This old-world Christmas show is Simply Dickens

Simply Dickens will perform old-world Christmas music at 7 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Halfway Schoolhouse in Eastpointe. Pictured in back, from left, are Samm Giorlando and Tommy Giorlando, of Warren; Isaac Trevino, of St. Clair Shores; Ken Giorlando, of Eastpointe; and Marlaina Trevino, of St. Clair Shores. In front, from left, are Jessica Bryant, of Marine City, and Heather Thornton, of Huron Township.

Samm and Tommy Giorlando, of Warren, will entertain with other members of Simply Dickens Dec. 23 at the Halfway Schoolhouse in Eastpointe.

Photo provided by Ken Giorlando

EASTPOINTE — If you made it out to the Holly Dickens Festival or visited the Plymouth Historical Museum earlier this month, perhaps you saw a performance from local singers Simply Dickens.

But if you missed those events, there is still time to catch the group’s next concert. Simply Dickens is bringing its old-world Christmas musical concert to the Halfway Schoolhouse Dec. 23.

Showtime is 7 p.m., and all are welcome to attend. The Halfway Schoolhouse is located at 15500 Nine Mile Road, just west of Gratiot Avenue. Admission costs $5 per person, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the upkeep of the schoolhouse.

Simply Dickens has been singing old-fashioned Christmas songs at local haunts for about 20 years during the holiday season. Dressed in period clothing, the group takes listeners back in time to the days of 1800s Charles Dickens — and even earlier — with an entertaining and authentic performance of classic Christmas carols. Many but not all of the songs are sung a capella.

“Most of the songs we do are very old music and not so well known today,” said Eastpointe resident Ken Giorlando, who researches all the music and serves as the group’s manager, emcee and historian. “They were either religious songs or ways of celebrating. They had their meals, families and friends gathering. They would drink and sing the carols. If you were rich like George Washington, you would throw large dances.”

Giorlando’s son, Tommy Giorlando, of Warren, is the group’s director and also brings out his guitar on several songs. His wife, Samm Giorlando, sings and, on occasion, plays the wind instrument known as the ocarina.

The Giorlandos share the stage with Jessica Bryant, of Marine City; Heather Thornton, of Huron Township; and married couple Marlaina and Isaac Trevino, of St. Clair Shores.

Those who attend Friday’s show will be treated to renditions of “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “Jolly Old Hawk,” “The Gloucester Wassail,” “The Wexford Carol” and other historic pieces. The show will last about an hour and will include a skit.

“When we bring the energy and the audience brings the energy, it’s always fun,” Trevino said. “When the audience gets excited, we get excited about it.”

“I like how we harmonize together. We get along so well,” Thornton said. “Our harmonies are like how we are in life. We blend together very well.”

One aspect Bryant likes about the group is the hoopster outfit the women wear.

“I’ve always liked being in choir,” she added. “Small groups always appeal to me.”

Simply Dickens lost one of its members when Tom Campbell died in August. He had been with the troupe for more than a decade. In honor of Campbell, the group members keep his top hat on display at all their performances.

The Dec. 23 concert will be livestreamed on the Simply Dickens Facebook social media page.