A Whole Lot of Holiday Cheer in Perth

A Whole Lot of Holiday Cheer in Perth - theHumm November 2018

By John Pigeau

I used to associate November with hosting book launches and selling shiny new vinyl records. These days, when I think of November I get the chills and an unusually intense craving for Coffee Crisp hot chocolate. Oh, and because it’s my mom’s birthday on the 22nd, I also become much more aware of things in shops like cute stuffed animals and fragrant bath bombs and luxury skin care products. Happy birthday, Mom!

“If I had the Weber Brothers with me in 1952,” Ronnie Hawkins once said, “Elvis would’ve been my roadie.” Coming from rockabilly legend “The Hawk,” to say that is high praise is, well… rather an understatement. In this case, however and by all accounts, it’s entirely warranted. The Weber Brothers will bring their powerful, high-energy rock ’n roll to Perth’s Full Circle Theatre on November 3 for what is sure to be a memorable, soul-elevating concert. Tickets for the show are $22 and available at Shadowfax (67 Foster Street) or by calling 267–6817. (I would get them early, folks.) Those attending the concert, which is also a fundraiser for the local food bank, are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item. Show time is 8pm.

Chilly November strikes me as an ideal month to sit in a warm, comfortable theatre, enjoy some hot-buttered popcorn and a really good flick. Perhaps with that in mind, Film Night International will be screening two outstanding films in November at the Full Circle Theatre: The Midwife on November ?, and Puzzle on November ??. Show times are 2pm and 7pm for both movies. Passes for the 2018 fall series are on sale at the Perth Library (267–1224) for $50. Individual tickets may be available at the theatre box office 15 minutes before show time. Please note that The Midwife is a French film with English subtitles.

We mentioned it last month but it’s certainly worth noting again that from November 8th to the ??th Perth Community Choir will stage its version of Mary Poppins at the Mason Auditorium at PDCI. Please visit ticketsplease.ca or call 485–6434 for ticket information and performance dates and times.

Remembrance Day ceremonies in Perth take place this year, as always, on November 11, a Sunday, in front of the Great War Memorial cenotaph. The service, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 244, starts at precisely 10:45am. Please note there is no march this year, but later in the day there will be a service on the Civitan Court adjacent to the Crystal Palace recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War I. That service begins at 4:30pm. All church bells in Perth will ring in memory at 5pm.

The MERA Blue Jeans Classical music series will host a Sunday afternoon concert on the 11th, featuring internationally renowned pianist Mark Valenti. Classical music lovers will not want to miss this show. Valenti, who is now teaching piano Master Classes at Carleton University, has given solo recitals in cities throughout North America, and performed in France, Belgium, Hungary and Luxembourg as well as for former First Lady Barbara Bush in Washington, D.C. He has studied under many notable teachers, done extensive work in the jazz field, including performances with Gregory Hines, Frank Foster and Al Grey, and taught music at prestigious universities in Philadelphia, Chicago and France. Tickets for what should be a masterful performance are $25 and available at ticketsplease.ca or by calling ???–6434. Tickets are available at the door for $28. Children under 16 may attend the concert free of charge, though space is limited so please reserve a ticket. Show time is 2pm at the MERA Schoolhouse.

Now Perth is pretty. We know this. It’s no secret. But this year, as in recent years, come mid-November downtown Perth will get a whole lot prettier with the addition of 10,000 Christmas lights on trees along Gore, Wilson and Foster Streets. The Perth BIA kicks off its seasonal celebrations with Holiday on the Tay, a trio of events in town to help make your jolly season a little jollier. On November 15 those lights will be lit, delightful Christmas music will fill the air, and downtown shops and boutiques will be open until 8pm.

On Friday, November 16 comes madness — Martini Madness. At 5pm various restaurants and bars downtown will offer specialty martinis with a featured appetizer and a delectable chocolate dessert.

Holiday on the Tay continues with the annual Festival of Good Cheer on November 24 at the Crystal Palace. From 10am to 5pm, the first 200 folks attending the Festival will receive a very special swag bag. It’s a good day for Christmas shopping, too, as many downtown stores will be offering promotions, contests and tastings, and at night you can marvel at all the pretty lights on the more than forty Christmas trees in the Crystal Palace and enjoy some holiday music too. For more information about any of these events, please call BIA Coordinator Kari Clarke at 267–3911 x2251.

Good cheer is contagious, it seems. Also on Saturday, November 24, St. Paul’s United Church hosts its annual Yuletide Fair from 9am to 3pm. In years past this enchanting fair has included a yummy hot lunch, delicious baked goods galore, beautiful Christmas decorations for sale, and special children’s events. I suspect this season’s fair will be even more enchanting. St. Paul’s United Church is located at 25 Gore Street West.

Now I don’t have too many details about this show yet, but save the date for another Listening Room Series concert on Sunday, November 25. Sneezy Waters and Neville Wells are on the bill, as this excellent music series continues to bring top-notch musical talent to town. For more information and to book tickets, please call Sue Tennant at 267–7902.

One of the first events I attended when I moved to Perth was the Festival of Lights. I was thoroughly delighted. This year’s Festival begins at 6pm on November 30 at the Crystal Palace and promises to be delightful as ever with a bonfire, Christmas carol sing-alongs, fireworks over the Tay Basin (at 6:30pm sharp), followed by the mass lighting of forty-plus community Christmas trees. The Table CFC will offer refreshments in exchange for donations too. This truly is a beautiful night to share with family and friends. And if you’re anything like me, family and friends are what it’s all about.

Happy November, everybody!

Cheryl Straby — Doing What Comes Naturally - theHumm November 2018

By Sally Hansen

Art… and Soul

For Perth fashion designer Cheryl Straby, designing and making original top-quality garments has become second nature. For over thirty years Straby has been perfecting her talent for creating fashions that bring out the best in her delighted clients. “Buy Less / Buy Better!” is her credo. She specializes in custom designed and made-to-measure garments, and her ever-growing success indicates she has found a niche with her eye-catching fashions that combine comfort,......

A Whole Lot of Holiday Cheer in Perth - theHumm November 2018