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Old St. Ferdinand Shrine will hold a benefit holiday show prior to Christmas Walk, Dec. 3
The Old St. Ferdinand Shrine will kick-off the Florissant Christmas Walk with a benefit concert Saturday, Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m.. featuring authentic French Creole music.
Admission is free and donations will be accepted. All proceeds from the event will be used on badly needed restoration projects at the Shrine. Dennis Stroughmatt is the only artist in the world that tours and plays the music of the French Creoles that settled in the Midwest.
The performance includes the up-tempo music, language, stories and culture secreted away in Missouri that became part of the American fabric at the time of the Louisiana Purchase. The French Creoles, both of French and Spanish descent, were Roman Catholics who were born in the colonies and created their own unique social customs and celebrations.
As a special treat, Dennis will be performing La Guillanee. La Guillanee is the Celtic festival of sharing food and bounty throughout the community during the winter. In France it brought the community together to celebrate the New Year.
The Shrine, built in 1821, is the site of one of the earliest French settlements west of the Mississippi. The convent was home to St. Rose Phillipine Duchesne in 1819 when Mass was said for the first time that Christmas Eve.
The Creole Christmas concert includes songs in both French and English not unlike the songs sung and performed at the Shrine during past holidays.
After the performance, the Shrine will have chili and drinks for sale as well as gently-used Christmas items and special book-fair event pricing of $4 per bag.
For additional information contact Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, phone number 314/837-2110; or on the web at www.oldstferdinandshrine.com.
