Grand Bend, Ontario community newspaper and entertainment events guide. Also serves Zurich, Dashwood, Port Franks, Exeter, Parkhill. Casey Lessard photos.
| Search the site: |
Grade 12 student Carly Schroeder is representing South Huron District High School and her hometown of Dashwood when she heads to Ottawa next month (May 12-18) to perform in the MusicFest Canada national concert band. But her parents won’t be there to see it.
“We’re feeling really bad about that,” says mom Brenda Schroeder. Before they knew Carly was accepted into the band as an alto saxophonist, Brenda and Steve had booked a trip to visit Carly’s brother, an RCMP officer in B.C. “We leave on Thursday and she performs on Friday. The timing’s all bad, so we’re hoping there will be CDs or DVDs that record the event. When it comes to your kids, you like to see them in such situations.”
Students at Parkhill’s North Middlesex District High School are preparing their annual dramatic performance, this year producing the musical Grease: You’re the One that I Want. The play runs May 8, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. at the high school. “We thought it was something the students would be excited about performing,” says music [...]
Cribbage teams from across the country will converge on the village as Grand Bend hosts the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion championships April 26 and 27. Grand Bend was awarded the tournament after bidding to host after a successful run at the championship in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 2006. In all, 49 players will be visiting [...]
Real Estate By Allana Harkin Performed by Scott Robert Fink, Keira Loughran, Carly Street, Brendan Wall. Directed by D. Michael Dobbin Grand Theatre Production Grand Theatre, London March 11 to March 29, 2008 Live! On Stage! By Mary Alderson Joel is a writer, who has churned out a couple of mystery novels, but now life’s [...]
Three South Huron District High School bands have been invited to play at the national MusicFest in Ottawa in May. The senior band, wind ensemble and percussion ensemble qualified for the nationals with strong performances at the London MusicFest March 4.Music teacher Isaac Moore heads the new wind ensemble, which performed a challenging program and [...]
By Tyler KulaSpecial to the Grand Bend Strip Standing between pink-draped tables in the hotel ballroom, a woman chats with her daughter-in-law. She is wearing the same wedding dress as she wore almost 40 years ago, and she smiles and glances around the room while her daughter-in-law sips champagne. The younger woman is also wearing [...]
Getting married soon? There are many people in this area who can help you plan and prepare for your big day. Two bridal shows in April will show what wedding vendors in South Huron and Lambton Shores have to offer.Here are the details: The South Huron/Lambton Shores and Goderich branches of the Welcome Wagon are [...]
‘Benguin Goes Wild West’ for 2008 Grand Bend Winter Carnival By Casey Lessard Grand Bend’s 22nd Winter Carnival launches February 1 and runs two weekends at venues around town.“It’s about getting the community as a whole doing stuff together in the shoulder season,” says committee chair Lynda Hillman-Rapley. “This is my second year as chair, [...]
Proposed ban on leaded fuels could shut down attraction after 2008 season By Casey Lessard The end is near for racing at Grand Bend Motorplex if fans and community members don’t take a stand against a proposed federal ban on leaded fuels, the track’s manager warns.“If this happens, professional drag racing in Canada is over,” [...]
Saving 25 Years of Marriage Live! On Stage!Review by Mary Alderson Sexy LaundryBy Michele RimlPerformed by Roger Dunn and Lynne GriffinDirected by Rosemary DunsmoreGrand Theatre ProductionGrand Theatre, London January 15 to February 2, 2008 In the Grand’s current production, Sexy Laundry, a couple in their 50s spend a weekend at an upscale hotel trying to [...]
By Casey Lessard Drayton Entertainment is sticking to a formula that works for its 2008 season at Huron Country Playhouse, presenting Broadway hits and home-grown originals on its two stages.The season includes: My Fair Lady, Sorry… I’m Canadian, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum on the main [...]
Tim Long praises SHDHS Story and photos by Casey Lessard It’s a long road from Exeter, Ontario to Los Angeles, California, but Tim Long found his way back. When he arrived, an entire school of fans awaited.“If you keep trying and following your dream,” said Taryn Dougall of Exeter, “you can be successful like Tim.”Tim [...]
