Neville sings at BCT

Though the rain didn’t leave Bloomington with a winter wonderland, the Buskirk-Chumley Theater was filled with holiday spirit Tuesday as Aaron Neville and his quintet took the stage for their third annual holiday tour.

“It’s something you can dance to,” Bloomington resident Sharron Cherry said. “And how much Christmas music can you dance to?”

The crowd filed past the large Christmas tree that stood in the lobby of the theater where wreaths and garland intertwined with lights hung from the walls. As the house lights dimmed, opening act and singer Krista Detor said she noticed how the twinkling light stood out.

“God, I want my house to look like this,” Detor said.

Detor has been applauded for her work from “Rolling Stone” and “Revolver.” Last year, she released her own holiday album, “The Silver Wood: Wintersongs” in which she played piano with a bassist and guitarist at her side. Two of her holiday songs involved wasting too many Christmases on an ex that took her car.

“Her song is just unique. There’s a little bit of edge, and it’s a little soft,“ Bloomington resident Susan Sandburg said. “There’s a lot of wit in her songs.”

Detor, a local herself, appeared to be excited that Bloomington could showcase artists such as Neville and his quintet, which featured his brother, Charles Neville.

“I’m glad that I can live in a little town where the Neville brothers just roll in on a Tuesday night to play,” she said.

The brothers shared a fist bump as Aaron Neville walked on the stage. As the bulky, muscular man pulled the microphone to his mouth, his soft falsetto voice, layered the crowd.

Screams and cheers from a swarm of sweaters reverberated the walls.

“He’s original; he’s different,” Bloomington resident Evelyn Stephenson said. “You don’t hear this music every day.”

By the time Neville crooned, “Please Come for Christmas,” the crowd seemed to sway to the familiar tune.

“We listen to his Christmas album every year,“ Bloomington resident Jim Cherry said. “You never get tired of it.“