2024 Audience Program

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

2024 PROGRAM

Message from Westben’s Artistic & Managing Director, Brian Finley 25 years ago…

The cornfield had been cleared, the meadow reshaped, and a newly poured concrete floor was curing. Offsite, the massive timbers that would frame a new barn were being meticulously carved. The pine boards that would be hoisted into place filling the new structure with their ever-fresh scent were just being milled locally. Meanwhile, tickets were being sold to that first season of “world class music in wide open countryside.” A Dream was becoming a Reality…

Westben is flourishing as it continues to boldly explore the experience of music in nature. Still lovingly tended by its welcoming community and enjoyed by an array of artists and ever-increasing audiences, it has become a Garden that continues to grow good things: joyful friendships, connections to nature, and music that nourishes the soul. It is a Garden that makes us smile as it brings us all together.

In 2024, we celebrate the Garden! This year’s “harvest” includes a year full of fascinating musical experiences along with one of our most exciting summer seasons yet. Join us at The Barn, Willow Hill Amphitheatre, The Campfire, The Schoolhouse, The Mary West Nature Reserve – all are ready to welcome you to this colourful Garden.

quarter-century, such as our 25th Anniversary Grow Your Gift: Double Your Bloom campaign.

We also introduce you to our wonderful community, as well as opportunities to support Westben as it heads into its next

Brian Finley, C.M. Artistic & Managing Director

Let’s all celebrate the Garden! Join us to toast the past, enjoy the present and dream on about all the possibilities that still lie ahead. On we grow!

Message from Westben’s Board Chair, John Welch

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Accessibility at Westben

Westben is nestled amongst the gently rolling hills of the Gunshot Treaty lands and subsequent Williams Treaties of 1923, and the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig (Mississauga) Anishinaabeg near what is now known as Campbellford, Ontario.

Westben is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all our guests. Please find a brief overview of our accessibility features below to help you enjoy a comfortable and memorable experience at our festival.

This area today includes neighbouring Alderville, Hiawatha, and Curve Lake First Nations—thriving communities with cultural roots of music-making spanning thousands of years. To learn more, we invite you to read Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg: The History by Doug Williams and edited by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Alderville First Nation...

A History by Brian Beaver and The Village of Hiawatha: A History by Heather Y. Shpuniarsky and the Village of Hiawatha Book Committee.

25 years later…

On behalf of the Westben Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Westben. We are so pleased you could join us as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary. 25 years!

That is quite an accomplishment. It all started with Brian Finley and Donna Bennett, who had the vision for a music festival in the idyllic setting of Northumberland County.

Since 1999, Westben has grown into a vital organization that celebrates Music in Nature and serves the community in myriad ways throughout the year. All of this would never have been possible without a small army of volunteers and a dedicated group of supporters, many of whom have been with us from the beginning. To them we offer our heartfelt thanks. And to you we say thank you for joining us in this anniversary season. Old friend or newcomer, I sincerely thank you for supporting Westben. We are so glad to see you and hope you will return soon to this unique place that holds a special place in our hearts. And l don’t know about you, but I’m excited to see how Westben continues to grow and evolve over the next 25 years.

Land Acknowledgement

Our music-making at Westben is therefore in grateful recognition and appreciation of our Michi Saagiig friends whose music has filled these lands for generations.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Westben is committed to recognizing, upholding, and celebrating the human rights and dignity of Black and Indigenous members of our community as well as with all people of colour and those in other marginalized groups whose lives are impacted and wrongly constrained by racism and discrimination. To that end, all Westben’s work and activities are guided by principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

These principles inform decision-making, the development of strategic initiatives, community engagement activities and policy formulation.

The Board fosters an approach of ongoing learning and improvement striving to continue incorporating these principles in its ongoing work and throughout the organization.

• Parking and Venue Access: Parking and all venues are wheelchair accessible. We offer friendly and complimentary golf cart chauffeuring between the parking lot and each venue. We ask that wheelchair users kindly advise the Box Office when booking on the phone or online to ensure accessible seating.

• Washroom Facilities: We offer one wheelchairaccessible portable washroom at each venue.

There are no steps into our main washroom trailer.

• Box Office: The Ticket Shed at the Performance Venues is open 90 minutes before performances.

The Schoolhouse Box Office is open Tuesday to Friday but is not currently wheelchair accessible.

• More Information: You can request a copy of our detailed Accessibility Guide from a Staff Member or Volunteer. To find our digital version, please scan the QR code or visit westben.ca/accessibility-guide.

If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to annais@westben.ca to learn more.

WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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Program at-a-Glance MON

TUES

10

11

WED

12

JUNE 17

24

MON

1

18

20

26

TUES

8

9

15

16

22

23 Best of Barnful of Broadway 2 PM

29

30

21 The Selfish Giant’s Garden 7 PM

22 The Selfish Giant’s Garden 2 PM

23 The Selfish Giant’s Garden 2 PM

28

29

30 25th Anniversary Concert: Celebrating the Garden 2 PM

3

FRI

4

SAT

5 Andy Forgie & Big Black Smoke 7 PM BBQ 5 PM

11

12 Laughs with Colin & Deb 7 PM

18

19 NZ String Quartet 2 PM Steven Page 7 PM

24 Best of Barnful of Broadway 2 PM

25 Best of Barnful of Broadway 2 PM

26 Best of Barnful of Broadway 2 PM

31 Gerald Finley 2 PM Lunch 11:30 AM

1

Film Night 7 PM

Natural Balance 7PM

17

Fall

SUN

16 The Selfish Giant’s Garden 2 PM

THURS

10

SAT

14 15 The Selfish The Selfish Giant’s Garden Giant’s Garden 7 PM 2 PM

27

WED

2

FRI

13

19

25

JULY

THURS

Angela Hewitt 2 PM

AUG

Big Smoke Brass 7 PM

2

SUN

6

7

Jeremy Dutcher 7 PM Forest Bathing 4 PM

The Barra MacNeils 2PM & 7:30PM

13

14 Music of Many Gardens: PCR Concert 2 PM

Kevin Drew 7 PM

20 Colin Ainsworth & NZ String Quartet 2 PM Strings & Hangi Campfire 6 PM Best of Barnful of Broadway 2 PM

27

Sarah Slean 2 PM

Best of Barnful of Broadway 2 PM

SEPTEMBER SUN 22 SAT 28 SUN 29

Silver Moon Gala Sounds in Nature Sounds in Nature

1 PM 10 AM 10 AM

The Broadway Belles Chalk Talk Concert: Hearing Beethoven

2 PM 2 PM

OCTOBER SUN 6 SAT 19

NOVEMBER SAT 9

Chalk Talk Concert: Alchemizing Earthfullness

2 PM

WINTER NOVEMBER SAT 30

A Westben Christmas Carol

2 PM

DECEMBER SUN 1 SAT 7

A Westben Christmas Carol A Westben Christmas Carol

2 PM 2 PM

21

28

3 4 Holly Cole Jackie Richardson 2 PM & Joe Sealy Dare to Pair present: 11:30 AM Seyblu 8 PM Africville Stories 2 PM

*Artists, dates and programs are subject to change. Please confirm all events with the Box Office.

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WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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A Standing Ovation for Westben’s Galaxy Sponsor

Starlight Sponsor

Covia Corporation is one of North America’s leading producers and distributors of non-metallic industrial minerals. At its two sites in the Kawartha Lakes Region, the company mines and processes Nepheline, a premier deposit of the rare and highly valued industrial mineral. Nepheline is very important in the making of glass, ceramics, and paints. It reduces the amount of energy its manufacturers need to use as well as improving the quality of the finished product. The Canadian Nepheline sites have been a part of the local community since 1935.

Congratulations on celebrating 25 years of music in nature.

For more information go to coviacorp.com

Blue Sky Sponsor

Allen Insurance Group is honoured to be a sponsor of Westben’s world-class concerts at the Barn for the past 25 years.

It has been both rewarding and inspiring to witness Westben evolve this unique venue filled with renowned entertainment creating memorable experiences for all ages. Thank you Westben for bringing many communities to our small part of the world and nurturing the performers of tomorrow. Congratulations on your 25th Anniversary.

Allen Insurance Group – Proudly supporting our communities and valuable organizations like Westben for over 120 years. We’ll take care of you. alleninsurance.ca 6 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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Blue Sky Sponsors FURNITURE

Bennett’s Furniture and Mattresses has been family owned and operated since 1926.

Founded in Campbellford, Bennett’s has expanded to also have locations in Peterborough and Kingston. We carry a wide selection of furniture, mattresses and accessories in all three of our showrooms, and also carry appliances in Campbellford. At Bennett’s, we pride ourselves in providing the best possible service from start to finish. We have knowledgeable Decorator Consultants in store, In-Home Design services, Deluxe Delivery from Toronto to Ottawa, and we offer Bennett’s Masterguard Protection Program with our in-house service team. Bennett’s is a proud supporter of Westben. bennetts.ca

Concert Sponsors Aspira Island Park Retirement Residence is located on the beautiful and historical Trent Severn Canal with the picturesque Ferris Provincial Park and the Trent River in our backyard. Walking paths along the canal are right outside our front door, or you can relax in the comfort of your private balcony while overlooking scenic views of the suspension bridge or watching boaters from around the world pass by your door. Picture yourself living retirement life to the fullest in a vibrant and welcoming community. Aspira Island Park features resort-like inclusions and amenities giving you peace of mind and delightful days.

