SimpleGifts combines violin, celtic whistle, piano, acoustic guitar and percussion with angelic three-part female vocals to deliver traditional Christmas carols and hymns with a modern flair. Crossings is bringing SimpleGifts to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, December 1, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 the day of the show. $12.50 for ages 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased by calling Crossings at (507)732-7616. Doors open at 6:30.

SimpleGifts, the six-member ensemble led by award-winning musician Billy McLaughlin, stays close to the heart of Christmas by avoiding commercial and pop holiday repertoire and instead balances sacred Christmas songs with warm, sentimental favorites. Children will enjoy hearing holiday classics, while adults are taken back to a quieter, simpler time with traditional songs and hymns.

There is nothing ordinary about the arrangements this team delivers. Now entering its tenth holiday season, SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin continues to grow in popularity throughout the Upper Midwest.

“SimpleGifts … has that special celestial sound that captures the magic, spirit and meditation of the Christmas season. Think of a Courier and Ives holiday setting. The music you hear playing is SimpleGifts with its richly woven tapestry of vocal harmonies and perfect instrumentation,” said McLaughlin.