It was another magical night at St. Joan’s on December 9th. The auditorium was decorated with Christmas trees and lights, and the stage surrounded by poinsettias. Neal and Leandra gave their second Holiday Traditions concert to a sold-out audience. The familiar couple, along with keyboardist Jeff Victor, played a wide range of music. There were traditional Christmas songs, among them the ever-favorite “White Christmas.”  
"Jingle Bells” became a symphony of bells as the audience was invited to take out their keys to jingle and sing along, after a request for a “judicious and tasteful” use of said keys by Leandra. It made for a wonderful and beautiful noise!
In a very funny segment, they sang a couple of traditional Swedish songs, and then translated them. One song had someone going to Mrs. Soderberg looking for some soda water. There was a mention of Swedish glug, and a strong suspicion by both singers that it may have been the reason they were looking for soda water.
Neal introduced a new song that he wrote for his daughter, nineteen-month-old Madeline, singing to us about how Santa Claus must be bored, doing the same job for so very long! So, Santa decided that he “…wants to be a cowboy.” I guess after several hundreds of years, anyone would need a change of scenery.
Neal and Leandra have a passion and love for each other. It shows through on stage in their songs, and in their words to the audience and to each other. Their love for each other shines clearly through their signature song, “Old Love,” which we were also privileged to hear last night.
After a very beautiful rendition of “Go Tell in on the Mountain” and “Silent Night”, the audience got to be little kids again. Under most of the seats were little bubble blowers! Everyone had a lot of fun forever blowing bubbles to one of our very favorite songs, “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.” As long as we can blow bubbles, life is grand!

In their closing, they thanked the wonderful volunteers that helped to put the evening together, from those selling CD’s, to those serving the coffee, juice, wine and cookies. The incredible community of St. Joan’s is echoed in the incredible community of Neal and Leandra. Their community can be found on the Internet at www.nealandleandra.com.

Neal, Jeff and Leandra

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Janice LaMere Janice La Mere is a self-professed (and sometimes publicly acknowledged) girl-geek. She does computer technical support and training, and is a writer, college student, mother of three and grandmother of two. She likes to read, learn, listen to music, walk with her dog (Lady Isabella Augusta, AKA Auggie Doggie) and watch old movies. She can be found on the Internet at www.janissima.com, or email to lamere@janissima.com.