FESTIVAL OF SONG SHOWCASES WORLD RENOWNED TALENTS

BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER

The Bayfield Town Hall will once again be filled with the sound of world renowned musical talents when the fourth annual Bayfield Festival of Song returns to the village for concerts on the first two weekends of June.

 

The Aldeburgh Connection Artistic Directors Stephen Ralls and Bruce Ubukata are offering up a variety of unique experiences for music lovers.

The festival kicks-off on June 5 with Coffee Concert: SLEEPERS, WAKE! This concert will offer an eclectic mix of Bach to Broadway, featuring piano-duets performed by Ralls and Ubukata and songs by visiting artists.

A Celebrity Recital will be held on the evening of June 5 at 8 p.m. Two dazzling singers, Virginia Hatfield, soprano; and Lauren Segal, mezzo, will perform favorite songs, arias and duets under the accompaniment of Ubukata on piano. These two women are stars with the Canadian Opera Company and have also been busy performing for audiences in Europe and across North America.

On the afternoon of June 6 at 2:30 p.m. a concert to celebrate the arrival of early summer, entitled, “A Harvest of Song” will be held. Four brilliant young singers, Leslie Ann Bradley, soprano; Erica Iris Huang, mezzo; Frank Mutya, tenor; and Vasil Garvanliev, baritone; will share their talents while evoking the splendors of both countryside and gardens. They will be accompanied by Ralls and Ubukata on piano. The concert will be followed by an audience party with the artists.

For the second half of the festival a long weekend is in the offing with a Singers’ Masterclass being held on Thursday, June 10 at 4 p.m. In this new event for the festival, the combined expertise and wisdom of Mary Lou Fallis and Peter Tiefenbach, mixed with a generous measure of humor and sympathy, come into play as they coach young singing students preparing for their careers. Audience goers are invited to join the singers afterwards for a Bistro Night at the Little Inn of Bayfield. Seating for this meal is limited so please contact the inn at 519 565-2611 for reservations and details.

The soprano, Fallis; accompanied by Tiefenbach on piano will return to the hall on June 11 at 8 p.m. for the “Primadonna Sails In!” This evening should prove to be a unique vocal recital - Bayfield will be treated to an affectionate send-up. This is a great opportunity to experience at first hand the personality that has delighted millions on radio, television and around the world!

Another Coffee Concert is scheduled for 11 a.m. on June 12. This time Ralls and Ubukata will perform on piano, “Schumann in the Morning”. Songs from visiting artists will also be on the program. This concert will be a birthday celebration of one of the most romantic of composers. The concert will highlight Schumann’s Spanische Liebeslieder or Spanish Love Songs, for four voices and piano-duet.

Susan Platts, mezzo, will be the featured performer for the Celebrity Recital to be held on June 12 at 8 p.m. She will be accompanied by Ralls on piano. Platts is one of Canada’s most acclaimed singers, with an international reputation. She has been invited to open the Toronto Symphony’s new season. Included in her recital will be a tribute to composer, Robert Schumann, in honor of the 200th anniversary since his birth (June 8, 1810).

Young artists, Bradley, Huang, Mutya and Garvanliev will be performing, accompanied by Ralls and Ubukata in approximately ten schools in Huron and Perth counties during the week between the scheduled concerts. They will return to the hall on June 13 at 2:30 p.m. for an encore performance of “A Harvest of Song”. Following the concert the artists will join in a party with the audience.

Tickets are available locally by calling Gail Grant at 519 565-2435. They cost $25, Saturday mornings; and $35, Saturday evenings, Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons. The Masterclass on June 10 will cost $15. There is also a subscription price: if buying tickets for more than one concert, please deduct $5 from each ticket.
 

BAYFIELD LOOKS GOOD IN "STYLE ME PRETTY" BRIDAL MAGAZINE

The windows in the diningroom of The Little Inn of Bayfield were the perfect backdrop for a photo shoot which recently appeared in Style Me Pretty an on-line bridal magazine. (Photo by Erin Samuell)

The work of local photographer, Erin Samuell (A Simple Photograph) was recently featured in a very popular on-line wedding magazine called “Style Me Pretty”.

Photographer Erin Samuell enlisted the help of local brides-to-be, Becky Fegan and Katie Padfield; florist Luann Taylor and The Little Inn of Bayfield for a wedding shower themed photo shoot which can be viewed on-line now at www.stylemepretty.com. (Photos by Erin Samuell)

“I am very excited to be a contributor to such a prestigious magazine but I am even more excited to get the chance to feature my local community,” Samuell said in a recent press release.

