The Marsh Valley Performing Arts is excited to welcome Ryan Shupe back to the Arimo stage to celebrate Christmas on Dec. 2 at 7 pm..

With the same light-hearted energy that brightens their popular live concerts throughout the year, Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand tailor their rocking, acoustic sound to fit their most favorite time of the year — Christmas!

There is no shortage of classic Christmas tunes wrapped with fiddle-paper and banjo-bows. From the calypso influenced “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” to the beatnik version of “Drummer Boy” to the Rocking Bluegrass version of “Jingle Bells,” the audience will love these creative and musically diverse renditions.

The band also adds a clever twist to some of their more popular tunes. “The Corndog Song” becomes “The Eggnog Song” and “The Grinch Went Down To Whoville” is a fun Christmas variation of “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.”

In typical Shupe fashion, the show is fun and energetic, but it also captures the spirit of Christmas with a beautiful instrumental arrangement of “Carol Of The Bells” and a thoughtful sing along of “Silent Night.” There are some original Christmas songs as well. “The Gift” is a powerful song about the true meaning of Christmas: the gift of salvation, while “The Night That Christ Was Born” paints the picture of wise men, angels and shepherds on the Eve of Jesus’ birth.

When Christmas lights, Santa hats and entertaining video snippets are coupled with stellar musicianship, tight harmonies and family-friendly entertainment, Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand’s “The Gift” is a Christmas tradition you didn’t know you needed.

But you do.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students 18 and under and are available at Connections Credit Union locations in Pocatello and Inkom, online at www.marshvalleyperformingarts.org and at the door. For more information, call 208-709-3640