Festival heats up with four great shows in four days – July 23 through July 26

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 23, 2008.)

By Gillian Brunette

Award-winning country music star Michelle Wright will perform for the Huntsville Festival of the Arts.

A keynote speaker, a country music star, the toe-tapping sounds from the east coast and tenor John McDermott are the offerings from the Huntsville Festival of the Arts this week.

While tickets for Stephen Lewis, the former UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, are sold out for tonight, seats are still available for Michelle Wright tomorrow (Thursday), the Barra MacNeils on Friday and McDermott on Saturday.

SPEAKING OUT: Stephen Lewis, former UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, greets a fan following his keynote address to a sold-out crowd at the Algonquin Theatre July 23. [This photo was taken by Jon Snelson in Partners Hall after the on-stage presentation.]

Michelle Wright is a Canadian country music singer and one of the country’s most widely recognized and awarded female country singers of the 1990s, winning the Canadian Country

Music Awards Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year award twice in 1993 and 1995.

As of 2007, Wright has sold nearly two million albums and received over 30 major awards in both the United States and Canada.

Wright was born in Chatham, Ontario, and has lived in Nashville for 17 years, although she spends a lot of time travelling back and forth between the U.S. and Canada.

QUEEN OF COUNTRY: Michelle Wright, Canada's first lady of country music, appears at the Algonquin Theatre July 24.

Married late in life, Wright and her husband Marco celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary in April. “I waited a long time for the right person for me and I’m glad I waited for Marco. He’s a fine Italian man, wonderful, funny and a great friend,” said Wright in her trademark husky voice.

Her mother also now lives in Nashville, but the rest of her family remains in southern Ontario, as well as one sister who lives in Barrie.

“She’ll be hanging out with me for the three shows I’ll be doing in Palmer Rapids, Mattawa and Huntsville,” Wright said from her Tennessee home.

ROAD TRIP: Michelle Wright, who now lives in Nashville, had some of her Ontario-based family with her for shows in Huntsville and nearby locations. [This photo was taken by Jon Snelson during the July 24 performance.]

Unlike her previous tour, that had Wright performing 20 concerts in 25 days, this is a mini summer tour. Her next will be her annual I’m Dreaming of A Wright Christmas tour.

It was in 2005 that Wright released her first-ever holiday album titled A Wright Christmas. Since then, she has released two singles off the album, I Know Santa’s Been Here and Joy to the World. She tours annually to support the album.

In 2006, Wright returned to the country scene with her current album, Everything and More. Six singles have been released from the album, Everything and More, Love Me Anyway, I've Forgotten You, Dance In The Boat, Riding Around The Sun and her current Canadian single, I Don’t Wanna Be That Strong.

In 2009 she will be touring her CD throughout Europe.

“Everything and More was released in Europe six weeks ago,” she said, adding that thanks to the Internet, Europeans are now more exposed to country music and it’s becoming more popular than it once was.

“(Country music is) not a lifestyle or a format they are familiar with. There is a small traditional country fan base, but the more contemporary music has not caught on there,” said Wright.

Wright has been travelling the globe for 27 years — “I’ve been on every continent except Antarctica,” she says — and has had numerous hits including 25 top 10 hits and seven that reached the number one spot.

“With all that material, I can put together a wonderful show, and the people in Huntsville can expect to hear lots of familiar hits. That’s the funnest part of my concerts, when people sing along,” she said.

Wright is a high-energy performer whose sense of fun is contagious. Backed by her five-piece band, this promises to be, as Wright said, “a rocking country show.”

The Barra MacNeils take the Algonquin Theatre stage on Friday, July 25.

A RIOT OF RHYTHM: The Cape Breton siblings, the Barra MacNeils, ripped it up in Huntsville on July 25, during a return visit to the HFA stage. [Photo by Jon Snelson.]

This is the third time the Barra MacNeils have performed for the Huntsville Festival of the Arts; the last time, in 2001, at the Delta Grandview Inn was to a sold-out crowd.

From the heart of the Celtic tradition in Cape Breton, the four MacNeil siblings, Sheumus, Lucy, Kyle and Stewart, showcase their musical prowess with rhythmic fiddling and step-dancing.

John McDermott appears on Saturday, July 26. This super tenor needs no introduction. A perennial Huntsville Festival of the Arts favourite, McDermott plays to a full house each time he appears in Huntsville, which is a testament to his incredible popularity with audiences.

