The center’s magnificent Performance Hall will be filled with holiday music and cheer when Mitch Thomas & Friends take to the stage on Saturday, December 19.

The Franco Center will present “Holiday in Lights” with Mitch Thomas & Friends on Saturday, December 19 at 7:30 p.m. This annual holiday event will take place in the center’s magnificent Performance Hall. Doors will open at 6:15 for a pre-show reception.

Thomas, a local pianist-singer-songwriter who is the Center’s executive director and also directs and performs at Community Little Theatre, will present a variety of seasonal favorites, including some of his own compositions and arrangements, including “Light A Candle for Peace.”

Local artists who will perform are Erin Menzer, past winner and judge of the Maine’s Got Talent competition; soprano Kristen J. Thomas; frequent Community Little Theatre performer Maddy Leslie; her sister, Mia-Angelina Leslie; Tiffany Warren, who was “Dorothy” in CLT’s “The Wiz”; and her sister, Nakesha (Kay) Warren, who directs at CLT and starred in its productions of “Hairspray” and “Into the Woods.”

Also performing will be popular local singers Carl Steidel, Caroline Young Coffin, Hayden Thomas, Heather Marichal and Jay Barrett; trumpeters Jody Steidel and Steve Fleck, violinists Aya Wakita and Ryan Spooner, bassist Jeff Munson, guitarist Neil James, organist Jon Whitmore, pianist Stephen Saxon and drummer Jeff Mayerson.

The performance will kick off with a very special ceremony honoring two of the Center’s local benefactors. Many special guests and dignitaries will be in attendance.

The Franco Center, located at 46 Cedar Street in Lewiston, is wheelchair accessible. Tickets are $15 each or $12 for seniors; students with ID will admitted free of charge. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 689-2000, visiting the box office Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m., or at FrancoCenter.org.