Grand Bend, Ontario community newspaper and entertainment events guide. Also serves Zurich, Dashwood, Port Franks, Exeter, Parkhill. Casey Lessard photos.
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School bands bring home gold, two silvers, and big awards from MusicFest Canada Story and photos by Casey Lessard They’re the best percussion ensemble in Canada, and they’re right here in our backyard. Led by music director Isaac Moore and coach Dave Robilliard, South Huron District High School’s percussionists won the Zildjian Outstanding Percussion Section [...]
SHDHS, Jon Gill named best in Canada Jon Gill (right) of Grand Bend is a member of the 2010 Zildjian Outstanding Percussion Ensemble of the year (below), and winner of the Zildjian Outstanding Percussionist Award. As told to Casey Lessard Photos by Casey Lessard When we won in 2008, it was the first time in [...]
Some of you may recognize the name Murray “Slim” Gordon Lewis from his long and storied career as a musician in Ontario and across North America. For others, like the editor’s parents, he was your insurance salesman. Slim Gordon, as he was called, was born in 1926 in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. Today, he lives [...]
Sunday, March 21 2 to 4 p.m. – Trivitt Anglican Church, Exeter Celebration launch of Bach Music Festival of South Huron and Bach’s 325th birthday. Concert, birthday cake and door prizes. Free to attend. RSVP to bachmusicfestival@bellnet.ca or 519-235-2565. A teaser of what’s to come in July 2011, the Bach Music Festival of South Huron’s [...]
It’s already been a big year for Zurich musician Lance Bedard, most recently nominated for best Pop Artist/Group of the Year in the London Music Awards. The nomination and growing radio play are early highlights of 2010 that Bedard and his band hope to build on as the year progresses. They are currently wrapping up [...]
SHDHS receives $10,000 CARAS instrument grant Story and photos by Casey Lessard Music students at South Huron District High School are blowing new horns after the school’s music program received a $10,000 equipment grant from the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS). “You’d be surprised how much equipment costs,” says music director Isaac [...]
Father Brad Dunbar has been rector of Trivitt Memorial Church in Exeter and St. John-by-the-Lake in Grand Bend for the past two years, and recently presided over Trivitt’s 150th anniversary celebrations. As told to Casey Lessard Photos by Casey Lessard Trivitt has begun to recognize that we live in a post-Christian era. The days when [...]
Inspired by Brian Dale’s Miss Grand Bend, a group of radio listeners is fighting to win CBC’s Great Canadian SongQuest Story and file photos by Casey Lessard Only days remain to vote for Grand Bend (or its competitors) in CBC Radio 2’s Great Canadian Songquest, a contest to choose one town from each province to [...]
The Band In You is building a following for bands that might hit their peak 10 or 20 years from now Photos and story by Casey Lessard Sitting outside a basement studio in the Dalton Subdivision south of Grand Bend, four teenagers wait their turn in Ken Dinel’s domain: his professional music recording studio. Surprised [...]
Late night television fans have the opportunity to see Jimmy Fallon’s Late Night house band, The Roots, when they perform at the Cutting Edge Music Festival August 2 at the Motorplex. Named by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the “twenty greatest live acts in the world,” The Roots are releasing a new album this [...]
It may sound like an odd place for a metal concert, but the Grand Bend Legion will host four metal bands, including Toronto’s To Cherish, Battlesoul from London, Grizzly from Wingham and a band yet to be announced. Also on the roster are indie rockers Blaze ‘n’ Murder of Wingham and punk group Streetcore of [...]
Grand Bend Canada Day 2009 festivities Wednesday, July 1 – Main Beach 4:30 p.m. – Ken Dinel’s The Band In You students present rock music 5 p.m. – Ruth’s Hat, Lance Bedard, Brian Dale, Vintage Moments 10 p.m. – fireworks Zurich native Lance Bedard is on a roll after launching his debut solo CD, Restless, [...]
Grand Bend Canada Day 2009 festivities Wednesday, July 1 – Main Beach 4:30 p.m. – Ken Dinel’s The Band In You students present rock music 5 p.m. – Ruth’s Hat, Lance Bedard, Brian Dale, Vintage Moments 10 p.m. – fireworks Long-time Grand Bend performer Brian Dale has finally gotten around to putting together a CD [...]
South Huron District High School’s music department spent four days from May 13-16 in Chicago as part of an experimental type of band trip. The Strip’s Casey Lessard tagged along. Story and photos by Casey Lessard “Two years ago in Cleveland, I met Benjamin Washington by happenstance,” says South Huron music teacher and band director [...]
View from the Strip By Casey Lessard If you haven’t seen the amazing internet sensation, Susan Boyle, get yourself to YouTube right now and search for her performance on Britain’s Got Talent. Go ahead. I’ll still be here when you get back. Anjhela and I were among the very first people outside of Britain to [...]
World Religion Day Sunday, January 18 2 to 4 p.m. – Grand Bend Legion (Kevin Locke will also perform at the Huron Woods clubhouse Sunday night at 7 p.m.) Featuring Lakota hoop dancer Kevin Locke and the London Unity Choir. Clergy of local churches will offer readings and prayers for world peace. Refreshments served. Everyone [...]
You can now check out the video for Faith by Joseph Arthur and the Lonely Astronauts, filmed in Ipperwash, on YouTube: Faith on YouTube For more details about the video’s filming, see our story: You’ve Gotta Have Faith
Music is a big boost for a child’s learning and self-confidence, and that’s why Ken Dinel hopes his new Grand Bend music school, The Band in You, will take off locally. Confident it will based on similar schools he has seen as a recording industry professional, Dinel is putting the finishing touches on a home [...]
Story and Photos by Casey Lessard It was a leap of faith, but a former Hollywood actor, a New York musician and a London (Ontario) camerawoman converged on an Ipperwash trailer park this summer in hopes of creating a music video that will also showcase the park to the nation and the world. Stephen Shellenberger, [...]
At least one Grand Bend resident is hoping for a hit of iconic proportions. Pedro Quintana, inspired by a student who did the same thing, wrote and entered an anthem into the CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada theme contest. “I wanted to write a cantata for church for Thanksgiving,” Quintana says, “so I thought why [...]
By Casey Lessard One of this year’s Canadian Idol’s top eight finalists has a close connection to Grand Bend, and his relatives who live here hope you’ll send your votes his way. Mookie Morris has spent many summers in Grand Bend, and he was recently in town for his cousin’s wedding, where he jammed with [...]
Local musician and music teacher Pedro Quintana was raised in Cuba and moved to Grand Bend after meeting his wife, Marcy Walker, at the resort where he played piano. “I came down the elevator and heard this fantastic music in the lobby of the hotel,” Walker says, recalling their first meeting. “My friend and I [...]
The inevitable day has arrived. I had hoped I would be able to continue to provide the Grand Bend Strip newspaper for free indefinitely, but after thinking long and hard this spring, I realize that the only way for the paper to publish this winter is to ask for your support. Like you, I value [...]
Every Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Pinery Flea Market Live Music with Brian Dale Saturday, June 14 3 to 6 p.m. – Grand Bend Legion Live Music with The Persuaders Saturday, June 21 3 to 6 p.m. – Grand Bend Legion Live Music with Cactus Jam Tuesday, June 24 to July 12 – [...]
