Local talent bring Stone Mountain Park holiday shows to life
- 12/16/09
- Categorized in: Lifestyle
It wasn’t that long ago that Chimere Scott was preparing to leave Redan High School with her sights squarely set on becoming an entertainer.
The 28-year-old is now a singer/songwriter who’s performed with mega-talents such as India.Arie, OutKast, Lyle Lovett and Ludacris as well as toured the country and performed in Spain.
Now the Decatur native brings her talents to Stone Mountain Park as one of the singers/dancers in “Simply Christmas,” one of two live shows at Stone Mountain Park Christmas.
This is Scott’s second tour of duty in a Stone Mountain Park holiday production, having first performed in the shadow of the giant rock in 2007.
She said unlike other theme park environments, Stone Mountain Park is a pleasurable work environment.
“They really care about their employees,” said Scott, explaining that some venues don’t show much respect for performers.
Scott describes “Simply Christmas” as a Christmas show with a modern theme. She and seven other performers (four women/four men) sing and dance their way through about 12 holiday songs, including The Simple Things, the Mariah Carey version of All I Want for Christmas and the Whitney Houston version of Joy to the World. Scott is the lead on Joy to the World and I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.
Scott said the family-oriented show is up tempo with a finale that’s “very much inspiring” and which reminds audiences of the true meaning of the Christmas season.
Asked how it is to be entertaining audiences at home, Scott said, “I love it. It gives my fans and people that have seen me perform before doing my own music and own genre an opportunity to see me perform in a totally different atmosphere.”
Decatur resident Jahzeel Mumford is another entertainer in the show.
The 27-year-old who hails from Virginia Beach, Va., has sung and danced on Royal Caribbean cruise ships and at Six Flags Over Georgia. In fact, he played the old man character Mr. Six, popularized in TV commercials for the theme park.
At Mumford’s debut season at Stone Mountain Park he has a solo in the show’s opener, belting out Simple Things and for another number he does a little break dancing. He also performs the “bluesy” ballad Please Come Home for Christmas.
Mumford, who said he started performing while a freshman in high school, said he’s pleased to be a member of Stone Mountain Park’s ensemble cast.
“It makes me smile,” said Mumford. “It doesn’t feel like a job. I enjoy every part of the show.