The Rooster's Wife gladly brings a gift for the community to Poplar Knight Spot, Sunday, Dec. 4, at 6:46 p.m.

Premiered this past weekend at Meymandi Hall, "The Gathering" was commissioned by the North Carolina Symphony for orchestra and string band.

Laurelyn Dossett composed the song cycle that is the center of the show. Martha Bassett will join Dossett, Mike Compton and Joe Newberry in the performance, as well as singing works from her new holiday release, "Magnificat."

The doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is $20 at the door.

More information is available online at theroosters wife.org or by phone at (910) 944-7502.

Grant Llewellyn, artistic director of the North Carolina Symphony, commissioned the piece as a collaborative vehicle for chorus, orchestra and string band, with the coming of the light as the central theme.

Dossett envisioned a dark Southern sky, filled with winter stars, and the redemptive journey home.

The resulting narrative paints a picture of home and hearth, tradition and acceptance.

"A Winter's Tale in Six Songs" is a celebration of all the things we love about a family gathering.

Dossett, who has performed several times here, is a familiar sight to Moore County music lovers.

Her song "Anna Lee" was recorded by Levon Helm for his Grammy-winning album "Dirt Farmer," as well as on the recent live album "Ramble At The Ryman." Her "Leaving Eden" was recorded by the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Dossett has performed at Levon Helm's "Midnight Ramble," and her original roots music band Polecat Creek has appeared on NPR's "A Prairie Home Companion."

Mike Compton is a longtime member of the Nashville Bluegrass Band, and has recorded with Elvis Costello, Doc Watson, Ralph Stanley, Dolly Parton, Gregg Allman, Willie Nelson, John Hartford and T-Bone Burnett.

Multi-instrumentalist and North Carolina old-time player Joe Newberry won first place at the Appalachian String Band Music Festival and appeared on "A Prairie Home Companion" with Big Medicine.

Regional favorite Martha Bassett has recorded five albums, including this recent issue, in addition to a performing schedule with her own band, and in duo work in sacred and secular settings with noted bass player Pat Lawrence.

Poplar Knight Spot is located at 114 Knight St. in downtown Aberdeen.

For more information, visit www.theroosters wife.org.