The Nostalgia of The Barge in Gravenhurst

RESTORATION MONEY FOR THE BARGE - A GOOD INVESTMENT BY THE TOWN

KILLING THE BUNKER - AN EVEN BETTER PLAN

A NOSTALGIC SUMMER ON THE WAY - LET'S ENJOY IT

IT WAS OPENED BY QUEEN ELIZABETH. IT HAS PLAYED HOST VENUE TO HUNDREDS OF WELL KNOWN GROUPS, OVER MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS. IT OFFERS THOSE HALLMARK MUSKOKA SUMMER NIGHTS, THAT ARE FILLED WITH NOSTALGIA, NEIGHBORLINESS, AND CELEBRATION, IN ONE OF THE REGION'S MOST UNIQUE VENUES……ONE OF THE AREA'S MOST SCENIC AND DYNAMIC PARKS. WE MAY NEVER KNOW HOW CLOSE WE CAME TO LOSING IT, DUE TO FINANCIAL RESTRAINT AND INITIAL COUNCIL RELUCTANCE, TO KEEP THE BARGE IN THE STYLE IT WAS DESIGNED, AND THUSLY MAINTAINED FOR A HALF CENTURY. FORTUNATELY IT HAS BEEN SEEN IN THE POSITIVE LIGHT IT DESERVES, AND FINALLY UNDERSTOOD FOR THE IMPACT IT PROVIDES ON OUR TOWN EACH YEAR. YOU'VE GOT TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT HUGE AUDIENCE, ON CONCERT NIGHT, TO KNOW JUST HOW MUCH IT IS ADORED BY SPECTATORS. AS IT HAS BEEN A TRADITION IN OUR OWN FAMILY FOR DECADES, IT HAS BEEN A MULTI-GENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR MANY COTTAGERS AND HOMETOWNERS, WHO'VE BEEN PRETTY GENEROUS FOR YEARS, DUMPING CHANGE INTO THE DONATION BINS. THE BARGE IS NOSTALGIA IN ACTION. IT IS A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF 1950'S DESIGN FOR THE FUTURE, AND HERE WE ARE, IN 2012, ENJOYING THE SAME VENUE THAT QUEEN ELIZABETH OFFICIALLY OPENED.

IT WAS GOOD TO READ IN THE GRAVENHURST BANNER, THIS MORNING, THAT MONEY HAS BEEN FOUND IN THE BUDGET FOR RESTORATION OF THE BARGE SUPPORT STRUCTURE. I'M ABSOLUTELY THRILLED TO ALSO FIND OUT THAT A $30,000 PREAMBLE EXPENSE, TO COMPANION THE EVENTUAL BUILDING OF AN AMPHITHEATRE, ON THE SHORELINE, HAS BEEN SHELVED. I HOPE IT'S A FOREVER THING, NOT JUST UNTIL SOME GRANT POPS UP OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE. THERE ARE MANY LOW BUDGET WAYS TO IMPROVE SEATING AT THE PARK, WITHOUT CARVING INTO THE SHORELINE. CONSIDER THE FACT, THE BENCHES THAT WERE ANCHORED ON THE HILLSIDE, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WERE REPLACED THIS PAST SEASON, WITH SMALLER UNITS, WHICH CUT DOWN THE AVAILABLE SEATING. THERE WAS LOTS OF ROOM LEFT TO PUT IN MORE BENCHES, BUT INSTEAD WE HAD G-8 INSPIRED BENCHES, POSITIONED ALL AROUND TOWN, THAT NO ONE EVER SAT ON. A LITTLE INGENUITY WOULD COST A LOT LESS THAN $30,000, AND HUNDREDS MORE PARK USERS WOULD BE ACCOMMODATED WITH PRE-ARRANGED SEATING. BUT MOST PATRONS OF THE CONCERT ON THE BARGE, SUMMER PROGRAM, ARE HAPPIEST WHEN THEY'VE SITTING IN THE COMFORTABLE CHAIRS THEY TOTED WITH THEM. WHAT AN AMAZINGLY COST EFFICIENT TOWN EVENT, WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO IT. THERE'S NOT A LOT TO GO WRONG…..EXCEPT WHEN IT RAINS.

THE BARGE DOES NOT NEED A ROOF. IT NEEDS THE USE OF A COLLAPSABLE CANOPY, OR TEMPORARY SHELTER WITH SIDES, THAT COULD BE EMPLOYED ON A SHORT TERM BASIS, TO COVER IMPORTANT ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN, SHORT PERIOD OF RAIN. IF THE RAIN EVENT IS SHORT-LIVED, LIKE A BALL GAME THAT IS TEMPORARILY DELAYED, FOR THE SAME REASON, THE EQUIPMENT CAN BE RE-ASSEMBLED QUICKLY, AND THE CONCERT CAN RESUME. A STAGE-WIDE CANOPY IS PROBABLY TOO UNWIELDY, IN THE EVENT THERE IS WIND WITH THAT RAIN. POSSIBLY ONE OF THE SERVICE CLUBS, OR A LOCAL BUSINESS, MIGHT BE WILLING TO DONATE MONEY TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF SUCH A CANOPY, THAT COULD BE EMPLOYED IN A PINCH, TO SAVE AN OUTDOOR CONCERT.

