Huntsville's favorite festival hits a high note with the May Marché at Deerhurst resort

(The following article and photos originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on May 28, 2008.)

Story by Gillian Brunette/Photos by Jon Snelson and Gillian Brunette

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts May Marché, considered by many to be one of the events in Huntsville’s social calendar, surpassed all expectations this year.

Held May 23 at Deerhurst Resort, the Marché brought close to 600 people to the Waterhouse Ballroom, where, in a carnival-like atmosphere, they wined, dined and were entertained over a three-hour period. Tickets had been in hot demand for the annual fundraiser and the event was sold out weeks beforehand.

A silent auction raised more than $16,000, bringing the total amount raised to $41,000. “As this is our only fundraiser, the success of the Marché is critical to our success and, this year, we were not disappointed,” said festival general manager Rob Saunders. The Huntsville Festival of the Arts is a not-for-profit organization that brings a year-round celebration of the arts to the Huntsville area. As well, it funds educational programs and scholarships for both elementary and secondary school arts students.

The carved ice polar bear martini station, at the entrance to the Waterhouse Ballroom, was a great hit!

Peaches (a.k.a. Robin Clipsham) couldn't resist the overtures of Ernie Pecore. She was one of several costumed characters to mingle among the patrons and provide entertainment.

Mae West (a.k.a. Leah Burton) invited Dan Willett to "come up and see me sometime."

Hugh Mackenzie (right) shared a joke with clowns Dan Watson and Christine Serra.

Town Crier Bruce Kruger announced Lady Ann Bell as the winner of the $5,200 Polar Ice diamond pendant near the evening's end.

Doug Sullivan, Nicole Tye (centre) and Samantha Woods shared some pillow talk at the conclusion of the silent auction.

Tamara Mattice (front) and Kate Austin were up the creek without paddles as the annual festivities drew to a close for another year.

Editor's note: Rumor has it that the Huntsville Festival of the Arts annual May Marché ticket prices are expected to increase incrementally next year, and that the popular event will be even bigger and better than ever.

Festival adds second Jim Cuddy show in July

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on June 11, 2008.)

A second Jim Cuddy show has been added to the lineup at the Algonquin Threatre, as part of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts' summer line-up.

The new performance will take place on Monday, July 7, since the original date, on July 8, was completely sold out.

Jim Cuddy is the lead singer and songwriter of Canadian super group Blue Rodeo.

He showcases his hits in this high-energy show, backed up by a quartet of stellar musicians.

Opening the show will be Dala, whose vocal harmonies are guaranteed to give you chills. The girls also make use of their talents on guitar and piano to create their unique brand of acoustic pop.

Tickets for the show are $40 for adults and $20 for youth 18 years of age and under.

For more information access the Huntsville Festival of the Arts’ website at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca or call the box office at 789-4975.

Stars of Song Project prepare to hit the stage

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on May 28, 2008.)

By Gillian Brunette

Huntsville High School teacher Greg Sutherland knows what he is talking about when it comes to talent.

A member of the school’s music department, Sutherland worked as a record producer for the Universal label for about 25 years and is very impressed by the six female vocalists under his wing.

“They are as good as anyone I’ve ever worked with —younger, but they have all the essence of good musicians,” he said.

The vocalists he is referring to are Taryn Christie, Niki Malone, Jenny Smith, Rachel Wright, Holly Maurer and Katie Minnis, who are the principals of the Song Project, a program whereby Grade 7 and 8 students are introduced to the joys of music.

TALENTED TRIO: Jenny Smith, Taryn Christie and Holly Maurer (from left) tune up their vocal chords in the music room at Huntsville High School. The three vocalists are performing for The Song Project, scheduled for June 5 at the Algonquin Theatre.

“We want to encourage young people to take music when they get to high school,” explained Sutherland.

He continued: “The Song Project evolved out of a concept that Louis (Tusz), Jordan (Riley) and I did to add rock and pop material to complement the choral, vocal and stage band programs at the school.”

The music department teachers began developing their concept two years ago with girls from the vocal class.

“They worked on material all year and did a performance at the Algonquin Theatre in June last year for Grade 7 and 8s from Riverside, Huntsville Public, Spruce Glen and Pine Glen schools,” said Sutherland.

With a $6,000 grant from the Trillium Lakelands School Board to buy some transportable equipment, plus financial support from the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, the music department has been able to provide clinics and outreach programs to the elementary schools.

“We piloted the program at Pine Glen and have been there four or five times throughout the year,” Sutherland said.

Taryn, Niki, Jenny, Rachel and Holly took time out from their vocal classes to teach the students from Grade 5 through to Grade 8.

“We did some technical stuff, vocal warm-ups and showed them how we would put a song together at school. We sang some of the songs we are performing first using a CD, then a cappella,” Holly explained.

“The girls have done an amazing job with teaching and the time they put in. The (elementary school) staff were amazed at how good the girls are. Some of the Grade 7 and 8 students at Pine Glen are intending to continue with music in high school. Even the guys,” Sutherland said.

Last year’s performance at the Algonquin Theatre was so well received, it was decided that a concert should be made available to the general public.

“Last year was so much fun,” Taryn said. “So many kids wanted to go that the parents couldn’t, so that’s why we are doing an evening performance for the public, to let people know what our vocal programs are like.”

