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Join us for the annual holiday sing-along, tree lighting & downtown stroll with John Aielli

See you at the state Capitol and Congress Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 6

EVENT: The community is invited to kick off the holidays downtown on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the annual Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Strollhosted by the Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) and KUT 90.5, Austin’s NPR station, and KUTX 98.9, The Austin Music Experience! All events are free and open to the public.

The fun starts at 6 p.m. when crowds gather on the south steps of the Capitol to sing the songs of the season during with John Aielli, host of the long-running show, "Eklektikos" on KUTX 98.9.

As the clock strikes 7 p.m., the crowd begins the countdown to the lighting of the Capitol tree, featuring a programmed light show at the top and bottom of every hour, set to holiday songs of local Austin musicians.

From 7 to 9 p.m. Congress Ave. will be abuzz with holiday cheer during the Downtown Stroll. Shops, restaurants, galleries and museums will be open late and will feature special activities and offers. The highlight of this year’s event is a choreographed dance performance by Forklift Danceworks titled “Have Yourself a Merry Little Two-Step” followed by a community dance in front of the tree. Interactive art installations from Melissa Borrell and Elizabeth McQueen will also transform Congress Avenue for attendees.

Additional Stroll activities include photos with Santa, a special holiday Farmers’ Market with SFC, live music from the Invincible Czars, and much more.

Visitors are asked to support fellow members of the community by bringing non-perishable food or cash donations for the Capital Area Food Bank. Last year’s Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll raised nearly 500 meals for Central Texans facing hunger; over the last three years, it’s raised over 3,500 meals.

The Food Bank is accepting cash and nonperishable food donations at each event entrance, and cash gifts at the staffed Food Bank tent, located near 900 Congress.

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014
6 – 6:55 p.m.: Sing-Along with John Aielli
6:55 – 7 p.m.: Lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree
7 – 9 p.m.: Holiday Stroll with dance performance from 7-7:15 p.m.

WHERE: The Sing-Along takes place on the steps of the Texas State Capitol (11th Street and Congress Ave.). The tree is stationed at the south gates of the Capitol Lawn. The Stroll will take place along Congress Ave. from 11th St. to 7th St.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:  Representatives from the Downtown Austin Alliance, KUT/KUTX, and the Capital Area Food Bank are available for interviews before, during and after the event.

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Note to editors: Photos from previous year's events are available on the KUT Flickr site or the DAA Flickr site.

Media contacts:
Julie Weaver, Downtown Austin Alliance
(512) 381-6267 or (512) 777-9925 (mobile)
Erin Geisler, KUT & KUTX
(512) 475-8071 or (512) 422-1886 (mobile)