First Night celebration wraps up 2008 in downtown Orangeville

The Town of Orangeville's annual First Night celebration promises some fun on Broadway for all ages.

This year's celebration runs from 6-10 p.m., with the pyrotechnics scheduled for 9:45 p.m. The show, produced by David Whysall International Fireworks, will see pyrotechnics set off from two rooftops on Second Street, just north of Broadway.

Just as popular as the pyrotechnics finale are the horse-drawn wagon rides. The clippity-clop of horses' hooves and the jingling of bells are part of the irresistible charm of going for a horse-drawn wagon ride.

Glen Simpson of Markdale will be bringing two teams of Belgians and the horse-drawn wagon rides will run from 6-9:30 p.m. One team of horses will offer rides to KayCee Gardens (to see the Orangeville Optimists "Christmas In The Park") from 6-8 p.m., the other team will provide rides on Broadway only.  At 8 p.m. both teams will tour Broadway, offering rides until 9:30 p.m. Passengers pick-up will be at two locations: at the gazebo, immediately east of the Chocolate Shop on Broadway, and at Mill Street (unloading at Little York and John Streets for those wishing to walk through Christmas In The Park).

There is no end to this year's slate of entertainers, with some interesting acts lined up for both indoor and outdoor stages, on December 31^st in downtown Orangeville. Joe Andrews will once again be the Master of Ceremonies for the outdoor show.

Tres Hombres will perform from 7-8 p.m. Formed in 1983, the group has performed worldwide. Their warm southern style has made them many fans over the years. Their versions of such favourites as "Cheap Sunglasses", "Legs", and "Sharp Dressed Man" will set your toes to tapping on December 31. Tres Hombres consists of Reverend Jack Daniels (lead vocals and bass), Johnny Walker (lead guitar and background vocals), and Jim Bean (drums and percussion).

Paul Malysa is new to the First Night celebration and his band will perform from 8-9 p.m. Paul Malysa has been playing guitar and singing since he was six years old. When you first experience the Mississauga-based singer/songwriter you won't believe the soulful, harmonious and signature voice. His music is emotionally charged and overwhelms audiences everywhere. Following the success of his 2004/2005 independent CD release "No More Yellow Lights" which garnered radio airplay and live performances across Canada, he released a single "Pencils and Racers" in 2006. He is now wrapping up a new CD entitled "Above the Fold" which will be released early in 2009. Mr. Malysa has already released two singles in advance of the CD launch - "Turn it Around" about global warming and "Modern Soldier", dedicated to Canadian soldiers.

Our own Erich Rock will perform from 9-10 p.m. Originally from Toronto but now a resident of this area, Erich Rock has been playing the Ontario music scene for more than 20 years. Vocalist/bassist Erich Rock, a very versatile performer, has played many styles overseas (Asia) as well as all over North America in tribute acts. Guitarist/vocalist Chuck Brown is a songwriter as well as an accomplished singer/guitarist who has played in many cover and original acts throughout Canada and the U.S. Drummer Kevin Mcnameek is a long-time local player with a solid reputation as a drummer/back-up vocalist.  The band delivers a combination of energetic rock ‘n' roll with sweet harmonies and classic showmanship that entertains all age groups with style.

And you won't want to miss performances by illusionist Tom the Pirate and his magic show. Tom Bedlam provides a wild variety of magical mayhem, vastly inaccurate knowledge and gregarious lessons on being a pirate. You will be captivated by the amazing talent of this beguiling charismatic entertainer.  This experienced artist has performed for television, circuses, theatres, corporations and night clubs, everywhere from the North Pole (Canadian Forces Station Alert) to Buenos Aires, Argentina and all the way to Singapore.

Other performers include Al the Pal, Frank the Clown, Town crier Betty Kading, and the Morris Dancers in two 20-minute shows. The Orange Peel Morris Dancers have been performing for more than 10 years. The members, totalling about 30, come from Orangeville and the surrounding area, as well as several from Toronto. They are the only Border Morris dancers in Canada. The musicians (accordion, melodeon, concertina, fiddle, whistle, pipe and tabor, drum) help the dancers bring the music to life. Border Morris was danced generally around Christmas, with dancers performing vigorously using sticks and bells to ward off the evil spirits of the old year. Morris is an old English folk dance performance form that includes several types of dance from various regions.

Elias on Fire is another must-see. The fire-twirling performer is also a poi spinner, rope dart artist, juggler, acrobat, balance artist, contortionist, and unicyclist. Originally from the Grand Valley area, Elias Repka loves the circus and performing. He has been an active member of the Vassar College Barefoot Monkeys Circus Troupe. Until going to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, Elias was homeschooled. He spent much of his time designing and building projects, working with Theatre Orangeville, on and off the stage, coaching gymnastics, and competing at the provincial level in trampoline. To earn money for college, Elias became a street performer, working at festivals in Orangeville, Parry Sound, and Toronto. Elias does everything he can think of that is safe to do with fire, from braiding his own fire whip to spinning a huge ball of fire on an eight-foot chain. But his specialty is spinning two short fire staffs in many amazing patterns.