Samuell’s concept for the photo shoot was not a wedding but a bridal shower. For floral arrangements she enlisted the help of Luann’s Country Flowers in Goderich and the location was The Little Inn of Bayfield.

“This was my first publication with Style Me Pretty. Being a Bayfield native myself, I wanted to showcase services and vendors close to home and what better place to start than The Little Inn,” she said.

Style Me Pretty is a favorite wedding publication for most Canadian and American brides-to-be. It offers a ton of great decorating ideas and tips, and has some great tools to help brides prepare their own dream weddings whether they are planning a simple, small budget affair or a grandiose, elaborate day.

“The online publication has a readership that includes almost five million hits per month and their monthly RSS views are over 900, 000, so that means more than a few people will be getting a peak at our wonderful little town,” said Samuell.

The models for the shoot are also local Huron girls; Becky Fegan and Katie Padfield are both planning their own weddings this year. They volunteered to model and brought along several friends to join in on the fun.

“We decorated in a spring theme, using apples from Apple Park and flowers from Luann's Country Flowers. Luann Taylor prepared seasonal arrangements including potted daffodils that could be replanted in our home gardens after the shower. What a great idea!” said Samuell.

The subjects of the shoot also got to play traditional bridal shower games like Bridal Bingo and they also had a toilet paper wedding dress competition.

Anyone wanting to see the full article and many of the pictures can visit: http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/04/27/bridal-shower-ideas-by-a-simple-photograph/#comment-102986

AUTHOR CATHERINE GILDINER'S VISIT TO VILLAGE WAS SOLD OUT

The May 2nd Books and Brunch with author, Catherine Gildiner held at The Little Inn of Bayfield was a sold out event.

“We enjoyed a superb brunch and a fascinating presentation. Catherine's talk focused on her most recent volume of memoirs, After the Falls. Her background in psychology made for most interesting lunch table conversation,” said Mary Brown, host of the event and owner of The Village Bookshop, in a recent press release.

In case you missed the event, autographed copies of all of Gildiner’s books are available at the book shop.

The next Books and Brunch event will be held May 30 at The Little Inn. The guest author will be Drew Hayden Taylor. Originally from the Curve Lake First Nations, in Central Ontario, he has spent the last two decades traveling the world and writing about it from the Aboriginal perspective. An award-winning playwright, author, columnist, film maker and lecturer, he has managed to bridge the gap between cultures by tickling the funny bone. He has recently published his first adult novel, Motorcycles and Sweetgrass.

Tickets are $30 and are available now at The Village Bookshop.

LAVIOLETTE TO LEAD LECTURE ON BAYFIELD FURNITURE MAKER

Village of Bayfield Archivist Ralph Laviolette will facilitate one of the topics on the schedule for Enhanced Aging Series sponsored by the Lake Huron Learning Collaborative Centre, May 13.

Laviolette’s talk on The History of Furniture Making in Huron County will be held at the Huron County Museum in Goderich from 2-4 p.m. The lecture will be followed by a guided tour of Made in Bayfield - The Work of Johann Gemeinhardt on exhibit at the museum from May 8 to Dec. 5.

Gemeinhardt (1826-1912), was born in the Bavarian area of Germany and settled in Bayfield around 1850. He had completed his cabinet making apprenticeship before leaving Germany. The display includes, various tools, drawings and furniture pieces, both large and small, which show the intricacies of his life's work.

To attend the lecture the cost is $15. To register call Anna Dalton-Needles at the LHLCC, 519 524-4154 or email info@lakehuronlearning.ca.

HORTICULTURISTS LEARN MORE ABOUT BLUEWATER BLOOMS

Bayfield residents have always shown a strong sense of pride in their horticultural efforts but this year they may be recognized for it.

The Municipality of Bluewater has entered the provincial competition in the 2010 Communities in Bloom (CIB) program. The committee is referred to as the Bluewater Blooms Committee.

The “kick-off” for the Bluewater Blooms initiative will be held on June 19 on Main Street in front of the library at 11 a.m. All interested groups and individuals are welcome to attend and sunflower seeds will be available.

To learn more about Bluewater Blooms plan to attend the May 17th meeting of the Bayfield Horticultural Society. Jim Fergusson will be speaking on the project. As an added bonus a planter demonstration will also be given at this meeting. The horticultural society will meet at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building starting at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome.

