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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-05-17, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2012. Peter Irwin and the amazing Jailhouse Rock Show and Dance Band are coming to the Central Huron Community Complex in Clinton. The all-star Memories of Elvis tribute takes the stage at the Clinton complex on Saturday, May 26. Irwin and his moving tribute to Elvis is well known to rock ‘n roll fans throughout southwestern Ontario. As a solo artist, the Ayton crooner has been a virtual hit and heart-throb, wherever he has performed. Now backed by the nine- piece Jailhouse Rock Show and Dance Band and background vocalists, the Rockettes, his show has reached new heights. And to top it off, the show opener is Frankie D and The Dreamers, a rockin’ band that will take music fans back to the days when the rock still rolled. The show is being hosted by the very energetic 27 member Clinton District Kinette Club, whose members have a proven track record in the area for their wealth of community service and contribution to many fine causes. Ang Cullen, treasurer of the Kinettes, admits that organizing a venue like the Memories of Elvis show is “unlike any event we’ve ever been involved with.” “It’s a challenge, but we’re looking forward to meeting Peter and all the band members,” she said. “I’m so excited about it. We’ve heard so much about the show and Peter’s performance with the band. It’s going to be an awesome evening of rock nostalgia.” Peter Irwin’s partnership with Jailhouse Rock is the brainchild of former politician, Bill Murdoch and his longtime high school friend, Arnie Clark. Together, they quarterback Bognor Jam Production and Promotion which is well known for organizing musical productions and their promotion. Bognor Jam’s mainstay is the True Country Show and the Queens of Country Music, a seven-piece band with several vocalists who pay tribute to some of country’s foremost old-time country entertainers, and Jailhouse Rock. Producing Jailhouse Rock with Irwin, “was an opportunity just waiting to happen,” stated Bill Murdoch. “Peter was doing a lot of solo stuff. We felt that organizing a solid band with a good brass section, seasoned musicians and singers, plus sound, lighting and staging, would all really complement his portrayal of Elvis,” he added. Murdoch explained that the show will focus on some of Elvis’s early career hits, and conclude with a tribute to the King’s comeback era. “It’s definitely a production that’s received a lot of attention, both from the media and rock and rollers,” said Arnie Clark.” The show’s booked for various events throughout 2012 and we’re now looking at venues in 2013,” noted Clark. He added that the Memories of Elvis show has received international radio coverage in Canada and throughout the USA as far south as New Mexico, thanks to Jim Parsons and his very popular Shake Rattler Showtime syndicated show. Tickets for Memories of Elvis are $25 each and are available from any Kinette member, at Cooke’s Florists (519-482-7012) and Dale’s Pumps (519-482-3274) in Clinton, or by contacting 519-523-9488. Stage- front reserve seating, eight persons per table, is being offered for $240. A light lunch is being provided, compliments of the Kinettes. This is an age-of-majority event. Proceeds are for Kinette community projects. Doors at Central Huron Complex open at 7 p.m. Show-time is 8 p.m. For more information on Bognor Jam, visit: www.bognorjam.com or info@bognorjam.com All shook up Peter Irwin, an Elvis tribute artist, along with the Jailhouse Rock Show and Dance Band will be featured at the Central Huron Community Complex in Clinton on May 26. (MS photo) Elvis tribute band to take stage in Clinton on May 26 Cruising for a cure Grandpa Bob Facca, in the hopes of helping to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a condition his grandson Louie suffers from, is walking 500 kilometres this month to raise money for Jesse’s Journey to combat the disease. On Sunday, May 12, during a stopover in Blyth, he was presented with $200 from the Blyth Lions Club. On hand for the presentation are, from left: Mary Lou Stewart, Ryan Lee, Sheron Stadelmann, Rachael Vanstone, Carol Kuchta, Doug O’Hallaran, Joey Facca, John Stewart, Bob Facca, Wendy Facca, Debbie Vanstone, Shawn Vanstone, Gary Courtney and Alex Blair. The walk started on May 7 in Owen Sound and is set to end in London on May 30. Facca had raised $100,000 as of his stop in Blyth. The walk continued on May 15 when Facca started out from Blyth and made his way to Clinton. (Jim Brown photo) Slots concern couldbe ‘clearing up’ At the April 26 Committee of the Whole meeting, Central Huron councillors said the doom and gloom that originally surrounding the Slots at Clinton Raceway after the Drummond Report could be on their way to clearing up. Mayor Jim Ginn and Councillor Dan Colquhoun both met with representatives from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLG) on April 26 (Colquhoun left the council meeting for a time to attend his meeting with OLG representatives). Ginn said that while the world of gaming is changing, it doesn’t necessarily look like Clinton is going to lose its facility as a result of the changes. Ginn said that OLG research shows slots are being utilized more by the older generation, while the younger generation is more interested in table games. So what the Clinton casino will look like in 10 or 20 years’ time is anyone’s guess, he said. One concern the OLG has, Ginn said, is the aging fleet of slot machines throughout the province. The costs to repair, or replace, these machines will be very large, Ginn said, which is why the OLG could be considering a potential partnership with private investors who would have that kind of money. “There’s still a lot of uncertainty,” Ginn told councillors, “but this could all still work out.” Ginn did say that representatives told him the consolidation process is over and that no further casinos will be closed. Whether existing casinos will be moved around or not, however, was unclear. Ginn did say that he felt good about Clinton’s facility and thought it would most likely be staying put. Ginn said the OLG representatives wouldn’t give a definitive answer on the Clinton casino, but that there will be an ongoing dialogue and there will be another meeting within the next month to discuss the issue further. There is also a meeting being held on May 11 in Milton where the mayors of all OLG host municipalities will meet to discuss their next steps. Ginn said he would be attending the meeting and supporting whatever motion is put forward by the group, as he said it is important that the group presents a united front. By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Open communication needed regarding centre concerns After a burst pipe earlier this month at the new Central Huron Community Complex, councillors have asked to be kept in the loop with any major issues at the centre. At council’s April 26 Committee of the Whole meeting, Facilities Manager Steve Campbell told councillors that a pipe had burst in one of the dressing rooms at the complex, flooding the room and the ice surface. While it did take several hours to get under control, there was no interruption of service due to the malfunction. Councillor Alex Westerhout brought the issue to council, saying it was mentioned to him by residents on the street several times before he heard any official word on it. In the future, he said, if there is a major issue at one of the municipality’s buildings, it would be nice to receive a heads-up as to what’s going on and when it’s going to be remedied. Campbell said it wouldn’t be a problem to do that. In other recreation news, Campbell reported that both baseball and softball registration is up throughout the municipality, saying that both leagues will feature a greater number of teams than they did last year.By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Have A New Addition? Call for prices and details 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Let everyone know about your new bundle of joy! The Citizen