Advertisement 1

PEOPLE

Article content

The door has closed on Doors Open this year in St. Thomas.

For four years, the annual tour of the community's built heritage has been a popular event: seems everyone wanted to get a glimpse of Canadian Woodenware's belt-driven washboard production line, now sold to a vintage tool collector in eastern Ontario.

But it's the old story. Too few people with too much to organize.

"It was just too much to try to keep it up every year," Laurence Grant, chairman of the local branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, says. His Doors Open committee the first year had dwindled to himself last year.

He's suggesting the event now be staged every second year. That's the way it's done in some other communities.

Doors Open was started by Ontario Heritage Trust and there are events across Ontario.

Laurence estimates the local edition attracted about 2,000 visitors last year.

Mayor Heather Jackson says the event is too important to the city to be lost. She's spoken to the Economic Development Corp., and says it could be taken on as a tourism function.

'It's a great event for the city — we have people coming from all over."

But Heather agrees it's too much for one person to undertake. A new committee will be sought.

"Laurence did a great job but it's a lot of work for one person."

She'd like to see Doors Open continue annually: reduced to one from two days, if needed, with fewer venues.

Meanwhile, Doors Open continues Sept. 14 in Aylmer and east Elgin, and Sept. 21 in Port Stanley and Sparta.

* * *

The bad news, first.

After presenting three installments of the popular Wingfield series, Elgin Theatre Guild has cancelled a Sept. 8 performance of a fourth, Wingfield Unbound, because of poor ticket sales. For refunds, 519-633-8530 or info@elgintheatreguild.ca

The good news.

ETG has posted notice that veteran Canadian rockers Sloan — 10 LPs incl. a double, two EPs, a live album, a "best of" collection and no less than 30 singles! — will tune up Oct. 10 at the Princess Avenue Playhouse. And Jimmy Rankin makes a return visit Dec. 19. Check elgintheatreguild.ca

* * *

No sooner a squib in this corner about the demise of Beat Magazine, and Lazarus gives his head a shake.

Publisher Richard Young says Beat's website — beatmagazine.ca — and Facebook page, originally to be unplugged this week, now will remain on line thru the end of September for important coverage of the fall seasons of local arts organizations.

Young says he's responding to reader and advertiser demand.

* * *

A couple musical notes ...

... There's a jam this weekend at Springwater Conservation Area. Not a holiday traffic jam but Jam Jam, "a music festival in a forest!" produced by Cash Honey, Port Stanley. It's Saturday and all the info is posted to cashhoney.com/jamjam including an eclectic lineup of artists (which incl. Elgin's own Rusty Water, and Shuug and the Temporary Men).

... Rail City Kings rule the mainstage 9 p.m. Sat. in Pinafore Park at the St. Thomas Fire Muster. Formed about two years ago, the group is fronted by Jared Walpole, lead vocals and guitar, and also includes Chris Eveland, lead guitar and backup, Leonard Doucette, bass and vocals, and Ryan Anderson, drums. Their setlist ranges from classic rock to R&B. Website is railcitykings.wix.com

* * *

Summer's over. It's Labour Day holiday weekend and the last weekend it's legal to wear white.

Enjoy!

eric.bunnell@sunmedia.ca

Article content
Advertisement 2
Advertisement
Article content
Article content
This Week in Flyers