Frank the Clown is Frank Santangelo whose first recollection of magic was at the age of five. A resident of Orangeville for 10 years, Frank took his show on the road to local restaurants and recently started a family entertainment business -- "Fun Time Magic". Frank's wife Lisa applies her talents as a face painter and his daughter Deidre handles the music and prop set-up for the shows. His youngest daughter Sabrina often opens the shows with a comedy routine. Magic, he says, appeals to all ages.

Al the Pal, otherwise known as Alan Shipway of Orangeville, is well-known in the area for his comedic act. He will be bringing his puppets and props and he will be interacting with the crowd. Known as the "silly banana grouch", Al the Pal has been entertaining children for two decades.

Rory the Gnome, of Hamilton, will be in the atrium of the Town Hall, along with face painters. Rory likes to deliver short comedy skits and to shape balloons.

There will once again be indoor performances - in the Orangeville Opera House, on the upper level of the Town Hall. Paul Repka will be the Master of Ceremonies and he will play the banjo in between numbers.  He has been playing the banjo and singing for over 45 years.

The indoor entertainment line-up is as follows: Justin McDonald Band at 7 p.m., Keith Hunter Magic at 7:20, violinist Mercedes Mabee at 7:35, Sandstorm Dancers at 7:40, vocalist Alexandra Brennan at 7:50, Keith Hunter Magic at 8:10, Sandstorm Dancers at 8:25, and The Houseplants at 8:35 p.m.

Alexandra Brennan, 12, of Orangeville, is a Grade 8 student at Hillcrest Private School.  Alexandra has been singing since she could talk. Alexandra has a soprano voice and she loves to sing musical theatre  or classical. She loves to entertain and perform on the stage and has an excellent memory for lyrics and tunes. Alexandra takes piano and voice lessons at Broadway Musical in Orangeville and her voice teacher is well-known blues and jazz singer Heather Katz. Alexandra is a former member of the Theatre Orangeville Youth Singers (TOYS) and has recently taken several musical theatre courses through Theatre Orangeville. Alexandra is a member of her school's band and is learning to play the flute.  She has been one of the winners of the Orangeville Music Festival for two consecutive years. It has been her dream to record her own CD and she has just completed her first Christmas CD. Most recently, she won the Headwaters Shining Star competition.

Mercedes Mabee, 15, has played violin for 10 years.  She plays many styles of music, including pieces from the baroque, classical, and romantic eras.  She also enjoys playing different styles of fiddle music.   In the fall, she often busks at the Orangeville Farmers' Market. Some of her musical accomplishments include receiving the "Most Promising Musician" award in the Orangeville and District Music Festival this year. Also, for the past two summers (2007 and 2008) Mercedes has had the privilege of being the concert master for both the Senior Strings Orchestra and Senior Symphony in the Kincardine Summer Music Festival.

Keith Hunter, with his "Touch of Magic" show, specializes in deception. The local magician performs across the country, from Charlottetown to the Rocky Mountains. He will entertain and prove that "seeing is not always believing".

The Justin McDonald Band has released a CD, called "Dufferin County Museum" -- a collection of songs he has written. The band consists of: Justin McDonald -- guitar, vocals, harmonica and on-stage antics,  J. Marr- Guitar -- vocals and lapsteel, Steph Saxton - back-up vocals, and synth, Gordon Shawcross -- piano and vocals, Cory Bruyea - drums, Stewart Gunn - bass, and David Joseph - sax.

The Sand Storm Dancers are a troupe of Orangeville women who have performed at many local functions in southern Ontario cities, as well as the  international Bellydance Convention and the renaissance festival at Casa Loma. Belly Dance, or more accurately called Oriental Dance, has a long history.  No one knows for sure where it originated but it is a style of dance that was practiced in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.  The Egyptian style is one of the most popular styles today, although dancers are now combining all the different Belly Dance styles and are now producing a Fusion Style of Belly Dance which is a combination of all the different styles.

Sand Storm Studios has been in Orangeville for just over five years and teaches a Fusion Style of the dance. The beauty of this dance is that it welcomes women of all ages.  Oriental Dance (belly dance) has been and will always be a source of enjoyment for those watching and for those dancing.

The Houseplants will headline the indoor show, with their strong blues, jazz, country, folk and pop overtones. The Houseplants are Gordon Shawcross (piano/vocals) and Perry Joseph (guitar/vocals). They are joined on-stage and in the studio by a growing list of friends including: Mark Mariash - drums, Michael Herring - bass, Nichol S. Robertson - banjo/ guitar, Meredith Grant - accordion, Rob Gusevs - organ, Kevin Breit - guitar, Burke Carroll - pedal steel/lap steel/dobro, Mark Duggan - vibes/marimba, Sarah McElchearn - trumpet, and Matt Brubeck - cello. The second album is nearing completion under the title "Sunday Morning Record" and a third album is in the works and will be presented in book form with artwork from visual artists to accompany each song.

As part of the celebration, the Town of Orangeville will offer free skating at the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre from 6-8 p.m.

• Posted: Wednesday, December 24, 2008
• From: Council