The International Symphony Orchestra is pleased to be sponsoring an Introductory Summer Strings Programme, open to ages five and above. Adults/seniors are also welcome to take part. Sessions will run from July 30th to August 3rd, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. each morning, and will consist of instruction in the beginning elements of string playing, including: sound production; names of notes; correct hand and finger position; posture etc. Participants may choose to play either violin or cello, and instruments will be provided. A graduation recital will be taking place on the final day, August 3rd. Classes will be held in the Sarnia location, 251 North Vidal Street. The fee for one person is $60; $110 for two; and $150 for three (in the same family). Bursary assistance is available subject to financial need. To register, please contact the ISO Office, 251 North Vidal Street, Sarnia, (519) 337- 7775/ (810) 984 - 8857, or email: iso ...
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April’s First Friday at the Cheeky Monkey With The Casuals Saturday April 7, 2022 Vibrant Harmony Singing Gets The Toes-A-Tappin’ by Brian Hay Solid and basically faultless rhythm playing that wasn’t quite straight out of textbooks didn’t hurt either. The Casuals found a pocket early on and projected everything clearly from its centre. It’s a guess but, as their set progressed, there was a sense the cues were being set up by guitarist Bill Hines and not their rhythm players. The concept is great … when it works. If it isn’t done perfectly the energy falls out of the music faster than a skydiver who forgot about the parachute but when it is there’s not much that can stand beside it. The Rolling Stones and the Who came up with two of the most exciting rhythm sections on record with Keith Moon taking cues from Pete Townshend while Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts wove magic ...
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First Friday at the Cheeky Monkey: Four Barrels of Blues Combines For One Sweet Sound Review by Brian Hay Describing the Four Barrel Blues Band as a class act is the best way to sum what this band has to offer. They’re all classy players, stylish but without excesses and what they form as an ensemble meshes together in much the same way. Drummer Stephen Bird is an articulate player who lays out a solid backbeat without becoming heavy. Glen Perry employs a fretless bass to reinforce the time signature and provide a melodic foundation with sustained notes that type of bass delivers. They’re harder to play than conventional models because of their demand for such an exact knowledge of where “the right” spots are on the neck but the way their notes tend to hang slightly as the next ones are being introduced gives their sound a musical sonority that’s both ...
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Stage Manager Workshop! Ever wondered how a live theatre show is run? Want to fine tune your already existing skills? Join the Imperial Theatre’s Production Manager Catherine Soulliere as she leads a stage management workshop. Learn how to create a prompt book; call cues; create and maintain paperwork; generate running notes, rehearsal notes and show reports. This workshop is mandatory for anyone hoping to stage manage for Theatre Sarnia shows. Anyone interested in the process or wanting to see if stage management might be right for them – please join! To be held in the theatre auditorium January 22nd from 7:00pm – 9:00pm. Another opportunity to attend the workshop will be March 21st 7:00pm – 9:00pm. More to be held throughout the year. It’s going to be a good time!
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Enduring one of the coldest First Friday's in a long time, fans of the local band REMINISCENCE filled Cheeky Monkey on January 5th. And they were not disappointed by them. Playing many familiar songs, the all instrumental band helped us keep warm with toe tapping tunes such as Stevie Wonder's 'Isn't She Lovely' and especially 'Superstition'. Another favourite was the Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars hit 'Uptown Funk'. Their playlist was perfectly suited for Reminiscence who rely on bass guitar, drums, keyboard, saxophone and trombone to jazz up their song selections. I had many listeners comment on how enjoyable it was to hear them, including music teacher and musician Al Weiss. He gave them high praise and encouraged them to reach even further to lift their performances to the next level he is sure they can attain. Hopefully, in the future, you will get chances to see and hear them again. With four of the ...
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First Friday at the Cheeky Monkey: Fun With a Group of Wild Cards by Brian Hay The difference a change in personnel creates within a band can be amazing, especially if the musician who comes in is a strong one. That was definitely the case with Wild Cards, the group that played at the Cheeky Monkey for this month’s First Friday celebration. The playing of guitarist Sara Campbell, bass player Scott Vegh and drummer Gerry Hawley and how they meshed together was known well enough to think there might be an idea of what to expect. The first few seconds of their work proved how wrong that notion was emphatically. The entry of singer Renee Card altered things in ways that couldn’t be predicted. Part of the reason is that she’s an exceptional singer but citing that as the only factor would be an oversimplification. She brings a touch to the delivery ...
MoreA while back, JD Booth who publishes the on-line local information site LambtonShield.com stopped into Cheeky Monkey to interview me. My interview is one of dozens he has done so far with different Sarnia residents. The focus, of course, was about our businesses over the years. It was a real pleasure to be interviewed by JD and share our 38+ years of business & personal history. To hear the interview CLICK HERE -- WARNING into was much louder then interview. If you click on the PODCAST tab at the top of the linked page, you can take a listen to the other interviews JD Booth has done. To hear future interviews and get local news, you can subscribe for lambtonsheild.com daily emails by going to bottom of the homepage & clicking on 'The Daily Brief'.
MoreReview of October 6, 2021 First Friday event featuring Missy Burgess & Sue Webber written by Brian Hay. First Friday at the Cheeky Monkey was fun and the music was great. That's sort of a "given" when the people playing are Missy Burgess and Sue Webber though. They delivered a mix of original material and covers with flair and a spirit of joy that both communicate beautifully. Originals such as 'Missy's Blues' and 'Don't Go To Cincinnati' shone. Covers such as 'Smile' were played with such warmth as to become beacons of light. That's one of the things music can accomplish though and these ladies work toward that. The sweetest moments came when they did harmony work together. That's something they'll hopefully do more of in the future. And of course there was Missy's (almost obligatory at this point and it's a great thing) nod to Tom Waits. 'Chocolate Jesus' and 'The Last Leaf On The Tree' (the piece he ...
MoreOut For A Drive series will start on the week of September 18th. The show airs Tuesdays @ 6 pm and 8:30 pm, Wednesdays @7:30 pm. The episode with Roland will air during the first week of September 18th - 22nd and replay again after 10 weeks. More details on other Out For A Drive guest to be announced. Here's a preview of what's to come...
MoreThe HJ's performance at Cheeky Monkey during the September 2017 First Friday was a night filled with pleasant surprises. Being a new duo that started playing together only 10 month ago, Harold Collins and Justin Hayes did not really have any kind of reputation to precede them. From what I had been informed, they were mainly an acoustic act. Well not for this night. Also, I mention they are a duo. Again, not for this night. The drummer was an unexpected pleasant surprise on many levels. Chloe Kendel was not only a very new addition this being only her second time playing with Harold & Justin, but she is only 16 years old. We have known Chloe for many years as a regular customer we always look forward to seeing in the store. We had no idea she was a drummer - and a really good one at that. During the HJ's ...
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