Exciting plans for annual trade show

 

The stars were certainly out in force at the St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage Saturday, January 21. 

Renowned guitarist Don Ross, with Graham Greer opening for him, performed to a packed and cheering house.

“What a great night,” said Sandra Whitworth, a member of the St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage board of directors. “We had a sold-out audience, our second this year. Don and Graham were just terrific.”

Don Ross’ diffidence and self-effacing sense of humour won Saturday’s audience over before he even picked up his guitar. 

“Morrisburg at last! Yes!” He laughed. “I’ve arrived! Now that my family and I are relocating to Montreal from Halifax, why I’ll be able to come here by car instead of flying into the Morrisburg International Airport!”

When Ross picked up one of his on-stage guitars and started to play, the Morrisburg audience was thunderstruck. 

Don Ross is simply that good.

Two time winner of the prestigious U.S. National Finger-style Guitar Competition (he is still the only player to have ever won the competition twice), Ross literally created magic on the St. Lawrence stage. 

His music is fluid, complex and often wonderfully exuberant. Though he performs alone on the stage, his seemingly effortless artistry makes you believe that a whole group of musicians is backing him.

Although he would describe himself as primarily a composer, Ross (who laughingly suggested that his voice “isn’t much”) is actually a very talented singer and song-writer as well.  He sang a love song, “If I Could” (included in his album Any Colour), that he wrote when he was just 19.

“All I ever needed was just a glance/If I could only see inside you/If I could only be beside you…”

Later he also delivered a powerful arrangement of an old John Martyn song “Head and Heart”.

During the concert Ross used three different guitars on stage, as well as a digital effects processor. One of his more unusual instruments is a specially designed baritone guitar, tuned somewhere between a regular pitched and a bass guitar. Ross, who loves the instrument’s “throaty, feet planted sound,” employed it for many of his numbers.

Performing compositions ranging from a new, still untitled piece with strong blues undertones, to the jaunty “Dracula and Friends, Part 1” and the romantic and exotic “From France to India,” Ross gave ample proof that he is a true Canadian virtuoso. 

His incredible artistic talent, his humour and grace on stage, and his strong connection with the audience won Ross deserved ovations Saturday evening.

Graham Greer is also an artist who makes a powerful connection with his audience. 

“Graham is a phenomenon in this area,” said board member Bill Carriere. “He’s an accomplished, award-winning artist whose music speaks for itself.”

Like Don Ross, Greer is a natural on stage, easily sharing anecdotes about his songs and his life as a performer. 

A  musician to whom intelligent lyrics matter, Greer’s work is thoughtful, humourous, and, occasionally, pointed, as in “May You Never Know” which describes the “sharks” that constantly circle young artists trying to break into the industry. 

Greer’s  “I Know a Pigeon Toed Girl,” written for and about his wife, Laurie, (“the constant good thing in my life”) was both gently teasing and loving. “I found out the things that she dislikes about herself are often the things about her I love the most.” 

His voice warm and strong and clear, Greer points out the upside of life in his music.

“I’m on a lucky streak/To hell with the blues/ I’m rolling out sevens now/when it used to be twos…”

Much of his material on Saturday came from songs he has been developing. The Cornwall performer clearly struck a chord with the audience. 

In fact, as he laughed from the stage, “I’m going to have to do another record now. You’re making me feel good about my new songs.”

Passionate about his music, and just as passionate in his support of the arts in this area, Greer was a delight to hear again in concert. 

The St. Lawrence Stage will welcome the multi-talented Lynn Miles to the Morrisburg Meeting Centre on February 25 for a performance. Check www.st-lawrencestage.com for information.

[…]

There was considerable discussion on whether to pave more of the Morrisburg Plaza than originally planned for at the September 6th South Dundas council meeting.

Hugh Garlough, Manager of Public Works, told council that several projects had “come in considerably under budget” and he recommended increasing the amount of road to be paved to “cover more area” or to “do it all.”After much discussion, it was decided that Garlough should come up with numbers on how much money has been saved compared to how much it would cost to pave more area.

It was also suggested by Garlough that the current contract with Eastern Engineering should allow for an increase in the area to be done at the same quoted price.

Mayor Steven Byvelds made it clear that if Eastern Engineering decline to cover more area for the same price quote, “then we go back to tender. I want to be fair.”

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 At their final meeting on June 6th at Matilda Hall, the Helping Hands of Matilda group enjoyed concert entertainment from several local musicians.

Group president and long-time resident of the area, Lorne Strader organized the event, lining up 90 minutes worth of musical entertainment. Songs were from the country and gospel variety.

First on the docket were Madalyne Gates of Iroquois along with  Gerry Morrell and Bernie Coville, both of Johnstown. While Gates sang and played the keyboard synthesizer, Morrell played the guitar and Coville played the mandolin. Morrell’s parents were in the audience and as a gift to them, the trio ended the set with the couple’s favourite song, I’ll Fly Away.

Next up were husband and wife singing duo, Charlene and Jack McCargar from South Mountain. While Charlene played the mandolin, Jack played the guitar and both sang to the enjoyment of the toe-tapping crowd. Capping off their stint on stage, the couple ended with Because He Lives.

Third on the docket were local guitar players Mary Perry and Ralph Jollota, both of whom could sing up a storm. 

While Ralph shared a well-received song written by his brother, Mary made a point of singing those songs the crowd could join in on. The talented pair reminded the crowd to Keep on the Sunny Side.

Last, but not least, were Bill Horner and Lloyd Hall playing guitar and singing in harmony. The friendly duo got things underway with a well-known gospel tune, Kneel at the Cross.

Between sets, Strader kept the crowd laughing with some very funny jokes. According to Strader there were 56 members in attendance, a record number due to the advertised entertainment.

Helping Hands is a group of seniors who meet the first Wednesday of each month from September through June. Those in attendance enjoy a hearty lunch, a little entertainment and some socializing. In addition, they make greeting cards for those seniors who are unable to attend the monthly event, reminding them that there are those who care.

During July and August, the group enjoys day trips to different events within Eastern Ontario. According to secretary Jean Van Gilst of Chesterville, “we’ve been to so many places.”

Van Gilst’s term as secretary ended with the close of the June meeting. Strader presented her with a service plaque, thanking her for her many years of service. Van Gilst became secretary of the group in September 2009.

Helping Hands of Matilda has 62 paid members. Membership costs just $5 per year. Membership, however, is not a prerequisite for attending meetings. Anyone over the age of 50 is welcome to attend.

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