One of Canada’s best loved singers, Rita MacNeil will return to the concert stage with her traditional Christmas concert, joined this year by the world famous von Trapp children. The tour starts November 19th in Swift Current, travels to Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, PEI, and then finishes in Ontario, December 19th in London.

The program will be a blend of songs, both original and time honoured, sung with the spirit and passion that defines the season. Over the years, Rita’s seasonal CDs (Now The Bells Ring, Once Upon A Christmas, Joyful Sounds and Late December) have sold in excess of a half a million copies.

The von Trapp children, the real great-grandchildren of Maria and Captain von Trapp portrayed in the much loved Sound of Music, have toured the world, sharing the songs and history of their famous family. Recently the children were guests on Oprah when she reunited the original cast from the movie. It was the first time, Sofia, Melanie, Amanda and Justin, had met Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer who portrayed their great-grandparents.

It’s an evening of music and memories for the whole family to enjoy - a wonderful way to celebrate the season in song and spirit!

About Rita MacNeil:
Rita MacNeil is an award-winning singer/songwriter whose career took off following her performances at Vancouver’s Expo ‘86. Her first big hit, Flying On Your Own, followed by her signature Working Man set off a career that has led to Juno Awards, Canadian Country Music Association Awards and numerous East Coast Music Awards including the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award. She is the member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Nova Scotia, hosted her Gemini award winning CBC variety Television show, Rita and Friends for three years and has starred in numerous TV specials of her own. From England to Australia, Rita’s legion of fans continue to celebrate her remarkable gift.

About the von Trapp Children:
The von Trapp Children are a musical group made up of Justin (17), Amanda (20), Melanie (21) and Sofia ( 23 ) and are the great grandchildren of Captain and Maria Von Trapp from the Sound of Music. They began their singing career over a decade ago and have toured the England, South Korea, Australia, Japan, Ireland, Austria, Belgium and Africa to mention just a few. They have appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, The Today Show and Good Morning America as well as with major symphonies in the U.S and Canada. The von Trapp Children are the recipients of a special award for Outstanding Young Family Singing Group at the 27th annual Young Artists Awards and have released five albums.