Monday 7 November 2011

The 2011 Dunnville Rotary River Arts Festival is underway!!

Hello!


The Festival opened on Saturday afternoon, with a fun, Art Scavenger Hunt.  We had a nice group of young people and their families come by to pick up a clue sheet and then head off to the venues displaying art, seeking Artistic Answers!!  Everyone who participated got a little prize to take home, and we will notify the winner of the draw very soon!  There was face-painting and Moose-FM was on location, sending in live-to-air reports!!  I think it was a good way to start the Festival.

Then a little later on, Briar Gillis took the stage and sang her beautiful songs to a packed room.  She was amazing, what a lovely, rich voice! Her songs are incredible, and left many of us wondering how someone so young could write like that. 

Then, we welcomed Jason Collett to the stage.  He had us all in the palm of his hand from the first notes he sang.  He referred to himself as an 'oldschool' Canadian, quoting Pierre Berton on 'making love in a canoe'. It was a funny sort of story, but held a good message about balance.  Which reminded me of something else Pierre Berton said (Globe and Mail in 1999):"The nation is bound together by its creative artists and not by parallel lines of rusting steel." 
Jason Collett embodies that thought, and his new songs are certainly on their way to homes in the hearts of anyone who considers themself an 'oldschool' Canadian. If you've never heard Jason, look him up
www.arts-crafts.ca/jasoncollett

Sunday afternoon was the opening of the Chidlren's Art Show.  We received art from children in grades 1 through 8 for this show.  You always imagine that you'll get some good work from this group.  We were not disappointed!! The work on display at the Children's Gallery at 125B Queen Street is great!! 


Tonight is Culinary Arts night at the very, very nice Twisted Lemon Restaurant in Cayuga.  It's almost noon as I write this, and I can imagine that most of the chefs involved are busy preparing their delicious offerings, shopping, chopping and fine tuning.  This event, as always, is sold out.  If you didn't get a ticket this year, but want to attend next year I can only suggest you get in touch with us early, very early!


Tomorrow night is Neil Young Tribute Night, hosted by Nate Waldes at Bohemian Friday 223 Queen St. in Dunnville.  We have a great line up of local musicians, ready to sing and play their favourite Neil Young songs.  Will they all wear plaid shirts? Maybe.  Will it be a great night? Yes. The event will be broadcast live on the internet at
http://www.thesilo.ca/ beginning at 8:00pm!!

Then it's Derek Miller at Flyers on Wednesday November 9, Terra Lightfoot opens...if you don't have a seat reserved do it soon, the house is filling up 905-701-8527!


Full schedule and more details
http://www.riverartsfestival.ca/