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13 THE MUSICAL Now Playing at the Guelph Little Theatre

September 28, 2019 by nancy Leave a Comment

 

It is Friday night in the Royal City, what better way to spend an evening than to take in a live performance and watch 13 THE MUSICAL at the Guelph Little Theatre.

My date for the evening was my 13-year-old daughter and her 2 giggling teeny bobber friends.  This is the first play of the Guelph Little Theatre 2019-2020 season and the musical runs until October 6th. 

The 3 gigglers beside me who are currently seniors in their secondary school all said how much the loved the performance. When asked if they could relate with the characters they all smiled and said, “Oh for sure, it so true to life!”  

Jen and Paul Barson the producers of the show commented, “When 13 The Musical was originally produced on Broadway, the musicians were teens as well as actors.  We wanted to take that to the next level for our production here at GLT and we staffed almost all the backstage roles with youth volunteers as well.”  The director, Thea Lale a young women said in the playbill that she had never written a Director’s note before. 

We watched the coming of age story play out as 13-year-old lead actor Evan Goldman moves from New York City to small town Appleton, Indiana.  He is coming to terms with his newly divorced parents, while trying to fit in with the “cool kids’ at his new school.  He hopes they will all attend his bar mitzvah, when giving out the invites describing it as a fun party to his newly non-Jewish classmates.

Looking around the audience which was all ages I could not help but think they too were reliving their school days as well.  Some memories good and some not so good.

The 5 piece live band was great and was a great addition to the rock score of the coming of age musical.  The music was incredible and like any music does it helped bring the character alive.  The many solos in the play and the singing was hard to belief for such young performers. 

We watched as Evan navigated many emotions being the new kid in school attempting to fit in with the jocks, pretty girls, cheerleaders, cool guys, and the outcasts.  

The set was simple but very well done.  You could visualize many of the different scenes.  I especially liked the simple painted boxes used throughout the play which did not feel repetitive at all.

There was a lot of interest in the initial try outs for the casting call of this play.  There were 80 people who auditioned for the 13 acting roles. All of the actors are in the up and coming stages and all exhibited a high level of professionalism. 

The ending of this 2 act play brought the packed house to a standing ovation with lots of applause for the amazing talented group of young men and women who told the story so wonderfully. 

This play is just one of many you can attend for the new season of the Guelph Little Theatre.  Check out the link to purchase tickets, https://guelphlittletheatre.com/big-shows/tickets/.  Thanks GLT for a great evening.  We look forward to the next show!

 

Talk soon,

 

Nancy

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment Tagged With: arts and entertainment, coming of age, Explore, Guelph, Guelph Little Theatre, live theatre, musical, Reviews, Theatre, wander, wandering wellington county, wellington county

The Man Who Shot Chance Delaney

May 25, 2019 by nancy Leave a Comment

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It is so great to have a night out; especially a date night with your 12-year-old daughter. 

My daughter luckily still likes to hang out with her Mom on a Friday night, I am not sure how much longer that will last.  Meaghan and I were excited to watch the performance of  The Man Who Shot Chance Delaney together as she performed in a Western play with the Centre Wellington Children’s Drama Club in Fergus not too long ago.   

We settled into our seats and were transported back to the 1900’s to a small town in Kansas where the majority of the play took place in the Lucky Dollar Saloon along with several other locations.  

This two act play was written by Canadian playwright Ian Weir.  I had read about Weir he had a dream of being a writer when he was young, but was told like many artists, “Yes but what will you do to earn a living?” 

We watched the 6 experienced actors who all had multiple roles in the play with delight and awe as they quickly transformed from one character to another mostly without even leaving the stage.  The visual effects of the lighting and set design all made for a great Wild West gun slinging story.

I especially liked the quick flip of an apron strap which changed the lead actress Molly into a totally different character once the strap was properly fastened on the apron. There were the many voices of Perkins, the fast talking Brewster and Abilene who changed from a young women to a little boy with just a flip of a hat.

The storytelling began with a stranger who entered the Saloon and started to share his tales.  Meanwhile at the same time the tales were told by each actor helping to get a better glimpse of how the story unfolded.  The story included like any good Western shootouts, bar fights, and broken hearts.

