December’s Rockin’ at the Roxy, hosted by the Kerry Gilbert Band and featuring pianist Robin Akers and the Russellville Elementary School fifth-grade chorus, will take place Dec. 4 from 7-10 p.m., in the Historic Roxy Theatre in downtown Russellville.

The KGB will be playing both classic and modern holiday songs.

“We always have a good crowd for our Christmas show,” said Kerry Gilbert, “and we had to cancel it last year due to COVID-19 precautions, so we’re really looking forward to picking back up with it. We’ll have some wonderful guests performing with us.”

Akers also performed in the 2019 show. “I’ve known Robin all his life, and he’s a fantastic piano player – one of the best I’ve known in my 36 years of playing music,” said Gilbert. “He was received exceptionally well in our last Christmas show. He’ll be playing around 15-20 minutes of Christmas hymns.”

Akers, who has been playing since he was 4 years old, describes his style as “more classical/jazz with a little contemporary flare.” His said his love for music, and Christmas music in particular, fuels his enthusiasm for being part of the show.

“I’m looking forward to performing again and sharing my own arrangements of some of my favorite Christmas songs,” he said. “Kerry is a great guy and very talented, a good friend, and Lauren is very sweet and talented. I’m looking forward to hearing everyone sing, and I think we’re all going to have a wonderful time.”

The RES fifth-grade chorus, led by Lauren Ritter, will perform “Christmas in Dixie” and “Hard Candy Christmas.” Ritter said she and the students are excited to be invited and eager to be part of the show.

“It’ll be a concert atmosphere, and I’m looking forward to my students getting to sing in the show,” she said, “as well as for them to have the chance to see the KGB and Akers in one of their shows.”

“Lauren’s a fantastic singer herself,” added Gilbert, “and I hope she’ll sing a couple of songs with my band. I’m pleased to have this opportunity to encourage young people with the chance to perform.”

Tickets can be purchased online through Eventbrite and are general admission, $10 each for adults and $5 each for children 6-12. For more information, visit the Historic Roxy Theatre’s Facebook page.