Jingle all the way to this ‘classy’ musical Christmas performance in Hildale

ST. GEORGE — Put on your finest Christmas attire and attend the fifth annual Marji Mozart Christmas Special this weekend.

A past Marji Mozart Christmas Special features a band performing in Hildale, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of hunthalloween.com, St. George News

The event will take place in Hildale this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15-16. Joining the Marji Mozart band onstage are Southern Utah’s musicians, John Houston and Belinda Lenhard, with the addition of the award-winning Southwest Symphony Orchestra’s Lucas Darger on Saturday night.

“It’s very classy,” Marji Mozart said about the show. “It’s fun and it’s also classy at the same time. You dress in your finest Christmas formal attire and you’re escorted to your seat with an usher.”

She said the Christmas special will be like taking a snapshot of a Michael Buble Christmas performance. Wine also will be served for those who are interested.

Mozart, who’s been performing since she was 2 years old, will perform her original music, which includes songs like “Ugly Christmas Sweater” and “Another Christmas Song.”

“When I perform, I include the crowd as much as possible,” Mozart said. “I want everybody to sing along, and I want interaction and I’m so much involved with the crowd.”

Born and raised as a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Chris of Latter Day Saints, Mozart said her musical experience in her teens included performing in an FLDS show choir until she left the church in 2018. She went on to perform as backup vocals and keys for various professional bands, writing and arranging for a full choir and orchestra, teaching piano and voice and performing as a solo act.

She also performs as front-woman to the Marji Mozart band, which will perform at the Christmas show. The band’s style is often compared to a mix between Adele and Evanescence, Mozart said.

A past Marji Mozart Christmas Special takes place in Hildale, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Marji Mozart, St. George News

Her transition from life in the FLDS religion and leaving the area in 2019 brought an awakening she said she’s thankful for. And during this time, she also began professionally performing with a band and traveling all over the United States.

“It went from ‘keep sweet’ no matter what to acknowledge all of your feelings and write about it,” she said. “And that’s what I started doing — writing about everything. Now I write everything from love songs to get-out-of-my-face songs and everything in between. And here I am, I’ve written some Christmas music.”

For more information on the upcoming performance, see the event details below. 

Mozart would like to extend her appreciation to Lamont Barlow and the two major sponsors: Lifted Spirits and Enguard Contractors.

Video provided by Nick Yamashita.

Event details

When: Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15-16
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m. Showtime begins at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Holm Heritage Center, 1060 N. Carling St. Hildale, UT 84790

Tickets: $20 available at the door or online at this link.

Photo Gallery

A past Marji Mozart Christmas Special takes place in Hildale, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Marji Mozart, St. George News

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