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“Music on Barge” tradition continues at Gull Lake Park – Gravenhurst
“Music on the Barge” Gull Lake Rotary Park, Gravenhurst will be commencing it’s tradition of Sunday night concerts at its picturesque waterfront setting with
The Muskoka Concert Band under the Direction of Neil Barlow on Sunday, June 23rd, 2013 commencing at 7:30 p.m.
The “Music on the Barge” concert series for 2013 will continue with a mix of favourite performers from past seasons and the introduction of some new and exciting entertainers throughout the season.
Today, the sounds emerging for “Music on the Barge” range from the concert band sound, to the music of the 60’s, Country & Bluegrass and 50’s Rock and Roll. Some of the finest tribute artists in the country will also be performing during the upcoming summer season.
Fred Schulz, producer of the music series says, “It’s always great to see the support from our summer and local residents at the Sunday night concerts. Music on the Barge concerts are an important part of summer in Gravenhurst and Muskoka. We are very grateful to our season sponsors who help financially to off-set the costs occurred by The Town of Gravenhurst.”
“The volunteers play a major role in the success of the smooth running of “Music on the Barge”. They include the technical staff, collection takers, the merchandise sellers, all assist greatly with the running of the Sunday night concerts as well as the preparation.
Sunday, June 30th will feature our very own Bifocals Concert Band, under the direction of Conductor Neil Barlow commencing at 7:30 p.m.
Anthony Von – Elvis Forever will be featured on the “Barge” on Sunday July 7th. Anthony Von has been playing tribute to the King of rock n’ roll since l993 and has won numerous Elvis contests in both Canada and the United States including first place winner as Canadian grand Champion in Collingwood, Ontario.
New to Music on the Barge” this coming season is Eddy and The Stingrays on Sunday, July 14th. Primarily known as a 50’s and 60’s doo wop band, over the years Eddy and the Stingrays have branched out to cover many other styles as well, such as 70’s classic rock, and even some hits from later decades.
On Sunday, July 21st The Beckett Family will be entertaining the “Barge” audience with their award-winning fiddling and step dancing. Three generation of The Beckett Family has entertained audiences at fairs, old tyme dances and festivals across Ontario. Tyler and Linsey playing fiddle, as well as a variety of other instruments, their father John on bass and vocals and their grandfather Stan, who is a well-respected fiddler in the Owen Sound area.
Freddy Vette and The Flames will be returning to the “Barge” on Sunday, July 28th to celebrate their 10th Anniversary Tour. This highly entertaining group will transport you back to the 50’s during a passion-filled raucous show with endless energy, a full band and backup singers.
The Fabulous Knockouts are back with an all new show on Sunday, August 4th to play a mix of hits from the mid 50’s to the early 70’s. These four great musicians continue to wow their audiences with their intense energy mixed with a sense of fun to everything they play.
Sunday, August 11th will feature the Johnny Cash, June Carter, and Tammy Wynette Tribute that will feature all your country favourites. Jim Yorfid’s portrayal of Johnny Cash is effortless, as he walks, talk and sounds like the original Legend.
The final concert of the season will feature The Good Brothers who will their annual appearance at “Music on the Barge” on Sunday, August 18th. The Good Brothers have gained a worldwide audience over the course of their accomplished career. They were inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in September 2004 at the CCMA Awards in Edmonton, Alberta.
The Brothers’ first gig was held at the legendary Toronto club The Riverboat on May 14th ,1974. They played simple music, straight from the heart that that encompassed country, bluegrass, folk and the occasional taste from their rock and roll songbook.
Then there were eight straight Juno awards for Best Country Group, and headline gigs at Massey Hall, Roy Thompson hall, The National Art Centre and the weeks at L.A.’s Universal Amphitheatre with (their mentor) Gordon Lightfoot. There was even a self-titled double gold album.
This year marks their 22nd annual performance at “Music on the Barge”.
Music on the Barge concerts start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise stated. Collections are taken during the concerts and don’t forget to bring your favourite Lawn chair and enjoy.
Concerts will be cancelled and not relocated to another venue in the event of inclement weather, rain or lightning for the safety of the audiences and the performers.