FAN FAVOURITE: Popular tenor John McDermott never fails to pack the house when he performs in Huntsville. He was on stage July 26, backed by fiddler Anne Lindsay, also a featured HFA guest on Aug. 7 at the Algonquin Theatre. [Photo by Jon Snelson.]

Tickets for all performances are available through the Algonquin Theatre box office, by calling 789-4975, or by visiting the festival website at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

Survivorman Les Stroud premieres new show at the Algonquin Theatre July 19

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 16, 2008.)

By Gillian Brunette

There are many people in the area who will remember Les Stroud the musician, but many more know him as Survivorman, whose exploits in obscure places and hostile situations have made him a household name.

Now Stroud is trying something new, a multi-media show filled with his film work and music, as well as highlights from his highly acclaimed documentary series. The show is to be premiered at the Algonquin Theatre this Saturday, July 19, at 8 p.m.

“I did something similar with film work and music a few years ago, so this has been many years in the making,” said Stroud. “I wanted to compose music and set it to the imagery of my adventures. The music will be a real blending of dynamics, highs to bring us up – for instance, when the eagle soars on film, so too will the music soar – and beautiful lows.”

MANY SIDES: Survivorman Les Stroud, a Huntsville resident, presents the musician, singer and storyteller sides of his persona in a multi-media show premiering at the Alqonguin Theatre on July 19. [Photo by Laura Bombier.]

Those attending Saturday’s show are in for a treat. There will be a six-piece back-up group featuring Peter Cliche (primary composer for the Survivorman series), Don Kerr and Jason Mercer (members of Ron Sexmith’s band), Jamie Golledge and Parres Allen (former performer with the Deerhurst Sing Show). There will also be two screens on stage featuring Stroud’s Survivorman adventure footage, plus the star’s compelling storytelling. The show promises to be a one-of-a-kind evening.

“There will be footage from Africa, South, Central and North America and Australia – just about all over. There will also be underwater work with sharks and dolphins,” said Stroud.

In addition to Stroud’s film footage there will be the work of others, including scenes from Rob Stewart’s Sharkwater and photography by Laura Bombier.

Joining Stroud and the top-notch musicians on stage will be special guest rock singer/songwriter Peirson Ross. They will be performing material from Stroud’s self-titled debut CD Les Stroud, his recent release, Les Stroud and the Pikes, plus original soundtrack material.

It was filmmaking that put Stroud, an accomplished musician, singer and songwriter, on the map. In 2000, he took a few small cameras out into the wilderness of Northern Ontario and spent a week surviving alone without food, water, equipment or camera crew. He single-handedly created, produced, wrote, filmed, hosted, edited and composed the theme music for these first two original, one-hour pilots for what would eventually become the Survivorman series.

Stroud, who is currently in production for his third Survivorman season, remains the only producer in the history of television to produce an internationally broadcast series entirely written, videotaped and hosted alone. Survivorman has gone on to become the highest rated show in the history of both the Outdoor Living Network and the Science Channel, and is quickly becoming one of the most popular shows on the Discovery Channel.

This latest endeavour of Stroud’s, titled Voices in the Wildernesss: An Evening Of Film And Music with Les Stroud, is a work in progress.

“The show will evolve and every year it will be different,” he said, adding that a world tour is in the works beginning next spring.

As for what people might expect from this Saturday evening’s performance? “I want people to leave this show with their jaws dropped,” said Stroud.

Adding to Stroud’s list of accomplishments is a 90,000-word manual titled Survive with Les Stroud, which provides essential skills and tactics to get a person out of anywhere alive. The book, to be published this fall by Harper Collins, also features photography by Laura Bombier.

Festival continues with third great week

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 16, 2008.)

Classical piano leads off this week at the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, with renowned pianist Peter Longworth performing tonight, Wednesday, at 8 p.m.

Longworth will present Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and will be joined by soprano Melanie Conly for the first half of the recital.

On Thursday, comedy is the name of the game as the comedy troupe The Gents comes to the Algonquin Theatre. The Gents are an uber-funny new sketch ensemble featuring Patrick McKenna, Matt Baram [replaced by Paul Bates for the July 17 show], Bruce Pirrie, Bob Bainborough and Doug Morency. Each one of these fine fellows is a Second City veteran who’s jumped at the chance to return to live comedy after years on television and in film.

