Cape Central to present jazz concert this weekend

Cape Girardeau Central High School will present its fourth annual Central Jazz concert at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the school's commons area.

The concert, presented by the concert and women's choirs, will include a number of holiday classics, such as "Silent Night," "O Holy Night" and "The First Noel," as well as a mix of more modern tunes, such as "Java Jive," a jazz version of "Carol of the Bells" and "Fruitcake," a light, comical song about the traditional holiday cake's ingredients.

The concert also will feature a version of the Beatles' song "In My Life," a favorite among the school's choir members.

Each choir will sing songs separately as well, with the women's choir singing "Santa Baby" and "Merry Christmas, Darling."

Throughout the evening, guests will be able to enjoy cheesecake, coffee, tea and hot chocolate, and small ensembles will move around and sing to individual tables.

Linda Davis, Central's choral director, said the best part of hosting a concert like this is the experience and fun in which the students are able to share, especially because it is something they look forward to for several months of the fall semester.

"You know, [the concert gives] that feeling of anticipation of knowing that not only will this lead you into your time of the year, the holiday season, but it gives them a little bit of stability, of familiarity, in something that they can build toward each year, and I think they like that stability of having something consistent," Davis said.

She said the decorations will be a little more traditional this year, in lieu of the blue and black of past years.

"I'm going to make it a little cozier setting and with more of a red-and-green theme instead of a blue theme; they've done blue in the past. ... The blue will still be there, but we're going to try and make it a little cozier," Davis said.

Doors will open and seating will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $12 through the Central main office at (573) 335-8228 or from any student choir member.