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| 1940's Folk Art Doll Teeter Totter With Bill Anderson Painting Behind |
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| Vintage Field Recording Unit |
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| 1950s Harmony Slide Guitar |
THE ANTIQUE HUNT IS HOW WE SURVIVE BUT IT ALSO MAY KILL ME -
OF ALL PLACES TO FIND CARVED ROCKING-CLOWNS - AT THE BARRIE AUTOMOTIVE FLEA MARKET
IT'S LIKE A HUNDRED FOOTBALL FIELDS OF SURFACE AREA TO TRAVEL BY FOOT. I USED TO RUN TEN KILOMETERS EVERY DAY, IN MY TWENTIES, AND PLAYED HOCKEY THREE TIMES EACH WEEK FOR MORE BONE CRUNCHING YEARS THAN I CARE TO REMEMBER. I PLAYED MENS RECREATION FOOTBALL, AND TOOK MY TURN AT REFEREEING IN THE LEAGUE, AND I WAS USED TO RUNNING. I USED TO RUN FROM RESPONSIBILITIES AT HOME, AT WORK, AND BY GOLLY, I WAS NIMBLE AND FAST ENOUGH TO EVADE DISCOVER. USUALLY. MY WIFE IS LIKE SHERLOCK HOLMES. SUZANNE NEVER BELIEVED IN ATHLETICS BUT COULD RUN LIKE A FOX ON FIRE, IF SHE THOUGHT I WAS SHIRKING WORK AROUND THE HOUSE…..TO GO OFF PLAYING WITH MY GOLF BUDDIES. SHE COULD CATCH THE GET-AWAY CAR, AND HAUL ME OUT THE BACK DOOR, OR THE OPEN WINDOW. "WHERE ARE YOU GOING BUB?" SHE'D ASK, LIKE THE BEAUTIFUL AND ENDEARING DRILL SERGEANT SHE IS! BUT NOTHING…..AND I MEAN NOTHING EXCEPT CLIMBING MOUNTAINS, OR HIKING THE BACK COUNTRY, WITH HEAVY PACKS, WITHOUT THE AID OF A MULE, CAN PREPARE YOU FOR WHAT INEVITABLY HAPPENS, EVERY TIME WE ATTEND THE BARRIE AUTOMOTIVE FLEA MARKET, AT BURL'S CREEK. I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN THIS TIME, BUT IT DID…..AT THE LAST MINUTE, AS WE LOOKED AT ONE LAST BOOTH, BEFORE THE TREK BACK TO THE CAR, SEEMINGLY MILES AND MILES BEYOND THE HORIZON OF VENDORS AND THE HUMANITY……OH THE HUMANITY. I HAVE A HABIT OF BEGGING SUZANNE, TO LET ME LOOK AT JUST ONE MORE BOOTH, BEFORE LEAVING, CERTAIN THERE WAS AN EVASIVE TREASURE I NEEDED TO SEE.
I DID THIS AS A SNOTTY NOSED KID WITH MY MOTHER, AND IT NEARLY DROVE HER NUTS. I COULD ALWAYS FIND SOMETHING I NEEDED AT THIS FINAL MOMENT OF SHOPPING. AS A KID IT WAS A SACK-FULL OF BLACK BALLS FROM THE GLASSED-IN CANDY COUNTER, OF THE LOCAL CORNER STORE. NOW IT'S EITHER A HUGE AMERICAN EMPIRE STYLE CUPBOARD, THAT NEEDS A LIFT-TRUCK TO MOVE, A STEINWAY, OR SOMETHING THAT WON'T TRAVEL EASILY TO WHERE WE'RE GOING. LIKE SOME CLOWNS I MET!
