LIGHTFOOT DAYS 2014-Birthplace Celebration - Honour a Legend

[jj]

Orillia Opera House event with memorabilia (Char you are welcome to show off your collection :) ) and tribute performances… we are up first to perform

there are other festivities too… Open Mic, Cafe performers, Eatery gigs, etc

www.gordonlightfoottribute.com

(also a tribute concert for the Colours of Fall event next week in Aurora)

[formerlylavender]

Sounds like a great time...wish I could be there

[jj]

oh Lisa, we'd certainly love that too:) ... long overdue that this came together

they come up with a nice logo! we've all been in our own Gord daze for decades :)

[T.G.]

This sounds like a blast, unfortunately I have a church gig every Saturday afternoon or I'd be there.

[charlene]

RJ said he might head up...

[lighthead2toe]

It's on the agenda as a high priority Char.

Wow! In the "Gordon Lightfoot Auditorium." Doesn't get much better, eh?

I need to be there when the autumn wind goes sailin'.

Don't want to pass up an opportunity to catch those last few rays of an Orillia firey autumn haze.

I hope to get there early, check out the Orillia farmer's market and maybe take a stroll around that beautiful little town before the show.

Can't wait to see and hear the band once again.

[jj]

well, Ron… i think both you and TG should be there (and have Tim drive up too, lol) to do your stuff.. i think RJ should open the show actually… some solid folk era Gord stuff like Echoes of Heroes or Face of 1000 People … you're the original Mariposa guy! ...anyhow, there is an Open Mic … it overlaps a bit with the Opera House session… poster attached

[jj]

Barry Keane attended our last concert… terrific gent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32j_jlIrSr8


www.youtube.com/watch?v=32j_jlIrSr8

[paskatefan]

Awesome interview with Barry - thank you! :clap:

[lighthead2toe]

Wow!

What a great thread. Thanks JJ, and thanks also for your kind words.

Loved the Barry Keane interview. I sure made me laugh. He's a true gentleman.

Marian from the Mountains and I have a hotel room booked in town for the night so I'll throw an axe or two in my van just in case the offer comes up for a song.

Really looking forward to the show.

[charlene]

http://www.orilliapacket.com/2014/10/22/giving-lightfoot-his-due Orillia will honour homegrown Canadian music icon Gordon Lightfoot with a three-day festival.

“There’s a small, committed group of people who have formed a committee and felt because this is his hometown, this is his birthplace, this is where his story all began, this would be a great place to have a festival in his name,” said Jacqueline Soczka, the city’s manager of culture.

Orillia’s first Lightfoot Days will take place Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 and will include a number of tribute bands playing at venues across the city.

The idea for the event was spawned by the community’s enthusiastic response to the 75th-birthday celebration in downtown Orillia for Lightfoot last year, said Soczka.

Lightfoot was born in the city Nov. 17, 1938.

Jack Nicolle, a guitarist in a local tribute act called The Circle is Small Band, was involved in Lightfoot’s 75th-birthday celebration. He now chairs the Lightfoot Days committee.

“I have quite an affiliation with the music, which is a love of mine,” Nicolle said, adding he was a former music student of the lead guitarist in Lightfoot’s band.

Nicolle said he was contacted by Lightfoot’s nephew, Steve Eyers, in light of last year’s birthday celebration. Eyers, who also sits on the Lightfoot Days committee, wanted to be more involved, Nicolle said.

Eyers and his band, Even Steven, will be part of the Lightfoot Days lineup, which includes Nicolle’s band as well.

The highlight will be a tribute concert, scheduled to take place Nov. 1 between 2 and 5 p.m. in the Gordon Lightfoot Auditorium at the Orillia Opera House. It will include performances by the John Stinson Band, Eric Kidd and Steve Eyers, Even Steven and the Circle is Small Band. Karen Hilfman Millson, who, as the former minister of St. Paul’s United Church, spoke with Lightfoot on several occasions, will share her stories.

Lightfoot won’t be able to make the festival this year as he is on tour in the Prairies, Nicolle said.

“However, he has called us up and expressed his gratitude for doing this,” Nicolle said, adding Lightfoot’s sister, Bev, will attend.

