‘tour de Fort’ needs to sell more passports Also looking for board members

With all six “tour de Fort” shows lined up for the 2004-05 season, spokesman Gary Rogozinski is hoping the passports, which are on sale now, move a lot better than last year.
“My biggest concern, and the concern of the entire board, is that last year we only sold 300 passports. We have to sell 400 just to break even,” he said Friday morning.
“This is the 11th ‘tour de Fort’ season, and it’s been quite successful since it began. It’s always been sold out—until last year.
“Everybody on the board’s jaws dropped and they said, ‘What happened?’” added Rogozinski, noting it’s possible potential passport-buyers were under the impression they already were sold out.
“We really need to sell more passports this year if people want to see ‘tour de Fort’ continue,” he stressed, adding that rising costs—such as rental of the Townshend Theatre and booking the acts themselves—don’t make the situation any easier.
Rogozinski said the board once again has gone all out to deliver a variety of performers for “tour de Fort” passport-holders.
The first show, slated for Monday, Sept. 27, will feature “Don Herron and Friends,” who are part of the Canadian Organization of Senior Artists and Performers.
“It’s top-notch,” Rogozinski said of Herron, who used to be on the old TV show “Laugh In.”
“There’s signing, dancing, a comedy routine,” he added. “It would be great if we could get tons of seniors to come out and see these performers and what they can do.”
Then on Friday, Oct. 29, pianist Jim Witter will perform his tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel, titled “The Piano Men.” Rogozinski called Witter an excellent musician who puts on a professional show.
Then renowned country music singer Michelle Wright will take to the stage here Tuesday, Nov. 23.
The award-winning Canadian songstress has won accolades ranging from the Socan Song of the Year in 2001 (for her tune, “I Surrender”) to an Academy of Country Music Award (top new female vocalist of 1993).
She also has won Juno Awards (country female vocalist for 1993 and 1995) and a Canadian Country Music Association Award (female artist of the year in 2000).
Rogozinski, who couldn’t say enough goods things about Wright, noted she’s the “big act” tour de Fort organizers signed for this season.
“The passports cost $85—that’s roughly $14 a concert,” he remarked. “You could see buying a passport as paying to see Michelle Wright, and then getting another five concerts for free.”
Greek guitarist Pavlo, a Juno nominee, will perform here Tuesday, Jan, 11. His music is a fusion of Flamenco, Latin, classical, and Mediterranean guitar mixed together with the Greek Bouzouki.
His dynamic performance includes letting the music move him around the stage, with a flair for dramatic flourishes. “He moves like Tom Jones,” said Rogozinski. “The women will really enjoy it.”
Acclaimed Acadian singer/songwriter Lennie Gallant will heat things up Saturday, Feb. 26. The winner of 13 East Coast Music Awards, Gallant also was named to the Order of Canada last year.
The final show of the season will see “The Bills” bring their own brand of folk and roots music here Wednesday, March 9.
With fiddles, accordions, mandolins, guitars, and more in tow, the Vancouver Island quintet play everything from Quebec folk songs to Tin Pan Alley tunes and Broadway musical numbers.
“They play pretty much any music you can think of,” said Rogozinski. “And they’re funny.”
All shows start at 7:30 p.m. at the Townshend Theatre, unless otherwise noted prior to the date of the event.
Passports are available on-line (www.tourdefort.com), as well as at the Fort Frances Public Library, Clover Valley Farmers’ Market, and Gillons’ Insurance Brokers (Fort Frances and Emo locations).
They also are available from all board members, including Rogozinski (274-3704) and Karon Kaminski (274-2895).
Rogozinski noted tour de Fort won’t be presenting any “extra” shows this season because the group can’t afford to book any more acts due to the low passport sales last year.
In related news, tour de Fort’s board of directors will be holding its annual meeting this Wednesday (Sept. 8) at 8 p.m. at Toonies.
Rogozinski noted anyone interested in assisting with tour de Fort is encouraged to attend.
Not only would the board like to fill three seats, it also welcomes anyone who wants to get involved with tour de Fort in any way, whether that be arranging hospitality for performers, doing behind-the-scenes technical work at a concert, or doing set-up and take down before and after shows.