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Silvie Paladino leads carols line-up

By Colin MacGillivray

Horsham’s Carols by Candlelight is set to be one of the biggest in recent memory, with internationally renowned singer and performer Silvie Paladino to headline the family-friendly event.

Ms Paladino is a regular performer at Melbourne’s Carols by Candlelight and has an impressive history of musical theatre performances in Australasia.

Among her many roles are Eponine in Les Misérables, Jeannie in Hair, Grizabella in Cats, Ellen in Miss Saigon and Donna in Mamma Mia!



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She was twice nominated for Helpmann Awards – Australia’s top awards for live entertainment and performing arts – and won a Green Room award for best actress in a music theatre leading role in 2012.

Horsham Carols by Candlelight coordinator Simon Dandy said Ms Paladino would be the first guest star the event had booked in five years.

“Having her this year is a major coup for us, so we’re pretty excited,” he said.

“We started talking to her management in December last year, and finally got the go-ahead in August this year.

“She is world class – there’s no doubt about it.

“She has performed all over the world and this is her 22nd year in a row at the Melbourne Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve.

“You don’t get that gig if you’re not a pretty special performer.”

Mr Dandy said Ms Paladino’s appearance was exciting not only for carols patrons, but local performers.

“Silvie has agreed to perform with our band, which I think is a pretty big thing,” he said.

“She made that decision without seeing our musicians, so she’s taking a leap of faith, but I know her faith will be justified because we have some outstanding local musicians.

“For them to have an opportunity to play with her is pretty cool.

“She’s used to the Melbourne stage and I don’t know what vision she has in her head about what our carols will be like.

“I’m biased, but I think she’ll be pleasantly surprised by the amount of people who come and the quality of the performance.”

Mr Dandy said the carols would also benefit from being on the same weekend as Horsham’s annual Kannamaroo Festival.

He said pre-carols food and activities would be at Sawyer Park from 5.30pm on Sunday, December 1, following on from the Kannamaroo duck race on the Wimmera River at 4.30pm.

“They’re still separate events, but we decided to put them on the same weekend,” he said.

“They’re virtually at the same location, so hopefully both events get some traction from each other.

“People who might not have gone to carols might mosey on over from the duck race to get some food and drinks and potentially stay, and some people who get to the carols early might put their rugs down and go over to see the duck race.”

Mr Dandy said the carols would be simulcast by ACE Radio broadcasters 3WM and MIXX FM, with a replay of the program to be played on Christmas Day.

He said the carols would be at Horsham Town Hall if the day was rainy, with people able to watch live streams from Horsham’s Harvest Church and Church of Christ.

The entire October 16, 2019 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!