13 years ago singer/songwriter Tamara Williamson thought it would be fun to throw a party for the Toronto musical community and at the same time raise some money for charity. Members of the Barenaked Ladies, Rheostatics, Skydiggers, along with Sean Cullen, Ron Sexsmith and other Toronto celebs were happy to drop by and sing a seasonal song, perform stand up, or sit in on an instrument.  The party turned out to be a serendipitous success, and the indie music community has come together, one way or another, each year since.  Artists such as Sarah Harmer, Sarah Slean, and Bob Snider have made the scene multiple times. Performers love participating because the audience is enthusiastic, it’s a fun hang backstage and they believe in the charitable causes.

Inspired by her participation over the years, in 2006 singer/songwriter Mia Sheard began producing and hosting the party, infusing it with her own take .  X-mas 2007 rolled around and attracted line ups around the block and too many people were left with nothing but to commiserate at the Cameron House.  Mia was aggitated.  So in 2008 she added a second night.

In Spring 2009, Mia and her friend Joel Brody put heads together. Producing and hosting the show was a lot of fun and for great causes, but the amount of work needed to bring it together year after year left Mia wondering how many more she had left in her. Joel had experience fostering and promoting collaborations. After seeing the show for the first time in 2008, he wondered if there was some way of protecting the essence and soul of the show but also allowing it to touch more folks and raise more money for charity. The thinking was that with some minor tweaks, the show would be able to attract more resources and be more sustainable.  The 2009 show was going to be a year of transition, reaching out, innovation and exploration.

In the spirit of this new beginning, a new presenting entity called Mouthparts + Wings was declared.  The name of the new show would be simply “The Christmas Show.”