CARING FOR OUR OWN

On Saturday, May 25, 2013, a crowd gathered at 101 Brunswick Street to mark the opening of PAL Place Stratford.

According to their website, Performing Arts Lodge is a volunteer-based Canadian charitable organization dedicated to the provision of affordable housing, social assistance and other services to local members and associates of Canada’s professional and performing arts community who are in need of assistance by reason of low income, age or disability. It provides a sanctuary, a home, and a community for professionals of the theatre who find themselves in times of need during and at the end of their careers, times that can be uncertain and insecure. “PAL is a proven success story in several other locales nationwide. We heartily endorse and look forward to the same success story becoming reality here in Stratford.”

During the opening ceremonies one of the speakers read a note written by the beloved Canadian actor, Cedric Smith. He wrote of visiting an old friend from his days on stage who was living in a nursing home. Cedric was able to understand and communicate with this aging actor in a language that they both understood – the language of the theatre – which the caregivers at the home did not comprehend. How wonderful that the citizens of Stratford have had the foresight to want to “care for our own”, those members of the theatre who have contributed to the life of Stratford in so many ways. PAL will provide care not only in practical terms but also by creating an environment where they can continue to enjoy the ambiance and language of theatre.

Christopher Plummer,  honorary patron of PAL Stratford, made the trip to town in order to cut the ribbon during the official opening 

Glen Dias, who already lives at the lodge, sang a moving a cappella rendition of 'Bring Him Home' from Les Miserables.   How appropriate!

PAL Stratford was established as a non-profit organization in 2002 and in 2005 was registered as a Charitable Organization (86363 2881 RR0001). We are still looking to pay off $400,000 on the mortgage. If you wish to contribute to this wonderful addition to Stratford, please check out the website at http://palstratford.org

SPRING IS IN THE WORKS...that is...SPRINGWORKS!

On Thursday evening I had the privilege of attending the opening night of the third annual SpringWorks Indie Theatre and Arts Festival which runs in Stratford from May 9 – 19, 2013.

SpringWorks is a juried multi-disciplinary arts festival providing high-quality programs in a friendly welcoming atmosphere. There will be cabarets, dance, comedy, dinner theatre, shows for the younger set, visual arts, coffee houses, poetry and dramatic readings of several new plays. More than 100 artists will be featured in over 50 events in a variety of venues in Stratford, St. Mary's and Listowel. Companies come to take part in this festival from as far away as Kingston, and even from Nova Scotia!

If last night's presentation of Three Little Maids, Musical Revue, featuring Stratford resident Barbara Dunn-Prosser and her equally talented friends Debora Joy, and Janet Martin is any indication, we are in for a fabulous two weeks of entertainment. These singers, all very busy with careers as performers and vocal teachers, came together in a hilarious jaunt through the intertwining lives of three good friends. Starting off as carefree children, they then took us into the melodramatic period of adolescence with a vocal swing through the 70's. A visit to the Kiwanis Music Festival competitions had us almost rolling in the aisles as we savoured memories of our own efforts to please the almighty adjudicator! We cruised along with the maids through snippets of many Broadway hits as they became young women and pondered the theme of love and the stress of auditions. Adding their own lyrics to familiar Gilbert and Sullivan tunes provided quite the spoof on their early career days touring with the Stratford Theatre. Growing up they all found love, a time of life that was beautifully expressed with an intertwining of three separate love songs. Along with love came children, who grew into teenagers, once again bringing the house down with new lyrics to a well-known medley from musical theatre. Eventually they took us into the 21^st century with cell phones and emails, and life that was just too, too busy to keep contact. That is - unless  they got together to write a show! Three Little Maids is definitely worth the $20 for admission when it plays again at City Hall on Sunday May 19 at 8 p.m.

After the concert I spoke with artistic producer Eileen Smith, who birthed the idea of such a festival in 2011. I was surprised to learn that the artists do not receive a set fee. Because this is a designated “festival”, they come and perform for love of their craft and are rewarded with 70% of the ticket sales, however high or low that may be. The festival itself runs on 30% of the take plus whatever they have been are able to garner from the generous sponsors who have stepped up to the plate.

The city hall auditorium was not full last night. As the festival progresses I hope that Stratfordites and tourists alike will realize what a gem we have here. I trust that you will make an effort to support these artists and take in the wealth of culture that is made available to us through SpringWorks!

For tickets contact www.springworksfestival.ca or 1-888-559-5077.

ARE THEY JUMPING?

Every April the Avon River is stocked with trout for the annual      
Optimist Trout Derby. 

This year it was held on April 27 from 8:00 am to noon. 

  It is geared for children, 
but there were lots of families there to add to the fun.

And this year the weather co-operated. A beautiful sunny day! The fish were biting well. What more could you ask?

This is just another sign that Spring really IS coming to Stratford!