The 2013 season of the annual Holiday on the River Concert and Dance Series at the Landing will come to a close Sunday in order for the riverfront retail and restaurant mall to begin preparations for the Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl and New Year's Eve events.
As it has for the past 27 years, the Landing has been the stage for dozens of local performance groups, including school choruses and bands and the area's dance instruction groups.
Tuesday's first performers made the trek from Lake Asbury Elementary School in Green Cove Springs to entertain the lunch crowd at the Landing.
Choral Director Ben Norman said the school has been sending its singers to the Landing during the holidays for more than 10 years.
"It's a good field trip," he said.
Today's mid day entertainment schedule beginning at 11 a.m. includes the Palm Avenue Exceptional Students followed by the Wayman Academy of Arts and the Fletcher High School Dance Ensemble. The evening line up begins at 6:15 p.m. with the AOE Step Team, followed by KIPP Impact Middle School Band.
Thursday, SDS Performing Arts Center will be on stage at 6:15 p.m., and then the Middleburg Elementary School Junior and Senior choruses will perform, followed at 8:15 p.m. by Poefaces Inc.
Friday, the Students of Nashville Vocal Coach are scheduled under the Christmas tree at 6:15 p.m. The Scott Jones School of Dance will be on stage at 7:15 p.m., followed at 8:15 p.m.by Sophisticated Gents.
Nine groups are on the schedule Saturday, beginning with Ballet Arts Center at noon, followed by Linda Nelson Voices of Victory, Dulce Anaya School of ballet, I Am International, Fabulous Footwork Dance Studio, First Coast Christian Center Music, Switzerland Dance School and Dynamics Dance. The day concludes at 8:15 p.m. with Sierra Hodge.
This year's series wraps up Sunday with the First Coast Kids at 3 p.m., River City All Stars Dance Team at 4 p.m. and the North Florida Twirling Academy at 5 p.m.
Changing Hearts Ministry is scheduled to perform at 6:15 p.m. Sunday, followed at 7:15 p.m. by Essence Sherrise Wimes. This year's finale act is Dazzling Diamonds at 8:15 p.m.
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