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By Kris Harrell 

Christmas at the Ritz is returning for its fifth presentation at the Ritz Theatre Thursday, bringing local talent to the stage for one night only. 

The performance is organized by the Greenville High School (GHS) Band. Adopted from the Greenville Arts Council in 2019, the event puts a focus on artists local to the Greenville Area and to Alabama and supplies much-needed funding for the band’s supplies.

“Our community has poured out their support to the band program, from football season to us taking trips to fundraisers,” said Lee Harding, the GHS band director. “I feel like it’s our responsibility to be able to thank them by being able to put on these local productions.”

Attendees can expect performances from artists such as Kevin Sport, a Greenville native vocalist and guitarist, and Alyssa Johnson, a returning vocalist who has performed at the Ritz in the past. 

Additionally, the GHS jazz band will perform Christmas classics like “Frosty the Snowman” and “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” The high school’s symphonic band will perform Christmas carols such as Leroy Anderson’s famous “Sleigh Ride.” 

Ensembles from neighboring schools including Fort Dale Academy will be performing as well.

“In a rural community, we don’t have many outlets for the arts and for local artists,” said GHS auxiliary sponsor Jennifer Shealy. “Our community is full of great talent and people often don’t get to see that. This [event] gives us an opportunity to showcase what we can do besides the halftime show. We have really, really talented jazz and symphonic musicians as well.”

Christmas at the Ritz will also bring in new faces to the stage. Harding said that there will be around five new ensembles and organizations taking the Ritz Theatre stage. 

Proceeds from the event will go towards GHS bands, providing them with more equipment, music, uniforms and supplies.

Christmas at the Ritz is slated for Dec 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 each, and can be purchased at All Occasions Creations. For more information about Christmas at the Ritz, please visit the GHS band’s Facebook page at Greenville High School Band.