I EXPLAINED IN A PREVIOUS BLOG, THAT LAST FALL, WHEN WE ATTENDED THE SECOND SALE OF THE TWICE ANNUAL FLEA MARKET, I FOUND AN INCREDIBLE (AND LARGE) SHADOW BOX, WITH A SEASHELL ENCRUSTED WOODEN CROSS, THAT HAD BEEN CRAFTED IN THE EARLY 1900'S AS A MEMORIAL TO SOMEONE, OR A GROUP, LOST AT SEA. IT ALSO WAS IN THE LAST BOOTH WE VISITED, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE A CART TO HAUL THE BIG BEAUTIFUL PIECE, ACROSS THE VAST ACREAGE BETWEEN US AND THE VAN. SO WE FOUND A NEAT METAL WAGON AT THE BOOTH ACROSS THE LANE, AND FOR TWENTY BUCKS, WE COULD WHEEL THE PIECE THROUGH THE MARKET. THEN I FOUND A SECOND SHADOW BOX, QUITE BY ACCIDENT, AT ANOTHER VENDOR'S BOOTH, THIS TIME, WITH FOUR PRESERVED BIRDS, DATING BACK TO THE 1920'S. I HAD JUST ENOUGH ROOM TO FIT IT ON TOP OF THE SEASHELL MEMORIAL, AND WITH ASSORTED PILES OF RECORDS THE BOYS HAD PURCHASED, AND SOME COOKERY COLLECTABLES, SUZANNE HAD ACCUMULATED, OUR WAGON LOOKED LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF AN EPISODE OF THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES. I HAD MORE COMMENTS ABOUT THAT STACKED WAGON, THAN I GET THROUGH THE ENTIRE WEEK AT OUR STORE. EVERY OTHER PERSON WE PASSED, HAD TO MAKE SOME COMMENT, AND A FEW OF THEM WEREN'T COMPLIMENTARY. THE POOR WAGON WAS STARTING TO WOBBLE UNDER THE WEIGHT…..AND ANDREW WAS GETTING MAD ABOUT THE SLANDER HE WAS FACING FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
A YEAR AGO, AT THE SPRING FLEA MARKET, ANDREW PURCHASED A TALKING MACHINE WITH A LARGE METAL HORN (FROM A WIND-UP CYLINDER PLAYER), AND I GOT STUCK CARRYING THE BIGGEST PART OF THE CONTRAPTION…..A LONG, LONG DISTANCE BACK TO THE FAMILY TRUCKSTER. WELL SIR, I'VE NEVER BEEN CALLED "HORNY" SO MANY TIMES, AS WHEN I HAD TO CARRY THAT FOOL THING, THROUGH THE THICKEST CROWDS OF THE DAY. "HEY, HOW ARE YOU DOING HORNY?" THEY'D ASK. OR "YOU'RE A PRETTY HORNY GUY!" YEA WELL, IT WASN'T A PARTICULARLY SEXUAL EXPERIENCE, REALLY, HAULING THIS HEAVY METAL HORN ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF BACK TO THE VEHICLE. WE ALL HAD OUR ARMS LOADED, BECAUSE WE ARE TOO CHEAP TO BUY THE RIGHT HAULING DEVICES.
THIS MORNING, I PUT THE LITTLE TROLLEY WE HAVE HERE, AT BIRCH HOLLOW, INTO THE VEHICLE, WITH A FOLD OUT CASE ROBERT USES FOR HIS "FOUR FOR A DOLLAR," RECORD BIN, AT THE STORE; AND WITH SOME MASTERFUL TIEING DOWN, WE HAD OURSELVES A LOW BUDGET CART, TO ROLL AROUND THE HUGE SALE……JUST IN CASE WE DID WHAT IS MOST PREDICTED OF US……ACCORDING TO OUR TASTE IN ANTIQUES AND COLLECTABLES. I WAS ALREADY HALF CRAZY WITH THIRST AND LUST (NOT HORNY IN THIS CASE) FOR CARAMEL CORN, AND OR, A PULLED PORK SANDWICH. I TOLD SUZANNE I WAS QUITTING THE HUNT, AND I NEEDED TO BE FED…..SOMETHING OTHER THAN BOTTLED WATER AND THE FEW LIFE SAVERS SHE HAD IN HER PURSE. SHE ONLY OFFERED ME ONE WHEN I HEARD HER CRUNCHING SOMETHING, AND SHE HAD TO ADMIT SHE HAD A FEW LEFT. NICE ONE. I HAD TO PULL TWO HAIRS OFF MY LIFE SAVER. I HATE THAT! SO WE CHECKED OUT JUST ONE MORE BOOTH, AFTER CALLING THE BOYS, WHO WERE AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE GIANT COW-LESS FARM PASTURE. WHEN THEY GOT THERE, WE'D BEEN IN THE BOOTH, AND PICKED UP A SINGLE TIN FOR SUZANNE'S GENERAL STORE ADVERTISING COLLECTION. WE SENT THE BOYS ONWARD, FOR A FEW PICK-UPS THEY HAD TO MAKE DOWN-FIELD BY AT LEAST TWO PUNTS AND A FIELD GOAL IN DISTANCE. THIS IS WHEN IT HAPPENED. WE GAVE UP THE CART SO THEY COULD STRAP SOME OF THEIR PURCHASES ON BOARD. THEY HAD TOLD ME, FROM THE BEGINNING, BY THE WAY, THAT IT WAS STUPID TO BRING THE CART…..AND THAT GROCERY BAGS WOULD GET THE JOB DONE MUCH MORE EFFICIENTLY. I'VE BEEN IN THE ANTIQUE BUSINESS LONG ENOUGH, TO NEVER TRUST MYSELF, FROM DOING SOMETHING THAT WILL CAUSE AN UNDETERMINED HARDSHIP WITH CONSEQUENCE. I'M AT LEAST AWARE OF MY OWN VULNERABILITIES TO