HERE'S WHY.

Maybe you know this, possibly you don't. The former Terry Fox auditorium, in the recreation centre, was the rain-out location for Barge concerts. The town has offered this as a back-up venue for years. The Parks and Recreation Department thusly, did not rent the room out on Sunday evenings, from late June, until mid-August, to accommodate potential rain-outs at Gull Lake Park. So it's not like they didn't have it written into their policy book for more than the past decade. So when they designed the new auditorium, for the refurbished recreation centre, oops! They forgot to ask the Barge Manager, Fred Schulz, what he was going to need, on those same Sunday evenings from June to August. In their hurry-up offense, to get the shovel in the ground, they anchored plans for a smaller auditorium, overlooking the arena ice surface, in an entirely awkward location in the building for hauling concert equipment, and it's on the second floor of the complex. The elevator was designed…..now correct me if I'm wrong……for a few patrons at a time, not a large crowd. And certainly not for the often large quantity of sound equipment that must be carted through the hallways, and up this same elevator, and then to a generally small room, inadequate in many ways, for groups like The Good Brothers, just to name one of the main acts of the season.

The Opera House was made available on these summer Sundays, during the recent redevelopment of the recreation centre. At a seating of about 320….or so, many folks had to be turned away at the door. This caused Mr. Schulz a huge aggravation, each time it happened, with angry retorts from people who felt their long-time patronage of the concert series, should have guaranteed them special seating at the Opera House. Like the Terry Fox Room, people were still turned away, and that happens when a thousand people turn up for the Gull Lake events. Most of the time, spectators do appreciate this, and are obliging and respectful. I'm going out on a limb here, but I believe the Terry Fox room could handle more patrons than the Opera House.

The point is, rain sucks, if you're trying to run an outdoor event. For years Fred Schulz has feared having to "call" a concert because of inclement weather. In fact, if you were to spend a concert day with him, you would know the full weight of terror the man feels when, suddenly, a rogue rain-cloud rises above the far horizon….or he catches the morning weather, and rain is potential for the early evening. He will make calls to weather-experts, and short of hiring an "enchanter" to "fix" the problem, he paces while praying for a couple of dry hours. Only God knows what he promises in return. He's a pretty Christian guy as far as I'm concerned. I mean he's never been hit by lightning yet, and I've seen him trying to get the flag down, on The Barge, with a storefront less than a mile away. And I think if you asked him, he'd agree, that over the years, his average of good weather on these same Sunday nights, has been overwhelmingly dry. But folks, you need to know this……the shift of equipment indoors is not a gentle, easy to arrange shift from The Barge. As my boys are part of the scramble-crew, to pull an event indoors, and sometimes at the last minute, it is an exhausting exercise. On top of that, they will all be yelled at, when the alternate site is full to overflowing. As if they are responsible for the rain in the first place. As well, Fred hates to pull a concert indoors, as it hurts the operators of the park concession. These well attended shows mean a lot of revenue for this food concession, and I know how guilty he feels, re-locating, especially if the rain is a small event……rain at five, sunny at concert time. The decision has to be made at five to be ready by seven. Being Barge Manager requires an unspecified capability to be all things to all people…..as well as being clairvoyant, in order to predict the all possible eventualities.

The real horns of the dilemma, is that without the Opera House this year, as it returns to regular bookings for the summer season. The new auditorium at the recreation complex is too small. Fred and his crew are getting worn-down to nubs, hauling awkward, heavy gear back and forth, between indoor and outdoor options. Concerts this year, are most likely going to "make it or not," on The Barge, with no re-location, alternate venue being employed. It's risky business for Fred, because the bands have to be paid for showing up. There have been concerts in the past, such as the end-of-the-season Good Brothers performance, when rain happened so early in the show, a proper collection couldn't take place. If there happened to be a streak of rain dates this summer season, it could seriously hurt the Concert on the Barge budget. While re-locations didn't earn as much as the main open-air events, it helped pay the bills. A dead loss is another matter. This is why it would be nice to find an adequate, easy to raise, temporary shelter, for equipment and performers, such that small, short-lived rain showers can be "weathered," rather than the whole event needing to be cancelled. So if you have any ideas, or possibly a donation you'd like to make, to help Mr. Schulz deal with inclement weather, in one fashion or another, please let him know. I do expect thought, that a little drizzle won't stop a concert. So bring lawnchairs and a sou'wester! It rained at Woodstock. Just got to watch for the lightning. Mr. Schulz's number's coming up. Got watch for those thunder clouds Fred.

As for the Town of Gravenhurst, the approval of restoration funds, for the Barge support structure, is smart business, and my suggestion is, that town councillors make time this summer season, to see what all the fuss is about, by joining the festivities on these hometown fetes, on those nostalgic, friendly Sunday nights. Instead of wondering about the crowd sizes, or hearing about them second hand, judge them for yourselves by sitting amongst the happy gang. It's a happening. And you know what? It's been happening for a long time……but you've missed it! Now you have a chance to see how wisely the repair money has been spent. There are businesses all over this town, before and after concerts, that profit from the work Mr. Schulz does, to well, "draw a crowd." It's good for this town. Especially when you find out how many folks have driven from all over Muskoka, and from Orillia, to enjoy our beautiful Gull Lake venue.

