Christmas Concert Info

Just a reminder that the Thetis Island Christmas Concert is this Thursday, December 13th at 7pm.  

As ever, big thanks go to Simone for making this magical concert happen every year.  After all the performances and sing-alongs there will be an intermission with cookies and cake, a chance to mingle and chat.  After the intermission will come my story poem.  For those of you who aren't in the mood for a long story poem, don't feel the least bit guilty about leaving at the end of the intermission and skipping it. 

This feel-good story poem is 20 minutes long and is called "The Cats of the Winter Palace". It takes place at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1745.  Inspired by true events of history (with some embellishment), it tells the story of the birth of the city, a powerful woman, an ambitious girl and how cats from the ancient Muslim city of Kazan came to take up residence in the Winter Palace and have been there ever since.  For those of you who are animal lovers you will be interested to know that this cat colony has evolved into a famous cat rescue charity that still operates out of the cellars of the Winter Palace.  

By the way, Natasha has already heard this poem and given it enthusiastic approval - this is Russian history and culture with a happy ending.  I hope you will enjoy it!