Kincardine Community Singers burst forth with patriotism in "Canada Concert"

It's historic, patriotic and a thing of beauty for the ears.

And if you haven't already got a ticket to the Kincardine Community Singers "Canada Concert," you may have missed out.

The choir is making history this weekend, performing for the first time with 100 members at the Kincardine Dance Hall Pavilion, located at the bottom of Durham Street. It's almost worth the price of admission to see how the entire choir can fit into the alcove at the north end of the pavilion.

Celebrating Canada's 150th birthday and the 40th anniversary of the choir, the group is performing its concert Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoon. The Sunday concert is already sold-out, with the two nights also close to a sell-out.

“Every piece of music in the program has a Canadian connection,” says choir director Patt Lowry. The choir's accompanist is Brenda Manderson, with page-turner and guest performer Kathryn Low, and musicians Debb Marks on trumpet, Steve Deer on guitar, Chris Lazarenko on violin, Karen Weber on bass, Mike Smith on drums, Brian Tovey on harmonica, and Dave Barrie on accordion. MC is Jo-Ellen Abercrombie.



The Kincardine Community Singers perform during dress rehearsal, Wednesday night, at the Kincardine Pavilion

If the dress rehearsal is any indication, the choir is virtually wearing its maple leaf on its sleeve, as it sings one amazing rendition after another of some famous Canadian songs. Of course, the concert includes the national anthem, "O Canada," along with "Jack Was Every Inch a Sailor," "I Wish I Was With Them Again," a few weird and wonderful Newfie songs featuring "pig's feet and cat's meat," and many, many more.

The concert also features several solos and ensembles, including a magnificent performance of "When You and I Were Young, Maggie," by John Low and his daughter, Kathryn.

The concert takes place Friday, June 9, and Saturday, June 10, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 11, at 3  p.m. Pre-concert entertainment and a social time will begin an hour before each concert. The event is licensed.

Tickets are $20 each ($5 each for children under age 12); available at Jerome Flowers in downtown Kincardine or on-line at kincardinecommunitysingers.ca