Northshore Strolls Down Broadway

Written by admin on 31 May 2010

Photos courtesy of OntarioNewsNorth.com

Northshore residents stroll down Broadway

by Karina Hunter, Editor ONN

Nite on the Town Entertainment Series Organizer, Natalie Labbe treated thlittle series regular to a randition of 'Happy Birthday' in honour of her 5th birthday which she celebrated by attending the show.

This weekend, Northshore residents gathered in Schreiber, Manitouwadge and Terrace Bay for an incredible musical performance. The vocalists of the Northshore Singers choir, led by conductor, Gerry Price, performed strolling down Broadway as narrated by CFNO’s Al Cresswell.

Cresswell took attendees on a trip through time as they were treated to highlights from musical theatre of decades past.

The Northshore singers, now including 55 vocalists from Schreiber, Terrace Bay, began practicing together under the direction of Gerry Price just over 2 years ago. In the beginning, the choir totalled less than 20 performers but as word spread of the talent of those participating, and of the great fun they were having, many soon joined them.

Admission for performances this weekend was a silver donation, this to cover the expense of travelling by bus accross the Northshore. Price explained that the group is committed to ensuring that anyone who would like to come out and enjoy their music might do so, regardless of their financial situation. They are in great demand, having been invited to perform by many Northwestern Ontario communities, approximately 1/2 of the group are employed full time outside their volunteerism with the choir however, making both practice and performance times challenging to coordinate.

Below, Manitouwadge’s Nite on the Town Series of the Arts volunteer, Phil Minty, describes his experience at the Northshore Singers performance in Manitouwadge Saturday, May 29th. Without a doubt, many in Terrace Bay and Schreiber would aggree with his praises for the groups performances this weekend. North Shore Singers Wow Them in the Isles

by Phil Minty, The TV Monkey

MANITOUWADGE,ON – Saturday evening, the North Shore Singers came to the Manitouwadge High School theatre for a performance of broadway show tunes and other favourites. Gerry Price, the Artistic Director, had a good handle on the performance of this music as the well trained group musicians. Together they performed favourites from Tin Pan Alley and music of Rogers and Hammerstein in the first half and medleys from Fiddler on the Roof, Les Mis, Momma Mia, and Mary Popins. The Singers were augmented by solos from Terry Bouchard, Al Cresswell, Shirley Veinot, Murvin Vezina, Alain Zborowski, Laurie Knutson, Cathy Lengyel, Francine Mattat, Gerry Morgan, and Nannette Price.

I’d like to give a special mention of the work of Al Cresswell who’s introductions certainly added to the tone of the evening. Al supports a lot of North Shore artistic endevours and I would to commend him for this. Too, I would like to point out the work of Alain Zborowski who did a really fine job of his solos. He has a fine natural voice that worked very well with the style.

At the beginning of the second half of the program the North Shore Singers presented a trio who did two works, Shine from Billy Elliot and I’m a Brass Band form Sweet Charity. This little group demonstrated superior musicality and tonal togetherness. A tight sweet sounding Trio of Terry Bouchard, Francine Mattar, and Nannette Price.

Francine Mattar, Terry Bouchard, and Nannette Price

The audience certainly helped with their clapping and stomping which added a whole lot of fun to the evening. All in all people who missed this performance missed a highlite performance for Nite on the Town. Should the North Shore Singers come again – and I hope they will – it is not a night to be missed!

: Nite on the Town Entertainment Series Organizer, Natalie Labbe treated thlittle series regular to a randition of ‘Happy Birthday’ in honour of her 5th birthday which she celebrated by attending the show.