Musical Night a Success

The theatre at River Valley Middle School was full to capacity on Friday night (Feb 15-08) for the community celebration of our musical heritage. The Grand Bay-Westfield Heritage Committee lined up a stellar cast of local performers to entertain the crowd. The varied program included everything from young Elvis impersonator Edward Mitchell from Harbourview High School to the popular country and bluegrass sounds of Reg Gallant, Jerry Cormier, Allison Inch and Murry Sheils to the impressive and powerful voices of the Saint John Men's Chorus. In between we heard performances on piano, traditional folk songs, original songs written about the area, step and highland dance demonstrations and much more. I'm not going to single out an individual performance because they were all terrific.


As the MC for the event I introduced the evening by saying it reminded me of something that could have happened in the community back in the 19th century. In fact I invited the audience to pretend they had arrived by horse and sleigh, a wood fire was burning in the front of the hall and they had all come for a night of musical entertainment provided by their friends and neighbours. That used to be the only way to enjoy music before the days of radio and digital players. That analogy worked for me especially when all the performers and the audience, accompanied by Bertis Sutton on the piano, all sang together 'Back to the River St. John'.

It was a great night. Hope you enjoy these photos all taken by Diane Bormke.

Music of the People

Heritage takes many forms. It's our history and our beliefs. It's old buildings and museums. It's the way we lived our lives in the past and still do today. Our heritage is also found in our culture. Part of that culture can be found in the music we make and enjoy.

Years ago, before radio and records and digital anything, music was sung and played by family and friends. It was performed live and people would gather together to enjoy their own special style of music. Making live music in a community setting is rare today but it's happening tomorrow night (Friday, February 15) in Grand Bay-Westfield. It's a show featuring our own local performers in honour of National Heritage Week and it's called 'Music of the People'. The concert is free and hosted by the Grand Bay-Westfield Heritage Committee. It starts at 7:00 pm in the River Valley Middle School theatre. I'll be the MC of the show and a canteen is being provided by the Home and School Association. Here's the lineup.

Piper – Donna Nason

DVD – Video of NB Heritage

Reg Gallant, Jerry Cormier, Allison Inch & Murray Sheils

Allison Inch and Rhonda French – Step Dancer

Doug Losier and group

Noah McCormack on the piano and with his teacher Trish Sennett

Mary Rose Daigle on guitar and piano

Edward Mitchell – Elvis impersonator

Jordan Fisher – Piano

Harbourview Choir

INTERMISSION – Canteen courtesy of Home and School with proceeds to assist with new playground at Westfield School

Piper – Donna Nason

Janna Sherlock – Piano and Song

True North True – Beth Palmer, Lorne Blagdon and Doug Kelly

Brandon London

Bertis Sutton – Piano and Song

Kaitlyn Greer – Highland Dance

Laura Sennett Piano

Erin Boudreau
Saint John Men’s Chorus

Bertis Sutton and Audience – ‘Back to the River St. John’

It promises to be an evening of great entertainment. Hope to see you there.