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jubilee in january: a review

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Pictou County musicians rocked the roof before a full house at Glasgow Square Theatre along the New Glasgow Riverfront during the first ever Jubilee in January performance on Saturday evening. A celebration of Pictou County talent, the night of musical performances featured artists with Pictou County roots who have become among our region's finest music ambassadors and was also a fund raiser for the New Glasgow Riverfront Music Society.

Opening act was Fleur Mainville, Pictou County's sweetheart, who showcased the songs of her new CD accompanied by the "Godfather" of the Pictou County music scene Dave Gunning. Fleur's voice filled the auditorium with a lyrical, sweetness that tugs at the heart strings but also a growing power that filled the Glasgow Square auditorium. Her hit single, Black is the Colour Of My True Loves Hair, is fast becoming an iconic classic for Mainville and puts her in a class of her own among Celtic singing angels. Her version of Bedlam Boys with Matt Campbell, Dale Wilson and Troy Arsenault of Alert the Medic blew the roof off with amazing energy and musical acumen, and offered shades of her Celtic Rock days with Mackeel.

Gunning and Mainville together were pure magic. A performance by 10 year old Hannah Fraser demonstrated the next generation of Pictou County musicians is in talented hands that just spill out great music. Mainville and Gunning together provide not only harmonies that are a natural fit but their friendship allows them to deliver quips and wit that is comfortable and at ease. Gunning, the master of storytelling and folk, was his usually endearing self. He had the audience in the palm of his hands with Made on a Monday and These Hands. His rendition of Long Black Veil closed the first half of the program with powerful vocals and a guitar solo that demonstrated his incredible musicality and guitar skills.

Alert the Medic, with lead vocals by Ryan MacDonald, and band members Campbell, Wilson and Arsenault started the second half with an acoustic set that showcased the musical depth of this high energy rock group. Alert the Medic had the audience enthralled and in the palm of their hands with fan favorites from both of their albums. Cellist Catherine Little added classical nuances that had the crowd intrigued and fit beautifully with the acoustic flavour of Alert the Medic's high energy presentation.

The Stanfields, a folk, bluegrass influenced Celtic Rock band were the perfect finish to what many hope to be an annual show. Lead singer Jon Landry reverberates with energy and personality. Landry along with Craig Eugene Harris, Mark Murphy, Jason MacIsaac and Jason Wright gave themselves totally to the performance and left nothing behind. Along with some tried and true favorites, the Stanfields tested out a new acoustic piece that showcased their vast talents not only through rich harmonized vocals but through guitar, bouzouki and mandolin. Every show by this no holds barred dynamic group is delivered as if it were their last and there were no regrets. The Stanfields had the house hopping and the widely diverse audience all begging for more.

The finale featured a stage overflowing with homegrown talent with all acts on stage. The evening had a real Jubilee flavour with a wide range of genres and audience demographic, giving evidence that the New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee is one that Pictou County musicians have taken ownership of and great pride in. Jubilee Chair Steven Wark presented each group with a token of appreciation for their contributions towards the Jubilee fund raiser. Host and Executive Director Carleton Munroe interviewed each act on the impact of the Jubilee on their musical careers.

Fleur Mainville says that having her name on the same bill and sharing the stage with the incredible talent that has come to the Jubilee has defined her career. " The Jubilee is not only recognized locally but has reached a world audience,” says Mainville " What an incredible event to have in our own backyard!"

Dave Gunning affirms Mainville's thoughts. "I am a proud Pictou County boy for sure and we should all be proud of the Jubilee," says Gunning. "The financial injection into the Pictou County music community as well as the spin-offs that boost summer revenue for other local businesses makes this festival a very important part of our local economy. It certainly always a treat for me to get to play a show at home that has such a great production and that is so well run behind the scenes."

“The New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee will always hold a special place deep in the heart of Alert the Medic,” says lead vocalist Ryan MacDonald. “We recall the days of being spectators at this larger than life event; watching McKeel blow the shingles from the roof. Big stage, huge sound and a spectacular light show stirred aspirations of someday being fortunate enough to be a part of this grand festival. We were obviously shaking with excitement when invited to perform, as RUDY, in our first Jubilee almost a decade ago. From that moment forward, The Riverfront Jubilee has been pivotal in the growth and development of Alert the Medic.”

For many Pictou County musicians, the Jubilee it is a rite of passage where they have honed and grown their talents and enabled them to perform, not only before a hometown crowd, but before visitors from across Canada, the US and beyond while performing and sharing the headlines with the best in the business from across North America.

“These artists are our best ambassadors-they introduce people to our region through their stories, songs and character. They make us proud and they make others want to be here,” says the Jubilee’s Executive Director Munroe. “Once again they came through, donating their time and talents. We are extremely grateful. The magic of music contributed to a once in a lifetime event that transcend ages and genres that sometimes separates us to create what truly the diverse music of our County. And this is what a good festival does- it reflects the strengths of its community. It was a night to remember. It had that special Jubilee vibe and we hope is the first of many Jubilee in January events.

Jubilee in January sponsors and partners were Sobeys, Alexander Keith’s, Country Inn & Suites, Rita’s Cosy Corner, XFM 98.9 Antigonish, Big Dog 100.9 Truro, 101.5 The Hawk, Eastlink TV, Mainstay Security, and the Town of New Glasgow.
 

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