Our dedicated team is here to serve you with warmth, compassion, and personalization. Enjoy your day, in your desired way. Visit us at 18 Trent Drive, Campbellford. Or call us at 705-653-3100. aspiralife.ca Canadian Tire - Campbellford is your one-stop destination for auto service and repair, paint, hardware, housewares, home electronics, backyard and cottage living, garden center, sports, and recreation.

Open Monday-Friday 8 am-7 pm, Saturday 8 am-6 pm and Sunday 9 am-5 pm

The Pyle Group is both honoured and excited to be a sponsor of the Westben Centre for Connection and Creativity through Music. Over the years, our team has continually looked for ways to strengthen the community and we have dedicated our efforts to several charities and organizations. Our role as The Pyle Group extends beyond the services of providing portfolio management, financial planning, and many other planning needs. We appreciate our clients’ commitment to the community and the significance of their support and confidence in us as wealth advisors. pyle-group.com

canadiantire.ca Classical FM. The New Classical 96.3FM, home of the GTA’s Classical Favourites, started its life more than 40 years ago as a humble classical music station in beautiful Cobourg Ontario (still broadcasting as Classical 103.1 FM). On August 30th, 2014 we expanded our signal across the Georgian Triangle with Classical 102.9 FM. We offer listeners the greatest music of all time plus up-to-the minute news, weather, traffic, Zoomer Reports and arts reports. classicalfm.ca

Founded in 1989 by brothers Bill and Keith Carroll, Lifestyle Home Products proudly serves homeowners across Ontario, Canada. We manufacture high-quality, three- and four-season sunrooms, as well as energy-efficient, vinyl replacement windows and fiberglass exterior doors in our state-of-the-art factory in Peterborough. Partnered with Jacuzzi Bath Remodel, We provide One Day Bath Remodeling that includes bathtub and shower renovations completed in as little as one day! At Lifestyle, we proudly stand behind our products. We take care of each project from start to finish for a quality and worry-free installation that’s guaranteed to last a lifetime. Lifestyle Home Products is proud to sponsor local community groups, and events like Westben. lifestylesunrooms.com 8 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

Campbellford Chrysler is a full line new and used Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ram dealership that carries a great selection of New and pre-owned vehicles.

We service all makes and models of cars and trucks whether our product or off make models as well. If we don’t have it, we will find it for you. Campbellford Chrysler Has been apart of the community for a great number of years and are proud to support our community from sports teams to local charities and are happy to be part of Westben this year!

You can depend on our team!

531 Grand Road South Campbellford, ON K0L 1L0 Call: (833) 240-7591 campbellfordchrysler.ca

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The Selfish Giant’s Garden

Concert Sponsors Ken Layton of Kenetic Energy Ltd. has spent 30 years working in the trade.

His crew brings another combined 70+ years of experience along with them every day as they install, service, and repair furnaces, air conditioning units, boilers, heat pumps, and air handling systems.

We provide our customers with a variety of premium products to match their home comfort needs and budget. You can trust us up-to-date, trained, and licensed team with all things HVAC. Their work is guaranteed.

Working in Campbellford, Havelock, Hastings, Norwood, Warkworth, Trent Hills, and surrounding areas, Kenetic Energy is available 24/7, 365 days a year, to keep your home equipment heating or cooling in any weather emergency. info@keneticenergy.ca

keneticenergy.ca

A litigation-focused law firm based in Campbellford. Kat Kinch, barrister & solicitor, serves clients with commercial disputes, estate litigation, other civil cases, and family law needs in local courthouses, provides representation for local individuals, municipalities, and companies with Superior Court cases elsewhere in the province, and advises clients on complex and emerging legal problems. A graduate of CDHS, McMaster University, and UBC Law, Kat Kinch was named one of Maclean’s magazine’s “Best and Brightest” university scholars.

She practiced in downtown Vancouver before returning to her hometown. She is proud to offer legal services in the community that provided her first jobs and early education.

Reach Kat at 705-653-4023 ext. 209 or kat@ kinchlitigation.com or you can drop by our newly renovated office space at 53 Bridge Street East in Campbellford. Our firm also offers licensed paralegal services. Aaron Eddie (aaron@kinchlitigation.com) and Justin Savoy (justin@kinchlitigation.com) provide affordable representation to our clients with Small Claims cases, provincial offense charges, challenges to MPAC assessments, and administrative law issues such as human rights matters, landlord-tenant law, and WSIB.

A new production of a musical by Brian Finley & Ken Tizzard based on “The Selfish Giant” by Oscar Wilde Your Friendly Neighbourhood Pharmacy. Providing fast, honest, reliable service at a reasonable price.

79 Bridge Street East, Campbellford. maclarenpharmacy.ca The Sharpe Family would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Westben on your 25 years and we wish continued success.

Westben brings world class music into our own backyard and is a welcome addition to the local economy. Thanks Brian and Donna! Bravo Westben! sharpesfoodmarket.ca Celebrating over 90 years of service to the community the Rotary Club of Campbellford is a proud sponsor of Westben. Through Rotary, people from all continents and cultures come together to exchange ideas, form friendships and professional connections while making a different in their backyards and around the world. rotaryclubofcampbellford.ca Warkworth Community Service Club is an independent group of volunteers which has a mandate to improve life in our community. We appreciate the opportunity to do this, by sponsoring and supporting the wonderful arts program provided by Westben. Best wishes for an exciting and successful season. warkworthcsc.ca

FRIDAYS, JUNE 14 & 21 AT 7 PM – AT THE BARN SATURDAYS, JUNE 15 & 22 AT 2 PM – AT THE BARN SUNDAYS, JUNE 16 & 23 AT 2 PM – AT THE BARN Fall Winter Intermission Winter Continued… / Spring Summer

Synopsis FALL

Prelude – Here in the Garden: The Garden awakes.

Linette, the gardener meets her friends, the Children as they return to play in their beloved garden. Together, they welcome a new girl, Lily. But everyone scatters when a Giant returns to reclaim the garden as his own. The Children are left to wander the dusty road beyond the garden wall.

WINTER

No More Drifting: Virginia Snow arrives to discover a place to end her endless travelling. She talks the Giant into allowing her to stay, offering to help keep the garden secure. On the sly, she calls her friends, Jacques Frost, Roary Potts and Helen Hail to come help with the scheme. The Giant is not convinced by Snow’s shifty newcomers, until they demonstrate their abilities to scare off the Children.

The Giant is satisfied. Snow senses her victory, and Linette pleads on behalf of the Children who sadly recall how happy they were there…

INTERMISSION

WINTER CONTINUED… / SPRING

Prelude: Winter Sleeps…The Garden remains shrouded in the depths of winter. Unperturbed, three happy Children (Rosie, Posie and Mozie) enthusiastically plan to scatter their seeds. Snow shoes them away… Alone and tired of winter, the Giant pleads for a change in the weather. He is encouraged when he hears Linette singing – a sure sign of spring! He watches as Children begin to fill his garden, but he inadvertently scares them all away when he rushes out to join them. Only Lily has remained – and she is being harassed by Snow and company. The Giant steps up to save her, banishing Snow and her friends form the garden.

He then welcomes all the Children back. Amidst their happy singing, Lily slips away.

SUMMER

Despite all the happy Children who now regularly fill his garden, the Giant longs to see his friend, Lily.

But she never comes. Time passes and the Giant grows old. Finally, just as he is about to give up hope, Lily returns to help the Giant understand his final lesson: that one doesn’t fully know love until it is lost.

kinchlitigation.com 10 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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Cast

Creative & Production

Norman (The Giant) Spirit of the Garden Linette Virginia Snow Jack Frost Helen Hail Roary Potts Boy Giant, Hosta Lily

Robert Longo* Lauren Lafayette Brooks Donna Bennett* Gabrielle Prata* Jonah McLean Ruth Fleming Dion Drewlo Dani Ross Kara McMurray (June 14, 16, 22); Heidi Ingram (June 15, 21, 23) Daisy/Stones/Sorrow Janey King Dahlia/Stones/Sorrow Bridgette Watson Sorrow: Poinsettia Lora Ross Dandelion Cara Eddie Begonia Elliot Wing Rosie Quinn Morford Posie Sebastian Smith Mozie Kendal Morford Primrose Piper McMurray Peony Eloise Smith Poppy Sam King Snapdragon Evelyn Heenan Sage Ivy Morford

Brian Finley

PUMPED FOR PEACHES CHORUS Violet Layla Alonso Azalea Kara McMurray Beebalm Frankie Dagg Orchid Vivienne Dawson Freesia Heidi Ingram Zinnia Sophie Haskell Geranium Eliza Heenan Sunflower Olivia Larken Lavender Evie Lewis Periwinkle Ber McCarrell Tulip Maren McCarrell Rhododendron Silva McCarrell Buttercups Alex Patterson Cosmos Finley Ramjohn Lupine Laya Ramjohn Hydrangea Hazel Stillman Iris Finley Wilson Hibiscus Sophia Wilson Jasmine Sarah Volk

The Giant’s garden project including plants, soil, mulch, garden materials and sustainability education and community outreach programs, made possible by Community Foundation of Campbellford/Seymour and Northumberland, Community Power Northumberland, and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

*appears with the permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association

composer/librettist, producer, music direction Ken Tizzard composer/librettist Edward Franko* stage director Caroline Langill design Gord Langill design Beth Puttkemery design Koren Smoke design Rebecca Baptista choreography Sarah Lewis creative consultation Andy Thompson technical direction Catherine Warrener lighting Luke LaRocca production assistant

Orchestra Brian Finley Debra Richardson-Edge Kerstin Walsh Ben Finley Ian Wright

music director, keyboard keyboard keyboard bass & effects percussion

THE SELFISH

GIANT’S

GARDEN JUNE 14-16 & 21-23 AT THE BARN CAMPBELLFORD, ON

A Fully Staged Musical for All Ages

Robert Longo

Gabrielle Prata

Donna Bennett

A new production of a & musical by Brian Finley Ken Tizzard based on a e short story by Oscar Wild

GET YOUR TICKET S NOW!

