Doug Allen Nash concert among upcoming holiday events in Greater Grand Forks
Nov. 23—GRAND FORKS — As the holidays approach, here are a few events that are sure to put you and your family in a festive spirit.
Nashville recording artist Doug Allen Nash will present his "Country Christmas" show at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 and 3 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Empire Arts Center.
In this new variety show, Nash will be joined by special guests Wendy Newcomer from Nashville and the "dynamic duo Blake and Kiki" from Hollywood.
Nash will also entertain audiences with an "Elvis Christmas Tribute," featuring his A-List Big Band. Nash is a lifelong fan of Johnny Cash. The singer-songwriter recorded the song, "June," dedicated to June Carter Cash, at the Cash Cabin Studios in Hendersonville, Tennessee, under the direction of John Carter Cash, June and Johnny Cash's son. Nash co-wrote the ballad with Jeff Silverman.
The "Country Christmas" show will include timeless holiday classics such as "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Winter Wonderland," "Baby, It's Cold Outside," "Blue Christmas," "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," and many more favorites.
Special guest Wendy Newcomer, who is the "June" on Nash's Johnny Cash album, has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
The show also includes a salute to military veterans.
To purchase tickets, $35 for general admission and $55 for VIP, go to
or call (701) 746-5500.
Grand Forks has welcomed Nash in the past when he entertained audiences with sold-out performances of his "Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond Tribute Show."
A singer-songwriter, Nash has entertained U.S. troops in 87 countries, and has performed in venues including Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nashville's Opryland Hotel, and the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.
On its three-state tour, the "Medora Christmas Memories" show will again make a stop in Grand Forks, with performances set for 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Empire Arts Center.
Shows are also scheduled for Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Grafton (North Dakota) High School; Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mayville (North Dakota) State University Auditorium; and Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. in the Robert Fawcett Auditorium at Lake Region State College, Devils Lake.
The performance features stars of the Medora Musical, a summertime show staged in Medora, North Dakota. It is "an entertaining show for the whole family, filled with your favorite Christmas carols," according to the tour's website.
This year's show features The Waddington Brothers from western North Dakota.
Returning artists include Emily Walter, Travis Smith, Amberly Rosen, Misti Koop and show host Bill Sorenson, who also wrote and produced the show. Also featured is master magician Colin Zasadny.
For tickets, go to
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The UND Wind Ensemble will present a concert of classic and contemporary works at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the Chester Fritz Auditorium on the UND campus. It is free and open to the public, and will be livestreamed on the UND music department website,
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Featured artists will be UND senior music majors Katie Cermak, Alexandra Funk and Gina Tietz, all flutists. They will present a unique trio performance of the classic "Concertino for Flute and Band," by Cecile Chaminade, said James Popejoy, UND director of bands.
Popejoy will also lead the Wind Ensemble in such classic band repertoire as "Rolling Thunder," by Henry Fillmore, and "Light Cavalry Overture," by Franz von Suppe.
Contemporary works will include "Noisy Wheels of Joy," by Eric Whitacre, and Philip Spark's exciting suite, "The Seasons," Popejoy said. A performance of "Gustav Holst's monumental "First Suite in Eb (e-flat)" is also on the program.
For more information, contact the UND Bands office at (701) 777-2815.
The ArtWise organization will host its second annual Holiday Showcase and Sale beginning Saturday, Nov. 26, at its Gallery and Creation Space at the center court in Columbia Mall. An opening reception is planned from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Many artists from the area are participating and plan to bring artwork in a wide variety of media, said Rita Haag, ArtWise director.
"This is a good way to shop local for gifts or to collect artwork from local artists," Haag said. All artworks can be taken home at purchase.
The showcase will run through Dec. 30.
For more information, contact Haag at
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