Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-03-28, Page 26PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1990. Entertainment Theatre review Local talent highlights show BY BONNIE GROPP I’ve got to be honest. As I sat in Blyth Memorial Hall on Sunday afternoon I could think of a hundred different places I would rather have been than attending the variety program “A Touch of Country”, sponsored by Blyth Fes­ tival. I don’t like country music, I never have. But, I do have an appreciation for talent in any form and there was no doubt that the entertainers who performed during the shows Saturday evening and Sunday are talented. What makes this special is that these entertainers are local people, the majority coming from Tees- water, which as Master of Cere­ monies, Gary Ballagh, says is only seven minutes away from Blyth by phone and 10 days by mail. Mr. Ballagh has appeared regu­ larly as emcee for various local performers and has been asked to emcee provincial barbership con­ tests, fiddle contests and stepdance contests across Canada. His easy repartee with his audience is part of his down home appeal. He is also a member of the barbership quartet “Here Comes Treble” who were part of the show. As ambassadors of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America this group does the organization proud. With original material and the incorporation of instruments into the act their wit and variety delight and entertain. They have perform­ ed internationally in New York and Michigan in addition to appearing at Massey Hall in Toronto, Hamil­ ton Plaee and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Their sensitive rendition of ‘‘Thank God for Kids” also gave the audience a glimpse of a more serious side to the foursome. In addition to Mr. Ballagh the group consists of his brother Byron, Doug Inglis and Ben Black- well, all from Teeswater area. Providing visual entertainment were the McMichael Sisters, from Wroxeter, Canada’s Stepdancing Sweethearts. Janice (Mrs. Gary Ballagh), Karen, Judith and Rhonda have performed through­ out Canada from east to west as well as in New York. They have also appeared on the Tommy Hunter Show. They are confident and their routines are energetic and lively. Guest singer was Paulette Lip­ pert, another native of Teeswater, (maybe there’s something in the water). While she maintained that country music is not usually what she sings she did so Sunday with finesse in a voice that was clear and lovely. A talented musician Ms. Lippert also plays violin, mandolin, guitar and piano and is a Silver Vocal Medallist at the Royal Con­ servatory of Music. She was accom­ panied by Doug Blackwell and Byron Ballagh. Old time fiddler Gerry Smith of Exeter demonstrated his versatility playing first Patsy Cline’s poignant ballad “Crazy” then launching into a lively reel. His son Wayne on bass and daughter Linda on piano also accompanied the musicians for the afternoon and did a super job. Last but not least was Frank Leahy, a fiddle player and violinist, whose performance of “Orange Blossom Special” reminded me that 1 don't hate all country music. Mr. Leahy, who once lived in, you guessed it, Teeswater, has per­ formed in the States and Canada and was selected to entertain the Queen in 1984. His repertoire includes traditional and contem­ porary music, and he demonstrated his expertise in this area during the second half of the program with a beautiful rendition of “Memories” from Cats which held the capacity crowd spell-bound. He followed this with the familiar “Danny Boy”. The finale was a medley, or what Mr. Ballagh says he likes to call a “clump” of lively fiddle tunes that Continued on Page 27 NAME...................................................................................AGE.... SCHNEIDER MALE CHORUS -CONCERT- KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH LISTOWEL, ONTARIO Wednesday, April 4th, 1990-8:00 p.m. Admission: $5.00 Sponsored By: Listowel District S.S. Choral Ensemble FOR TICKETS PHONE 887-6401 OR 6867 ADDRESS..............................................PHONE............................. ELLIOTT INSURANCE BROKERS Insurance in all branches Established 1910 GENERAL A LIFE J. Richard Elliott R. John Elliott [519] 523-9725 Xg [519] 523-4323 BLYTH, ONT. N0M 1H0 523-4481 Town & Country Homemakers to honour their volunteers To honour their more than 400 volunteers in Huron County, Town and Country Homemaker’s Home Support Staff is holding a Volun­ teer Appreciation Night at Stanley Township Community Centre on April 25, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Town and Country Homemakers is a registered Canadian non-profit charitable organization that pro­ vides homemaking and home sup­ port services for the elderly, handi­ capped and convalescent in all areas of the county. LONDESBORO LIONS ©lit JFashiuneii Srrakfaat Sunday, April 1 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Londesboro Hall $4.00 - Adults; $3.50 -12 & under PHONE BLYTH NAME ADDRESS RISTMAS COUNTRY Flower$ & Gifts 120 Queen St. Contest Details on Page 3