The Ponoka Welsh Society is inviting the community to share an afternoon celebrating culture and song.
The 68th annual Gymanfa Ganu — or community singing of sacred song — originated locally during wartime when a group of Welshmen formed a society to maintain the sacred song festival common to their homeland.
This edition of the Gymanfa Ganu will feature guests The Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir performing Sunday, Aug. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Ponoka United Church. Traditional beverages and Welsh cakes will be served after the show.
The Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir, founded in 1995 to preserve in Canada the rich culture of Wales, will perform under the baton of artistic director William Woloschuk, and with accompanist Julia Sankey. The group creates a four-part Welsh voice harmony performing with a passion and reverence a variety of songs ranging from those common to the coal mines of Wales to popular North American spirituals and opera choruses.
The Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir is in the midst of a western Canadian tour and the show in Ponoka is their only one in a smaller centre. Other stops include Edmonton, Calgary and Vernon, B.C.
The choir wants to share “an appreciation for beautiful songs that lift the human spirit.”
A freewill offering will be collected.