We’re on the cusp of announcing all of our local opening acts – so stayed tuned for a complete list! Just last week, Barbershop Therapy was added to the Morton Community Hall show on Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. They’ll join Fred Penner on this unique wooden stage! Their repertoire reaches back to the roots of the barbershop with old tunes from the 20s all the way to some of the well-known songs of today. Discover other local opening musicians, as well as the most up to date schedule here.
Need a Small Halls fix before the show? Many of the featured artists for this year have videos online that let you sing along and get in the Small Hall mood anytime! For example, The Abrams just released a new video for their song, Spend Your Life with Me, about a week ago and its getting great feedback. See the video here. Love it? See them live at the Festival of Small Halls at Stonefields in Beckwith on the opening night of the Festival, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m., as well as at the McDonald’s Corners Agricultural Hall on Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and at the Westmeath Community Centre on Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m.
In addition, take a peek at East Coast Music Award-nominee Dave Gunning’s inspirational song, These Hands here. He’s playing with Chris Murphy in Toledo at St. Andrew’s United Church on Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and at Union Hall in Mississippi Mills in Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Dave also has something special lined up in September in one of our host communities – something which Ontario Small Halls has never done before for community involvement. We can’t wait to let you know all about it!
Tickets are still moving quickly with several more shows nearing sell out status. We urge you to purchase tickets promptly to avoid disappointment! Don’t forget there are three ways to grab your Festival tickets – online, or by phone at 613.402.1425 or locally. See the schedule to find out where to buy local tickets, denoted with an asterisk on the shows that still have local tickets available.
Once again this weekend, there are amazing community events on the calendar in our host communities. Small towns are the place to be this summer as they roll out the welcome mat and organize banner events celebrating community and old fashioned fun!
The Clayton community is hosting ClaytonFest which sees live music, food, kids games and activities, silent auction, local vendors and even a special PuppetsUp! presentation. For more on that click here.
The Elgin and Area Heritage Society is presenting Mystery at the Old Elgin Town Hall, and Elgin in the 1920s, at 7:30 p.m. on July 26. Held at the one of the Festival host halls, the Red Brick School House, guest speakers include Brian Phillips and Neil Patterson. Free admission! For more details, call Jane at 613.928.3402.
The Kemptville Live Music Festival is bringing the tunes to the open air from July 20 to 23! Drawing attendees and volunteers from several Festival of Small Halls communities, the music fest is featuring numerous bands and artists, including Gordon Lightfoot, Dwight Yoakum, Burton Cummings, and David Wilcox. Find out more here.
The 200-year-old mill stones at the Old Stone Mill National Historic Site in Delta will be turning this Saturday at 1 p.m., grinding heritage wheat into flour. Come see the milling demo July 22 to understand how top quality flour is made. Admission is free (donations accepted). For more info click here.
Did you know that every summer Friday night until Aug. 4, you can roller skate at the Joel Steele Community Centre in Winchester? Music is provided by a DJ and it’s even free admission, courtesy of Winchester’s DairyFest. For many of us that would be a trip down memory lane! Check out more here.
The Chaffey’s Lock and Area Heritage Society is hosting at Hurrah for Summer! Dance with live band Le Meow July 22! Doors and bar open at 7 p.m. and music starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at Brown’s Marina.