12 Gifts announces its first tour offering with “12 Gifts of Christmas” presented by World Vision, a 12-city, 3-hour evening arena event focused on the meaning, the magic and the music of Christmas hosted by Lisa Whelchel of CBS’ “Survivor: Philippines” and “The Facts of Life,” with GRAMMY® award-winning artists Steven Curtis Chapman and Laura Story, storytellers Patsy Clairmont, Luci Swindoll, Marilyn Meberg and Mary Beth Chapman, comedienne Anita Renfroe and illusionist Harris III. The tour kicks off Nov. 29 in Omaha, Neb. Tickets are on-sale now at www.12gifts.com or by calling (866) 440-7880 and are available in individual and group pricing.
“I love Christmas but I’m even more excited than usual about Christmas 2012,” said Whelchel, “because I get to spend it with some of the most talented Christian performers on the planet. Doesn’t that sound heavenly? I hope everyone will come and be a part of the 12 Gifts–it is all about celebrating Jesus with your whole family.”
“12 Gifts of Christmas” is a brand new event for families and an opportunity to bring families together as they celebrate the Christmas season, according to 12 Gifts.
“12 Gifts of Christmas is centered around the Christmas story,” said Rob Olds, president of 12 Gifts. “In one fast-paced and varied evening, audiences will enjoy music presented by Dove and GRAMMY® winning artists, fun and laughter with a comedian who’s also a YouTube phenomenon, magic and wonder with an illusionist and meaningful stories of Christmas told by the best story-tellers. Our hope is the audience will leave encouraged and reminded of the incredible gifts brought by this wonderful time of year.”
The dates, markets and venues for the 12 Gifts of Christmas arena tour are:
Nov. 29, 2012 – Omaha, Neb. – Omaha Civic Center
Nov. 30, 2012 – Moline, Ill. – i wireless Arena
Dec. 1, 2012 – St. Louis, Mo. – Family Arena**
Dec. 2, 2012 – Tulsa, Okla. – Mabee Center**
Dec. 5, 2012 – Denver, Col. – Denver Coliseum
Dec. 6, 2012 – Wichita, Kan. – Hartman Arena
Dec. 7, 2012 – Norman, Okla. – Lloyd Noble Arena
Dec. 8, 2012 – Springfield, Mo. – John Q Hammons Arena
Dec. 13, 2012 – Reading, Pa. – Sovereign Center
Dec. 14, 2012 – Baltimore, Md. – First Mariner Arena
Dec. 15, 2012 – Greensboro, N.C. – Greensboro Coliseum
Dec. 16, 2012 – Duluth, Ga. – Gwinnett Center
“Family and friends getting together, catching up, telling stories—that’s one of the true highlights of Christmas for me every year,” said Chapman. “This year, Mary Beth and I are looking forward to adding the stories of our 12 Gifts ‘tour family’ to our Christmas traditions, and I’ll be sharing some of our story through music from Joy as well. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Christmas is the most wonderful time of year and the craziest,” said Renfroe. “It’s also the time of year when we can choose between hilarity and insanity. I’m turning cartwheels (well, in my mind) to be a part of 12 Gifts tour to purvey some joy to the world this holiday season.”
“12 Gifts of Christmas” will present a one-time only, “12 Gifts of Christmas” NCM Fathom Event in select movie theaters nationwide on Tuesday, Dec.11, 2012. Further details will be released in November. For more information on the theater event visit www.Fathomevents.com.
“Who doesn’t love Christmas?” said Clairmont. “The lights, the presents and especially the gatherings. That is just one of the reasons why I’m looking forward to sharing in the 12 Gifts of Christmas this year. So pack up the family. Climb in the sleigh and join the festivities.”
For more information on “12 Gifts of Christmas,” go to www.12gifts.com, 12 Gifts Tour on Facebook, and @12GiftsTour on Twitter.
About Lisa Whelchel:
Lisa Whelchel is perhaps best known for her starring role as Blair Warner on NBC’s “The Facts of Life” for nine years. After that, Lisa left show business to take on her favorite role of all: mom to Tucker, Haven and Clancy. During those years, she also authored 15 books, including “Creative Correction” and her latest, “Friendship for Grownups.” Lisa can currently be seen on television’s “Survivor” on CBS Wednesday nights.
About Steven Curtis Chapman:
Steven Curtis Chapman has sold more than ten million records including two RIAA certified Platinum albums and eight RIAA certified Gold albums. Along with his five GRAMMY® Awards, Chapman has won an American Music Award, recorded 46 No. 1 US radio hits including one in each decade since the 1980s and been awarded 57 Dove Awards, more than any other artist to date. Since his recording career began in 1987, Chapman has recorded 17 projects with Sparrow Records. Chapman’s brand new Christmas project, Joy, released Oct. 16, 2012. Chapman has performed at the White House and has appeared on multiple national programs via CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, CMT, FOX News, the Hallmark Channel and E!, including “Good Morning America,” “Larry King Live,” “Fox & Friends,” “Huckabee,” “CBS Sunday Morning,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and more. Chapman and his wife Mary Beth created Show HOPE in 2001 after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to more than 3,350 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world.
