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'A Gospel Christmas: A Celebration of the Season' Jade Chavis Watt, left, Bishop Mayfield, Lisa Yriarte and Jennifer dePuglia are just part of the lineup of musicians for "A Gospel Christmas." Mail Tribune / file photo Friday Dec 9, 2016 at 2:00 AM Dec 10, 2016 at 12:35 PM The singers and musicians who make up Craterian Music Hall's Dream Band are good friends on stage and off. The group formed in February when Craterian Music Hall Artistic Director Doug Warner created the show "I Have a Dream," a celebration of gospel, soul and funk music. As the group moved forward, friendships developed. Several of the members perform as a singing group at a local church, according to Warner. The band — drummer David Bolen, keyboard player and music director Don Harriss, sax player Tony Hayes, guitarist Jack Hopfiner and bassist Donnie Yance, along with vocalists Bishop Mayfield, Jade Chavis Watt, Lisa Yriarte and Jennifer dePuglia — celebrate the holiday season with a new show, "A Gospel Christmas." Performances are set for at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 16-17, at the Craterian Theater, 23 S. Central Ave., Medford. Look for gospel songs and spirituals by Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers, Mahalia Jackson, The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Swan Silvertones, Sister Rossetta Tharp and more. Tickets are $24 and can be purchased online at craterian.org, at the box office, 16 S. Bartlett St., or by calling 541-779-3000. "We've been looking forward to this show with great anticipation," dePuglia wrote in a press release. "Under the musical direction of Don Harriss, we have a unique show in store for this holiday season. It will focus on contemporary gospel that many of us share roots in. It’s joyful, soul-searching, and more than anything, an authentic representation of our love for the gift of music and the opportunity to share it with anyone we can. Be prepared for a toe-tapping, hand-clapping, get-out-of-your-seat experience." With such punchy gospels as “I’m Everything with Ya," "Hold On, Help Is on the Way" and "Put Your Hands Together," a message of faith and encouragement in times of trouble rings out. The Dream Band also captures the humility and hope found in traditionally penned Christmas carols such as "Silent Night," "O Holy Night" and "Mary, Did You Know?" — all put to touching and soulful arrangements by Harris. "This season is my first as vocal director for the Craterian Music Hall series," dePuglia said. "It's pure joy, and it's a gift to be trusted with the vocal prowess of my fellow singers. Together we work in harmony with the band's musicians." The show opens with "Put Your Hands Together," to be performed by Bishop and Chavis-Watt, followed by "Hold On, Help is on the Way," by dePuglia. "Put Your Hands Together" was recorded in 1973 by R&B band The O'Jays, a No. 11 hit from its album "Ship Ahoy." "Help is on the Way" is a song by American rock band Rise Against, featured on its 2011 album "Endgame." Inspired by lead vocalist Tim McIlrath's visit to New Orleans, the song is about the slow response time for aid to areas stricken by Hurricane Katrina. Yriarte will intersperse traditional carols throughout the first part of the show. Look for "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Oh Come All Ye Faithful," along with "O Holy Night" sung by dePuglia and "What Child is This" by Chavis-Watt. Spiritual hits "I Didn't Think It Could Be," "I Love the Lord," "Mary Don't You Weep" and "Go Tell It on the Mountain" will be presented, and a group rendition of "People Get Ready" will bring the show to intermission. Yriarte will open the second set with "I'm Everything with Ya," followed by a mix of holiday favorites, carols and spirituals performed by Bishop, Chavis-Watt, Yriarte and dePuglia. On "Sanctuary," dePuglia will join the band on piano. Bishop will sing "Wade in the Water," and the show will culminate with "God Said It," also by Bishop. "This time of year our thoughts move outside of ourselves," dePuglia said. "As individuals and as community, we turn our vision outward and ponder the condition of our fellow man. After a particularly distressing time for us as a nation, and in turn as a people, I am utterly grateful to come to rehearsals where the gift of love and brotherhood is the constant theme among this group of musicians."