The 9 am St Rose Folk Choir is hosting “An Evening of Story and Song with Steve Bell,” Sunday, May 5, at 7:30 pm.

Mr Bell is “an excellent finger- style acoustic guitarist” and performer, said Larry Gardner, a member of the choir bringing Mr Bell to Newtown. The choir will be performing “at least three songs” with Mr Bell, according to Mr Gardner.

Mr Bell, a Canadian singer-songwriter, is a Christian singer-songwriter-storyteller who has performed around the world, from remote Ethiopia to concert halls in major urban centers across Canada and the United States. His career has produced 17 albums which have garnered multiple national and regional awards, including the 2012 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his artistic and humanitarian efforts.

Mr Bell’s latest release, Keening for the Dawn: Christmastime, released last year, is “no mere jingly Christmas album, but a deep and beautiful recovery of the season of advent, of the darkness and longing that come before, and give their depth, to joy,” writes Malcolm Guite, author of Faith, Hope and Poetry.

Kevin Belmonte (author of William Wilberforce: A Hero for Humanity and Miraculous) agreed, saying “Steven Bell has never released a more artfully crafted album. This one is, quite possibly, his finest. Seldom has Christmas drawn near with greater bounty in song.”

Tickets for the May 5 concert at St Rose are $15. They can be purchased at Black Swan, 182 South Main Street, and online at www.SteveBell.com.

Call 800-854-3499 for additional information or reservations.