Month: May 2011

I was delighted to be the program host for the Highlands Festival Singers (under the direction of Melissa Stephens) last evening … and what a wonderful program they had.

The massed voices of the men and women of this wonderful group took us through the decades featuring music that was about dance and good to dance to.  From the 1920’s to a medley of music of the 70’s, the program was a huge hit with the audience.

My personal show stopping moment was the beautiful “unforgettable” .. the classic Nat King Cole song.  As I stood in the wings I was sure that I was listening to one of my favourite recordings.  It was that perfect.

Wayne Cooper on piano moseyed his way through some pretty challenging pieces and was just excellent in his accompaniment to the singers.  Wayne performed in “Oh Coward” last weekend and Beth Kipping, another star of that show, is a member of the Festival Singers.  No need to mention that Melissa Stephens did the music for “Oh Coward” … there’s barely a musical event in the county (including church choirs) that Melissa isn’t a part of (and the county is richer for that).

Today’s show starts at 3 P.M. and I think there are only a few seats left.  Join us at the Northern Lights Pavilion and bring a song in your heart.

Chatted with Ted Yates on Oldies 1150 yesterday morning about the early days of radio in the 60’s … and OC the Busy Bee (CKOC) in Hamilton.  I slapped in some old photos of the time to make it a bit more interesting.

Good fun.  Some great memories.

Melissa Stephens joined us on the air this morning at 100.9 Canoe FM and we discussed the great music and lyrics in “Oh Coward.”  Melissa shared that, even though they’ve been rehearsing since January, there are still lines in this musical revue that make the players want to break up.  Isn’t that a great testament to the fun you can look forward to.

Oh Coward opens this Friday night at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Theatre and runs for 3 performances.

This Thursday morning, at 7.30am, Melissa Stephens will join us on 100.9 Canoe Fm to talk about the musicality of this fun and witty musical review.  Melissa will be on the grand piano, on stage, for the performances.  Join us for a chat with one of the Highlands most outstanding performers and musical directors.  Listen live on line at http://www.canoefm.com

Angelica Blenich has a very nice article in the Haliburton Echo with more of background.  You can read it on line at:                                                                              http://www.haliburtonecho.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3104740

There will be 3 performances of this sparkling musical revue.  Friday and Saturday Nights and then a matinee on Mother’s Day.  Make your selection, but whatever you do, don’t miss this funny and engaging musical treat.

Brian and Beth Kipping joined me on Canoe Fm last Thursday morning and they shared the fact that they both love the music and the script that make up “Oh Coward”.  Brian, Beth, Wayne Cooper and Melissa Stephens have been rehearsing for the past few months in order to make this a sparkling spring presentation for the Highlands Little Theatre.  As both Brian and Beth agree, they’ve had a lot of fun in the process.

We hope you get your tickets today … and plan to have a wonderful entertainment experience and some good laughs to boot.  Check out our details below.

Saturday was quite the day.  

I started off with a breakfast presentation to the Lions District A16 at their annual conference being held at Pinestone Resort.  There are 56 Lions Clubs and 11 Lioness Clubs in the district.  Lion David Mills invited me to the event and suggested that it be light and humorous.  Not too much pressure.

I took the topic of volunteering.  It turned out just great.  They were a terrific audience, responding with laughter at such sparkling lines as “I’ve eaten so many stuffed chicken breasts over the years that I’ve got pin feathers coming out of my butt!”.  The 20 minutes went by in a flash and I thank them one and all for their standing applause at the conclusion.  I was delighted to donate my honorarium to Camp Kirk – a major undertaking of the District.  What a fine group of people.  The do important work in their home communities as well as around the world.

After a rush home and some work outside (what an incredibly beautiful day) we went to the fund raiser dance for the Dog Patch Dollies at the West Guilford Community Centre.  The Dog Patch Dollies is a group of women who are entered as a team in the upcoming Relay For Life.  The event take place June 10th, as it will in communities far and wide.

I was delighted to be the MC for the evening as well as their auctioneer.  Golly, we had some fun.  And the ladies prepared a fabulous home-cooked roast beef supper.  Mmm-mmm.   Ron Murphy did the DJ gig and we had a great night dancing to some of the great gold of Rock n Roll.

Today we’re feeling a little bleery-eyed, but for some reason (the beautiful Miss) Sophie doesn’t understand that this may have to be a day of rest.