“Silver Bells & Diamonds,” November 26

Saturday, November 26, 7 p.m.

Ohnward Fine Arts Center, 1215 East Platt Street, Maquoketa IA

With the group's legendary history boasting the release of three gold records, 35 appearances on American Bandstand, induction in the Vocal Group and Doo-Wop Halls of Fame, and inclusion on the soundtracks to American Graffiti and TV's Happy Days, the current members of the Diamonds headline a special holiday show at Maquoketa's Ohnward Fine Arts Center, treating audiences to delightful seasonal fare in the November 26 concert event Silver Bells & Diamonds.

With the Diamonds currently composed of gifted vocalists Jeff Dolan, Julian McCleary, Gary Owens, and Dan Vissers, Silver Bells & Diamonds combines the best of the popular touring production The Diamonds: In Concert with glimmering yuletide favorites. The show opens with a "Jingle Bells" medley followed by a first half of hit songs from the 1950s, '60s, '70s, and '80s. Then, in the musical event's second half, the Diamonds employ their signature, harmony-filled vocals and always-entertaining stage presence to get the audience into the Christmas spirit with a fast-paced ride through many of the great holiday favorites. A seasonal rock-and-roll revue starring Santa’s favorite musical helpers, Silver Bells & Diamonds is designed to get audiences dancing in the aisles with the perfect combination of classic rock and sparkling holiday music.

Over the years, the current incarnation of the Diamonds have performed in a variety of venues and settings worldwide, including with symphony orchestras, in performing-arts theatres and major concert halls, on cruise ships, in casinos, at county and state fairs, on tours of England, Ireland, Brazil, Chile, Korea, and Japan, and at benefit concerts, corporate conventions, and at nightclubs. The group's history began in 1957, when the original lineup of Diamonds – a quartet a Canadian musicians featuring Dave Somerville (lead vocalist), Ted Kowalski (tenor), Phil Levitt (baritone), and Bill Reed (bass) – released the instant million-selling hit "Little Darlin’. They were most noted for interpreting and introducing rhythm and blues vocal-group music to the wider pop-music audience, and among the Diamonds’ first recordings for Mercury Records were "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" (originated by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers), which reached number 12 in the United States, and their follow-up single "The Church Bells May Ring" (originally by The Willows), which peaked at number 14. Their early successes, including the gold records "The Stroll" and "Silhouettes," led to a career that saw the group appear on American Bandstand 33 times and be inducted into both the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Silver Bells & Diamonds starring the Diamonds takes the Maquoketa stage on November 26, admission to the 7 p.m. concert event is $25-30, and more information and tickets are available by calling (563)652-9815 and visiting OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.