Heather Latter
An array of performers took to the stage last Thursday evening during a fundraising talent show that kicked off the 2016 season of the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts.
“The talent show went very well,” enthused Festival committee chair David Schwartz.
“I was very happy with the number of people that were there.”
“I was sort of worried with the change of venue but I was presently surprised,” admitted vice-chair Cynthia Donald, referring to the second-annual event being held at McMillan Hall (Knox United Church) instead of at Robert Moore School.
“But we had an excellent crowd,” she added, estimating more than 100 were in attendance.
And Donald was pleased with the 15 performers who showcased their talents.
“It was a good variety,” she remarked, noting there were singers, dancers, gymnasts, and musicians playing the guitar, piano, and violin.
“It was a nice mix of the kids who have been in the Festival and those who’s talent is emerging or they are developing it,” Donald said.
“We had some issues with lights and sound, but I think the audience was forgiving and it still showcased a lot of wonderful talent,” she reasoned.
“[Fort Frances] Little Theatre will be getting some lights in there and I’m sure we’ll have the technical issues worked out for next time,” added Donald.
A bake sale also was held in conjunction with the talent show and there were plenty of tasty treats for the audience to purchase.
“There was very little baking left so I know that went well,” Schwartz noted.
He said the point of the talent show was to get people excited and thinking about this year’s Festival.
“And I think it did that,” Schwartz remarked, noting the Festival’s 2016 syllabus was unveiled at the show, with copies on hand for those interested to take home.
“We’ve tried to keep all the old classes but we’ve added some new ones, especially in the instrumental [division],” he explained.
“We want to try and expand that a little bit.”
Schwartz added the piano and vocal divisions have changed a bit, too.
“We tried to streamline it to make it easier to understand,” he said.
As well, Schwartz announced at the talent show that the local Festival has joined the Associated Manitoba Arts Festivals (AMAF).
“There are several benefits to joining,” he noted.
“Number one is we get access to their resources, such as new information for the drama division, if we wish,” he said.
The committee also received a list of adjudicators, which helps in finding those who are accredited and close enough to drive to the district.
“We’re now covered under their umbrella insurance, which is a significant cost-savings to the Festival and actually offsets the cost of joining them,” Schwartz added.
“And we can call them if we have any questions.
“Their years of experience can really help if we get stuck on something,” he reasoned.
Schwartz said the final benefit is being eligible for the provincial competition.
“If anybody achieves an exceptional level, and the adjudicator deems them good enough, they can actually attend the provincial Festival, which is the end of May in Brandon, Man.,” he noted.
“If they are considering going for provincial recommendation, I am recommending they order a copy of [that] syllabus,” Schwartz suggested, noting it is $15 payable to AMAF.
“The Festival does have two copies [so] if someone has a question or needs a quick overview, we could certainly help them with that,” he added.
Meanwhile, Schwartz said entries now are being accepted for the local Festival—and that all are welcome to participate.
“It’s a fun and rewarding opportunity for people to showcase, develop, and nurture their dramatic and/or musical abilities,” noted Donald.
She said people of all ages can participate—from kindergarten to adult—in individual, small group, or large group performances.
“You don’t have to have a teacher to enter and you don’t need to be taking formal lessons,” Donald stressed.
“If you can memorize, read, sing, or play an instrument, you can participate.”
Entry forms, as well as the syllabus and resource manual for 2016, are available on the Festival website (www.ff-festival.com).
The divisions include vocal (April 6-8), English and French drama (April 11-15), piano (April 18-22), and instrumental (April 21-22).
The cost to enter starts at $10 per entry, with the entry deadline being Feb. 26.
Entries can be sent to Festival Entries, P.O. Box 806, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3N1 or dropped off at Gillons’ Insurance (326 Church St.)
Donald noted the Festival also is hoping a previous participant will stage a drama workshop for those youngsters who are thinking about entering.
“Even if you are not taking music lessons or vocal lessons, maybe you feel you could get out there and present a poem, reading, or monologue and she could give you some helpful hints,” Donald suggested.
“She is a teacher and I think it would be a good fit, so we’re working on that,” she added, noting people should watch for more information.
“I’m feeling very good about the 2016 season,” Schwartz enthused. “I’m very excited about it.”
He added the committee always is looking for donations and volunteers in order to make the Festival a success.
For more information, call him at 274-6031.