Chatting with my daughter on the way home she commented, “It was as if there was multiple layers to the characters and you had to listen really closely to see what would happen next!”  I agreed and said “It sure was an evening of great storytelling and was so well done.” 

From the experience my daughter had in a live production, it give us a glimpse of the many hours of rehearsal required for a production. 

Many thanks to the Director of the play Denise Gismondi, Judi McCuaig the Producer and Bev Maintenay the Stage Manager and Assistant Director. 

The GLT has many volunteers that help make the productions run smoothly and I am told they are always looking for more people to come and help them share the love of arts and the Royal City.  

The entertainment continued after the show when we walked into the lobby and a dance party had begun with the Range Riders band playing country music.

If you want to find out Who Shot Chance Delaney and how the story ends you still have time to attend a show, it is running until June 2, 2019. 

Bring a date to either next Friday or Saturday’s evening performance and you can kick up your heels to the Dan Badger Band playing both pre show and post show with the bar open later.    You can purchase tickets at the Guelph Little Theatre, http://www.guelphlittletheatre.com/.

Talk soon ~

Nancy

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment Tagged With: actors, blogger, date night, daughter mom date, Guelph, Guelph Little Theatre, live theatre, night out, review, storytelling, Theatre, wandering wellington county

The Beauty Queen of Leenane

January 28, 2019 by nancy Leave a Comment

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Are you looking for an escape from the January Blahhhs?  Check out the 1st show of the 2019 season production at the Guelph little Theatre.   The Beauty Queen of Leenane, written by Martin McDonagh is playing until February 3, 2019, with the entire cast of just four fabulous characters.  It was an entertaining afternoon sitting among the almost full house matinée performance.  It seemed as if we were transported back in time to a shabby sparse kitchen set in the hills of Western Ireland.  The inhabitants were the 40 something spinster Maureen who was the caretaker to old housebound Mother Mag’s.  

Act I we meet the bully Mother subtly pestering her daughter Maureen continuously.  She reluctantly fulfills her request of yet another cup of tea and offerings of the Irish Kimberly biscuit.  It was evident their relationship seemed rather unhealthy, as the two didn’t seem very fond of each other as they bickered back and forth in a thick Irish.

My daughter and I were grateful for the glossary of terms used in the play as it was at times hard to understand their thick Irish at times.  An example was the word  “Feck”, which was used thru-out the play.  It is a polite and socially acceptable profanity used by the Irish.  I must say it does sound much nicer than some of the profanity we use here in Canada.  

Maureen lived her day-to-day life looking after an ailing miserable Mother who seemed to enjoy that the daughter’s sole purpose in life was taking orders from her,  all the while tending to other household duties. Mag’s seemed to enjoy dishing out snide remarks to her and kept her focus on tending to all of her many needs.

I sympathized with Maureen’s character at times thru the play when the Mother made bullish remarks to her.  An example was when she told her new suitor Pato that she had spent time in the mental hospital and that in fact she was the care giver to her daughter.   The audience was left wondering then who was the more needier and perhaps more unbalanced, the daughter or the mother? 

Maureen had a chance at escaping her miserable life in Ireland when news came in the form of a letter her lover had written her.  In the letter he asked her to move to Boston, USA with him.  The smitten lover read his letter to the audience and suggested that he would understand if did not forgive him for some of the remarks he made that she took such a disliking to.  One of the the questionable remarks he said was, “put some cloths on!”, as she stood with her under garments on in the kitchen the morning after their encounter in the kitchen.  She was outraged and took this as a personal insult and told him at once to leave.  He abruptly left with the Mother shaking her head and glad for him to be gone.

After some time the brother Ray came one day to deliver a handwritten note which had been addressed to Maureen.  The delivery of the mail did not go as requested.  The Brother eventually lost patience while sitting with the chatty Mags and decided to leave it in her hands with a promise to give it to her daughter.  The audience saw all hope of the daughters chance at happiness vanish as the Mother immediately read the lovers note and threw it into the nearby fireplace. 

However the plot had its twists and turns when Maureen became outraged at the Mother’s knowledge of private information shared only between her lover Pato and her was revealed.  She knew her Mother knew something of their relationship and scolded her Mother’s hand with hot burning water demanding her to tell her what she knew.  When the daughter did this, and threw her to the floor the audience was left wondering what type of person would physically harm another, especially their mother!

