The Muskoka Lakes Music Festival is pleased to invite you to a dramatic reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14 at the Port Carling Community Centre.

A CBC tradition for over 15 years, this event has helped to fund shelters, hospitals, food banks and other organizations around the country. The evening will be hosted by CBC Radio’s celebrity personality Catherine Belyea and the five-piece cast will be led by John Purdon, with musical direction by Sue Gurr.

The evening will begin with the announcement that the Muskoka Lakes Music Festival has been awarded the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s prestigious Arts and Culture Award for its past work and in addition has been given a generous grant.

MPP Norm Miller will be making this announcement and MP Tony Clement and Muskoka Lakes Mayor Susan Pryke will be offering congratulatory remarks.

The Trillium grant and proceeds from the evenings ticket sales are in aid of the festival’s Kaleidoscope Arts in Education program. Kaleidoscope develops innovative, integrated arts programming for schools, children and teachers in the Muskoka area.

By connecting schools and local children with professional artists in the community, Kaleidoscope strives to enrich students’ learning experiences and teachers’ expertise in the arts.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. The festival is pleased to be participating with CBC Radio to bring a Christmas classic to the Muskoka community and thanks the sponsors at Red Leaves, the Trillium Foundation, the Ontario Arts Foundation and, of course, the CBC for their generous support.