Brian Finley

Ken Tizzard

The Selfish Giant’s Garden Robert Longo – The Giant Westben has been a long-time home away from home for Robert Longo and he has enjoyed wearing many hats for the Festival. Bob enjoys a diversified career as Singer/Actor, Director and Teacher. On stage, he made his Broadway debut in the revival of SHENANDOAH! His favorite credits are Javert in Les Miserables (Mirvish, Canadian National Tours, U.S. National Tour, Westben Festival); The Beast in Beauty and the Beast (Disney/Mirvish); and Anatoly in CHESS in concert (Royal Alex Theater). He has sung on Opera, Concert and Theater stages all across North America and can be seen in Murdoch Mysteries, Saving Hope and Comfort and Joy. He is currently the Arts (Music) Consultant for the Toronto Catholic District School Board and teaches Singing for the Randolph College for the Performing Arts. In New York, Bob taught at CAP 21 at New York University and was Adjunct Professor of Voice at William Patterson University. Producing, performing and music directing BROADWAY NITES, a retro Broadway Cabaret, with Gabrielle and Rod has been a passion project. Bob looks forward to revisiting the role of Norman Biggs.

Donna Bennett – Linette Donna and her musical and life partner Brian Finley are co-founders of the Westben. Donna Bennett has sung with the Canadian Opera Company, Opera Atelier, Toronto Operetta Theatre, Tafelmusik, and orchestras across the country.

Having performed in England, Germany, Italy and in the US, she has also toured extensively across Canada with pianist and husband Brian Finley. Donna’s discography includes Henze’s opera The English Cat and a collection of Mozart Arias and Lieder recorded live at the Olympic Music Festival in Washington, A Christmas of Love & Light, Lullabies for Benjamin, and Love’s Old Sweet Songs along with the world premiere recordings of Brian’s Rapunzel and Requiem for a Millennium. She has also recorded for CBC, CFMX, KING-FM (Seattle) and the BBC in London. Currently Donna is Westben’s Director of Marketing and also leads the Westben Youth, Teen, and Cookie choruses with Brian.

Gabrielle Prata – Virginia Snow Over the course of the last two decades, Gabrielle Prata has graced the Westben stage in 48 gowns, 6 wigs and a towel. She has been featured on International Opera, Musical and Film Stages, including an extensive repertoire with The Canadian Opera Company. Gabrielle has appeared in varied operatic and concert repertoire with the festivals of Bermuda, Ravinia, Colorado and Oregon Bach, as well as Edmonton Opera, Calgary Opera, Opera Atelier, Anchorage Opera, Gold Coast Opera, FL and Boheme Opera, NJ. She has enjoyed performing with the Cincinnati Pops, Toronto, Detroit, Spokane, Peterborough, Winnipeg and Saskatoon Symphonies, as well as the Rochester Philharmonic in many Pops and Broadway concerts. Film credits include Closing the Ring, Impulse, and featured singing roles on Saving Hope, Copper and Christmas Inc. Most recently Gabrielle has produced and performed in BROADWAY NITES, a retro Broadway Cabaret, which opened at the Jazz Bistro in Toronto. She is very happy to reprise the role of Snow in The Selfish Giant.

JUNE 14-16 & 21-23 AT THE BARN STARRING

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Robert Longo, Donna Bennett, Gabrielle Prata and a colourful garden full of singing Flowers and frisky Seasons. The Selfish Giant’s Garden explores the precarious beauty and power of nature and our responsibility to future generations.

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The Selfish Giant’s Garden Dion Drewlo – Roary Potts Dion is very excited to join the cast of The Selfish Giant’s Garden with Westben.

This will be his third time playing a role with Westben. He performed as Asher in Joseph and Technicolor Dreamcoat and he also performed as Fred in the Westben Christmas Carol. He has also performed as the Pastor in an original musical Summer of ’67 by Shaer Productions. When Dion is not on stage, he works in the Engineering Department at Mirmil Products in Campbellford. His passion for Music and Musical Theatre began at age 13 when he first learned how to play guitar. He also takes time to share his love of music both at open mics and posting videos on Youtube. He would like to thank his wife Angie, his parents Marion and Larry and all his family and friends who have supported him on his musical journey.

Ruth Fleming – Helen Hail Ruth lives in Hastings and has sung in choirs most of her life. She grew up singing in the church choir and has sung with the Westben choir for many years.

She currently sings with the Trent Hills Village voices. Ruth has worked in Allen insurance Group for over 30 years and has recently cut back her hours, hoping to spend more time with her five grandchildren, two of which she introduced to Westben; Bridgette in the Selfish Giant and Addison in the Cookie choir.

Jonah McLean – Jaques Frost Jonah McLean is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Warkworth, Ontario. He was drawn to the arts at an early age, but pulled back in order to pursue a career in golf. When that didn’t work out he traded in his golf clubs for a guitar, and debuted on stage for the first time at age 23. After years of wading through the mud and honing his craft, he is finally on the verge of releasing original music as a soloist and with his band The Gimmicks. He looks to embody the spirit of soul with his old school influences while bringing a modern flair to his songs of passion, pain, and pleasure.

Lauren Lafayette Brooks – Spirit of the Forest Lauren Lafayette Brooks attended Humber College in Toronto, to study the performing arts. She graduated the three-year program with her diploma in Theatre Performance. Lauren has studied many forms of movement, and styles of performing. Most recently, Lauren has been performing with the Belleville Theatre Guild, Westben, JG Elite, BeGlee, Shatterbox, and Lang Pioneer Village.

She is a trained voice and vocal artist, and has narrated a number of audiobook, available on Audible. She teaches, trains and competes at Ontario Dance Academy in Belleville, in numerous styles of dance. Lauren is thrilled to be apart of Selfish Giant, and working with the amazing team at Westben again.

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The Selfish Giant’s Garden Brian Finley – composer/librettist, producer, music direction Pianist and composer Brian Finley enjoys a multi-faceted artistic career. As a pianist, Brian has performed with orchestras from Dallas to Calgary as well as at venues ranging from Wigmore Hall in London, England to and the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. His recordings include solo piano music from Wigmore Hall, three critically acclaimed CDs with his musical and life partner, soprano Donna Bennett, as well as world premiere recordings of his Intimacies (2023), Preludes to Canada (2017), Rapunzel (2005), and Requiem for a Millennium (1999).

As a composer, Brian’s work includes music for piano, voice, choral works and arrangements for full orchestra. He has written and produced several full-length opera-musicals including SAMSON (2001), Rapunzel (2005) and The Selfish Giant (2010) and most recently, an opera based on his own original story The Pencil Salesman inspired and commissioned by Dr. Agnes M. Herzberg (2016).

Together with Donna, Brian co-founded Westben in 1999. Brian was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and, together with Donna, the Order of Canada in 2017.

Ken Tizzard – composer/librettist From Newfoundland, living in Campbellford ON, Ken Tizzard writes songs and makes records. Bassist for The Watchmen, Ron Hynes, Thornley/(ex)Big Wreck.

Currently he is performing a new album THE DAGG SESSIONS with the new band Ken Tizzard and Music For Goats.

Tizzard has made a major mark on the Canadian rock scene as the powerhouse bassist in The Watchmen and Thornley, and remains an active member of The Watchmen. Between those two bands, he is featured on six gold and platinum records, and, wearing his rock ‘n roll hat, Ken has toured internationally, appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and played such major venues as Toronto’s Air Canada Centre. In recent years Ken has performed at many major festivals including Merlefest, Philadelphia Folk Fest, Americanafest, Jam In The Trees and more.

Edward Franko – stage director Edward Franko has distinguished himself as one of Canada’s most energetic and experienced stage directors with over 120 productions directed. Mr. Franko has been hailed for his vivid imagination and his interpretations of theatre, traditional and contemporary opera and musical theatre. He has worked with Opera Anonymous, TrypTych Concert and Opera, Opera Belcanto of York, Southern Ontario Lyric Opera, Opera York, Opera Mississauga, Westben (The Selfish Giant and Fiddler on the Roof), and many others. He made his successful European directorial debut with his original production of Frid’s The Diary of Anne Frank (also a Canadian premiere) at the Three Rings Festival in Prague, Czech Republic and Britten’s The Beggar’s Opera as part of the Summer Opera School in Chichester, Great Britain. He directed the world premiere of The Selfish Giant at Westben in 2010. He is Co-Artistic Director of TrypTych Concert and Opera in its 25th season.

WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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The Selfish Giant’s Garden Rebecca Baptista – choreographic collaborator

Koren Smoke – design

Rebecca’s love of dance began with lessons in a small ballet studio in Brampton Ontario. After training professionally in contemporary dance at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, she then performed internationally with the BrazilianCanadian Newton Moraes Dance Theatre. She choreographed independent sitespecific dance works for fringe festivals and immersive events in collaboration with multi-genre arts collectives. After moving to Northumberland County over 13 years ago, she co-founded the Northumberland Contemporary Dance Collective with the goal of creating and performing new dance work for our rural communities. As a dance educator, Rebecca enjoys exploring the artistic expression of movement, with all ages.

Koren Smoke (George) Zoong’de’e’ Kwe was born in Peterborough and grew up in her community of Alderville First Nation home of the the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg of Rice Lake.

Growing up on the reserve Koren was able to learn and practice Ojibway traditions and culture and it is reflected in her work.

Koren has always been passionate on pursuing a career in art. She is also a professional tattoo artist under her own label Painted Turtle Studios located in Alderville First Nation. Koren also shares her knowledge and traditions with local schools in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and beyond. She plans to continue to learn and perfect her craft and inspire others to pursue their passions.

Caroline Langill – design

Sarah Lewis – Creative Consultation

Caroline Seck Langill is a writer and curator whose research and curatorial work looks at intersections between art and science. Her interests in non-canonical art histories have led her to writing and exhibition-making that challenge disciplinary constraints. Caroline has always worked in community by volunteering at various levels and serving on the boards of many artist-run-centres across Ontario. Her interest and experience in installation art, film and sculpture have led her to embrace theatre design as a novel avenue of exploration. Caroline holds an MFA from York University, and a PhD in Canadian Studies from Trent University. She is currently in the position of VPAP at OCAD University.

Sarah Lewis (she/her) is an Anishnaabe Kwe (Ojibwe and Cree) spoken word artist, activist, community organizer and mother of Sawyer. She has ancestral roots in Curve Lake First Nation and Pukatawagon, Manitoba. She served as Peterborough’s inaugural Poet Laureate and has been featured on CBC Arts, Global News, and stages across the world –including at The Barn. Sarah utilizes poetry as an act of resistance, giving voice to Indigenous resurgence and reclamation of identities, culture, strength and sovereignty. She encourages aspiring poets to speak their truth…, and to envision a decolonial society where sexism, the patriarchy, capitalism and racism do not exist.

Gord Langill – design Gord Langill has lived and worked in the confluence of mental health and community arts throughout his career. Since 1980 Gord has provided mental health and addiction services to children, youth and families in various settings, including the wilderness, the street, group homes, schools, hospitals, community mental health programs and in his own counseling practice. Since 1976 Gord has worked on various community arts projects, including several Westben musical theatre productions, from Jesus Christ Superstar to the Selfish Giant’s Garden.

Gord is currently Executive Director at Peterborough Youth Services while continuing to serve people directly through counseling and consultation.

Beth Puttkemery - design Bethany Puttkemery is a floral artist. She received a B.F.A at OCAD University in 2012 for Criticism and Curatorial practice. Puttkemery started her floral business, Smells Like Flowers (SLF), in 2019. While the majority of her work with SLF is focused on weddings and events, she is always looking for opportunities that allow her to work “outside of the box”. Her true passion is for creating large scale sculptural works with natural materials. The purpose of her life is to understand the ever connected world of plants and to creatively communicate their magic to a curious audience. Puttkemery works and resides in Campbellford, ON. Her studio is located at The Little Farm That Could, just down the road from Westben!

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The Selfish Giant’s Garden

Aaniin/Hello, my name is Sarah Lewis and I’ve had the privilege of taking on the role of Creative Coordinator for The Selfish Giant production. Upon reflection, there were notable lessons and teachings weaved throughout this production.

Teachings that informed and mirrored the histories within my own community of Curve Lake First Nation and across Turtle Island.

The connection between The Selfish Giant story and ramifications from colonization within Canada such as land theft was prominent and I felt it was appropriate to acknowledge this relationship as well as merge my own cultural teachings amongst the production team and youth involved.

With an Indigenous perspective on land, it’s important we acknowledge that we are all able to work, play, perform on the traditional territory of the Michisaagig Anishnaabeg Peoples because of the past colonial land theft that took place as well as the ongoing colonization.

It is necessary to amplify Indigenous voices, providing spaces to speak truth to this topic if we want to move forward together towards true ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ in any organization. Discussing gratitude for all our relations in nature helps us become more aware of our impact and how we can pivot from ‘landowners’ to ‘caretakers of land’. Being able to share my own ancestral wisdom and knowledge and hearing the wisdom that the children already carry has been not only healing but encouraging when thinking about their futures.

Futures where we can continue to express ourselves creatively, while also shining light on important subjects with deeper meanings in a way that The Selfish Giant production has done.

Miigwetch, Sarah

WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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25th Anniversary Concert

Welcome Back Westben Performers!

Celebrating 25 years!

SUNDAY, JUNE 30 AT 2 PM - AT THE BARN Join the celebration! Westben celebrates 25 seasons of music in nature with a host of favourite artists alongside the incredible community that has surrounded and nurtured the organization since it first flung wide the Barn Doors on July 1, 2000.

PROGRAM

Donna Bennett

Kim Dafoe

Mark DuBois

Brian Finley

Ben Finley

Eve Parker Finley

annais linares

Robert Longo

Gabrielle Prata

Dave Mowat

Ken Tizzard and Music for Goats

Caitlin Wood

Welcome: Donna Bennett & Brian Finley Song of the Plains (Karl Jenkins) – Westben Festival Chorus, Kerstin Walsh, Ian Wright To our Setting – Dave Mowat Walk Me Through a Cathedral of Trees (Brian Finley) – Westben Festival Chorus, Pamela Haskell Serenade To the Donors – Caitlin Wood Serenade To the Members – Robert Longo & Gabrielle Prata Serenade To the Sponsors – Mark DuBois Serenade To the Volunteers – Kim Dafoe INTERMISSION Serenade To the Governments – Ken Tizzard & Music for Goats Serenade To the Community – Melissa Smeets & Jana Reid Serenade To the Staff – Eve, Ben, annais, Donna, Brian Serenade To the Board – Kara McMurray, Heidi Ingram, Janey King Serenade To the Artists – Surprise Guest Serenade To the Patrons – You’ll Never Walk Alone (Carousel - Rodgers and Hammerstein) Finale: To the Future – Climb Every Mountain (Sound of Music – Rodgers & Hammerstein)

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WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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Andy Forgie & Big Black Smoke

Jeremy Dutcher

FRIDAY, JULY 5 AT 7 PM – ON WILLOW HILL

SATURDAY, JULY 6 AT 7 PM - ON WILLOW HILL

Feeling Groovy? Then you’re all set for a “1960s Concert on The Hill”. Andy Forgie & Big Black Smoke take you on a trip from Liverpool to Laurel Canyon! Beatles, Beach Boys, Stones, The Mamas & The Papas and more. Far out!

Jeremy Dutcher is a winner of both the Polaris Music Prize and a Juno for Indigenous Artist of the Year. Explore pain and beauty in a fusion of experimental pop, art rock, jazz and neoclassical music from this very special artist.

Andy Forgie - Lead Vocals

Andy is one of our region’s most recognized performers, with a deep history as the lead vocalist /composer for recording acts Creed & Photograph. Andy’s varied musical career includes both children’s entertainment, as well as musical therapy for the elderly. For the past 20 years, Andy has been the front man for the internationally acclaimed Beatles Celebration & Classic 70’s Rock band, All You Need Is Love.

Steve Smith - Drums & Vocals Ron Bowley - Bass & Vocals

Ron was born in Cardiff, Wales and now resides in the Quinte region. Ron has performed in numerous bands over the years and before joining Big Black Smoke, Ron performed with The Sloon Dawgs, a popular Top 40 country group. Ron’s talents as a bass player and exceptional vocalist have taken Big Black Smoke to a new level.

Steve has long been one of the region’s most sought after musicians. Steve was a member of the notable recording band The Sands Of Time, and is a founding member of recording artists Bentwood Rocker. Steve along with Andy Forgie is a member of All You Need Is Love, rocking fans in Canada, The U.S.A. and other international locations to this day. We are thrilled that Steve has brought his talents to Big Black Smoke.

Chris Dunwell - Guitar & Vocals

Chris was born in Tottenham, England and came to Canada in the early 1970s. Over the years, Chris has performed in many bands as well as in his solo act. Before Big Black Smoke, Chris performed with the popular recording act Photograph. Chris, along with Gary Peck, co-founded Big Black Smoke.

Gary Peck - Guitar & Vocals

Gary hails from the Quinte region. Gary has been playing guitar for many years, inspired by the likes of Peter Townshend, Keith Richards & George Harrison. Along with Chris Dunwell, Gary cofounded Big Black Smoke. Gary also performed for several years with both Andy Forgie and Ron Bowley in the well known local band, Ed’s Garage.

BEFORE THE CONCERT BBQ 5 pm to 7 pm Before the concert enjoy a Smoked Roast Pig South Carolina style with salads and smoked Mac ‘n’ Cheese

by Friesen’s Smokehaus.