The last Act was Maureen coming into the deserted kitchen with no sign of her Mother.  Her lovers brother stops by the house for a brief chat and mentions to her, “Oh did you hear, my brother got engaged?”,  and then promptly left.  Maureen sat in the now empty rocker staring at the four walls.  As with any story there is always more, but you will have to purchase your ticket to find out what happens in this little Irish Town.

This play was being adjudicated for an upcoming Festival, I am sure they will have a great chance at winning some awards.  It is another great production by the great Guelph Little Theatre, directed by Robin Bennett and produced by Liz Dennis.  There is still time to enjoy the show as it runs until Feburary 3rd.  To purchase tickets call the theatre during box office hours at 519-821-0270, or go to the website to purchase online, http://www.guelphlittletheatre.com/tickets.

Talk soon ~

Nancy

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment Tagged With: adventures, arts and entertainment, Dark Comedy, Guelph, Guelph Little Theatre, Reviews, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Theatre, Wandering, wandering wellington county

Be Kind to Each Other The World Needs It!

December 20, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

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The busy holiday season is upon us with just one week before Christmas Day.  Lunch hour came and went however the memory of what made the day still lingers.  Much can be accomplished on a one hour lunch break, thoughts of going for lunch with friends, last minute shopping or a walk around Riverside Park in the sunshine. 

Choosing the latter option was a great chance to stretch the legs and clear the mind with a little time in nature.  A favorite path at Riverside Park which has been referred to the, “Bridge to Bridge walk”.  The walk started from the East side of the Speed River walking trail accessed from the Speedvale Ave. Bridge towards the Woodlawn Bridge.  As the footsteps rounded the pathway just meters from the low lying woods near the Woodlawn Bridge, there it was glittering in the sunlight. 

The beautifully decorated 3.5 ft. small pine tree was easy to spot just to the left of the path. Tiny red bows, a set of battery operated colorful lights, and a few ornaments adorned this tree in the woods. Underneath the tree lay a few presents marked with a Christmas tag which read, “To:  You, From: Secret Santa” A card dangled on the tree in a plastic sleeve marked, “PLEASE READ ME!” 

Looking around to see if anyone else was around besides the birds flying above.  Nostalgic feelings of past Christmas’s were brought up which brought a smile.  The card read, “Season’s Greetings to EVERYONE WHO READS THIS…..”  It spoke about random acts of kindness and Christmas being a time of giving.  “If you receive a gift, please enjoy it and consider doing a little something to pay it forward.  I hope it brings delight to all who notice it.” 

The world can be such a very busy place, Thank you to the kind soul who took the time to leave this very thoughtful message.  “Be as Kind as you can as the world needs it!”  This certainly made the day and helped to restore joy in the holiday season.  Hopefully many will benefit from this beautiful Act of Kindness!

 

Talk soon, 

 

Nancy

Filed Under: Travelling Thoughts, Uncategorized Tagged With: Be Kind, christmas, Christmas Tree, Guelph, guelphproud, Holidays, Random Act of Kindness, Riverside Park, Secret Santa, wandering wellington county

In Conversation With Santee Smith

November 8, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

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The River Run was very lucky to have an Internationally recognized Indigenous performing arts leader Santee Smith to launch the new, Miijidaa Life Stories speakers series.  Entering the Cooperators Hall you could sense it would be an intimate evening filled with insight into the life of a creative soul.

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The stage was set with beautiful costumes and 2 chairs one which was guest, Santee Smith and the other was taken by host, Cameron Smillie who wears many hats in both the corporate and the performing arts world.  The night began with host asking Santee a few questions about the very beginnings of her life.  Here is a link to one of her past performances, https://ca.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcasa&p=santee+smith+performances#id=1&vid=dc32e16c556d47d42d02114c9a408845&action=view.

Santee shared with the audience that she is from the Turtle Clan, Six Nations of the Grand River, Haldimand Treaty territory.  She shared with us that she is a proud Mother to a 20-year-old daughter who is currently studying at the University, and like most parents could not believe where the time went.

