Written By MARNI WALSH

“Laughter and cheer was aplenty,” says Soup Haus founder, Sohayla Smith of the success of ‘Hollywood Christmas', held at historic Corbetton Church on the Museum of Dufferin grounds Dec. 15. 

The event was well attended and raised over $800 for Soup Haus, a non-profit, free, community dining experience which provides meals on Tuesday evenings out of Trinity United Church in Shelburne.

Sohayla Smith says the money will provide “approximately 240 to 250 suppers” for the community. 

“Thank you to everyone who attended for their generosity, and participation,” she says, “the concert was well received and every performer did an amazing job.” 

The concert included piano accompaniment, foley, and choreography by Sohayla Smith, who produced the show with Troupe-Adore. She and Josh Oatman directed the show, along with technical support by Adrian Smith.

 The wide variety of local talent included, Ashley Martindale of Ash Hoops Entertainment with a hula hooping demonstration which “captivated the audience and had them cheering,” says Sohayla Smith. 

Jason Riedel “had the entire audience singing a round of Rudolph in his all important role as ‘the man in red;' and young Sophia Winder was “a sweet little Sugar Plum Fairy performing her first ever ballerina solo,” says Ms. Smith. 

She reports that, “Adalynn Vienneau won  the audience's hearts with her adorable performance as Shirley Temple - also a first time solo; and Carissa Arvanitis sang a beautiful rendition of “That's Christmas To Me.” 

Local performer, “Michelle White was an engaging and educational host, sharing historical holiday tidbits,” Sohayla Smith told the Free Press, and “Trevor O'Leary was a Scottish bagpiper with an elf hat and a ‘brave heart!' We were thrilled to have him play,” says the Soup Haus founder, “he was amazing.” 

Also, included in the evening, Ms Smith says “Patricia Huckfield assisted with chorale and props; Sammy Cowell, accompanied by Josh Oatman on dobro, sang a beautiful rendition of White Christmas; Josh Oatman, the main skit writer for the production, delivered his comedic characters on point, and had everyone laughing; Adrian Smith has the audience near tears with his rendition of O' Holy Night; and Roxton Smith read the Night Before Christmas, chocked full of chuckles, to close out the show.”  

Sohayla Smith sends “a huge thanks” to “Nanci Malek and everyone at Museum of Dufferin for making the concert possible.” For more information on Soup Haus visited souphaus.ca.