The Citizen, 2008-04-24, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008. PAGE 23. Often it’s the case in rural HuronCounty– the kids grow up, moveaway to school, get a job in the cityand live a life far from the passive
pace of their small-town upbringing.
But one Huron girl in particular
hasn’t forgotten her roots amid a
swirling career in Toronto, one of
the country’s most urban centres.
Wingham native and musician
Lesley Pike is ‘coming home’ this
Friday, and bringing with her her life
for all to share.
“For me, this show is my forte,”
she said. “It’s what I love the most
and what I consider to be be what
I’m best at– an intimate and
interactive acoustic performance for
my hometown.”
Pike, a 26-year-old singer
songwriter is leading into her
upcoming 50-date North American
tour with a intimate performance at
the Blyth Festival Theatre on April
25. Pike will proudly present her
most recent musical offering,
“Blink” with accompaniment by
producer Bill Bell, and a very
special guest.
“Phil Main is going to join me for
the show,” she said. “He was
actually my first thought when I was
bringing this show home.”
The songstress, with an portfolio
ever-increasing and busting at the
seems with glowing reviews and
press praise, is hoping to relive her
first ever studio recording
experience as a project of Main’s.
“When I was maybe 13 years old
he did my first ever recording in a
studio,” she said. “I’m so excited for
him to be here and hopefully we’ll
be able to sing the same song
together in Blyth that we sang on
that tape.”
Since her departure from Huron
County in 1999, Pike has carved out
her place in Canadian music. At 17
she attended Willfred Laurier
University where she completed
four years of classical music
training, specializing in piano. She
has recently released the follow-up
to her sophomore album, DreamingBack To Life, called Blink.“I’m excited [to play in Blyth]because they have a grand piano,frankly,” she said of herhomecoming performance. “Butmore so seeing familiar faces, and
getting reacquainted with people.”
Pike’s parents and a number of
family members still reside in
Wingham.
“My dad is probably out on the
streets right now canvassing for the
show” she said of her parents’
support.
But it’s not just her music that
makes her parents beam, Pike is also
credited as being an accomplished
writer, potter, baker and
comedienne.
“I also make handcrafted pottery,
and will be bringing some of it to
display and sell at the show [in
Blyth],” she said.
While music and pottery don’t
always appear together in concert,
Pike said that this performance is
anything but ordinary, and one
which will likely make her list of
favorites in years to come.
Tickets to the April 25 show are
$20 each, and on sale through the
Blyth Festival Theatre Box Office at
519-523-9300 or toll free 1-877-
862-5984. Doors open at 7 p.m.
As a result of “Blink,” Pike’s third
album, reviews have suggested that
she is “the type of artist who can
translate half a minute of life
experience into a profound musicalstatement” (Saskatoon Star-Phoenix). Produced by Bill Bell (TomCochrane, Justin Nozuka, JasonMraz, Shaye), and recorded at TheOrange Lounge and Soleil Studio in
Toronto, Ontario, “Blink” features
11 studio tracks and a host of
talented musicians; Kevin Fox on
cello (Chantal Kreviazuk, Sarah
Slean), Kevin Breit on dobro and
tenor guitars (Norah Jones, Celine
Dion), Sean Ashby on lap steel &
electric guitars (Sarah McLachlan),
Pat Kilbride on bass (Sass Jordan,
Ian Hunter), and Davide Direnzo on
percussion (Jacksoul, Diana Krall).
Following her 2003 debut, Pike’s
charming live presence has landed
her coveted stage spots alongside
such talents as Pilate (now Pilot
Speed), Stabilo, Jeremy Fisher,
Shaye, Butterfly Boucher, The
Devlins, Danny Michel and many
others.
For more on Pike’s ever-building
career, visit www.lesleypike.com.
Featured during the month of May
at the Goderich Co-op Gallery will
be the local artist and art educator
Laura Browne. Also on Thursday,
April 29 at 7 p.m. Brown will give
a lecture on creative travelling –
how to be safe yet
adventurous.
Even when travelling alone,
tenting in Crete, for example, Brown
has always practised her art daily.
She has sketched and painted in
Greece, Turkey, Mexico, and the
Yukon but still likes to return to the
power of the waves of Lake
Huron.
Earth, caves, bones, trees, spirals,
triangles, circles, silences and
infinite spaces – all have directly
influenced her ways of seeing and
her creative expression.
Like an archeologist, she digs
deeply into the layers of history,
experiences, nature and her
subconscious trying to capture the
energy. Drawing, painting,
photography, writing, dance and
sculpture have been Brown’s
combined means of
communication. She has shared this
vision with high school teaching for
the Avon-Maitland Board, for 20
years and adult students in various
locations.
Brown’s work has been widely
exhibited, and is to be found in
collections around the world. Her
work mainly created in Turkey,
will be found at the
Goderich Co-op Gallery during
May.
The gallery at 54 The Square in
Goderich, is open from Monday to
Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 519-
440-0532 or visit www.gcgallery.ca
for more information.
Laura Browne featured in May
Local musician returns to Blyth to kick off tour
Pork Roast for
JEN GROBBINK &
JON TAYLOR
Sun., Apr. 27, 2008 from 5:00-7:30pm at
the B.M. & G. Community Centre, Brussels
Social to follow
Adults $15, Children 5-12 $7
Children under 5 free
For tickets phone
519-887-6708, 519-887-8657 or 519-524-6437
Happy 90th
Birthday
Ross Stephenson
April 23,2008
With love from your family
4400tthh WWeeddddiinngg
AAnnnniivveerrssaarryy CCeelleebbrraattiioonn
for
BBiillll aanndd MMaaxxiinnee
RRoobbiinnssoonn
Casual Open House
Sunday, May 4
1:30 to 4:00 pm
at
Wingham Golf and
Curling Club
Please NO Gifts
Best wishes only
A charitable donation box
will be available.
Buck & Doe“M o o s e ”
for
Jason Kellington
& Amy Siemon
Saturday, April 26th
Brussels Arena
8 pm - 1 am
• Age of majority
• DJ
• Lunch provided
Tickets $6.00
Call 519-887-9535
By Dominique MilburnFocus Magazine
Coming home
Wingham’s own Lesley Pike is thrilled to be playing
Memorial Hall in Blyth to kick off her 50-date North
American tour. She is looking forward to the familiar faces
she hopes to see being back in Huron County, but also to
have her shot at playing Memorial Hall’s grand piano.
(Courtesy Photo)
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The Citizen
Happy 80th
Birthday
Marian (Coutts)
Huffman
May 12
You are invited to an
OPEN HOUSE
1 ~ 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
at the
Seaforth Legion
(upstairs)