Local Charities to Benefit from “Holiday Lights Vol. 5” Album and “Holiday Lights Live!” Concert CD and Concert part of IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park, the Twin Cities’ Largest Nightly Holiday Celebration

Some of the most recognized and talented members of the Minnesota music scene will share their gift of song on the “Holiday Lights Vol. 5.” CD compilation. The CD is the official soundtrack for the IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park event, hosted by IBEW and King of Kings Lutheran Church at St. Paul’s Phalen Park. Following the sold-out success of volumes 1-4 (each year printing a limited edition run of only 5,000 copies), this year’s CD is anticipated to be more popular than ever.

Over the years the “Holiday Lights” CD has featured some of the biggest names of the Minnesota music scene. This year’s offering is no exception. The album, which features 15 Minnesota-based artists including The Blenders, Mick Sterling, The New Standards and Allison Scott is a diverse collection of voices all with the same objective: To enhance the holiday season and support the work of those who assist others.

“This is an amazing collection of homegrown artists,” said Phil Thompson, Holiday Lights in the Park Music Director, who also performs on the album. “I am humbled to be involved with such a diverse and talented group of artists on this project.”

“Holiday Lights Vol. 5” will be available at all Kowalski’s stores beginning at 10 a.m. November 12 for only $10 while supplies last. As an added bonus, the CD will include a “Free Pass” to IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park, a $10 value. CDs will also be available nightly at the IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park event for $5 in addition to normal admission ($8/car on weeknights, $10/car on weekends, running nightly from November 26 to New Year’s Day).

The album’s 15 songs mix holiday classics with new works from the cream of the crop among Minnesota musicians. Included in this year’s CD are The Blenders, Mick Sterling, The New Standards, Ari Herstand, Dez, T. Mychael Rambo, Lacey Canfield, Peter Mayer, Jennifer Grimm, Zack Dyer, True North, Alison Scott, John Trones, Redpath and Phil Thompson.

“Holiday Lights LIVE!” at the Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis: In conjunction with the album, IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park will sponsor a special one-night concert event, “Holiday Lights LIVE!” at the Historic Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis on Sunday, December 8th at 6:00 p.m. For the past four years, audiences have enjoyed this event as the only holiday concert in the Twin Cities to feature a wide-variety of local artists as they perform their own acoustic arrangements of holiday favorites. Artists scheduled to appear at “Holiday Lights Live” include: T. Mychael Rambo, Ari Herstand, Dez, Peter Mayer, Jennifer Grimm, Zach Dyer, True North, Lacey Canfield, and Phil Thompson.

Tickets will be available on the Hennepin Theatre Trust website and at the Pantages Theatre Box Office starting at 10AM on November 4. “Together with the album, concert and light display this should be our best year ever,” said Thompson. “While other holiday traditions are cutting back, this one continues to grow.”

Both “Holiday Lights Vol. 5” and “Holiday Lights LIVE!” are in direct partnership with IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park, a MN 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All net proceeds from both CD sales and concert tickets will be distributed to local nonprofit organizations including Second Harvest Heartland, Union Gospel Mission, Saint Paul Parks Conservancy, Saint Paul Police Foundation, and UnderConstruction. To date, Holiday Lights has helped to raise $250,000 for charity and is hoping to raise even more for those in need this holiday season through its mission: creating fun and affordable family-friendly holiday entertainment that raises funds to help meet basic life needs for children and adults in the Twin Cities metro area.

HLIP 2013 Key Dates

Concert Tickets on Sale: November 4, at 10a.m., at Ticketmaster and the Pantages Box Office

“Holiday Lights” CDs on Sale: November 12, at Kowalski’s Markets

Holiday Lights LIVE!: December 8, at 6p.m at the Historic Pantages Theatre

For more information please visit our website: http://www.lightsinthepark.org, find us on Facebook: facebook.com/HolidayLightsMN" or follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/HolidayLightsMN#.