Country artists The Wilkinsons will hit the Townshend Theatre stage here tomorrow night (Sept. 20) as the first performance of the 2007-08 “tour de Fort” season.
Hailing from Belleville, Ont., the father, son, and daughter trio have released five albums, with several well-known singles including “26 Cents” and “Jimmy’s Got a Girlfriend.”
“The Wilkinsons are very well-known. We’ve had a lot of people totally excited that they are going to be here,” noted Kerri Zucchiatti, sponsorship/advertising director for tour de Fort.
She said it’s going to be an extra special evening because it is the 100th concert in tour de Fort’s history—and the beginning of its 15th season.
“We’re going to have a special night for our passport-holders and sponsors. We’re going to have refreshments and the Wilkinsons really, really want to meet with the crowd,” she enthused.
Zucchiatti added passports are still available for the 2007-08 season, but stressed they are going fast. So anyone interested in attending The Wilkinsons performance should purchase one as soon as possible.
“There’s not too many left,” she warned. “We had a real success selling them at our last concert of last season.”
With the “big names” that are on the roster for this season, along with the variety of performances and how the dates of the shows are spread out, Zucchiatti said she’s not surprised the passports have sold quickly.
They will be on sale at tomorrow night’s concert, as well as every Saturday at the Clover Valley Farmers’ Market. They also can be ordered on-line at www.tourdefort.com
The cost is $110 for six shows. They can be paid for via cash, cheque, debit, VISA, and Mastercard. They also can be paid for on an instalment plan using post-dated cheques.
The Wilkinsons are just the beginning in a lineup of great performers this tour de Fort season.
Rounding out the season are Latin songstress Eliana Cuevas (Oct. 9), the soulful stylings of The Official Blues Brothers Revival (Nov. 8), tenor trio Romanza (Nov. 29), folk artist Connie Kaldor (Jan. 17, 2008), and songwriters Matt Anderson, Dave Gunning, and Mike Stevens.
All shows are at 7:30 p.m. at the Townshend Theatre.
Zucchiatti also reminded local youths that they are able to attend any performance this season for $10 as long as they present their student card.
“We just really want to introduce tour de Fort to a younger crowd because it’s vital the youth in this town get interested in cultural events like this,” she remarked.
And “Pass your Passport” also will be in effect again this season. If passport-holders cannot attend a concert and know of someone who would like to go in their place, they are able to give them their passport to use.
In related news, the tour de Fort board held its annual general meeting back on Sept. 5 and saw some member changes.
Christine Denby and Dave Legg have stepped down while newcomer Tara Albanese and former director Gary Rogozinski have joined.
Albanese will be secretary while Rogozinski will be in charge of front of house.
They join president Jim Avis, media relations director Barb MacDonell, programming director Kim Cornell, technical director Timea Fleury, hospitality director Karon Kaminski, treasurer Kevin Nielson, and Zucchiatti.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