FUNNY FELLOWS: The Huntsville Festival of the Arts brought The Gents to the Algonquin Theatre stage on July 17. This photo was taken by HFA photographer Jon Snelson during that show. From the left are: Bruce Pirrie, Doug Morency, Patrick McKenna, Paul Bates and Bob Bainborough.

McKenna may be best known for his ongoing role as Harold on the hugely successful Canadian comedy The Red Green Show, being recognized with a Gemini award for his efforts. During that 12-year run he simultaneously enjoyed five years and two more Gemini awards for his dramatic role on Traders.

Also on The Red Green Show were Bainborough, presenting the character of Dalton Humphrey. Pirrie was the senior writer and talent director for the show.

Each of The Gents have numerous other credits to their name, but it was the linkage through the Second City comedy network that was the common thread to them forming the comedy team.

On Friday, July 18, brass returns to the theatre with the presentation of the Hannaford Street Silver Band. Canada’s leading brass band returns to the festival and promises a program that will be enjoyed by all brass enthusiasts.

Formed in 1983, the Hannaford ensemble has played around the world and received two lieutenant governor’s awards for the arts. The last time the band played at the festival, it paid tribute to the Anglo Canadian Leather Band, a fixture on the Huntsville and Canadian musical scene in the early 1900s, and it is expected that there will be a similar tribute this time around. Other numbers include music from Morley Calvert, Bach’s beautiful Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Alford, Gershwin, Louis Prima and Chuck Mangione.

Closing out the week will be Survivorman. Les Stroud will be bringing the world premiere of his audio and visual review to the Algonquin Theatre stage. Further information is available in an accompanying article.

Tickets for all performances are available through the Algonquin Theatre box office, by calling 789-4975, or by visiting the festival website at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

Festival pays tribute to arts contributors

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 16, 2008.)

By Gillian Brunette

Ten honourees receive a Brenda Wainman Goulet bronze sculpture

Following 16 successful years that have made it a firm fixture on Huntsville’s summer cultural scene, the Huntsville Festival of the Arts recently recognized 10 members of the arts community who helped make it all possible.

In Partners Hall, current festival board members paid tribute to those who had made a significant contribution to the festival. Each honouree was presented with a Brenda Wainman Goulet bronze sculpture as a token of appreciation.

DEDICATION: Huntsville Festival of the Arts honourees stand in Partners Hall with their bronze FBEA awards. From left are: Susan Alberghini, Gerri Mar, Attila Glatz, Jim Alexander, Stina Nyquist, Jane Alexander, Kerrry Stratton, Pam Smyth, Gregg Evans (accepting for his father, Bruce Evans) and Pamela Hoiles; missing from the photo is Hugh Mackenzie. [Photo by Jon Snelson.]

The honourees included the festival’s co-founders, Attila Glatz, who had the original vision and initiated artistic contacts with the Huntsville community, Susan Alberghini, who provided artistic guidance and assisted with financial matters through the festival’s first 12 years, and Jim and Jane Alexander, who provided the local link and, through Algonquin Automotive, provided administrative support and financial support to the festival and the theatre.

Other honourees included Bruce Evans, a strong financial supporter and provider of the Grandview Inn property for nine years, including the venue, staff and rooms for the artists, Pamela Hoiles, a seasonal resident who has embraced the local arts scene, become a major benefactor and has also performed in the festival on a number of occasions, Hugh Mackenzie, past festival president, who provided leadership at a difficult time and was also instrumental in initiating the successful theatre campaign, and Kerry Stratton, leader and music director of the Huntsville Festival Orchestra and an ambassador for the festival throughout the province.

Three former festival board members were also honoured. Gerri Mar, who each season tirelessly arranged and co-ordinated hundreds of volunteers, Stina Nyquist, writer, producer and director of a number of plays presented through the festival that told people about Huntsville’s history, and Pam Smyth, who was a leader in co-ordination and developing the guidelines for backstage volunteers. She wrote a production manual, which formed the basis for the theatre’s operating procedures and spent thousands of hours over the years delivering programming of the highest quality.

Presenting the awards, festival director Bruce Gowan and president Kareen Burns recalled their own memories. Gowan remembered how his grandchild, who normally has a short attention span, was mesmerized by Nyquist’s play Dinosaurs and Dreams, and Burns noting that the distinctive tie Mar created for the festival is still used by the theatre today.