The Bluewater Blooms Committee would like to make everyone aware that the flower colors chosen for the project are white, yellow, orange and bronze. Residents and businesses might take these colors into consideration when organizing their spring plantings.

CIB is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and the challenge of a national program, with focus on the promotion and value of green spaces in urban settings. The program consists of communities receiving information and being evaluated either provincially or nationally by a volunteer jury of trained professionals on the accomplishments of their entire community (municipal, private, corporate and institutional sectors, citizens) on eight key criteria.

Bluewater will participate with other communities in its population category, and be evaluated by CIB judges on the eight program criteria. Bloom ratings from one to five blooms (five being the highest ranking) are awarded to participating communities at a provincial awards ceremony annually in the fall. The program provides for two communities in each province to participate in the following year’s national edition.

CHAMBER DIRECTORS TO HOST BREAKFAST WITH MAYOR

On May 21, the directors of the Bayfield Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) would like to invite their membership to enjoy a cup of coffee and some breakfast with the mayor and others.

Mayor of Bluewater, Bill Dowson, and Bluewater council members are scheduled to attend the breakfast as is MP Ben Lobb. It is hoped that MPP Carol Mitchell will also take part.

Interested BACC members may have two tickets to the breakfast; these are available at no charge on a first requested, first given basis.

The event will be held at the Bayfield Town Hall with coffee being served at 7:30 a.m. followed by breakfast at 8 a.m.

The guest speaker will be Mike Pullen, senior economic development officer for Huron County. His topic is entitled, “Creative Potential: Bluewater and the Economy”.

To reserve tickets please email Roger Lewington at rlewington@tcc.on.ca or info@villageofbayfield.com The event is sponsored by OLG.

Pretty In Pink

In gardens throughout the village, tulips are brightening the neighborhood, including these brilliant pink blooms planted in recognition of breast cancer research. (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

BAYFIELD GUIDING

Looking for an easy supper idea and an opportunity to help a community group in the process? Tonight, May 5, is the final opportunity for people to support all levels of Bayfield Guiding simply by ordering a pizza.

The New Orleans Pizza Fundraising Nights will be held on those three dates. Starting at 4 p.m. until close, 50 per cent of the money from food items purchased at the New Orleans Pizza restaurants will be donated to the charity or school the purchaser designates. Please consider Bayfield Guiding as your charity of choice. Members of Bayfield Guiding will have forms available that can be handed in at the time of purchase. They will be accepted at all New Orleans Pizza Restaurants. Don’t have a form? There will be ones available at the stores on the nights of the event.

How about a Girl Guide cookie or two for dessert? Members of Bayfield Guiding now have cookies for sale. These classic chocolate and vanilla crème filled cookies sell for $4 a box.

The profits from both cookie sales and the pizza fundraiser will help cover the costs of the local Guiding program.

LADIES’ NIGHT

Ladies mark your calendars because a night just for your indulgence is approaching fast.

The Bayfield Optimist Club is holding a Ladies’ Night on May 7 at the Bayfield Community Centre.

The doors will open at 8 p.m. and a variety of entertainment is planned including, an elimination draw, a belly dancing demonstration and a silent auction. A highlight of the evening will be a performance by comedian Elvira Kurt.

Tickets are available for $15 a person at Brandon’s Hardware. Proceeds to the Optimist Club’s youth related projects.

BACC FASHION SHOW

“Body Garnish – the Figure as this Year’s Canvas” is the title of the upcoming Luncheon and Fashion Show to be held on May 9 at the Bayfield Town Hall.

The Bayfield and Area Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the show with profits going to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada.

The doors will open at 12:30 p.m. Fashions from area businesses will be featured in the show starting at 1 p.m. Tickets are available now for $25 from Inspirations please call 519 565-2710 or Pat Lewington at 519 565-2202.

CONCERT SERIES

Luke Ducet, with Beth Moore, is the next performer to be showcased in the “Big Town Canadian Singers Going Small Town” Bayfield Concert Series to be held on May 8 in the Bayfield Town Hall.

The series featured some of the countries’ top talents, who when mixed with some locally grown entertainers performing as their opening acts, created the perfect blend for an exciting evening of music.

Individual show ticket prices range from $10 to $25. Tickets are available at Ernie King Music in Goderich and Black Dog Village Pub and Bistro in Bayfield.

The Concert Series proved to be so popular that an extra date has been added.

On June 3, Basia Bulat, along with Fourth Avenue, will perform at the Bayfield Town Hall. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the concert following at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available now for $25 at the locations listed above.