Reservations are required 48 hours in advance. Visit www.westben.ca to pre order or call the Box Office.

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Jeremy Dutcher is a Two-Spirit song carrier, composer, activist, ethnomusicologist and classically-trained vocalist from New Brunswick, Canada who currently lives in Montréal, Québec.

A Wolastoqiyik member of the Tobique First Nation in North-West New Brunswick, Jeremy is best known for his debut album, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa (The Songs of the People of the Beautiful River), recorded following a research project on archival recordings of traditional Wolastoqiyik songs at the Canadian Museum of History. Jeremy transcribed songs sung by his ancestors in 1907 and recorded onto wax cylinders, transforming them into “collaborative” compositions. The album earned him the 2018 Polaris Music Prize and Indigenous Music Album of the Year at the 2019 JUNO Awards. His 2019 NPR Tiny Desk Concert has over 85,000 views.

Jeremy studied music and anthropology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

After training as an operatic tenor in the Western classical tradition, he expanded his professional repertoire to include the traditional singing style and songs of his community. Jeremy’s music transcends boundaries: unapologetically playful in its incorporation of classical influences, full of reverence for the traditional songs of his home, and teeming with the urgency of modern-day resistance.

Jeremy has toured the world, from Australia and Norway to Italy and the Philippines. He has worked with and performed for iconic artists such as Buffy Sainte-Marie, Joni Mitchell, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Jeremy is regularly sought out for his perspectives on queerness, Indigeneity, language revitalization, and fashion, including a 2022 appearance as a guest judge on Canada’s Drag Race. In 2022, Jeremy and his family launched Kekhimin, the first ever Wolastoqey language immersion school, in Fredericton New Brunswick

BEFORE THE CONCERT Sounds in Nature – Forest Bathing in The Mary West Nature Reserve 4 pm to 5:30 pm Before the Jeremy Dutcher concert join us for a guided nature walk and soothing forest bathing in The Mary West Nature Reserve led

by Ewa Bednarczuk from the Nature Conservancy of Canada with surprising forest guest artists. We meet at the Westben Campfire.

Recommended ages 18+.

Reservations required.

WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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The Barra MacNeils

Natural Balance

SUNDAY, JULY 7 AT 2 PM & 7:30 PM - AT THE BARN

THURSDAY, JULY 11 AT 7 PM – ON WILLOW HILL Dave Mowat Ansley Simpson

Cape Breton tradition with strong Celtic roots.

This talented family continues to wow audiences around the world with captivating vocals, harmonies and extraordinary musicianship. Family entertainment at its highest level.

Vocals, guitar, violin, mandolin Kyle MacNeil loves his job. A founding member of the Barra MacNeils, music has been a focal point in Kyle’s life for as long as he can remember. The MacNeil children were encouraged at an early age to play music and to this day associate it with good times and being surrounded by relatives and friends. It is a feeling the Barra MacNeils bring with them each time they take the stage. Kyle started playing guitar at age seven and soon after switched to violin, on which he was classically trained at Mount Allison University. The pinnacle of his impressive musical career includes sharing the stage with international superstar Celine Dion when the Barra MacNeils opened her sellout “The Colour of My Love” tour. When not on the road, Kyle regularly hits the ice for a game of hockey or perfects his swing on the golf course.

Vocals, bodhran, Celtic harp, fiddle, stepdancing The only girl in a family of five boys, Lucy MacNeil can be described as the heart of The Barra MacNeils. Her crystalline vocals are immediately identifiable with the group’s quintessential sound.

For Lucy, music has always had a heartbeat and she recalls it as the centre of her childhood home where family, neighbours and visiting musicians were often known to gather — the perfect rhythm of everyone’s feet tapping with the music would lull her to sleep on many nights.

Lucy’s own musical journey officially 22 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

began when she was 9 years old, but even before that she was step dancing alongside her mother, a well-known local dancer and teacher. Her career with The Barra MacNeils has seen her opening tours for international stars such as Celine Dion, Kenny Rogers and fellow Canadian Rita MacNeil. Yet, with all the many rich and rewarding experiences.

Keyboards, piano, bodhran, fiddle, bouzouki, vocals A founding member of The Barra MacNeils, Sheumas studied pipe organ at Mount Allison University.

His earliest memories of music are of holiday, weekends or any family gathering at his grandmother’s home in Washabuck, N.S. where aunts, uncles, sister, brothers and cousins would fill the rooms with music, dance and laughter.

Sheumas was 8 years old when he first began to play, and now cites performing on stage at local concerts with his son, daughter and brother Kyle as one of his career highlights. This familial connection and the authenticity of the music that resonates in every Barra MacNeils’ performance creates a unity and connection between the performers and the listeners which Sheumas continues to be inspired by.

Vocals, accordion, tin whistle, flute, bouzouki, guitar, stepdancing When Stewart was six years old he got a harmonica for Christmas. By dinnertime he could play “These Are My Mountains”.

He took it to school in January after the Christmas break and his primary teacher took him around from class to class to play it for them. Music was always there. Good times and lots of relatives and friends being around were always associated with music. Everyone had their own song or could play fiddle or piano or would jump up and step dance.

It wasn’t how good you were. It was about being a part of it.

Stewart evolved into a multi – instrumentalist, vocalist, composer of songs, lyrics and tunes, arranger and dancer and continues to explore creativity and art through the 25 years plus career of the Barra MacNeils.

Mandolin, fiddle, guitar, banjo, percussion, stepdancing Boyd MacNeil received his first violin lesson at the age of four, and 4 short years later made his performing debut at a local Remembrance Day ceremony.

Later, music took on a greater meaning for him when he started travelling and performing with the Barra MacNeils’ and witnessed time and again how the groups’ music could move, affect and transform an audience.

Boyd MacNeil has toured Japan with Celtic music legends the Chieftains, and continues to explore many musical ideas within and in addition to his work with The Barra MacNeils. When not making music, Boyd puts his interest in carpentry to good use around the house and is noted to be pretty handy in the kitchen too.

Cale Crowe Jordan Mowat

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson Peggy Day

Friends from Alderville First Nations gather for an intimate and evocative evening of music, art and storytelling.

Dave Mowatt Dave Mowat is a resident member of Alderville First Nation, a former elected Chief and Councillor and long time staff person of the community.

Relocating to the north end of Winnipeg in 1982 it was here that he took up blues harmonica by early 1983. Throughout the years in Winnipeg he worked blue collar jobs, in bands, and eventually went back to school at the University of Manitoba.

Relocating back to Alderville in 1995 Dave built his home here and continued to work at the music, while raising his family with his wife Janet. After some 4 decades of learning, playing, singing, travelling, while working for the First Nation, all of these experiences including the decades of experience of fellow musicians Terry Wilkins and Clayton Yates are provided for you tonight, in an acoustic natural balance!!

Ansley Simpson Ansley Simpson is a Michi Saagiig Nishnaabe musician, artist and member of Alderville First Nation known for poetic lyrics, deeply moving vocal-only performances, and immersive arrangements. Ansley weaves poetry that holds audiences spellbound with story-telling embedded both in and out of their songs. Their debut album Breakwall garnered two Indigenous Music Nominations and won Best New Artist. Ansley’s second album, She Fell from the Sky, reimagines a story of Sky Woman and was celebrated as “a high-

concept, lush and gorgeous album that’s full of layered levels of storytelling.” from CBC Reclaimed host Jarrett Martineau.

Cale Crowe Cale Crowe was fueled by music from the time he had a heartbeat.

Today, performing using an acoustic guitar, an electronic drum pad, and a loop station pedal, Cale has performed at bars, theatres, and festivals from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Albuquerque, New Mexico. His blend of campfire-style folk and modern pop/rock reflects & builds upon the taste he developed all those years ago. Audiences leave his show mesmerized by the speed at which Cale builds the loops that accompany his guitar & voice.

Jordan Mowatt Jordan Mowat is an accomplished Michi Saagiig Ojibwe Powwow & Round Dance singer as well as a contemporary music artist from Alderville First Nation, ON, Canada. He has travelled extensively across Turtle Island to share his voice both on the drum and with his guitar. Traditional and contemporary music is filled in his home, especially for his children, as a means of staying connected and reminding them of who they are as young Anishinabeg. With time and being surrounded by the beautiful heartbeat that comes from his drum or the strumming harmonies of his guitar, it’s that type of medicine he continues to share with the people near and far.”

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson Leanne Betasamosake Simpson is a renowned Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg musician, writer and academic. Her latest record, Theory of Ice (You’ve Changed Records) was short-listed for the Polaris Music Prize, and she is the 2021 recipient of the Prism Prize, Willie Dunn Award. Leanne is the author of eight books. Her new book project, Theory of Water, will be released

by Knopf Canada in the spring of 2024.

Leanne is an off-reserve band member of Alderville First Nation.

Peggy Day Peggy was first influenced by the old radio on the fridge, then the stereo on Sunday mornings in Curve Lake. She has played the Sterling Theatre, The Chex Rotary Telethon at Little Lake, various Legions, BBQs, house parties, rent parties, moving out parties, moving in parties and to countless others and even recently performed with American Anishinabe artist Keith Secola. From the early influence of her parents who sang or played and her maternal grandmother who played harmonica and organ up until her elderly years, to the many other influences that have inspired her over the years Peggy is one of those stalwart modest, Anishinabe country singers that can move you in your chair!

WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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Laughs with Colin & Deb

Kevin Drew

FRIDAY, JULY 12 AT 7 PM - AT THE BARN OPENING ACT - EVE PARKER FINLEY

SATURDAY, JULY 13 AT 7 PM - AT THE BARN

The dynamic duo is back, and without a script in sight! Comedic virtuosos Colin Mochrie (Whose Line is it anyway?) and Debra McGrath (Little Mosque on the Prairie) prove why —when it comes to improv — it’s just best to say “yes”! Eye-watering, side-splitting, jaw-aching fun!

DEBRA MCGRATH has been seen or heard on many television, film, animation and commercial projects on Canada and the U.S. She cocreated, wrote and starred in “My Talk Show” as well as “Getting Along Famously” for CBC with her husband Colin Mochrie.

Deb played Mayor Ann Popowitz for six seasons on Little Mosque on the Prairie. She recently starred in the short film Redder as well as the series Ruby and the Well, Murdoch Mysteries and the Kids in the Hall reboot. The short film “Junior’s Giant”, that Deb wrote and appeared in, has received many laurels on the film festival circuit, winning awards for best film, best actor for Eric Peterson and best screenplay for Deb.

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COLIN MOCHRIE is an alumnus of Toronto’s famous Second City comedy troupe. After fourteen years as a regular on the British and American versions of the improvisation series ‘’Whose Line Is It Anyway?’’, Colin is now in the CW network reboot.

Colin was a cast member of CBC’s “This Hour Has 22 Minutes’’ 2001- 2003. With his wife, Debra McGrath, he produced, wrote and starred in the CBC show ‘’Getting Along Famously’’. Currently he is part of a very successful tour with “Whose Line” cast-mate Brad Sherwood, performing a live improv show across North America, as well as doing diverse projects such as the Fool in Shakespeare’s King Lear and various movies and television series. Colin also wrote a book Not quite the Classics and co-created a show combining Hypnosis and Impov called Hyprov which is currently touring and has a residency in Las Vegas.

Writer of some of indie rock’s most life-affirming and celebratory anthems, Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew shares a new side in an intimate concert featuring songs from his latest solo album, Aging.

Compared to his shambolic solo debut Spirit If (2007), with its 23-piece band and romantic musings, to the black-light synthpop-tinged Darlings (2014) and its carnal obsessions, Aging’s collection of minimalist piano ballads is darker and more contemplative than anything Drew has released before.

Influenced by the passing of friends and mentors, as well as the health of friends and family, Aging brings together songs written over a decade marked by the signifiers of midlife – love, loss, and illness – all while wrestling with the hard truths of aging: How do you deal with the blunt-force impact of loss?

What does it mean to look and feel different than you did before?

EVE PARKER FINLEY -Eve Parker Finley is a noted Montreal multiinstrumentalist and comedian. She rose to minor internet notoriety for her music and sardonic comedy sketches on contemporary life as a transgender millennial. Her work has been featured on Canada’s Got Talent, CBC, Elle Canada, Exclaim!, Xtra, Recording Arts Canada and other outlets. She is also a rising voice in the Canadian indie music scene, host and creator of Ten Minute Topline with CBC Music, and Symposium Director at POP Montreal.

Across the eight tracks on Aging – which runs a compact but potent 33 minutes – can be found the spirit of Drew classics like “Lover’s Spit” and “Sweetest Kill,” but with a sense of sorrow rarely heard on previous material. The writer of some of indie rock’s most lifeaffirming and celebratory anthems has become world sick.

“When you’re aging, and those around you are aging – people get sick, and people die,” Kevin Drew says. “There’s no real way to convey your pain or grief without being self-indulgent within the high-five denial – but regardless of the personal details, it’s a reality.”

Aging, the third solo album from the co-founder of Toronto’s beloved indie-rock collective Broken Social Scene, was the inevitable title of Drew’s meditative new record – because he was living everything that comes with it.

Lyrics like “We gotta find some time / Everybody’s dying for the time” from first single “Out In The Fields” are as doggedly hopeful as Drew has ever been – yet sound more like an impassioned plea than his typical rallying cry.

WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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Music of Many Gardens

Film Night

A Performer-Composer Residency Concert

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 AT 7 PM – AT THE BARN

SUNDAY, JULY 14 AT 2 PM – AT THE BARN

Outer Worlds is an extra-ordinary program that features five experimental IMAX films by Canada’s leading artists: Kelly Richardson, Lisa Jackson, Oliver Husain, Leila Sujir, and Michael Snow.

Since its launch in 2018, Westben’s international Performer-Composer Residency (PCR) has brought together over 169 artists from more than 25 countries to gather, learn from each other, and co-create.

Celebrate the colourfully collaborative work of these international creators as they share an exciting night of world premieres exploring the theme of ‘Music of Many Gardens’.

Creative Director: Ben Finley

Co-Facilitators: Sarah Belle Reid, annais linares, Davy Sumner

2024 Performer-Composer Residency Participants: Matt Nguyen – Bass

Aerial (2019, 9m20s) – Leila Sujir

Nikki Huang – Percussion, vibraphone

Cityscape (2019, 8m30s) – Michael Snow

Pablo Leñero – Piano India Gailey – Cello Thomas Fleming – Guitar

Over the course of the residency, participants have been housed at the spectacularly beautiful Fells Meadows - Accommodations & Wellness Retreat Centre in Castleton. For more information visit www.fellsmeadows.com

annais linares is a vocalist-musician and social practice artist studying artsbased kin making through the Critical Studies in Improvisation program at the University of Guelph.

Davy Sumner is an installation artist, improviser, instrument builder, and sound designer based in Los Angeles.

Lichen (2019, 10m) – Lisa Jackson

Nigel Deane – Violin

Borey Shin – Accordion, synths, piano Sarah Belle Reid is a Canadian performer-composer, active in the fields of electroacoustic trumpet performance, intermedia arts, music technology, and improvisation.

Embers and the Giants (2019, 7m) – Kelly Richardson Garden of the Legend of the Golden Snail (2019, 13m45s) – Oliver Husain

Danika Lorèn – Voice

Ben Finley is a performer-composer who specializes in acoustic and electric bass (in multiple tunings and with effects).

Films in the program

Jaeyoung Chong – Cello

Michael Palumbo – Electronics

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Each of the films explores expanded cinema through different ecologies of the non-human—the forest, lichen, snails, water, and sky—in the process reflecting upon the exigencies of intercultural and interspecies communication, a task that has taken on great urgency in the 21st century as we grapple with how to adapt to the ecological realities brought about by anthropogenic climate change.

Bios

Janine Marchessault is Professor in Cinema and Media Arts at York University, and holds a York Research Chair in Media Art and Social Engagement. Her research engages with the history of large-screen media (from multiscreen to Imax to media as architecture and VR). Her latest expanded cinema project, Outer Worlds, premiered at the Cinesphere in 2019 and is currently on tour.

Oliver Husain is an artist and filmmaker. His projects are often collaborations with other artists and friends, and often begin with a fragment of history, a rumour, a personal encounter or a distant memory. He uses a wide range of cinematic languages, technical experiments, and visual pleasures—dance, puppetry, costume, special effects—to animate his research and fold the viewers into complex narrative set-ups. Recent exhibitions include Beauties of Lucknow, a site-specific installation commissioned by Massey College, Toronto.

Lisa Jackson’s award-winning work has screened at SXSW, Berlinale, Hotdocs, Tribeca, BFI London, Melbourne Museum, and the Art Gallery of Ontario, and broadcast widely. She’s made works ranging from current affairs to IMAX, animation to VR, and even a residential school musical. Named one of Playback

Magazine’s Ten to Watch, Lisa is an alumna of the TIFF Talent and Writers Labs, Canadian Film Centre’s Directors Lab, IDFA Summer School, CFC/NFB/Ford Foundation’s Open Immersion VR Lab, and is a Fellow at the MIT Open Doc Lab. Mani Mazinani was born in Tehran in 1984; he lives and works in Toronto. Mazinani’s interdisciplinary practice includes installation, video, film, sculpture, photography, multiples, sound, and music. He makes work that connects scale and perception, improvisation and ancient thought. Recent exhibitions and performances include Monitor 15 (SAVAC, 2023), Stories and Storefronts, Toronto (2022); Tate Modern, London (2019, with Michael Snow); The Bentway, Toronto (2018); Tehran International Electronic Music Festival (2017); Suzhou Industrial Park Culture and Arts Centre (2016).

Taking cues from 19th-century landscape painting, 20th-century cinema, and 21stcentury planetary research, Kelly Richardson (b. 1972, Canada) crafts video installations and digital prints that offer imaginative glimpses of the future that prompt a careful consideration of the present. Recent one-person exhibitions include NGCA (England), Naturhistorisches

Museum Wien (Austria), CAG Vancouver (Canada), VOID Derry (Ireland), and a major survey at the Albright-Knox (USA). Her video installations have shown at TIFF and the Sundance Film Festival, and she was honoured as the featured artist at the Americans for the Arts National Arts Awards.

