Holiday Jam to take the stage Tuesday

Talk about it

Holiday Jam is working on leaving its mark in Mitchell and creating a holiday tradition.

Holiday Jam is a nine-piece band featuring Sioux Falls musicians Jeremy and John Hegg. The group performs a mixture of rhythmic and soulful holiday classics.

The show is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Pepsi-Cola Theatre for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $25 and available online at www.mitchellact.org; at the theatre box office at 700 N. Main St., Mitchell; or at the door.

Holiday Jam began in 2008 after the popular Acoustic Christmas show ended its 19-year run.

Each year, Holiday Jam brings a new performance to the stage, said John Beranek, producer of the show.

This year, the group will focus on music from popular Christmas TV shows and movies such as Charlie Brown.

“It will bring familiar childhood memories with the songs. There will be some touching moments from movies you know,” Beranek said.

John Hegg added that Christmas classics like “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer” will be performed under new melodies.

Although the show plays a variety of music, Beranek said the melodies are more jazz-related than anything else.

But what makes Holiday Jam unique to other seasonal shows is its ability of showcasing individual talent, Beranek said.

“Sometimes a show is focused on entirely one person,” he said. “But people have fallen in love with Allison, our female singer, and I know we’re hitting our mark when people are asking if she’s coming back.”

As Holiday Jam continues to perform, it’s growing — in its size, impact and confidence.

“The musicians play really well together,” Beranek said. “And that enhances the overall show.”

“This isn’t a Christmas show,” Hegg said. “It’s a holiday show. The holidays are what happens between Thanksgiving and Christmas — all its traditions.”

Tags: sioux falls, holiday jam, life, music, holiday, entertainment, concert, local, mitchell, band