It was hard to imagine what the early years of life were like for the beautiful women who took centre stage.  She had endured much hardship in the early years and mentioned many of the events she did not remember.  At age 3 she had endured the first of three accidents which left a major impression on the life of such a young soul.

At the young age of just 3 years old she was run over in a car by her Grandmother.  She endured many injuries and was hospitalized for over 3 months and many weeks of rehabilitation to learn to walk again.  Then recovering from this injury she was riding on a bicycle with her father who was at the time a carefree 20 something year old riding down a hill with his baby girl strapped on the back of his bike with a homemade carrier and by the time they had made it down to the bottom she had somehow fallen off the bike with her ankle caught in the spokes of the wheel facing the opposite direction.

With three accidents at the age of just 3 years old she needed to regain strength and with her dancing ability at such a young age she began her journey of entering the world of ballet.  She shared with the audience that thru her natural talents and her dedication she was accepted in the National Ballet School at age 11.  So at that preadolescent age she left home and studied.  Her close-knit family would call her and tell her she, “She could come home at any time, that they would just come and pick her up”.  However by the end of the call she shares she would feel better and carry on with her love and passion of the dance world. 

Dance and the performing arts was Santee’s whole world and left little for much else.  She finally became disillusioned with the dance world, and left at Grade 11 to explore other options.  She didn’t realize there was another world outside of dance until she began exploring what every other young women at the age explores, which she giggled and said “included a few parties along the way!”

She ended up going back to school and entered University and gained a degree in Kinesiology and thought she would work a physical therapist until she entered the profession and realized it was not for her.  Her love of psychology that she minored in allowed for more schooling and she eventually realized that she wanted to return back to the performing arts.

We watched 3 short films which showcased a few of Santee’s work.  The audience could gain a better insight into the creative force who sat in front of us, with the host describing how Santee’s ability to process the start and finish of each production with all of the elements such as idea, dance, choreograph, design, execution many times are the sole work of the multi talented artist.

When asked what is next by host you could tell that may take a whole other evening of conversation with Santee to delve into her world and share her vision for the future of her arts, including the Kawa:wi Dance Theatre which has served as a vehicle for Smith’s practice for than a decade.  She founded the theatre in 2005, Kaha:wi means “to carry” in Mohawk.

She was available for a VIP experience of post show Meet & Greet which took place in the Sleeman Atrium.  Here is a link with some of her students at her performing arts centre, https://ca.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcasa&p=santee+smith+performances#id=5&vid=921d0693d8a508735bff8388abea67f5&action=view

I look forward to more performances at the River Run Centre, here is a listing of upcoming “WHAT”S ON”, http://riverrun.ca/events/whats-on/?event_search=&event_month=&event_category=river-run-presents

Talk soon ~

 

Nancy

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment Tagged With: blogger, Entertainment, Guelph, Live Performances, River Run Centre, Royal City, Santee Smith, Theatre & Arts Community, wandering wellington county

Jason Raso “Funktet”

October 27, 2018 by nancy

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I attended my first Jason Raso performance last night, and I can tell you it will not be my last.  What a wonderful intimate evening with local Guelphite Bassist, Jason and his “Funktet”, http://riverrun.ca/whats-on/the-jason-raso-funktet/.   They kicked off the Borealis Music Series at the River Run Centre last night to a full house of Jazz loving attendees. 

My daughter Meaghan who was my date for the evening, is in grade 7 and just starting her musical journey.  She chose the trumpet as an instrument to play in her music class.  She was watching the 6 piece band playing and I knew she had her eye on the trumpet when she nudged me and whispered, “Mom could I get my own mouthpiece?”  I gave her a hug and whispered back, “of course Meaghan!”, being that I played trumpet in the high school band I knew the importance of having something of your own in the musical instrument world.  I secretly can’t wait for her to come home for the first time carrying thru the door her school loaner trumpet for the weekend.

 Jason the bassist lead guitar player and his band, include a trumpet, keyboard, guitar, saxophone, and a drummer. They began their first set with the spotlight on the trumpet soloist.   Band leader, Jason Raso began strumming along, slowly introducing all of the 6 piece “Funktet”.   I had always wanted to attend one of Jason’s performance’s.  He has been performing for crowds for over two decades and is very well-respected within the local community and is a very busy professional playing worldwide. Check out his website here, https://www.jasonrasomusic.com/.

