Rita may be gone but an upcoming concert celebrating her Christmas classic song, Now The Bells Ring, will pay tribute to Cape Breton's favourite songstress.

Rita MacNeil's first seasonal recording and television special of the same will be highlighted in a special concert at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre on Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

The idea was to celebrate Rita’s Christmas music, by focusing on what was actually her best-selling album ever, Now The Bells Ring, and highlighting every track with featured performances by some of the artists that were part of the original television special of the same name, says Wade Langham, Rita’s son.

I think now, two years since Rita has passed, it was time for these wonderful songs to be heard again in a live setting. Certainly for me and the band, being used to touring every year on the road with Rita at Christmas, there was a void. This is a very special program for all involved; we plan to incorporate Rita herself into the show in some interesting ways, along with original Christmas set pieces from past tours.

The show will feature soprano Stephanie Higgins and original guests of the CTV special, Matt Minglewood and The Men of the Deeps.

Everyone loved Rita and it is fitting to bring this group of talented musicians together to celebrate her beloved Christmas album, said Stephen Antle, event producer at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre.

Tickets are on sale now and are available by calling (902) 539-2300, online at www.membertoutcc.com or visiting the Membertou Trade & Convention Centre box office at 50 Maillard St., Membertou