Get into the Christmas spirit with Celtic-folk artist Lizzy Hoyt

By Christine Foshaug Times Contributor

If you’re looking for a special way to get into the Christmas spirit, you won’t want to miss Celtic-folk artist Lizzy Hoyt’s Ancient Carols for a Winter’s Night on Dec. 7.
Hoyt, who has been described as having the voice of an angel, is also a master of the fiddle, mandolin, guitar and harp. She’ll play all of those instruments, and will perform as part of a trio, at Arts on 817’s third concert of the season.
“Our audience will experience the warmth and beauty of well-known Christmas carols with an offering of lesser known carols all wrapped up in the sounds of guitar, mandolin, fiddle and Celtic harp,” explained Carolyn Steeves, artistic director for Arts on 817. “Some songs will tell the ancient stories of Christmas – the three wise men, King Herod and King Wenceslas – while others will simply sing of joy, peace and celebration.”
An acclaimed songwriter, Hoyt is known for bringing Canadian history to life with music. She was named Best Female Artist at the 8th International Acoustic Music Awards in 2012. She’s also been a Canadian Folk Music Award nominee for Traditional Singer of the Year and was a finalist in both the 2012 John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the 2011 USA Songwriting Competition.
Hoyt was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Governor General of Canada in 2013 for her outstanding contribution to commemorating Canadian veterans and history for her song, Vimy Ridge.
“I saw Lizzy Hoyt perform on CBC TV during the Vimy 95th Anniversary Ceremony on April 9, 2012, singing her own song, Vimy Ridge, atop the magnificent Vimy Ridge Memorial in France,” said Steeves. “I didn’t know who she was at the time, but I remember the impact that performance had on me.”
Lizzy Hoyt’s Ancient Carols for a Winter’s Night, which will be held at Strathmore United Church, starts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. For tickets call 403-901-2797 or go to smoreuc.com.