The Bristol Community Association (BCA) hosted their first talent show in seven years and it was a resounding success, all around. Their twofold set of goals was to host an event bringing the community together and to raise funds for the association. Both were met – and how!
The BCA is dedicated to hosting events that bolster community relationships and adherence to this mandate clearly set the tone from the get-go with a welcoming committee at the front door, a non-stop canteen, special treat discount package deals for youngsters, a free-flow coffee percolator and an emcee, William Smith, who could very well have been chatting with you around the potted plants in his living room.
Well, it could have been, except that this room was the Jack Graham Community Centre and that it was chocker-block full with every seat taken, leaving some to lean against the walls.
First up on the billet was talent from Eastern Europe in the form of two Ukrainian dance numbers first by Matwii and then by Marichka. Matwii blended what we would generally consider as traditional Ukrainian dance moves with martial-art-inspired shadow boxing. It was a fascinating display of athleticism and focus. He was followed by Marichka who channeled the Ukraine’s strong heritage in gymnastics into a routine one could easily envision taking place on a larger stage. Bedazzled with ribbons echoing the colours of her flag, she ended the performance in a seemingly routine, for her, position of the splits.
Following the dancing, fellow Ukrainians Olexksiy and Mykhailo brought some of their artwork on stage and shyly offered insights into their inspirations. With some coaxing from mom, they lingered on stage only as long as they really had to, endearing them to one and all.
Next up was young talent Katelyn Zimmerling. Backed by supportive and constant mentor, Brent Plouffe, she delivered three tunes showcasing a strong vocal range and no stage-fright. The delivery of her opening song choice, Today I’m Going to Try to Change the World, told the audience both that she has talent and she has spirit.
At this stage, the audience was introduced to seven members of the MacKenzie family over four separate pieces. First up were Peter, with vocals and guitar, and John, on drums, as they brought punk to town and The Pogues’ Dirty Old Town to life. They were then joined by Kathleen and Anne-Marie, on piano, and Alexander, also on guitar, for another this-is-not-quite-John-Denver piece of rock music in Sedona by alternative blues band Soundmouth. Theirs was a compellingly audacious set list which left the audience whispering with both appreciation and wonder.
Stacey Desabrais, looking very much like Helena Bonham Carter with her two pairs of glasses, dipped into her ambitions by singing three chart-topping and grammy-winning tunes, nailing each. It takes confidence and talent both to cover songs such as Harper Valley PTA and Girl Crush, and Desabrais delighted the audience fully.
Returning to round out the MacKenzie family’s display of talent, Kathleen and Andrew took turns showcasing their piano-playing chops with Kathleen opting for Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and Andrew for Debussy’s Arabesque. Both were enchanting with emcee Smith exclaiming that they “made that piano sound like a Steinway.”
Closing out the first half of the show was Kindred Spirits led by Smith at the piano and sharing vocals with wife June and friend Jim Duncan. They paid tribute to the recently departed Gordon Lightfoot with a medley of four of their favourites and Lightfoot would surely have approved.
Following a short break, any questions as to why the large space directly in front of the stage was vacant were dispelled as the Shawville 4-H Square Dancers put the show in high gear.
The junior dancers took the floor first with Laura Mayhew calling the steps. Felix Vereyken, Laurel Sally, Ray McCann, Elly Ingalls, Jack Sally, Charlotte Corrigan, Mason Holmes and Olivia Judd spun, twisted, promenaded and tapped all while sporting the biggest of grins.
Felix Vereyken and Jack Sally swapped attire while Laura Mayhew exchanged the mic for slip-on dancing boots, and, together, they joined seniors Amy Sheppard, McKenna Richardson, Rosie McCann, Sheena Tubman and Eloise Thompson for some lively action with Tyler McCann calling the steps. Enthusiastic twirls, do-si-dos, curtsies, elbow swings and other well-known square dance moves graced the stage and it was clear these dancers were enjoying the spotlight.
Leaning into community, each of the dancers selected an audience member for one last dance and soon moms, dads, uncles and unsuspecting idlers found themselves on stage following the lead of dance partners inspired to share their craft. It was delightfully inclusive and downright fun.
The next-to-last act was Dann Webb playing guitar and singing three of his own songs. His performance was reminiscent of a Friday night in Shawville at The Hooley. Of particular note is that Dann is legally deaf.
Rounding out the evening, and almost as an encore to the whole event, was Levi Hart – also known locally as Willy Webb, Dann’s son. His polished guitar-playing and melt-the-metal-off-the-mic voice had the full attention of every single person present with clear admiration written on the faces of some of the other performers of the evening. His rendition of Fulsom Prison Blues was breath-taking and he completely owned it and the crowd.
In keeping with the modesty of the recipients, association president Anne McConnell took an almost unnoticed moment to announce that two locals had been nominated, and accepted, for the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec’s Silver Award for senior volunteers in the municipality. Congratulations to both Nora Findlay and Peter Haughton for the honour.
The event was billed as a talent show but presented much more like a community barn dance and this reporter, for one, can’t wait until the next one.
Glen Hartle
Bristol May 13, 2023