Michael Snow (1928–2023) was one of the world’s leading experimental filmmakers, having inspired the Structural Film movement with his groundbreaking film Wavelength (1967). Snow’s extensive and multidisciplinary oeuvre includes painting, sculpture, video, film, sound, photography, holography, drawing, writing, and music.

His work explores the nature of perception, consciousness, language, and temporality.

Over the last forty years, Leila Sujir has been building a body of video art works using a mix of fiction, fantasy, and documentary with visual and audio collage techniques. Her work has appeared in group shows at the Museum of Modern Art (New York), Tate Gallery (Liverpool), and galleries across the world, and is in collections including the National Gallery of Canada and the Glenbow Museum.

WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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Angela Hewitt

Steven Page

THURSDAY, JULY 18 AT 2 PM - AT THE BARN

FRIDAY, JULY 19 AT 7 PM - ON WILLOW HILL

Founding member and former lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the Barenaked Ladies, Steven Page continues to garner international acclaim for a dazzling solo career since 2009.

Program Partita No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 –Johann Sebastian Bach I. Toccata II. Allemande III. Corrente IV. Air V. Sarabande VI. Tempo di gavotta VII. Gigue Sonata in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2 (“Moonlight”) – Ludwig van Beethoven I. Adagio sostenuto II. Allegretto III. Presto agitato INTERMISSION Selected Sonatas – Domenico Scarlatti Sonata in D major, Kk430 Sonata in E major, Kk380 Sonata in C major, Kk159 Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24 – Johannes Brahms

Angela Hewitt occupies a unique position among today’s leading pianists. With a wide-ranging repertoire and frequent appearances in recital and with major orchestras throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia, she is also an award-winning recording artist whose performances of Bach have established her as one of the composer’s foremost interpreters. In 2020 she received the City of Leipzig Bach Medal: a huge honour that for the first time in its 17-year history was awarded to a woman.

Conducting from the piano, Hewitt has led the Toronto and Vancouver symphony orchestras, Hong Kong and Copenhagen philharmonic orchestras, Lucerne Festival Strings, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Swedish and Zurich chamber orchestras, Salzburg Camerata, Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della Rai, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in New York, Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa in Japan, and Vienna Tonkünstler Orchestra in Vienna’s Musikverein. The upcoming 2023/24 season sees 28 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

her performing with orchestras in Italy, Finland, Poland, Estonia and Switzerland, including on tour in the UK with Kammerorchester Basel as well as a tour of North East England with Royal Northern Sinfonia.

Born into a musical family, Hewitt began her piano studies aged three, performing in public at four and a year later winning her first scholarship. She studied with Jean-Paul Sévilla at the University of Ottawa, and in 1985 won the Toronto International Bach Piano Competition which launched her career. In 2018 Angela received the Governor General’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2015 she received the highest honour from her native country – becoming a Companion of the Order of Canada (which is given to only 165 living Canadians at any one time). In 2006 she was awarded an OBE from Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She is a member of the Royal Society of Canada, has seven honorary doctorates, and is a Visiting Fellow of Peterhouse College in Cambridge. In 2020 Angela was awarded the Wigmore Medal in recognition of her services to music and relationship with the hall over 35 years.

Over the last thirty-five years, Steven Page has established himself as one of the most recognizable and enduring voices in music. The release of his latest album, Excelsior, shows that he has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.

Since its release, Steven has toured Canada, The US and the UK with The Steven Page Trio, and has performances planned well into 2024.

A passionate mental health advocate, Steven has been in demand as a public speaker since 2011, sharing his own story with audiences across North America.

As a co-founder, vocalist and songwriter for Barenaked Ladies, Steven sang and wrote classics like “Brian Wilson,” “If I Had A Million Dollars,” “What A Good Boy,” “It’s All Been Done” and many more. With the band, he sold over 15 Million albums and scored multiple Junos, Billboard Music Awards, SOCAN awards, Gemini Awards and two Grammy nominations. After leaving the band in 2009, Steven embarked on a solo career that has produced five solo albums, including 2022’s Excelsior, and has seen him tour worldwide, from folk festivals to cabarets and theatres, all the way to packed arenas on his recent string of dates opening for rock legends The Who.

In 2020, when work on the musical he wrote with playwright Daniel MacIvor for Canada’s Stratford Festival, Here’s What It Takes, was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, Steven began performing weekly livestream concerts over Zoom, Steven Page Live From Home. These Live From Home shows, sometimes selling 1000 tickets at a time, cultivated a tightly-knit community of music fans from all over the world, and kept them feeling connected when it was most needed. Steven continues to perform Live From Home shows on Saturdays when he’s not on the road.

Steven performs in many configurations, from solo to full band with horn section, but, since 2016, he has been playing most often with his pals in The Steven Page Trio, Craig Northey of Vancouver legends, the Odds on guitar, and Kevin Fox on cello. The trio configuration provides the right amount of portability, intimacy and power to fill just about any venue imaginable.

Steven has performed arrangements of some of his bestloved songs from his long career with orchestras including the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony, Symphony New Brunswick and has more symphony shows on the horizon in the next two years.

In 2018, Steven was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame with his former bandmates in Barenaked Ladies, at the Juno Awards Ceremonies in Vancouver.

The Governor-General’s Performing Arts Awards approached Steven in 2021 about writing a song as a surprise tribute to his friend, Ryan Reynolds, and the result was “Canada Loves You Back,” a song as poignant, humourous and Canadian as the actor it honours.

Steven is a frequent collaborator with Toronto’s Art of Time Ensemble, made up of some of Canada’s best classical, jazz and pop musicians. With them, he released an album of covers, A Singer Must Die, in 2009, and also appears on their Sgt. Pepper and Songs of Leonard Cohen albums.

Along with Chris Murphy (Sloan), Moe Berg (The Pursuit of Happiness), and Craig Northey (Odds), Steven makes up a quarter of The Trans-Canada Highwaymen, four lead singers of classic Canadian bands, whose first album of Canadian covers was released in 2023.

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New Zealand String Quartet FRIDAY, JULY 19 AT 2 PM - AT THE BARN The New Zealand String Quartet – Te Rōpū Tūrū O Aotearoa (NZSQ) has distinguished itself on the world stage with its insightful interpretations, compelling communication, and dynamic performing style.

Helene Pohl – Violin I Peter Clark – Violin II Gillian Ansell – Viola Rolf Gjelsten – Cello

Program I Danced, Unseen – Tabea Squire String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68 – Dimitri Shostakovich Overture: Moderato con moto Recitative and Romance: Adagio Valse: Allegro Theme with Variations: Adagio INTERMISSION String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10 (L.91) – Claude Debussy Animé et très décidé Assez vif et bien rythmé Andantino, doucement expressif Très modéré – En animant peu à peu – Très mouvementé et avec passion The New Zealand String Quartet – Te Rōpū Tūrū O Aotearoa (NZSQ) has distinguished itself on the world stage with its insightful interpretations, compelling communication, and dynamic performing style. The group’s imaginative programming and creative collaborations have been hallmarks of its 37-year history, as well as making an indelible impact on the cultural life of New Zealand as performers, innovators, and teachers. In addition to regular nationwide touring in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Quartet has debuted at Wigmore Hall in London, the Frick in New York, and the Library of Congress in Washington, and has toured internationally in Australia, North America, Europe, and Asia.

Celebrating Beethoven’s 250th birthday, the NZSQ presented Beethoven cycles in Germany and the Netherlands in 2022. This November will mark their Hungarian debut at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest. As cultural ambassadors for Aotearoa New Zealand, the NZSQ proudly champions the astonishingly creative and diverse composers of their home country. They have premiered over 150 New Zealand works, including collaborations with taonga pūoro (Māori traditional instruments).

The group’s passion to communicate the greatness of the string quartet repertoire with all New Zealanders has led to them

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performing Beethoven and Bartok cycles all over the country, as well as a wide range of repertoire in centres large and small, in venues from venerable Town Halls to art galleries and community centres.

Recent innovations have included “Sounds of the Sanctuary,” a birdsong-inspired programme performed to sold out crowds at bird sanctuaries nationwide. Plans for 2025 include blanketing the country with the complete cycle of Shostakovich quartets.

The NZSQ has enjoyed collaborating with many eminent artists including all the notable pianists of New Zealand, as well as Anton Kuerti, Denes Varjon, Piers Lane, Andre LaPlante, Alexander Lonquich, Peter Nagy, Kathryn Stott, Martin Roscoe; the Jerusalem, Prazak, Ying, Goldner, Takacs, Lindsay, and St. Lawrence quartets; Julian Bliss, Nobuko Imai, Hariolf Schlichtig, James Crabb and Colin Carr. A particularly close relationship with Canadian clarinettist James Campbell has led to frequent collaborations in Canada as well as New Zealand, a landmark recording of the Brahms quintet, and premieres of quintets from both countries. Wider-ranging collaborations have included performances with Omar Farouk Tekbilek, Rahim Alhaj, Uri Caine, Dick Oatts, Jim Hall, Wayne Marshall, and many Māori traditional musicians, such as Horomona Horo and Ariana Tikao.