Tickets to the tribute concert cost $15 and can be purchased at orilliaoperahouse.ca or by calling 705-326-8011.

For a full schedule of events, follow Orillia Lightfoot Days on Facebook.

roberta.bell@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @roberta__bell

[jj]

hey Ron!… there was also a book of petty that was supposed to be ready for the event but it got delayed and they are now having a separate event at Hugh's


new article in local paper about the LightfootDays weekend
http://www.orilliapacket.com/2014/10/22/giving-lightfoot-his-due
Orillia will honour homegrown Canadian music icon Gordon Lightfoot with a three-day festival.

“There’s a small, committed group of people who have formed a committee and felt because this is his hometown, this is his birthplace, this is where his story all began, this would be a great place to have a festival in his name,” said Jacqueline Soczka, the city’s manager of culture.

Orillia’s first Lightfoot Days will take place Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 and will include a number of tribute bands playing at venues across the city.

The idea for the event was spawned by the community’s enthusiastic response to the 75th-birthday celebration in downtown Orillia for Lightfoot last year, said Soczka.

Lightfoot was born in the city Nov. 17, 1938.

Jack Nicolle, a guitarist in a local tribute act called The Circle is Small Band, was involved in Lightfoot’s 75th-birthday celebration. He now chairs the Lightfoot Days committee.

“I have quite an affiliation with the music, which is a love of mine,” Nicolle said, adding he was a former music student of the lead guitarist in Lightfoot’s band.

Nicolle said he was contacted by Lightfoot’s nephew, Steve Eyers, in light of last year’s birthday celebration. Eyers, who also sits on the Lightfoot Days committee, wanted to be more involved, Nicolle said.

Eyers and his band, Even Steven, will be part of the Lightfoot Days lineup, which includes Nicolle’s band as well.

The highlight will be a tribute concert, scheduled to take place Nov. 1 between 2 and 5 p.m. in the Gordon Lightfoot Auditorium at the Orillia Opera House. It will include performances by the John Stinson Band, Eric Kidd and Steve Eyers, Even Steven and the Circle is Small Band. Karen Hilfman Millson, who, as the former minister of St. Paul’s United Church, spoke with Lightfoot on several occasions, will share her stories.

Lightfoot won’t be able to make the festival this year as he is on tour in the Prairies, Nicolle said.

“However, he has called us up and expressed his gratitude for doing this,” Nicolle said, adding Lightfoot’s sister, Bev, will attend.

Tickets to the tribute concert cost $15 and can be purchased at orilliaoperahouse.ca or by calling 705-326-8011.

For a full schedule of events, follow Orillia Lightfoot Days on Facebook.

roberta.bell@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @roberta__bell
cheers!
JJ

[charlene]

http://www.corfid.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=27587

[charlene]

http://www.simcoe.com/news-story/4952552-orillia-s-lightfoot-days-start-oct-31/
Orillia's Lightfoot Days start Oct. 31

Area performers will celebrate Gordon Lightfoot’s music during a three-day event happening in downtown Orillia this weekend.
Orillia Today
By Frank Matys
Gordon Lightfoot’s living legacy is the focus of a three-day tribute in downtown Orillia this weekend.

Songs, stories and memorabilia celebrate the singer/songwriter’s lasting impact on folk and pop music during the inaugural ‘Lightfoot Days’ event.

“Orillia seemed the most logical place to create a festival in Lightfoot’s name,” said organizing committee chair Jack Nicolle. “It is his hometown, his birthplace where his story began some 70 years ago.”

Running from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, the event features a variety of tribute artists at several venues in the city’s core.

Venues include Marcel’s (formerly Zats), Bistro 179, Brewery Bay Food Co., and Apple Annie’s Café.

Lightfoot’s nephew, Steve Eyers – one half of the duo Even Steven – is participating as a committee member and as a performer, organizers noted.

In addition to the artists scheduled at downtown venues, the Orillia Opera House hosts an afternoon tribute concert on Nov. 1.

Even Steven joins a roster of artists that includes Eric Kidd, the Circle is Small Band and the John Stinson Band starting at 2 p.m.

