A few years ago, Mark Hibbert of Whiskey Ridge Recording in Marysville was the sound engineer for a special holiday CD benefiting Cocoon House in Everett. A talented musician and songwriter himself, Hibbert contributed a song entitled "Be a Believer" to the disc. Now the musical director for the monthly Hometown Hootenanny, Hibbert will perform that number with his partner Gale Prouty during the Hootenanny's "Down-Home Country Christmas" set for Friday, December 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave. in downtown Everett.

The holiday show features the Hometown Band performing contemporary and traditional Christmas songs with a country twist. Band members Mark Hibbert, Roger Kehler, Larry Greenleaf, Buck Hammock, Dave McCabe and Jeremy Randall will turn on the holiday cheer with selections that include "Blue Christmas," "Santa Got a Semi" and "Please Come Home for Christmas."

Guest artists include The Whateverly Brothers, a folk trio that was an audience hit in the January folk-flavored Hootenanny. The three members of the group share a rich and varied musical history along with a wicked sense of humor, all culminating in a fun and entertaining performance.

Local singer L. "Sam" Samano will perform "I'll Be Home with Bells On" with the Hometown Band, along with a medley duet with Prouty that's reminiscent of the Motown sound.

Larry Thompson of Marysville offers an original song, "Douglas the Fir Tree," augmented by a children's chorus, and a harried quartet of local singers will turn some familiar Christmas carols upside down. And of course, emcee Michael McFadden adds his own zany brand of holiday cheer.

Advance tickets for the Hometown Hootenanny are priced at $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $5 for kids 12 and under. A special family package of two adult and two child/student tickets (up to age 18) is available online only at the reduced price of $37.50.

Purchase tickets 24 hours a day online at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Tickets are available at the theatre box office at 2911 Colby Avenue in downtown Everett during regular hours or by calling (425) 258-6766. Admission can also be purchased at the door, beginning one hour prior to showtime.

Red Curtain Productions is the producing entity of Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts, a non-profit arts education organization located in north Snohomish County. Visit www.redcurtainfoundation.org for information.