It is not often that a Juno-nominated singer performs in the community, but this Saturday, Dec. 3 Erskine Church will be hosting its Christmas banquet with Carolyn Arends, a three-time nominated Juno award singer at the Stettler Community Hall.
Having released 12 albums and authored three books so far, Arends is a well-known name.
When asked to describe her style, Arends said, "My songs tend to tell stories in a folk musical vein and my duo partner, Spencer Capier, helps bring them to life on violin, mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, and guitar."
For more than two decades, Arends' hometown church in Coquitlam, B.C. has asked her to write a new song for Christmas eve each year, so she has quite a few Christmas originals that she hopes to entertain the audience with.
"Of course, we also weave in some well-known Christmas classics as we go," Arends added. "Generally, we try to share songs that invite people into some of the mystery of the story of Christmas, and we hope people leave with their sense of wonder rekindled."
Arends' first CD was released in 1995, so she been at this a long time.
"I'm grateful for pretty much all of the journey, including obvious things like radio play and awards and getting to share the stage with amazing people," Arends added. "But more than anything else I'm still blown away when an audience sings along to one of my songs. To know that a bit of my own story has connected with a bit of theirs – and they've even learned it by heart – is really pretty cool."
Arends said that she really enjoyed playing for smaller communities, so she is looking forward to coming to Stettler.
"Our pal Brian Doerksen played there last year with the Shiyr Poets, and couldn't stop talking about what a great time he had, so, our hopes are high," Arends said.