Karen Hilfman Millson will share stories culled from her conversations with Lightfoot during her years as minister of St. Paul’s United Church, his boyhood parish.

Visitors are also invited to peruse a display of Lightfoot memorabilia in the opera house’s green room.

Admission to the exhibit is free.

Elsewhere, local musicians wishing to honour Lightfoot’s legend through their own songs are invited to join an open mic tribute at the Brownstone on Saturday following the opera house concert.

This year’s event builds on the success of a celebration held in 2013 to mark Lightfoot’s 75th birthday.

More information is available on Facebook on the ‘Orillia Lightfoot Days’ page.

Tickets to the opera house concert are $18 per person, and are available online at orilliaoperahouse.ca, or by calling 705-326-8011.

[jj]

.

[charlene]

pic doesn't open James.. same prob i've been having. I e-mailed Florian..

[jj]

its the concert program…i posted to FB

[jj]

the 2nd annual LightfootDays Festival has begun in Orillia - Oct 31 to Nov 2

Circle is Small Band kicked it off in the Brewery Bay pub, owned by the new Mayor

have very safe travels (Ron Jones, Paul Bartlett, etc) …there is some snow

they are selling posters and T shirts… I can't seem to post any images here

Gordon's sister, Bev, and his musical nephew, Steve Eyers helped form this!

congrats, Orillia and Gordon

[charlene]

t-shirt has this logo across chest

[charlene]

John Stinson and Barry Keane!

[charlene]

Kenyon's TWITTER pic: about to go onstage at The Orillia Opera House-Gordon Lightfoot Auditorium for the 2nd annual LIGHTFOOT DAYS celebration weekend!

[lighthead2toe]

Just back in Toronto from the Lightfoot festivities in Orillia and I can tell everyone that this weekend Orillia Town was just a-hoppin' with Gordon Lightfoot events.

Gigs goin' on all over the place and although Gord was out on tour his hometown was on fire.

Marian from the Mountains and I arrived mid day or so and headed straight for the Orillia Opera House.

What a special feeling, just being there, inside the "Gordon Lightfoot Auditorium" where Gord performed many times and all that rich history alive and just bubbling. Hard to describe really.

The guys were doing their sound check when we arrived so there was time to just stroll about and absorb the vibes jolting around that magic place and sometimes you could even feel it when they hit you. That's the time to capture them and if you can, keep them wrapped up so they stay with you as long as possible. I think I snagged a few because even though I'm half asleep here I want to continue on just a bit.

For a guy like me, anything remotely connected to the music of Gordon Lightfoot is something I want to graft onto and nurture it along the way, anyway I can.

This weekend in Orillia it was a bonanza!

To be able to sit there and close your eyes and hear those wonderful sounds and let your mind drift back to when you first heard it all... such a wonderful sensation.

Hopefully we'll get to see some of the shows here on Corfid if anyone captured anything on video. Sorry, I'm not good in that department. Too old to hear new chimes I guess.





Thanks gals and guys,

[charlene]

http://www.orilliapacket.com/2014/11/02/lightfoot-days-celebrates-life-and-music-of-icon

Orillia paid tribute to homegrown Canadian music icon Gordon Lightfoot on the weekend with a three-day festival.

Orillia’s first Lightfoot Days, which began Friday, included a number of tribute bands playing at venues across the city.

The idea for the event was spawned by the community’sresponse to the 75th-birthday celebration in downtown Orillia for Lightfoot last year.

Lightfoot was born in the city Nov. 17, 1938.

Lightfoot Days
Sounds and images of Gordon Lightfoot were everywhere in Orillia this weekend. Check out what people have been sharing about this Canadian music legend.

