Nite on the Town – Manitouwadge

Written by admin on 15 November 2009

Ferguson and Wheatley (left) accompany Vinnick in one of her sultry R&B selections.

Nite on the Town welcomes Folk Trio

by Karina Hunter

Monday evening, Nite on the Town Entertainment Series of the Arts (NOTES) hosted the folk strings and vocals trio of Wendell Ferguson, Katherine Wheatley and Suzie Vinnick in the auditorium (a.k.a. Theatre) of Manitouwadge High School. NOTES chairperson Natalie Labbée was pleased to welcome new and returning faces and even some attendees from neighbouring communities as she took the stage to introduce the group.

This was the trio’s first performance of their current six show tour of Northern Ontario and the 2^nd show presented by NOTES in their 2009/10 Series. The first performer they welcomed in September was Award Winning Playwright Julia Mackey who performed a monologue presented as a tribute to the role that Canadian Veterans played in Juno Beach, France. The two are a great example of the wide variety of artistic genres NOTES is committed to bringing to Manitouwadge enhancing the quality of life of Northshore residents by offering first class performing arts not readily available in the region Labbée spoke briefly to the assembly of her recent attendance at Ontario Contact in Richmond Hill where artists performing in all genres were showcased. Sponsored by the Ontario Arts Council, the trip offered Labbée the opportunity to meet agents, performers and other presenters, this will assist NOTES in the planning of their 2010/11 Series which she promised will be an incredible line-up scheduled to be finalized in the New Year. With no further delay, Labbée introduced the trio and the evening began.

The performance was quite intimate as the Trio spoke directly to those gathered as you would to old friends. Song choices were made by each in turn with a good dose of humour and storytelling between each. Described as a Folk Trio the group’s musical selections could hardly be labeled so easily as they varied between Wendell Ferguson’s quick-witted Country stylings, Suzie Vinnick’s Jazz and R&B melodies and Katherine Wheatley’s lyrical ballads.

The audience included fans of all ages who enthusiastically sung along when prompted by Vinnick and joined in spontaneously to keep the beat clapping along to many of the songs throughout the evening. At intermission rather than retreat backstage for a well-deserved rest, Ferguson, Vinnick and Wheatley joined attendees in the foyer of the school to reminisce on past trips to Manitouwadge. The Trio seemed genuinely interested in getting to know their audience as this scenario repeated itself after the performance when the three once again joined their new friends to share stories from the road. Many people took advantage of the CD’s each of the performers had available for purchase before taking leave.

There are still 3 shows remaining in this year’s Nite on the Town Entertainment Series of the Arts, if we hope to continue receiving critically acclaimed artist of every genre to our community the seats must be filled so don’t miss out! Purchase your tickets before they are all sold! For more information visit NOTES’ website at http://nottown.googlepages.com/home.