The concerts are being presented by Meades Bros. Productions and The Little Inn of Bayfield. Special Concert Getaways are now available at The Little Inn; to learn more please call 1-800-565-1832.

FITNESS FUN

There are plenty of ways to get in shape for summer in Bayfield – check out the options listed below, one may be perfect for you!

Pole walkers meet Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. at 6 Main Street. The session incorporates an hour of walking with an ending cool down stretch. Introductory lessons for new pole walkers will be held on May 11 at 9:15 a.m. Poles are available for anyone who would like to give this sport a try. Walking with poles increases the cardiovascular effectiveness of walking by engaging your upper body and reduces stress on knees and other joints and improves posture. Four lessons will cost $10.

Exercise classes will continue through the summer months. Dancefit and Toning classes are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. The Sit and Get Fit Classes take place on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. Both classes are held in the Bayfield Community Centre.
 

BRIDGE CLUB

Bill Martin and John Kuntz were the high scorers when the Wednesday Evening Bridge Club met at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building on Apr. 28.

The club will meet next on May 12 and all are welcome. The decks will be shuffled starting at 7 p.m.

FILM SOCIETY

Cairo Time is the title of the final film in the spring series of movies being offered by the Bayfield Film Society. The curtain will go up on this film on May 13.

A later start time is being tried for this season and the films will commence at 7:30 p.m. in the Bayfield Town Hall.

Tickets cost $10 per person at the door the night of the film.

For more information please contact Lynne Gillians at 519 565-5884 or by email at lynnegillians@hotmail.com

BRVTA

Wild Turkeys and hikers beware it’s hunting season again.

The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) would like to let the community know that the Woodland Trail will be closed from now until June 1 for the Wild Turkey Hunt.

The other two BRVTA trails remain open, the Heritage Trail, through the village, as well as the Sawmill Trail, on the north side of the Bayfield River. Other local trails, such as, Bannockburn and Naftel’s Creek do not permit hunting and are available to walkers throughout the year.

TOWN HALL

The golden voices of The Medway High School Senior Choir will echo through the Bayfield Town Hall on the evening of May 16.

The choir, which hails from the school in Arva, ON, is considered the best in Southwestern Ontario. In 2009, and again this year, they were the proud recipients of several gold medals at the Kiwanis Music Festival. They were also presented with gold medals at the 2009 Ontario Music Festival.

The Medway High School Senior Choir has 30 to 35 members. Under the able leadership of Mrs. McNaughton and Mr. Bynum, the choir presents a varied program from classics to modern.

“The choir has come to the hall on previous occasions and we in Bayfield who have enjoyed their performances can attest to the wonderful musical experience they provide. The perfect acoustics of the hall make the experience all the more enjoyable,” said Pat Langley, of the Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society (BTHHS) in a recent press release.

The concert will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and are available by calling Langley at 519 565-2894; or Charlie Kalbfleisch at 519 565-2244. They are also available at Ernie King Music in Goderich.

All proceed from this event will go to the BTHHS.

UNITED CHURCH

Along with spring flowers, the fifth month of the year also brings the annual May Pole Luncheon hosted by St. Andrew’s United Church UCW.

The luncheon will be held on May 19 at the church starting at 11:30 a.m. Tickets cost $10 and are available by calling 519 565-2479.

Proceeds from the meal will go to the Weekend to End Breast Cancer Walk-a-thon and a purchase from the United Church Hope Book.
 

OPTMIST CLUB

"Rubber Duckie, you're so fine
And I'm lucky that you're mine
Rubber Duckie, I'm awfully fond of -
Rubber Duckie, I'd like a whole pond of -
Rubber Duckie I'm awfully fond of you!"

Three lucky people will be singing this old Sesame Street classic on May 23 when their rubber ducks are the first to cross the finish line in the Bayfield Optimist Club’s Rubber Duck Race.

This race is a first for the village and will be held between the piers at the harbor’s mouth at 11 a.m. on the Sunday of the Victoria Day weekend.

Only 500 ducks are available and tickets are on sale now for $5 each at Brandon’s Hardware, local restaurants and club members.

Three prizes will be awarded to the fastest ducks: 1st place, a barbecue valued at $500, donated by Bayfield Garage-Auto Pro; 2nd place, $200 gift certificate to Bayfield Foodland, donated by Janet and Marty Maidment; 3rd place, a $200 gift certificate to Walmart, donated by Brian Coombs-Remax.

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