Memories of my first live Jazz performances came flooding back during the night.  My first real introduction to live Jazz was in Montreal nightclub, I will never forget the first time I sat and listened to a bluesy live jazz performer in a smokey club in Montreal.  My mother’s love of Diana Washington & Ella Fitzgerald playing loudly in the background of my youth also helped to in grain the love of Jazz.

One of my favorite songs of the night titled Eviction, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DET6ZZf3NoY .  He shared with the audience his inspiration for the writing of the song came from a photo he saw of a beautiful shiny expensive guitar sitting in a room of what looked to be someone who was down on their luck.

During this song I had visualized a troubled soul who had to choose to sell their instrument at a pawn shop just to survive. This image along with the haunting sounds of the band conjured up feelings of loss and sadness of long forgotten dreams.  Oh, the power of music to paint such a vivid portrait of the human condition.

Later in the evening he dedicated a song to his father.  Pointing him out in the audience he joked that the last time he had done that his father had excused himself to the facilities, the audience roared.  These comments and others felt like you were part of his family and maybe sitting in his living room watching the live performance, which I am sure many of the attendees in this cozy venue would agree upon.  If you ever get a chance to attend or listen to his music I highly recommend that you do so.

 

Talk soon,

 

Nancy

 

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment Tagged With: Bassist, blogger, Entertainment, Guelph, Guelph Proud, guelphproud, Jason Raso, Jazz, Live Performance, LiveJazz, Musicians, River Run Centre, travel blogger, wandering wellington county

Cirque Eloize Saloon

October 15, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

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The performance of the Cirque Eloize Saloon was riveting for all in the audience who were lucky enough to attend a sold out performance at the River Run Centre in our Royal City.  The theatrical musical acrobatic play began with the sound of a train coming into town with just the sight of a headlight in the darkness, centre stage was a cowboy hat western musician playing the banjo.  It certainly set the tone of a good ol Western frontier with all of the elements you would expect a saloon, train, horses and unlike a lot of Westerns an amazing cast of acrobatic performances who’s performance left you on the edge of your seat. 

The Montreal based Cirque Eloize has been entertaining crowds since 1993.  The inspiration for this award-winning leading contemporary circus is lead by ringleader Jeannot Painchaud, who is President and CEO of this amazing group of over 100 individuals who make up this talented touring show.  Mr. Painchaud said in an interview once, “I got into the circus because I used to dream of traveling the entire globe.  It’s the most accessible, most beautiful way that I’ve found to do it.” 

Watching the audiences reactions I noticed a middle-aged man in front of me, who had a smile and an almost child like grin on his face the entire time during the performance.  This was the magic of the 90 minute performance it transported you to another world, the Wild West Circus world!

My 12-year-old daughter belongs to the Centre Wellington Children’s Drama Club, performed a play called the Great Canadian WEastern last year and she shared with me this brought back memories of her Western play.  She nudged me on a few occasions and commented, “Wow, they must really trust each other”, as the amazing artists displayed impressive strength and agility when they performed the many acts. 

We watched a performer twirling inside a Cyr wheel, which was invented by co-founder of the Cirque Eloize and graduate of the Montreal’s National Circus School.  I cannot imagine the sheer strength & many hours of perfecting their trade  it takes to maneuver the many moves they did, with the Arial straps, Chinese Pole, wooden planks and juggling.

My girlfriend who attended the performance with me said one of her favorite parts was the slow motion reverse and forward which was all in perfect timing during their saloon fight scene.  The performance included much of the Canadian history of building the railroad, gold rush, infused with lots of humor and don’t forget every Western needs a good romance too.  The entire show included live music with banjo, fiddle, guitar, piano and amazing vocals.

This performance is the first of The Wooly Pub Family Series, check out the River Run Centre for a full list of all of the performances taking place this 2018-2019 season, http://riverrun.ca/.

 

Talk soon ~

Nancy

 

 

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment Tagged With: adventures, arts and entertainment, blogger, Guelph, River Run Centre, wandering wellington county

Meet Larry Mellott

August 24, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

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HOW DID YOU GET THAT JOB

 

WHO ARE YOU?