TEMPTATIONS. HERE'S A PRIME EXAMPLE. I FOUND SOMETHING I COULDN'T CARRY OUT, TUCKED UNDER MY ARM. I THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT, SUZANNE AND I COULD CARRY IT OUT, TOGETHER, BUT SEEING AS I WOBBLE A BIT, AND COMPLAIN A LOT, SHE DECIDED THAT IDEA WAS A "NO-GO," AND CALLED FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. BESIDES, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO STOP EVERY TEN YARDS, TO ARGUE ABOUT WHO WAS AT FAULT, FOR SLOWING DOWN THE OPERATION. AS HUSBAND AND WIFE WE GET ALONG FAMOUSLY. AS BUSINESS PARTNERS, NOT SO MUCH!
JUST BEFORE WE LEFT THE BOOTH - OOPS, "WHERE DID THAT COME FROM."
Just before we began the trek back to the car, following the boys with the cart, I couldn't help but notice a very intriguing folk art piece, set off to the side of the tented booth. You can see a picture of the piece at the top of today's blog. It was a wood carved, doll swing, with clown seats, nicely painted, handcrafted in the late 1940's, or possibly the early 50's, coming from the Lindsay area of the province. It not only caught my attention, but Suzanne knew immediately, I had just experienced one of those enchanted meetings, between the clairvoyant dealer, and something with a lot of paranormal energy attached. There is no way, I can be separated from a piece like this, unless I'm shot with a tranquilizer dart, and thrown on a cart, to be hauled back to the car with the other purchases. If you are an avid collector, or someone who believes in both karma and the existence of the spirit-kind, then you'll know exactly how powerful the allure, to bring that "clown" swing, (or something like that) back to Gravenhurst (or your home). I could feel the energy coming off that piece, of a former owner…..possibly the children that used to play with it, at their grandmother's house. The story was, that it had been offered for sale at an estate auction, following the death of an elderly woman, near Lindsay, and the chap who purchased it, gave it to his wife as a gift…..to be used in a display with several vintage children's toys, such as a wooden rocking horse, in the basement of the family home. They kept the piece for quite a number of years, and only recently decided it was okay to offer for sale, at this automotive flea market. Do I believe the story? Actually, in the same booth, manned by several chaps, Andrew recognized one of the vendors as a customer, at our shop, who had bought a nostalgia puzzle just two weeks earlier. Small world. And yes it is, in the antique trade. They had a good visit while I tried to find out more about this amazing folk art clown swing….that was pretty eerie, at first sight, I have to admit. I've never been a big fan of clowns, and I share this with a lot of other folks, who, as kids, were scared to death of them……in all their raging happiness and horn honking. Anyway, the gentleman offered me a substantial price reduction, and even before I could nod, Suzanne was already counting out the bills onto his outstretched hand. When you see this clown swing, up close, you can almost sense it move on its own, just a smidgeon, even standing well back as an observer. I can feel the faint but still obvious haunting auras, of the keen children, that used to play with this for hours; putting their dolls on the seats, and having a carnival-time in doors. I have always been compelled to study (and purchase) pieces like this, and today, I bypassed thousands of toys, from old metal trucks, riding tractors, peddle cars, and table top hockey games……not to mention so many dolls and related children's toys, from tiny electric stoves, to those old lithographed tin barns with plastic farm animals. But it was the clown folk art that pulled at my heart strings, just like the shadow box of the shell-cross, in the fall of last year.
