Xmas Concert gears up for a sell-out audience

The Shotover Jet Remarkable Christmas Spectacular is outstripping all ticket sales expectations and is set to be a sellout concert in its first year.

“Our goal was to build the event up to be a sell-out within three years , instead all indications are that this year’s performance will have a full house” says Karen Gemmell. “With a week to go there are only have a few hundred tickets left”.

1,500 people are expected to pack the Events Centre this Saturday, 15 December for the Christmas spectacular. Over 200 hundred performers, children, parents, teachers, volunteers, administrative staff, creative personnel, technical personnel, sponsors and suppliers have contributed to bring the Shotover Jet Remarkable Christmas Spectacular to life.

“Spectators are in for a real treat” Events Manager Karen Gemmell says. “The cast have been rehearsing with Creative Director Douglas Kamo and Musical Director Margaret O'Hanlon for two months in preparation for Saturday night. They will be joined this week by NZ Idol Ben Lummis when he arrives in town on Thursday. Ben travels to Queenstown after a busy weekend appearing in the Auckland Christmas in the Park concert."

“We are also very lucky to have talented local journalist Steve Wilde who was able to step up to the role of MC after Russell Harrison was unable to make it. Most people will recognise Steve for his fantastic performance as the Narrator in Rocky Horror Picture Show earlier this year.”

There is something for everyone with Christmas favourites including Jingle Bell Rock and Silent Night together with kiwi classics by Dave Dobbyn, Split Enz and hits from High School Musical.

A highlight of the show will be the lighting of the Southern Lakes Real Estate Wishing Tree. Over 100 children around Central Otago have been putting their Christmas wishes on stars in Wanaka, Crowmell and Queenstown. During the concert one lucky child will be granted their wish and they will be invited on stage to turn on the tree lights.

The Christmas Tree Grotto which opend at the Events Centre on the 1 December is also proving a huge success with over 1200 people having already visited the exhibition. "With Santa making some of first appearances this week we are expecting the Events Centre to be full of Christmas spirit" Events Manager Karen Gemmell said.

A Remarkable Christmas Spectacular has already generated over $7,000 for Diabetes Wakatipu through the Shotover Jet Family Day, silent auction and public voting on trees displayed in Santa's Christmas Tree Grotto exhibition.