Name: Larry Mellott

Birthplace: Barrie Ontario

Where do you live? Guelph Ontario

Career: Radio Broadcaster

 

Congratulations Larry, you are celebrating 30 years of employment at Corus Entertainment (CJOY/Magic106.1)?

30 consecutive years, from 1988-present, with an additional 8 years from 1974-82, then out west at a couple of different radio stations for 6 years. I’ve worked in radio for 48 years.

You are known in the Guelph Community as the, “Voice of the Guelph Storm”.  Please tell us a little more about what your role is with the Guelph Hockey Team?

I’am the radio play by play voice of the Storm and broadcast every game they play, including 5 Memorial Cup tournaments. My first year broadcasting Guelph hockey was with the Platers in 1975.

WHAT does community mean to you? 

Many radio signals are clearly heard in our city from other towns. Some of them play exactly the same music. What they can’t do is focus on the many events that happen in Guelph and make themselves available to get involved on a personal level. Community means interacting with what’s going on in your city, on air and off air!

WHAT would your listeners say about you?

I’ve listened to you since I was a kid! Honestly I’ve heard that observation as much as anything. That’s what happens when you’ve been on the air “forever” in one place.

 WHAT changes have you seen within your 30 years in the industry?

I’ve gone from seeing 2 or 3 turntables in the studio to 2 or 3 computers. Interaction on social media has played a big part in how the job is handled, that didn’t exist to any great extent until the last 5 years or so.

WHERE do you find Inspiration?

Reaction from listeners when they let us know about the impact we have on them, with the entertainment, information and insight we provide.

Favorite quote / and or a favorite person?

Child-hood idol, who’s never been replaced over the years, hockey legend Gordie Howe. You can’t be a Canadian, or least not a Canadian hockey fan, without having a favorite player! I interviewed him twice and the legend was a humble, gracious man, easy to talk to and easy to respect and admire.

WHY did you choose this career, or did it choose you?

I wasn’t good enough to be a serious hockey players, but the opportunity existed to be a serious hockey play by play broadcaster.

Tell us something people usually don’t know about you?

The old line used to be “you don’t look like you sound”…I was never quite sure how to react to that!

WHAT did you want to be as a child?

If I couldn’t become a successful athlete I wanted to be involved in sports somehow, this job worked!

 

5 FUN FACTS ABOUT LARRY?

  • My wife, 2 of our 3 children and all 3 of our grandchildren were born in Guelph
  • Guelph has been my home for 38 years, far longer than any other place I’ve lived
  • Former Guelph mayor and long-time CJOY new and sports director Norm Jary was my hockey play by play mentor, a great teacher and friend
  • I’ve served as CJOY PD for 26 years now, longer than any one of the other 3 who served in that position over the years
  • My grandfather was from Pennsylvania. We had 54 ancestors fight in the American Civil War, all for the Union, no rebels!

 

 


Contact Information:
* (Where can people find your business/organization)

 

Emaill Address:    lmellott@cjoy.com      

Website: cjoy.com

Phone: 519-824-7000

 

Thanks Larry for sharing a little more about you.  Guelph is so lucky to have you & thank you for sharing “YOUR VOICE” with the community.  CJOY is celebrating 70 years in 70 days.  Larry will be at the Guelph Rib fest for the 1460 CJOY wrap up event, he is broadcasting LIVE.

 

Talk soon,

 

Nancy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: How Did You Get That Job? Tagged With: 1460 CJOY, CJOY, CORUS, CORUS Entertainment, Guelph, How did you get that job, larry mellott, Radio Broadcaster

JUST GIVE IT ALL YOU HAVE!

March 25, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

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Sometimes in life your kind of cruising along, then you hear something that just sticks with you.  You know that light bulb kind of Eureka moment?  

I was out with an old friend last night, which I had not seen in a while.  You know the one who shares the ups and downs on this road called life!  We went to the https://medieval.academy/ in Guelph, as I had heard how much fun it was to throw AXES and KNIVES around.