Concluding, festival general manager Rob Saunders said: “While Attila may not have met his goal of developing an artistic event with international impact, he should be very proud of the legacy he has created, that of an arts organization that has integrated fully into the community and whose principle goal is to enhance the development and enjoyment of the arts, specifically in our youth at the grass roots level.”

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts plans to continue to award significant contributors in the coming years. However, it will not become an annual event, Burns said.

Edge of the Woods: outdoor theatre fun for all ages, featuring performer Dan Watson

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 9, 2008.)

By Gillian Brunette

Clowns, stilts, puppets and street performances bring new dimension to Huntsville Festival of the Arts.

Those who saw SplasH2O, a show featuring a composition of skits which played at the Huntsville Festival of the Arts a couple of years back, will remember its hilarious off-the-wall humour.

Since then, SplasH2O, a Houppz! Collective production whose number includes Huntsville High School alumnus Dan Watson, has been well-toured, showing at the Toronto Fringe Festival, Cazanovia, New York, France and eastern New Brunswick, where it was nominated for an Acadian association of New Brunswick Eloize award.

Watson has been performing regularly at other festivals, along with his equally zany wife Christina Serra, appearing most recently at the Cooking Fire Theatre Festival in Toronto. This weekend they are bringing their talents (along with those of a few friends) to the people of Huntsville.

Currently Watson and Serra can be found in and around the town dock area, laying the groundwork for The Edge of the Woods Theatre Festival, a two-day outdoor theatre extravaganza taking place July 12 and 13.

SEARCHING FOR BIG FOOT: Performers Christina Serra, Dan Watson and Sandy Bribbin (from left) check out a reward notice on their trek to find the elusive Big Foot. This comedy of errors is sure to make for a hilarious sketch; it's performed this weekend as part of the Edge of the Woods outdoor theatre extravaganza.

“The festival really gave us carte blanche as long as it was interesting and something different for Huntsville,” said Serra.

On both days the fun begins at noon with interactive activities for the whole family. “We wanted to create a real event that was more participatory, so we will have kids’ activities, like stilt-walking and puppet-making. These will be run by professional performers,” said Watson.

In charge of stilts is Sandy Gribbin, who will also act with Watson and Serra in a comic sketch titled Big Foot. Puppeteer Bruce Beaton and actors Jane Wells and Liz Rucker, also perform their comedic piece titled Morbid Stranger.

Big Foot is a clown piece telling the story of three adventure clowns searching for Big Foot in order to photograph him, explained Watson.

“It’s a real comedy of errors: we think we find his hair and footprints, but they turn out to be ours. It’s very Monty Pythonish and lots of fun.”

Morbid Stranger, another clown piece, works on the premise of old-time vaudeville, Watson continued. “A touring group, down on their luck, need to make some money, so Liz is going to write a show for the grand diva as her final hurrah, but everything goes wrong.”

Prior to the weekend’s events, Watson and Serra will be working with the youngsters of Camp Skoka (run by the Town of Huntsville). There is also a call out for local artists and performers who would like to be a part of the street performances.

“There are no tryouts. You automatically get the part,” said Watson. “So far, we have two Irish dancers, a country and western singer and a folky/pop singer.”

Added Serra: “We also put a call out in Toronto and got a trio of girls who are coming up to do modern dance.”

Watson is hopeful some HHS students may come out and join in the fun. “We taught street performance for Grade 9 and 10 in May for three days, and held two classes each day with (teacher) Kim Russell-Brooks.

“It was a different way of working for the students, it was quick, quick, quick, but at the end of three days they had enough material to perform for their peers.”

HHS will also be represented this weekend by alumnus Jack Bevington, who will be hosting the outdoor festival. The troupe’s logo, depicting a clown head in a tree, was designed by HHS student Katerina Tarrant.

“We held a logo contest in March and had some amazing submissions. The prize was two tickets to the Hawksley Workman concert,” said Watson.

The Edge of the Woods Theatre Festival takes place in and around the town dock this weekend and begins at noon each day, with a 30-minute show at 2 p.m.

“We hope to bring the idea that theatre is for everyone. That it can happen in a lot of places, can be anything, and not necessarily classical,” said Serra.

This is a pay-what-you-can event (suggested donation is $10 and $20 per family), so come down to the riverfront and enjoy world-class entertainment, along with a refreshing tall glass of lemonade.

For more information check out the Edge of the Woods blog at www.edgeofthewoodsfestival.wordpress.com.