This past April Selaena Hayward wowed audiences in Dutton at the West Elgin Dramatics Society (WEDS) "Spring Fling" when she sang two songs, with her dad on guitar. In August, she performed a ninety-minute concert at the restored Glencoe Station. Once again, she left the crowd wanting more.

When I began to listen to Passenger, Deni Gauthier’s latest album, the first word that came to mind was “pretty”, like what your reaction might be taking a path for the first time through a lovely wood. With Deni’s music, though, you know that will be just the first layer of experience. As you continue through this musicscape, you are likely to feel your senses taking over as you are washed with a myriad of sounds, memories, colours, feelings. Deni’s voice and lyrics draw you along, mostly gently, sometimes with a little firmness.

Youth can be found accomplishing remarkable things, often through school programs, right across Elgin County. Of course, that shouldn’t be a surprise, but it’s sometimes easy to forget what the agile minds and exuberance of the young can accomplish with a little nurturing and encouragement. One of the most delightful ways to encounter their talents is during live music or theatre performances.

The board of the Elgin Theatre Guild has recently launched a campaign to rebuild the balcony of the Princess Ave Playhouse in St. Thomas. Fans of local live theatre and Canadian music (which has been well represented on the Playhouse stage in recent years) will applaud their decision to go ahead with the repair.

A tree sparkling with decorations; cards signed, sealed and posted; a bounteous holiday feast centred around a golden turkey; festive crackers ‘snapping’; joyful carol singing – these are all commonly practised Christmas traditions whose origins or, at least, popularity can be attributed to Victorian England.

Read the entire article below or in Relish Elgin Holiday 2015

By James Callowhill

Life as an adult is filled with challenges like raising children, keeping on top of household chores, working full time, fitting in social gatherings, family bonding, keeping our body and mind sharp, and somewhere in there, fitting in something for ourselves.  As I’m sure you know, this balancing act is a tough one.  The good news is, music provides a way of checking off a few of these items simultaneously.

Fred Eaglesmith rolled into the CASO station in St. Thomas on Thursday for what has become an annual warm-up for his Charity Picnic & Music Festival at Springwater.  Tif Ginn and Fred’s band warmed up an appreciative capacity audience - then it was time for Fred.

At age nine Guy Miskelly told his parents he would like to learn guitar. They approached a friend who played and lived on the same street in Aylmer and though he was not an instructor he agreed to give Guy some lessons.  It was the start of his life-long passion for music and led to a career in which he has shared his talents with countless students and at hundreds of events as a versatile freelance musician.

Read the entire article in the Relish Elgin Summer 2015 Edition