I pondered for a way to kick off this week’s column but, in the end, decided to recycle what I wrote two years ago. All I’ve changed is the date… and the start time.
“This segment is for the Glengarry classical music lovers out there. I know you exist but — in a rural setting where the word ‘music’ is typically accompanied by the adjective Country or Celtic — are often afraid to show your true colours. I bring glad tidings of great joy. The Glengarry Pioneer Museum is hosting a classical music concert on Thursday, July 11thstarting at 7:00 PM.”
Please note that the museum advanced the start time by an hour, from 8 PM to 7 PM, as a compromise between the “under the stars” promise and the reality of heavy evening dew playing havoc with the tuning of the instruments.
This year’s concert will feature cellist NoëlCampbell, a native of Alexandria. A member of the talented Campbell Trio, Noëlis a two-time Grand Prize winner of the Concours de talent de l’est Ontarien. Violinists Anastasia Virlan and Olga Semionova from Montreal will accompany him. The museum had hoped to bring back NÜ TRIO, the classical string ensemble that performed in 2017. However, bassist Matthew Goulet had an accident and, at the last moment, violinist Veronika Cherniak discovered she was double-booked. However, Veronika did arrange for NÜ TRIO’s replacement and assures me no one will be disappointed.
If the weather on the 11thlooks iffy, don’t despair. The concert will be held… rain or shine. The Dunvegan Recreation Association has kindly offered to host the event in their hall (19053 County Road 24) if storm clouds are on the horizon. However, organizers are hoping the Weather Network will cooperate and that the concert can be held outdoors at twilight. Audience members are reminded to bring their favourite lawn chair or a blanket and an ample supply of bug spray. If you wish, you can even bring a picnic supper and dine al fresco before the concert. And for those who prefer history to competing with ants for their supper, the museum tells me their buildings and exhibits will be open to the public before the concert.
While there’s no formal admission, organizers are counting on the audience’s generosity to cover the musicians’ honouraria and, hopefully, have some left over for the museum’s coffers. Volunteers will pass around a hat at intermission time. The suggested donation is $15 per person.
Art… not in a park
Just as classical music is returning to Dunvegan this summer, so is the Glengarry Artists’ Collective. Building on last year’s successful exhibition, the non-profit association of local artists will be showcasing close to100 works of art by 31 local artists. The group’s second annual exhibition at the museum will include ceramics, wood carving and works on slate, glass, saw blades and traditional painting materials like paper and canvas.
The nine-day exhibition starts this coming Saturday, July 6thand runs until Sunday, July 14th. Its hours are the museum’s hours, which you can check by visiting GlengarryPioneerMuseum.ca.A few artists from the Collective will always be on hand throughout the show to answer questions and discuss their work. I’m fairly sure two talented Dunveganites(Sarah Jane Raymond and Brenda Kennedy) and one honourary Dunveganite (Flip Flockton)will have works on display.
If you’re an art junkie, you’ll no doubt want to attend the Collective’s vernissage on Saturday, July 6thfrom 1:00 to 4:00 PM. The term “vernissage” actually means a private viewing of art works in advance of a public exhibition. However, the Collective has adopted a looser interpretation of the term and their vernissage is open to the general public. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet the artists, view their work and hit the refreshment table. Please note that the museum has waived the normal entry fee for those attending the vernissage. In other words, admission for art lovers on Saturday, from 1:00 to 4:00, is free.
A Tisket A Tasket
One last museum-related item. Details of the Glengarry Pioneer Museum’s Indigenous Basket Making lecture and demonstration have finally been worked out. The event will take place on Sunday July 21ststarting at 2 PM. Admission (which includes the basket making presentation and access to the rest of the museum site) is $10 per person, or $5 for members. If you’d like to try your hand at these traditional weaving techniques, there will also be a workshop following the lecture. So the organizers know how much material to have on hand for workshop participants, you must register in advance by calling the museum at 613-527-5230. The all-in price for the basket weaving lecture and the workshop where you will make a woven bookmark is a flat rate of $30, for members and non-members alike.
Bluebird of happiness?
I’m not exactly sure why I did it, but I had my daughter, Ursula Sweitzer, help me set up a Twitter account: “Dunvegan… Now & Then” with the Twitter handle (I believe that’s what it’s called) of “@DunveganJames.” Whether I learn to use this new tool — or leave it to collect dust on its digital shelf — remains to be seen. But I do see a speck of light at the end of the Twitter tunnel. I already have one follower.
Apologies to Gord
I had wanted to include an important initiative by Duneganite Gord White to shut down the drag strip (now freshly paved) that is County Road 24 from the crossroads to the top of the hill west of the hamlet, but I’ve run out of time and space. I’ll have to fill you in on his efforts to fight County Hall in next week’s column.
And the winner is…
While we’re on the topic of County Road 24 west of the hamlet, I wanted to mention that if there were a prize for the prettiest house in Dunvegan, Brian and Karen Campbell would win it handily. Every time I drive by their new abode with its inviting front porch and immaculate landscaping, it looks plucked from the pages of Country Livingmagazine. Well done, guys.
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