By Dave Babbitt – Special to the Sydenham Current
I’ve a few topics to touch on this week.
Dan’s column last week contained a review of Stratford’s 2024 production of “La Cage aux Folles”.
Let me be clear.
I have zero qualifications to review any dramatic production other than to say “I like it, or I don’t” so hopefully readers figured that out.
It seems that every other organization has jumped on the 50/50 online lottery bandwagon.
During the COVID lockdowns, the first organization I heard of that was involved in online lotteries was Theatre Sarnia, and have they ever been successful!
I do not have any solid figures to share but I know that they have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of the arts in Sarnia.
In hoping to do something similar, our Wallaceburg Arts Council is now in the game as well as they have teamed-up with WAMBO to run this years 50/50 draw.
The easiest way to get involved is to visit the WAMBO Facebook page and scan the QR code for all the information you need. (Or click HERE).
This is a fun way to support the arts in Wallaceburg as the Arts Council is busy dreaming up ways to keep us all entertained.
There are several arts events coming up that you might not want to miss.
Gavin Warren’s next amazing clarinet recital will be presented on Friday May 31 st at 7 pm at the Wallaceburg Christian Reformed Church.
The program will feature music by Messager, Mozart, Tirincanti, and Poulenc.
Joining Gavin on stage will be pianist Dr. Tiiu Haamer who I featured in my previous article, along with Dan White on tuba.
Dan plays with us in our Wallaceburg Concert Band and leads the Wallaceburg Brass Quintet.
A graduate of Western University, Dan is a superb tubist, an instrument that many know little about.
The tuba provides a beautiful bass foundation to most any music and deserves to be featured much more often.
Next on the concert agenda will be an epic afternoon of music hosted by the Wallaceburg Brass Quintet at Trinity United Church on Saturday May 25 th at 2 pm.
Many of the members of our concert band also participate in smaller ensemble, or chamber groups which are also participating in this fun concert.
On Sunday June 2nd , we are taking the Wallaceburg Concert Band on the road to North Buxton.
We are extremely excited to share our music outside the borders of our community as we slowly make a name for ourselves elsewhere.
We will be presenting most of the music we recently played at our “Rock, Roll and Remember” concert back on April 13 th PLUS a few more very exciting charts you will love.
If you weren’t among the 650+ people who packed the WDSS gym for that concert, it was a rockin’ event and we’re doing it all over again, only even bigger and better this time!
This concert will be outdoors so bring your lawn chairs and your appetite.
The Buxton Memorial Cemetery Board will be hosting a fundraising BBQ so you can eat while you enjoy some great music.
Hopefully, everyone is aware of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 18 100th Anniversary Revitalization Project by now.
Spearheaded by Sam and Kelly Taylor, this initiative will see the Legion building completely reimagined, modernizing it inside and out and making it much more adaptable for a wider variety of uses.
One of the bands I lead, the Brass Factory Big Band will be playing on the patio of the Glasstown Brewery on Sunday afternoon, June 23 rd in support of this revitalization project.
We’ve been hard at work every Sunday evening preparing some great big band era music as well as some modern-day big band arrangements of some great music we’re confident that you’ll love.
The Brass Factory had a major presence in our community back in the 90’s and early 2000’s but I put it to bed for a variety of reasons including the loss of some key musicians.
But we’re back!
The recent success of the Wallaceburg Concert Band has attracted the musicians we needed so hopefully; this is the beginning of a new era for us.
My last story probably leans more toward “unbelievable” territory, but I can assure you that it’s true.
One of our Wallaceburg Concert Band members who shall remain nameless, has a personal connection with comedian Jay Leno. (he also has Don Cherry on speed dial) Two weeks ago, in middle of our rehearsal, Jay called this band member.
At the time, we were playing a score that we are preparing for our October 19 th concert at St. Paul’s Congregational Church in Chatham.
Our member excused himself to a different part of the building to accept the call as the band played on.
Of course, our music was the background to the call.
Afterward, our member shared a follow-up text from Jay saying that “we sounded really good”.
The Wallaceburg Concert Band has now been legitimized with a positive, unsolicited review by the famous Jay Leno.
I think we should use the quote for all future advertising!
If you haven’t heard us yet, join us on June 2nd in North Buxton. Take it from Jay, this band sounds “really good”!