Joining the young singers on stage will be the HHS all-star band comprising Tyler Ayles, Kevin Bell, Lane Charlton, Shane Connon, Nick Hariss, Blaine Mackie and teachers Tusz, Riley, John Minnis and Jan Olsson.

Also appearing in the show are Ashley White and former student Ashley Hill and four guest singers from Grade 10, Kaitie Dafoe, Sarah McNeil, Jaime Payne and Taylor Petman, who will perform two songs.

Together the group is bringing an evening of rock, pop, rhythm and blues and new country music to the Algonquin Theatre stage on Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m.

“This will be a great show. Huntsville High School has talent way beyond what you would think student talent would be,” Sutherland said. “Anyone who enjoyed Grease will enjoy this. Three of the girls had lead roles in Grease.”

Meanwhile the Song Project will be ongoing, concluded Sutherland.

“Each year we will do it, hopefully with the help of these girls who will come back from university and want to be involved. As we move along, we are also hoping to include guys,” said Sutherland.

Tickets for the Song Project concert are $15 each and available through the Algonquin Theatre box office, 789-4975 or at www.algonquintheatre.ca.

Performers needed for upcoming festival

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on May 28, 2008.)

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts is seeking street performers and volunteers for the first annual Edge of the Woods Theatre Festival being held July 12 and 13 from noon to 3 p.m.

Short eye-catching pieces no longer than 10 minutes long are being sought out. You can be solo, partnered or in a group. Whether it’s improv, music, dance or another talent rarely seen on stage, you will get the chance to perform for a live audience.

Professional actors Dan Watson and Christina Serra will be available to help with the development of your piece. All are welcome and no experience is necessary.

If performing is not your thing, there are a variety of volunteer positions on both the weekend of the festival and during its lead-up. If you enjoy working with people and like to have fun, then this is the perfect opportunity.

Those who are interested in performing or volunteering can contact Watson or Serra at (416) 551-3033, e-mail edgeofthewoodsfestival@gmail.com or check out the blog www.edgeofthewoodsfestival.wordpress.com.

Art students paint 20 murals for outdoor gallery

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on May 21, 2008.)

By Gillian Brunette

Four works will go to Muskoka Heritage Place; the rest will adorn the exterior walls at HHS

The Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery in Huntsville has just gotten much bigger thanks to the Grade 9 to 11 visual arts students at Huntsville High School.

Twenty murals depicting Tom Thomson and other Group of Seven artists’ works were painted over the course of last week, under the watchful eye of muralist Gerry Lantaigne.

“The murals are based on the sketches of the artists, which were tiny canvases painted right on site and then taken back to the studio to do the larger versions,” explained Susanne Allen-Spiers, HHS visual and media arts department head.

The project is supported by the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, Northern Art Supplies, the Huntsville Business Improvement Area (BIA) and Hilltop Signs.

TEAMWORK: Huntsville High School Grade 11 visual arts students Madeline Jones (left) and Vanessa Leebody discuss paint combinations with muralist Gerry Langaigne. Their work is taken from Tom Thomson's View Over a Lake.

“Thanks to these people this will be an extension of the outdoor gallery. It will be our sketch gallery,” said Lantaigne.

The one-week project involved 40 students. The canvases were set out along the gallery of the HHS gymnasium, with the students painting to a backdrop of various sporting activities taking place below.

Five school days is not long in which to complete a project of this size, so a paint and pizza party was held at the school on Thursday evening for the artists.

“I was worried that we wouldn’t get a final product in five days, but we are wrapping up today (Friday), with maybe just a couple of the murals needing a few touches,” said Allen-Spiers.

The completed canvases have to sit for about seven days to allow the paint to dry, then Lantaigne will clear-coat them.

As well as protecting the works, this process makes the colours glisten and become more vibrant, Lantaigne said.

“The product has a UV protection coat as well and comes with a 10-year guarantee, but they (paintings) should last for 30 years. If they are hung on a north wall they will last longer.”

Four of the works have been promised to Muskoka Heritage Place (MHP) and will adorn the exterior walls of the Rotary Train Station and the museum.

“One called Forbe’s Hill is the view behind the pond (Cann Lake) at the village. That one was painted by Gerry and will definitely be going to MHP, along with three others,” said Allen-Spiers. The remaining 16 murals will be attached to the exterior walls of the high school.

Installation of the works at MHP has fallen to HHS teacher Gunner Christenson and his woodworking class, said Allen-Spiers.

“Hopefully they’ll be going up sooner rather than later. After that we will be working with the principal to get the others up, hopefully in time for this summer.”

Lantaigne said he was impressed with the students’ work. “They are all amateurs, yet the paintings are outstanding. This has been a great project. A lot of students overlook the Group of Seven and this has given them an appreciation of this group of painters from the past.”

These latest additions bring to 42 the number of murals in the outdoor gallery. More are planned for the summer.

“I’m going to do another community mural in front of town hall and Dorset wants one on their museum. Lake of Bays township is also going to do a couple, so we are expanding the gallery to other areas. This will give us a real tour, and already we have people coming in with Hammond (bus tours) specifically to see the gallery,” said Lantaigne.

In addition to the already existing self-guided walking tour of the outdoor gallery — brochures and maps for which are available in stores around town — guided tours are available through the Huntsville, Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce by appointment.