Hot Pop

POPPING OPEN A CAN FULL OF

TALENT

BY SARAH BUTLAND PHOTOS BOB MacEACHERN

Get out those bell bottoms and tie-dye Ts because the Pictou County Pop Classics will be rockin’ them again. The celebrated Pop Classics was the hottest ticket in town this winter. The 70s tribute show packed the house at the deCoste Centre for the Performing Arts in February and previous sell out shows at Glasgow Square have the shows producers and performers ready to give their audiences more!

It turns out that one groovy conversation a few years ago between Carlton Munroe and Mike Vienneau would pop open a can of talent that only the originators of the show might have expected.

“I can remember meeting with the first few entertainers to explain to them the concept of the show. They were scratching their heads saying you want me to do what? “ says Mike Veinneau, a retiree of Michelin and member of the band of Mike and The MacPhersons. They laughed and exclaimed it would never happen. The idea of over 40 artists dressing up in costume, working together to perform over forty songs just seemed to be too much.” But quicker that you can say KC and the Sunshine Band, Mike and Carleton had over 40 musicians who were actively gigging in the community, styling their wigs and digging out their polyester to get their 70s groove on.

The 70s Pop Tribute takes audiences back to the golden days of vinyl. From well-known soft and hard rock numbers right up to the soul and disco beats we immediately recognize, this group of eager cover artists come together to take you back in time.

“Pictou County Pop Classics is an amazing show to be a part of. None of us had a clue what we were getting into but gave it our all. It became this magical show that somehow brought the best out in each and every one of us. It brought us all closer as a music community and some awesome new musical acts have been formed with these new friendships,” says Lynn DeCoste, one of the cast who belts it out to Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams. “I am honoured to be a part of the fun and talent that can only come from Pictou County!” The success of the Pop Classics has a lot to do with timing. A region of baby boomers who love to soak up the nostalgia has been key to the audience buy-in. With performers ranging in age from early twenties to mid-sixties, you’ll need to keep an eye out for familiar faces such as Scott DeCoste, Gavin Scott and retired band teacher Andrew Alcorn on horns! Names you may also recognize include Leah Samson, Al Bezanson, Jakki Rogue and Karen Corbin also take the stage in ways you’ve never seen them! “We are developing talent,” says Mike referring to his co-producer Carlton Munroe who had to take a break from the production of the winter show. “Even performers that have been gigging for years are learning new things about themselves. But we are also trying to push the limits of what has been done before. I think we used every cord and cable at the deCoste for the February show. It also opens the eyes of the venues and they can see what they are capable of doing and what they need to do more of in the future. “We are very proud that Pictou County Pop Classics, the creative dream and idea of Carlton Munroe and Mike Vienneau, had its beginnings on our stage,” says Geralyn MacDonald, New Glasgow’s Director of Community Development. “The highly successful shows have now evolved into a series of productions in partnership with Glasgow Square and have been among the hottest tickets in town.” Mike, Carlton and the Pop’s crew are backing it up another decade and will open the much anticipated the Pop Classics 60s Tribute at Glasgow Square on May 26th. As much as the Pop Classics takes you back the performers want to give back too. A percentage of each show is directed to a needy cause. “The Pop Classics is about community, family and music,” says Mike Vienneau. “We belong to you!”

BE A PART OF A COURTROOM Silence please, court is now in session… or will be on April 7th and 8th at Glasgow Square and fairy taleyour attendance is requested.

BY SARAH BUTLAND Law & Order: Fairy Tale Unit, written by Jonathan

Rand, is a show filled with youth from the community, ranging in ages from 7 to 18 and including all sorts of humourous characters you’ll recognize.

As the ninth performance of New Glasgow Youth

Theatre Society, with Amanda Gillis as the director, this play is sure to be enjoyed by all ages. Jason Pelley, aka H.D., was motivated to audition “because I had seen previous performances from NGYTS, been in the latest performance, and have been interested in acting.” The best part about being in such a performance is meeting lots of new people he wouldn’t get the chance to otherwise, as well as being able to express himself through his on stage persona. H.D., bandaged and bruised due to a recent fall, is a detective working to solve crimes through the land, while the fairy tale police serve and protect and the district attorneys work to ensure justice is served. The crime? The total destruction of the homes of three little pigs. Rebecca Hingley, who plays Cindy and helps H.D. with some crime solving, says “the best part, in my opinion, about acting would be that you take on the emotions and actions that your character does. You have an easier time stepping into other people’s shoes.” And Christopher Russel, a familiar face at the New Glasgow Farmers’ Market, plays the beloved Pinocchio auditioned to help hone his craft while he pursues an interest in voice acting. Practicing regularly in the basement of the Pictou County Gymnastics Club (former YMCA), Gillis seems to light up while working with her selected class and is eager to showcase the young acting talent throughout the county. Be sure to get your ticket through Glasgow Square for only $10 a seat before it’s too late! Come out to see popular fairy tale characters in an entirely different light and cheer on your neighbour!

Lisa McGrath as Janice Joplin belts out Me and Bobby McGee. Inset: Pops co-producer, Mike Vienneau thanks the audience at the deCoste Centre.