all the performers.

Jen Urbatsch - Jen is California born and Wisconsin/North Dakota raised, and has the prairie in her heart. Her music interests include Country, Folk, Ballads and more. She loves to harmonize with a variety of local singers. Jen has also been the co-producer of this show for the past five years.

Josey & the Whalers - This well known 3-piece band out of Williston, ND is composed of Josey Nickles on keyboard, keyboard bass and lead vocals; Jeff Peck on guitar and vocals; and Hoppy Hopson on drums. Their collection of songs is flexible and includes originals, Funk, Blues, Pop and Reggae. They travel and perform all over the Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming. The band has worked to calibrate an original sound that is refreshing and fun. Their recent local events include the Williams County Parks Summer Concert Series and Summer Nights on Main.

DW Groethe - This cowboy poet & musician was born and raised in western North Dakota and has lived the past 25-plus years across the border in Montana. "D Dub" as he calls himself, is an author, guitarist, singer and songwriter. His most popular signature songs are "The Coffee Song" and "I Eat Meat." DW was a member of the first Board of Directors for the James and is pleased to perform his own Christmas poems on Center Stage for An Acoustic Christmas.

Heidi Joy - Heidi grew up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She went from fantastic childhood to alcoholic homelessness by the age of 21. Through years of geographical cures and running from herself, she landed in Iowa, and finally accepted God's grace of sobriety. In the 15 years since that time, she has become the woman she was always meant to be. Heidi does not play an instrument, but impresses audiences with her sultry, low range vocals and vast song repertoire.

Kalie Rider (feat. Lane Rider) - Kalie Rider is a singer/songwriter/musician and a member of the band, Gettin' Outta Dodge, a local folk-rock band composed of herself and cousin, Michael Bearce. Kalie also likes to perform with her nephew, Lane Rider. Both Kalie and Lane are rarely seen without a guitar case in tow and feel there's no better way to spend a long North Dakota winter than playing music.

Other performers for this event include Jim & Cheryl Lingenfelter, Mick Soiseth & Lane Sandstrom, Earl Gross and DMJ Productions.

A special thanks to Dee Miller for putting all of this information together, and for all the time and effort puts into this production yearly. She saw a need for improvements at the James, and this is her way of tackling some projects. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.thejamesmemorial.org. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door if presales are not sold out. So don’t wait, tickets are limited! Holiday treats and refreshments will be served at intermission, and drawings for several door prizes donated by local businesses will take place throughout the evening. Please call the James at (701) 774-3601 for more info or check out the  website EVENT page at www.thejamesmemorial.org for details and ticket sales!