So, what is a Christmas Cabaret, you ask? I asked myself the same question last year and the year before that.

Sounded interesting (and musical) and I love music. Sad to say, I was always too busy to buy a ticket.

I now know that a Christmas Cabaret is a musical extravaganza designed to get you and your friends into the Christmas spirit.

This year, it’s not just Christmas music … it’s a Motown Christmas! On Friday, the Natchez Festival of Music invites you to their annual Christmas Cabaret — “A Merry Motown Christmas!”

As one of the newest members of the Festival’s Board of Directors, I have the pleasure of helping prepare and coordinate this annual holiday event.

My involvement came about last year when I volunteered to help my friend, Diana Glaze, at the Mac McAnally concert. Of course, I volunteered my husband, too! Mac was fabulous, and we were hooked. Later, Diana called to ask me to become a member of the board.

Two years ago the Festival presented a Salute to Motown, which may have been the most popular event of that year’s Festival. The singers in that show had so much fun that they suggested to Diana that we have a Motown Christmas. We all thought that was a great idea.

The vocalists performing in this cabaret are Sierra Davis, Latisha Hamilton, Ezekiel McCall, Krista McKenzie and David Walker.

We have also assembled a band comprised of incredibly talented musicians — Barry Leach on guitar, Lowery Hicks on bass, Andy Gilstrap on drums, Ryan Raziano on woodwinds, and the ever-popular and multi-talented Joseph Britain on piano and who is also serving as music director and arranger.

During this presentation you will hear many of your favorite Christmas standards and some “new” favorites with a Motown flavor.

As usual, we will have a table-decorating contest. The winner will receive two tickets to a 2019 Festival main stage event of their choice. Tables will be available for decorating between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday.

Please join us 7 p.m. Friday at the Natchez Convention Center for “A Merry Motown Christmas!” Individual tickets are $35, or you may purchase a table for 10 for $300. Tickets may be purchased at www.bontempstix.com. You may also purchase tickets at the door, but we do encourage early purchase. Tables are filling up fast.

I bought a ticket this year and hope to see you there.

Donna Meason Ball is special events coordinator for Natchez Festival of Music.