Anne of Green GablesAdapted by Donald Harron, from the novel by L.M. MontgomeryMusic by Norman CampbellPerformed by Jennifer Toulmin and castDirected by Susan FerleyMusical Direction by Andrew PetrasiunasChoreography by Kerry GageGrand Theatre ProductionGrand Theatre, London November 21 to December 30, 2007 Live! On Stage!Reviewed by Mary Alderson Jennifer Toulmin steals the stage in the Grand’s [...]
Could You Wait?Book & Original Lyrics by W. J. MathesonOriginal Music by W.J. Matheson, Louise Pitre and Diane LeahPerformed by Louise Pitre and W.J. MathesonDirected by Miles PotterGrand Theatre, London October 23 to November 11, 2007 Live! On Stage!Review by Mary Alderson Could You Wait?, a new musical to start the season at London’s Grand [...]
Bliss StudioGroup ExhibitionOpening August 25, 3 p.m.7617 Riverside Drive, Port Franks(519) 243-3598Featured artists: Tony Miller and Lorraine Thomson (studio owners), Stephen Shellenberger, Tamara Croxall, Sarah Kane and Kim AngeMusic by Joani Paige Story by Casey Lessard “I’ve been walking around here in my pajamas showing people our work,” says Tony Miller in the studio and [...]
Playhouse presentation of Norm Foster/Leslie Arden collaboration will make you laugh, shout and cheer The Last ResortUntil July 14Huron Country Playhouse(519) 238-6000 for tickets Story and photos by Casey Lessard For a guaranteed good night out, book yourself a spot at the Last Resort, playing now at the Huron Country Playhouse. The play is masterfully [...]
around the Bend (players)Wednesdays – Grand Bend Farmers’ Market; other dates and locations: see website Interview & photos by Casey Lessard aroundtheBend(players) are seven University of Windsor theatre students living in Grand Bend for the summer and performing street theatre at venues including Evinc Studios, the Grand Bend Farmers’ Market and the Lakeview Café. What [...]
Genre-bender is a murder-mystery, musical and comedy all in one showThe Last ResortHuron Country PlayhouseJune 26 to July 14Box office: (519) 238-6000www.huroncountryplayhouse.com Story and photo by Casey Lessard Most people would be happy to see a play that is a murder mystery, a musical or a comedy; those are standard theatrical genres. Canadian playwright Norm [...]
By Ann Robertson, Huron Country Playhouse Guild It’s time to get your tickets for the Huron Country Playhouse Guild’s popular fundraiser, the Elegant Dinner for Eight. Local dining establishments offer their culinary expertise to the guild, which hosts the dinner at three locations. Transportation is provided between the three homes, and the winner and seven [...]
CatsHuron County Playhouseto June 23(519) 238-6000 for tickets Story and portraits by Casey Lessard “It’s worth the drive anywhere. So many people don’t know what we have.”Not everyone is a cat person, but considering the quality of the actors, dancers and production values on display at the Huron Country Playhouse, it’s easy to see why [...]
Local businessman wants to be the next Canadian Idol Oakwood Inn pub June 1 & 2 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Grand Bend native Greg Gallello owns and operates Little Gino’s, Yogen FrÜz, and Sam’s Playing Fields Batting Cages as well as performing live music in the area Personal Style: Really laid back. I grew [...]
Huron Country PlayhouseWed. May 30 to Sat. June 23(519) 238-6000 for ticketsStory and photo by Casey Lessard If director Dave Campbell has nine lives, he has spent four of his bringing Cats to the stage. His fourth go at the musical, based on poems by T.S. Eliot, opens at the Huron Country Playhouse today (May [...]
The Caddyshack, Grand Cove EstatesFri. June 8 and Sat. June 9 – 7:30 p.m.(519) 238-5043 for tickets ($7.50)Story and photo by Casey Lessard The scene: you open the freezer to discover the bodies of four nuns, and you don’t call the police. Why? Because you put them in there after burying 48 others. Sound macabre? [...]
Grand Bend LegionJune 23-6 p.m. Goderich-native Arlene Darndrough (keyboard and vocals) and Seaforth-native Kim Such (guitar and vocals).Strip spoke with Arlene Darndrough.Personal Style: We do just about everything. We just worked our repertoire up so we do almost everything except for current top 40. Once in a while, Kim will do a couple of those [...]
