The McGarrigle/Wainwrigt clan`s annual performance and fundraising event that benefits Clear Cell Sarcoma researce, the disease that took Kate McGarrigles life in 2010, had it all. And It`s almost hard to find the right words to describe the Christmas conserts in the beautiful venue at Royce Hall/ UCLA in Los Angeles. And the family very easily manage to evoke many feelings among the audience during the perfomance. Joy, laughter and weeping. And indeed, several times it was very moving. But suddenly their humour makes us all laugh again. A big variety of songs, both in English and in French performed the way they want to and not a copy of anyone else. Incredible charming as always!!! Rufus perfomed "Oh Holy Night" a capella in French and call forth a standing ovation and was of course the superstar of the evening.
And almost everyone in the family was there, except Anna McGarrigle and her husband Dane Lanken. At the most, there were 23 family and friends singing together on stage, in adition also the musicians. The children add a charming ingredients to it all. Even a dog participated for a while; at the beginning of second half of the consert, the actress Carrie Fisher came in with a cute little dog in a leash, when she sang together with the rest of the family. Even if Royce Hall is situated in Beverly Hills/Bel Air area, a Wainwright/McGarrigle consert is a bit like a private Christmas party, far away from the polished world.
During intermission and also pre and post show, raffle tickets were available. This was to support the Kate McGarrigle Foundation. It bought the audience a chance to win a special souvenir gift bag packed with items donated by the performers. The raffle will be done by Rufus and Martha Wainwright (and for sure also a child or two will participate) and can be seen on YouTube over the holliday. The Royce Bar was open also after the perfomance for those who felt free to linger a while toast the artists and share experience with fellow fans. And those of us with ticket for the after party, was treated with wine, delicious food, cakes and coffee. But most of all, the possibility to talk with all the artists. That`s what I call a special Christmas Party. An unforgettable evening for all of us who were there.
Photos/videos was not alloved during perfomance.