During a break in the music at the Orillia Opera House, Eric Kidd shares a story about his first Gordon Lightfoot concert. Kidd was one of five performances held during a tribute concert for Gordon Lightfoot, honouring the music legend. Mark Wanzel QMI AGENCY

[charlene]

Gordon Lightfoot memorabilia was on display all weekend at the Orillia Opera House, honouring the music legend. Mark Wanzel QMI AGENCY

[charlene]

Fans wander though a collection of Gordon Lightfoot memorabilia during the inaugural Lightfoot Days music festival held at venues across the city, including the the Orillia Opera House, Saturday. Mark Wanzel QMI AGENCY

[charlene]

Martha Aynes admires some photographs on display at the Orillia Opera House, Saturday, during the inaugural Lighfoot Days festival. Mark Wanzel QMI AGENCY

[charlene]

Members of The Circle Is Small Band perform at the Orillia Opera House during the Lightfoot Days festival. Mark Wanzel QMI AGENCY

[charlene]

While on stage, Steve McEown listens to his friend Steve Eyers share a story about Gordon Lightfoot during a break in performing at the Orillia Opera House, Saturday. The two where part of a tribute concert that took place during the city's inaugural Lighfoot Days. Mark Wanzel QMI AGENCY

[charlene]

Cake Cutting at 2nd Annual Lightfoot Days with Mayor Orsi, Circle is Small Band and Organizing Committee at Mariposa.

[charlene]

Adrien Robitaille & Circle is Small band at @mariposa market Orillia for Lightfoot Days.

[jj]

wish we could see images… are they from Lightfoot Days Facebook?

the photographer arrived late ( which is funny, because we knew nobody at the event who had any recording device or camera, or even a cellphone cam ) so the memory is just locked in our minds

I enjoyed new Mayor Clark kicking off the show with kind words …we performed at his pub in the evening with Gord's sister and misc family in attendance

there is a fellow up there who is the memorabilia king… especially the old stuff

til next year …congrats Orillia http://www.orilliapacket.com/2014/11/02/lightfoot-days-celebrates-life-and-music-of-icon

[jj]

there are some photos at the Orilla Packet link … there was a CTV crew there also going around the "museum" but they couldn't stay for the actual music …perhaps they showed up again Sunday

[jj]

glad you made it home, Ron… i never got to ask what the sound mix was like, but the sound crew seemed really pro… i got to wave quickly to Marion, too quick!

I hope you and Paul played at the Brownstone.. I really wanted to head over to see Even Steven after we were done at night but I was freezing and it was almost midnight (and I had no directions … Gord's nephew said it was about 3 km away… Lakeside?)

There were some funny "capo" mishap stories … we must hook up… I think John and I are doing a duo in a few weeks …basically a free gig but should be fun

the Stinson name still buzzing…he did proud from what I could hear…cheers, J


Just back in Toronto from the Lightfoot festivities in Orillia and I can tell everyone that this weekend Orillia Town was just a-hoppin' with Gordon Lightfoot events.

Gigs goin' on all over the place and although Gord was out on tour his hometown was on fire.

Marian from the Mountains and I arrived mid day or so and headed straight for the Orillia Opera House.

What a special feeling, just being there, inside the "Gordon Lightfoot Auditorium" where Gord performed many times and all that rich history alive and just bubbling. Hard to describe really.

The guys were doing their sound check when we arrived so there was time to just stroll about and absorb the vibes jolting around that magic place and sometimes you could even feel it when they hit you. That's the time to capture them and if you can, keep them wrapped up so they stay with you as long as possible. I think I snagged a few because even though I'm half asleep here I want to continue on just a bit.

For a guy like me, anything remotely connected to the music of Gordon Lightfoot is something I want to graft onto and nurture it along the way, anyway I can.

This weekend in Orillia it was a bonanza!

To be able to sit there and close your eyes and hear those wonderful sounds and let your mind drift back to when you first heard it all... such a wonderful sensation.

Hopefully we'll get to see some of the shows here on Corfid if anyone captured anything on video. Sorry, I'm not good in that department. Too old to hear new chimes I guess.





Thanks gals and guys,

[jj]

sorry, i see you have the article already, char… i don't think the display was all weekend… ended at 5pm Saturday or I would have taken it all in Sunday and brought my camera out of the car… I should have given it to Ron Jones or set it up in the balcony but after the drive up in the snow, just happy to squeeze in a soundcheck and then , we were on … 9 tunes that seemed to really fly by (started with Early Morning Rain and ended with the Wreck) …i don't have set lists but other acts did

i used to be a country singer (sang by the writer himself, Mr. McEown)
second cup coffee
sundown
you are what i am
pussywillows
trilogy
don quixote
unsettled ways
song for winter's night
go go round
beautiful

in the evening Eric Kidd played all Gord at a venue, as did Adrien and ourselves.. even Steven did a show of Gord and other artists and in the afternoon Craig Mainprize performed too… then Sunday there were other former Red Shea students playing at Mariposa… I could use a big slice of that cake right now … I never got out trick or treating, so am chocolate deprived!

