HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1988-12-21, Page 46PAGE 46. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1988.
Blyth Festival marks'phenomenal'year
“1988 has been a phenomenal one
for the Blyth Festival’’, says outgo
ing President, Marian Doucette,
following the Festival’s annual
meeting Dec. 8.
‘ ‘In addition to mounting our most
popular and longest running sum
mer season to date, we continued to
expand our new play development
program, extended our Ontario
touring circuit, increased our mem
berships and fundraising base, and
successfully executed more fund-
raising events in a single season than
ever before. More important, we
witnessed a tremendous outpouring
of support for this organization from
individuals right across the country,
enabling us to break ground on our
Burl Ives sings
with symphony
Despite unfavourable weather
conditions, over 700 people turned
out to see a “Christmas with Burl
Ives’ ’, sponsored by the Rotary Club
of Goderich with financial assistance
from the Sully Foundation and Radio
Shack.
The first part of the evening
consisted of some very upbeat
versions of Christmas favourites by
Orchestra London led and at times
accompanied on the piano by
conductor and composer Larry
Farrow. The audience had a chance
to get into the mood of Christmas by
joining in a sing-a-long led by guest
performer Glen Bennett.
During intermission, a draw was
held and Beth Farnsworth of
Goderich, won an evening and
dinner at the Benmiller Inn, compli
ments of Benmiller Inn.
Finally, the part of the evening
everyone was waiting for arrived.
Seated alone on stage equipped with
a unique voice and his guitar, Burl
Ives entertained the audience. His
warm personality and sense of
humour had the whole audience
smiling and laughing. Although
disappointed the he didn’t sing any
Christmas songs, the old favourites
such as “Jimmy Crack Corn’’, the
“Old Grey Goose is Dead’’, as well
as many others delivered in a voice
that age has only improved delight-
edhis audience.Alli n all,itwasa
very enjoyable evening.
capital expansion project.’’
The Blyth Centre for the Arts
Annual General Meeting was held at
the home of Wayne Caldwell on
Thursday, December 8. The follow
ing people were elected to the
1988/89 Board of Directors for the
Blyth Centre for the Arts: Carol
Irwin, President (Blyth); Marian
Doucette, Past-President (Clinton);
Gayle Waters, Vice-President (Bay
field); Wayne Caldwell, Vice-Presi
dent (Goderich); Don McCaffrey,
Treasurer (Exeter); Mary Gregg,
Secretary (Goderich); Sheila
Richards (Brussels); Lois van Vliet
(Blyth); Margaret Webster (Wing
ham); Carol McDonnell (Blyth);
Helen Gowing (Blyth); Carrie Sals
bury (Clinton); Amber Underwood
(Wingham); and Ann Coulter
(Goderich). Newly elected Board
members Anne Elliott (Blyth);
Wayne Phibbs (Wingham) and
Doug Whitmore (Blyth) were wel
comed to the Board of Directors.
Last summer, over 43,000 people
enjoyed outstanding plays at the
Blyth Festival. In addition, “Border
town Cafe’’ by Kelly Rebar was
performed over 50 times in the
course of nine weeks, stopping in 17
communities across Ontario. Includ-
ing the Bordertown tour, it is
estimated that over 65,000 people
saw a Blyth Festival production this
year. The most popular plays at the
Blyth Festival proved tobe “The
Cookie War’’ and “Fires in the
Night’’ which drew a 92 per cent
capacity audience. All in all, with 101
performances this summer, the
theatre had an 82 per cent capacity, a
two percent increase from last year.
“The popularity of our plays com
bined with a continued effort to
provide excellence in performers
and production, reflects Katherine
Kaszas’s expertise as one of the
finestyoung Artistic Directors in
Canada’’, said Board President,
Marian Doucette.
The Blyth Festival ended its
season with a surplus of $1,125 and
the Board announced that the total
operation budget for the entire
organization and all activities will be
in the neighbourhood of $1 million.
1988 proved to be the most
successful year yet in fundraising for
the Blyth Festival, with over
$107,000 raised for operating funds.;
Each of the five plays were
sponsored by corporations as well as
the art gallery, writers’ and child
rens’ workshop, poster and tour. A
membership of almost 1,000 includ
ed over 225 patrons and 26 individual
performance sponsors. With Octo
ber came the announcement from
the federal Department of Commun
ications through Murray Cardiff,
MP of their commitment of $450,000
to the Capital Expansion project with
ground being broken in late Novem
ber. ”
&Jan
PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA to our best
Christmasgiftever
KERRY!
THESCHURTERTWINS
WHO’S WHO?
PARK THEATRE
FRIDAY, DEC. 23 7 & 9 p.m.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
DECEMBER 24 & 25 - CLOSED
MONDAY - THURSDAY
DEC. 26-29 7 & 9 p.m.
And Best
)• z2— WickoQ TWishes To All!
From the
Management & Staff
HELD OVER 2nd BIG WEEK!
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W BLYTH
LIONS CLUB
New Year’s
Eve
Dance
at the
Blyth & District
Community
Centre
SAT., DEC. 31
Dancing 9 -1
Music by a D.J.
TICKETS $25/COUPLE & INCLUDES
PARTY FAVOURS & TRANSPORTATION!
Phone Gerald Kerr 523-9275 or
Don Scrimgeour 523-4551
7
AT THE
BRUSSELS
LEGION
SAT. DEC. 31
$7.00 Per Person
DANCING 9-1
Advance tickets only - Contact Steve Coulter 887-9289
SPONSORED BY BRUSSELS JR. D. HOCKEY CLUB
All proceeds for team expenses.
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