I must admit I was feeling a little nervous after we had signed the waivers; especially when they reviewed things like,  “Don’t swing it this way, because if you do……”.  Well I will not go in to details, but you can imagine?  We had these metal pointy things in our reach, I took the smallest one in my hand,  I was a little shaky.   I could smell the newly greased edges on the blades and watched them glisten in the light with marks left from past patrons. 

I glanced at my friends face and her eyes where lit up and she squealed with delight, “I really like this!”  She had just thrown this huge metal object at the bulls-eye marker, and she had struck it right in the middle of the marker.  I think she found a new favorite sport, or as they say properly “Activity”.

What happened for me last night, was a light bulb moment of sorts.  I looked at her as she swung the axe and asked her,  “How do you do that?”  She said, “JUST GIVE IT ALL YOU HAVE!”  MMM… isn’t that just so true.   I took the big axe in my hand as she suggested big is better and I swung it like it was the last thing to do before I took my final breath.  You know what? That bloody thing hit the mark. 

Just like that, I was in the moment AXE in hand and just, “GAVE IT MY ALL”; man what a freeing feeling!   At that moment nothing else seemed to matter.  You know those things like laundry, work, aging parents, kids, and the everyday aches and pains of life. 

Who knew throwing these weapons could be so bloody freeing.  I joked with her, “this is better than therapy?”  We both laughed and nodded at each other.  It was the kind of nod only shared with an old/new kind of bonding experience of hanging out on a Saturday night without any expectations.

We knew then, (or maybe it was just me who finally figured it out), that this life stuff is better when you share,  not only your tears but also those cool vibes with your tribe.

Sometimes it isn’t those big things in life, but rather those quiet times, that just kind of make you smile, and you know in your heart, “THANKS, I get it now!”

PS. Thanks Kim, for braiding my hair at my grade 8 graduation, and being that sister I never had xxx.

Talk Soon ~

Nancy

Filed Under: Adventures, Uncategorized Tagged With: adventures, adventures in my backyard, eureka moments, fear, friendship, Guelph, inspiration, justdoit, light bulb moment, wandering wellington county, wellington county

The Ghost Island Light at the Guelph Little Theatre

March 19, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

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Did you want to know a little secret about the Opening Night of the production, “The Ghost Island Light”, which is taking place at the Guelph Little Theatre on April 6th.  The famed playwright who reside’s in California, Peter Colley will be in attendance for the Gala evening performance. 

Since we are sharing secrets, here is another little secret I will let you know about, is that this Wandering Wellington County will be having its first CONTEST, to give a pair of tickets away to one of THE GHOST ISLAND LIGHT, performances.  The third secret is that we may be able to interview the playwright on the evening of the Gala, (just maybe if we are lucky).

If you cannot wait any longer to know a little bit more about this great upcoming play.  Tickets will sell out quickly so be sure to purchase yours today!

Guelph Little Theatre presents The Ghost Island Light
Director: Pamela Niesiobedzki-Curtis & Jayne Simpson

Ghost Island Light is renowned Canadian Playwright Peter Colley’s brand new comedic thriller. You will experience sitting on the edge of your seat moments, interspersed with funny comedic flashes right to the unexpected twist at the end. And while this circa 1910 lighthouse is stuck on a barren rock island with cramped quarters for an older inexperienced keeper, his beautiful young wife and his charming assistant, you will vividly experience thrills and flashbacks to an age gone by.

The eerie sounds of broken organ pipes, thrashing waves upon this thin wooden structure, the haunting beauty of riverboats carrying debutants along a foggy but rocky coast, will instill terror in your heart with the fear that the ever-present stream of light will go out.

Oh please let us hear those loud resonating sounds of the equipment necessary to ensure the light stays on. It must stay on. There are evil spirits lurking in the shadows, definitely haunting this light….and the seagulls scream outside. Do you dare venture forth to experience these thrill at the Ghost Island Light?

 

See you at the performance!

Talk soon  ~

 

Nancy

 

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Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment Tagged With: Arts & Entertainment, Comic Thriller, Contest, Guelph, Guelph Little Theatre, Peter Colley, The Ghost Island, Theatre

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Meet Nancy

Wandering Wellington County developed from Nancy incorporating all her passions into one - travelling, writing & building connections within the community.

Nancy lives, works and plays in Wellington County along with her "little people". If you have an event or story you would like to share we would love to connect.

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