[charlene]

WHen you click on the 'picture' does it open?
I don't have a picture showing but a small square icon..if I click on that it does open.. FLORIAN! help!!

[joveski]

clicking on them, sometimes they open - an sometimes not. these ones do, but they dont get embedded in the thread

[charlene]

I've e-mailed Florian but no answer yet--very perplexing indeed!

[formerlylavender]

For whatever reason I can't see the pics either. Thought it was a problem on my side.

Go go round, 2nd cup of coffee, unsettled ways...I'm in heaven!! Again, wish I could have been there.

jj we have plenty of chocolate here for you. I'm the same, forget the skittles/starburst..give me the chocolate:)

[jj]

jj we have plenty of chocolate here for you. I'm the same, forget the skittles/starburst..give me the chocolate:)


so get this, lisa… my kid is at one of those natural ice cream places getting a kiddie cone and they allow you to mix in as many "extra" tidbits as you want… i didnt qualify for a kiddie size or would have gone for it (even though it's not hot outside!) and i wasnt gonna pay $6 for the non kiddie size … SO i'm hoping i will get a bite of his and am pointing out "dark choc bits", "reese pieces", "choc caramel stuff", anything brown! … they kid chooses to mix in GUMMIE BEARS!!!

ugh, Gummies stick in my teeth gaps even worse when they are subzero… kids!

you can't live with em, and you can't live with em…. ;)

[formerlylavender]

Lol, yes, my kids are the same. Gummies aren't my thing straight out of the bag, but practically frozen on top of ice cream? Forget it. Give me a reeses any day:)

[paskatefan]

Thanks for the reports, pics, etc. Sounds like it was a terrrific event!

[lighthead2toe]

It truly was a most memorable event. I remember seeing a few news reporters inside the auditorium with camera equipment etc. and automatically assumed that there would be at least some video footage but so far nothing has surfaced.

Guess we'll have to get a jump on that end of things for future events. It sure makes the package complete when we can see the entertainers, and they really did put on an excellent performance.

[lighthead2toe]

Another thought that kept running through my brain this morning when I was out walking was a story Steven Ayres, Gord's nephew told about "Sundown."

He began his story telling about a phone call he received once from his Grandmother, Jessica (Gord's Mom) saying Gordon was coming up to Orillia and he wants us to listen to his new album "Sundown" and invited Steven to join them.

He said Gord set up a tape recorder in the house and they all sat down and listened to the songs. He said also that the songs on the album weren't totally ready, sort of in the "raw stages" as there was more mixing etc. to be done before the album would be released.

He went on to say that when Jessica heard the song "Sundown" she said "that one will be a hit" and sure enough she was right on the mark.

From what I can recall (John Fowles please correct me on this if I'm wrong) "Sundown" took over first place from the Beatles in 1974 when it became the top billboard hit in America.

Somewhere, I'm not sure if it was in an interview or in an article, but when the news broke about "Sundown" Gord was performing on stage in the Ulster Hall in Belfast and a note was passed to him that "Sundown" made it to number one.

I truly melted when I heard that story. Moms sure are special. They're senses are very astute!

Also while we're talking about "Sundown," "Even Steven" performed that song at the show and Steven Ayres played the instrumental solo part on his bass. It was brilliant!

There were so many wonderful stories told.

[jj]

From what I can recall (John Fowles please correct me on this if I'm wrong) "Sundown" took over first place from the Beatles in 1974 when it became the top billboard hit in America.

Somewhere, I'm not sure if it was in an interview or in an article, but when the news broke about "Sundown" Gord was performing on stage in the Ulster Hall in Belfast and a note was passed to him that "Sundown" made it to number one.

i think it knocked off Paul McCartney and Wings … Band on the Run?