We had to call Robert to come back to the booth with the cart, as the purchase was too big and awkward to carry all the way back to the parking lot……and we were in the middle of it, as usual. When they arrived, it was with that typical Currie look of horror, at what dad had bought this time. I've got to tell you, it was a pretty wild looking cart, once we had it all secured to the metal bars. We had a box of collectable tins on the bottom, a very old "wire" recording device, Andrew had found at a booth, (he cherishes vintage audio equipment) and two bags of records. Robert was carrying an original electric "vibrating" football game, in the original box, with all the men, and a battery operated "Bartender" from the 1960's, he'd picked up in the mid-zone, in this sea of vendors of all things, from all times, for all seasons. So without having to show you what this looked like, as Andrew wheeled it back toward the front gate, suffice to say there were comments, to contend with, like "Hey clown," "Stop clowning around," and "Boy, are you ever going to be clowning around when you get home." And that classic, "Hey buddy, you know what they say. Two clowns are twice as much fun." Andrew and Robert had the typical red-face of being associated with me, all the way out of the park, with a folk art clown swing, doing its thing in the spring sun……for all to see; even some of his Gravenhurst friends we passed along the way. Good times. I never need to worry about them having a shortage of stories to tell my grandkids.
Andrew also picked up a hand-painted slide guitar, and Suzanne found a nice, hand painted white glass vase, made by the Fenton Glass Company, of Ohio, circa 1969. We didn't buy even one automotive spare part, a wheel, decal, fender or windshield. We found great collectable pieces, and while a little left of centre, for some people, especially two clowns on a swing, in our business, eclectic taste is rampant within our base of customers. The stranger the better. Odd stuff sells. Most important, we like to have pieces in our shop that are one of a kind, and that have a little added enchantment to them. It's our specialty, and if we feel a piece you're purchasing is haunted…..we'll tell you in advance; just so you aren't surprised when these two clowns start rocking on their own, with the tiny, waif-like hands, of its history, playing silly bugger.
We made a few other stops, and picked up a nice art print of a Second War aircraft in flight, signed and numbered; Suzanne found two nice cookbooks for her collection, and Andrew found a really neat half-boat of a racing watercraft, which he plans to mount on the wall of his "Muskoka Jam Room," at the shop……which for all intents and purposes, looks more like a 1950's recreation room. We're having a little birthday party for Andrew this evening, and I may have to let him beat me at table hockey, as my gift to him. I am one of the best table top hockey players in the world. No kidding.
As usual, it was nice to return home to Gravenhurst, and let my barking dogs out of these smoldering shoes. The sale is a beast, but you know, it's raw and wild, and each time I attend, I'm dazzled by some of the pieces vendors have thoughtfully brought with them……almost as if karma had something to do with it. I still have the sea shell memorial in the store, in company with other vintage icons, and art work, and honestly, it is such a pleasing piece, even with its memorial provenance, that I'd be just as happy if it never sold. As for the rocking clowns? They will be for sale. The suggestion that it may or may not be haunted……that's for the potential buyer to weigh over, before hauling it home, like we did.
I came home, collapsed onto the old Victorian settee, on the verandah, overlooking the bog, and was snoring (according to Suzanne) in about three minutes……which according to my overseer, took longer than usual. I may have been a runner once, and of athletic prowess in my budding youth, but by golly, this acreage of shopping, is way too much for my knobby knees and wonky hip. I still managed to do the mileage, but for the rest of the week, I'm going to huddle behind the shop counter, and hope no one asks to buy anything huge, that involves me having to lift it out over the rest of the shop displays. As a rule, this is exactly what happens. A sale is a sale after all.
I'm going back to the verandah to finish what I started. Slumbering here in this beautiful, fern-laden hollow, above the marshy expanse of The Bog. It's nice to get away for a tad…..but I'm always pleased to see our mail box at the end of the lane, and the familiar, lush lilac bushes, that tell me this is the right address to pull up the driveway. I'm home again. Safe and sound.
Thanks so much for visiting with me today. I hope you also had a good and productive weekend, whatever you happened to get up to…….now, back to visions of the work week. Darn it all!
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