THE NIGHT WE NEARLY MISSED THE GOOD BROTHERS, ON THE BARGE…..BECAUSE OF THE ANTIQUE BUSINESS

Suzanne and I have often wound up at The Barge, having just arrived back to Gravenhurst, after a lengthy antiquing jag. We have a long tradition of Sunday traveling, but never at the expense of missing a concert on The Barge. I remember a few years back, just before sons Andrew and Robert opened their main street music shop, arriving at the concert late, with our van absolutely loaded with vintage guitars, banjos, violins, amplifiers and speakers. When we pulled into the parking lot at Gull Lake, people were pointing at us….."hey, there's the band……let them through." We had spent from Thursday until Sunday, at the Bracebridge Fair Grounds, as part of the annual Antique Show and Sale. The boys had a vintage instrument booth. Also on that Sunday, was the wrap up concert of The Barge season, and the Good Brothers were playing. As Andrew often jams with them after the show, and enjoys working as part of the technical crew for the night, there was no way he was going to miss getting there……even if he had to hitchhike to do so.

The problem was simple. Every antique dealer in that warehouse-sized agricultural building wanted out fast. Most were heading back to the city, and wanted to beat the heaviest traffic south. There are only a few doors we could use to exit. So when it got close, and Andrew, Robert and I, started to slowly, conscientiously remove instruments from the hall, a jerk just then, backed his truck so close to the door, that we could only just sneak past, out into the parking lot. All the vendors on that side had the same thought, and it was like a demolition derby, trying to get close to that tiny opening between the building and the truck. As is our tradition, to over-stock shows that we do…..always hoping to sell it all before the end of the three days, we had a monster of a job ahead of us. I must have made two hundred trips out that crack in the door, while Suzanne and the boys packed away the instruments in their cases. Ours is a large van but it had taken three trips to bring all the instruments in the first place. We hadn't sold enough to pare it down to one trip. We were also abutting the time both boys had to be at The Barge to help Fred. So I filled the van to the ceiling, and the boys were just able to fit into their seats, and with minimal movement in any direction except forward, we left with load one…..two hundred assorted instruments and accessories, and two exhausted techies. We made it into the park with a few moments to spare. I had to drive home, unload the instruments myself, and then head back to the Bracebridge fairgrounds, for an equally jammed-up load. The guy with the big truck…..never moved, and in fact, was still packing up his stuff from the booth, with nary a box loaded into the back. We got to the park without unloading, and were able to get through the barricade down to the lakeshore parking, side by side the Good Brothers vehicles……as we seemed, by appearances, to be part of the night's concert. We had many thousands of dollars in the van. It was, by the way, the last antique show we participated in……and I expect the last one ever for us. Too much work. In fact, following the antique show, we started talking seriously about renting a main street shop, which of course, happened nearly six years ago. Best thing we ever did.

The problem with taking our instruments to an antique show, was that most of the patrons were non-musicians. We should have thought about this before we signed up, but I think Suzanne and I reasoned, at the time, that it would be good experience none the less, for the boys to front-line it, to see how they would do with customer service and the daily barrage of questions. This did happen. They met some interesting folks, on day trips to Muskoka, and the three day immersion did give them an inkling what it would be like to do it day after day in a shop setting. So I don't regret encouraging them to give the antique show a try. It was actually their third sale, as we had done the previous year's Bracebridge show at the arena, and then a two day sale in Beaverton, Ontario….which is a long drive when you're loaded with guitar gear. It took us three van loads to outfit that sale booth as well, the exception being we sold many more items, including to large pair of congo drums that had once been used at a well known Toronto nightclub. The lady paid a lot of money to use the exotic looking drums for decoration in her living room. Instead of playing them, she was going to look at them……possibly serving martinis on top. We've sold a lot of vintage instruments that have wound up as decorator items for home and cottage. You just never get used to that, especially when Andrew has spent hours making repairs on a guitar for example, that may wind-up being nailed to a cottage wall, or over a recreation-room sofa. I had an interior decorator tell me, with my jaw resting on my chest, that the zither she had just purchased, was going to be painted white or purple, and hung over a Steinway, in a condo she was decorating for a client. It was a beautiful, late 1800's piece, and I wanted to rip it our of her hands……and give the money back. Suzanne just looked at me, gave me money from the till to buy a treat, and physically ushered me from the store, while she carried on the conversation with the still-browsing interior decorator. It was the first time, but not the last, that an instrument was officially retired, by someone's passion for musical decoration……not the sweet music in could provide in loving hands. I don't call a spike through the middle of a nice guitar, loving hands. But as the accountant in the family reminds, we must never be so stalwart about instruments-for-play-only, that we forget that business survival depends on open-mindedness…..and accommodation to the mantra, "the customer is always right!"

Thanks for joining me today. If you're around this summer, come and give Music on the Barge a try. If you like nostalgia in action, this is it big time.