Events Calendar

"A Victorian Christmas With John Doan" a holiday tradition in its twenty-third season, comes to Salem, Friday, December 4, 2009 at 8:00 PM in Hudson Hall at Willamette University, located at 900 State Street in downtown Salem, Oregon. This festive seasonal program is a live version of his Emmy-Nominated Public Broadcasting television special which re-enacts what it might have been like to celebrate Christmas a century ago. The show explores how the Victorians invented many Christmas traditions we remember and quite a few we have forgotten. The twenty-string harp guitar, classical banjo, and ukelin are but a few of the original instruments to be featured. Advanced tickets are available at the Music Department or by phone at $18.00 for adults and $10.00 for children and students under 18. Willamette University students, faculty, and staff may acquire free tickets up to one week prior to the event (tickets are limited). For more information and phone reservations call (503) 370-6255.

The aim of this concert is to recapture the feeling of a time before radio and TV when our ancestors provided most of their own musical home entertainment, especially at the holidays! During the concert, Doan plays more than a dozen turn-of-the-century instruments once popular in American parlors, on vaudeville stages, and in mandolin orchestras. He explains their history in a entertaining and often zany fashion, shows slides of old catalogues and archival photographs and leads the audience by singing (or whistling) many of our most beloved American carols. John will include in the performance several of his arrangements from his national CD release titled "Wrapped In White - Visions of Christmas Past." Billboard Magazine says, "John Doan breathes new life into old carols and evokes the nostalgic, mystical side of Christmas."

John Doan is a touring and recording artist who has appeared on radio and television across the country including his own specials titled "A Christmas To Remember With John Doan" (as seen on PBS) and his Emmy-Nominated Oregon Public Broadcasting "A Victorian Christmas With John Doan." DVD's of these programs will be available at the concert. He recently toured nationally with renown guitarist Mason Williams. John Doan is an Associate Professor of Music on the faculty of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. For more information go to www.johndoan.com.

Tickets will go on sale Monday, November 9th. Tickets for Willamette University students, faculty, and staff with ID are available staring November 9th until November 30th.