Colin Ainsworth, Laura Loewen & The New Zealand String Quartet SATURDAY, JULY 20 AT 2 PM – AT THE BARN Before the Concert - Pre Concert Chat 1:15 pm Barb Hobart & Brian Finley discuss the music & composers Colin Ainsworth – tenor Laura Loewen – piano New Zealand String Quartet Helene Pohl – Violin I Peter Clark – Violin II Gillian Ansell – Viola Rolf Gjelsten – Cello

Program String Quartet in E flat Major, Op.71 No.3 – Franz Joseph Haydn Vivace Andante Con Moto Menuetto - Trio Finale: Vivace “The Seasons” (for tenor, string quartet and piano) – Godfrey Ridout and Brian Finley, based on the “Poetical Sketches” by William Blake To Summer (G. Ridout) To Autumn (B. Finley) To Winter (G. Ridout) To Spring (G. Ridout)

INTERMISSION “On Wenlock Edge” (for tenor, string quartet and piano) – Ralph Vaughan Williams, Based on “A Shropshire Lad” by A. E. Housman On Wenlock Edge From Far, from Eve and Morning Is My Team Ploughing Oh, When I Was in Love with You Bredon Hill Clun

Colin Ainsworth has been praised for his exquisite control and emotional directness and has long distinguished himself not only with his interpretations of the major Classical and Baroque tenor roles but also with his performances in contemporary opera. He has appeared with various opera companies including the Canadian Opera Company, Seattle Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Glimmerglass Opera, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Pacific Opera Victoria, Vancouver Opera, the Greek National Opera, and the Royal Opera (London) performing as Lensky in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, Tom in Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress, Tamino in The Magic Flute, and Steuerman in Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländer. On the concert stage, he has appeared with the Montreal Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Music of the Baroque, and at Carnegie Hall with the American Symphony Orchestra and has worked with conductors Leonard Slatkin, John Nelson, Nicolas McGegan, Leon Botstein, and Dame Jane Glover.

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Strings Around The Campfire

Westben turns 25!

SATURDAY, JULY 20 AT 6 PM – AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

The Beginnings ...

There is a long tradition of music on these lands of the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg.

Westben began when Donna Bennett, soprano and Brian Finley, pianist, composer returned home to Donna’s home town to start a family after having been performing across Europe. It was the exciting success of Jesus Christ Superstar and the Sound of Music, two fully-staged community events, that galvanized the support for a permanent performance organization. In 2017 Donna and Brian received the Order of Canada for their work with Westben and they gratefully acknowledge the partnership and support of the community. The community was there from the beginning and continues to be integral to Westben’s success.

Taste of New Zealand Dair to Pair + Concert A music in nature culinary experience.

New Zealand String Quartet Helene Pohl – Violin I Peter Clark – Violin II Gillian Ansell – Viola Rolf Gjelsten – Cello Enjoy music and a meal from down under in this special concert and Dare to Pair experience around The Campfire! Expect birdsongs, blues, storytelling, and maybe even an accordion! Nestle in around the Westben Campfire to enjoy a trip around, over and down-under, featuring an eclectic array of evocative music from Haydn to Māori. Before the concert, enjoy Hangi on coals, a delicious meal prepared by Chef Doug Hope featuring lamb, chicken and vegetables accompanied by a glass of New Zealand wine or beer curated by wine buff Duarte Da Silva, and Pavlova – complete with a tasty reveal!

Sound of Music 1998

Eve & Ben Finley, first human musical sounds on The Barn pad

First concert in The Barn was July 1, 2000

Donna Bennett & Brian Finley 1999

Over the 25 years Westben has welcomed over 5000 artists performing various genres of music.

Classical

Chef Douglas Hope Chef Douglas has incorporated his vast experience and diversity in his upbringing and travels to gain an understanding of food from growing livestock and produce to the complete use of each product in numerous countries around the world including across Canada, Australia, UK, France and 5 oceans serving food on 7 continents.

He has an education that started at Sir Sandford Fleming in Hospitality Mgmt to Culinary Arts at SAIT in Calgary which continued throughout his global travels. He has worked in numerous countries and with 2 cruise companies. For 5 years Chef Hope had his own restaurant amidst the four wine districts near Adelaide, Australia including multiple features in TV shows Postcards & Discover Australia.

Opening Gala

Isabel Bayrakdarian & Serouj Kradjian

Brian and Gerald Finley

Angela Hewitt

Canadian Brass

Emperor String Quartet, Donna Bennett & Brian Finley

André Laplante

Disney on Broadway

ABBA

Les Mis

Broadway

Chef Hope has opened a restaurant called Sper Food and property “Sper Farm” with his family in Warkworth which includes heirloom varietal produce in Greenhouses, organic Gardens and a distinctive selection of livestock rearing naturally fed heritage breeds.

Songs of the Silver Screen

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Jazz

Global

Peter Appleyard

Oliver Jones

Barbra Lica & Tom Fleming

Rembetika

African Guitar Summit

Kuné

Pipa

Pop, Rock, Singer songwriters

Michael Kaeshammer

Emilie Claire Barlow

Brian Barlow Big Band

Musicals and Opera

Samson

Rapunzel

HMS Pinafore - UBC Opera Ensemble

Dan Hill

Joel Plaskett

Serena Ryder

Out by Lucy

Sarah Harmer

Donovan Woods

Julian Taylor

Ken Tizzard & Music for Goats

Carmen - UBC Opera Ensemble

Country

The Auction

The Pencil Salesman

Fiddle & Comedy

Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

Fiddler on the Roof

Sacha

George Fox

Performer-Composer Residency, Creative Director Ben Finley Fitzgeralds

Next Gen Leahy

Natalie McMaster

Brent Butt

Indigenous 2018

Jeremy Dutcher

William Prince

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Dave Mowat & Clayton Yates

2019

2020-2022

2023

Jordan Mowat WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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Education

Volunteers & Staff

March Break Camp

Cookie Choir

Youth & Teen Chorus

Music in the Schools

Festival Chorus

Artworth Workshop

Tick Talk at the Clock

Chalk Talk at the Schoolhouse

One-of-a-Kind Experiences

Fun Facts First Concert at Westben July 1, 2000 with full orchestra and 10 soloists

Support from Provincial and Federal governments and several foundations

Westben’s Vision is to be a leading International Centre for Connection and Creativity Through Music in Nature.

Moved into Clock Tower Cultural Centre 2013

Westben’s Mission is to nurture communities through exceptional musical experiences Chocolate Voices

Sounds in Nature

Find the Birds, Find the Pianist

Secret Concert

Charitable Status received in the year 2000 1021 performances since 2000 Multiple genres of music - classical, broadway, jazz, fiddle, country, singer songwriter, pop, rock 5000 families involved in education programs

Dare to Pair

Westben Goes Digital: Concerts, Musical Moments, Podcasts, Westben Kids, New Digital Venue

Artists - over 5000 Current Members - 340 Donors families since inception - 1920 Current Sponsors - 16

Sunshine Ahead Digital programming created in the year 2000 Purchased The Schoolhouse and moved out of the Clock Tower in 2021 Built 2 new outdoor venues - Willow Hill and The Campfire in 2021 Purchased 300 new Barn theatre seats and sound system in 2021 150 Local, regional and international partnerships 5 full time staff, 4 part time, 4 summer students Economic Impact of Westben on the local community - $1,000,000. according to ON TREIM Report

Ever since the first meeting of friends on the front lawn in 1998, Westben has been a gathering of community. The talents, hearts, minds, joy, sweat, tears, laughter, adventure and boldness of all have nurtured and developed the dream. Thank you to all our members, donors, sponsors, ticket buyers, staff, government and community partners.

Sustainability New native species gardens, trees, birdhouse, cycling to Westben

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Thank you for sharing the dream and on to the next 25 years!

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GROW YOUR GIFT: DOUBLE YOUR BLOOM Westben’s unique blend of music and nature has been growing for 25 years—all thanks to you! Your love for this special place has cultivated a garden of shared joy and unforgettable experiences.

This is your Westben, a place where your support has built a community, inspired countless international and local artists, and brought joy to thousands.

To celebrate Westben’s milestone 25th anniversary and to support the years ahead, we are thrilled to launch our Grow Your Gift campaign—this is your chance to plant new seeds of possibility, grow your gift, and double your bloom!

Every gift you make will be matched—dollar for dollar—up to $75,000 thanks to the generosity of a small group of seed donors. This means your gift will grow to have twice the impact, nurturing a vibrant future for Westben.

GROW THE FUTURE

• Celebrate: Reflect on the 25-year journey you’ve nurtured. Honour the past quarter-century of music, memories, and community.

• Support: Be a vital part of Westben’s continued growth, ensuring future generations of people will connect through music in nature.

• Grow: Your matched gift will cultivate a lasting legacy, planting seeds for a future filled with growth, harmony, and boundless possibilities.

Sarah Slean SUNDAY, JULY 21 AT 2 PM – AT THE BARN 4-time Juno nominee Sarah Slean has released 11 albums in over 10 countries worldwide. A modernday Renaissance woman, her artistry demonstrates an astonishing breadth from poetry and painting to her own unique blend of classical and pop music.

CULTIVATE YOUR LEGACY

For 25 years, Westben has been a place where hearts meet, dreams come alive, and memories are made thanks to dedicated supporters like you!

As we look to the future, your generosity will ensure that Westben continues to grow, thrive, and inspire for the next 25 years and beyond.

Thank you for planting the seeds of tomorrow.

Together, we can create a future filled with new possibilities, enriching lives through the magic of music in nature.

Grow Your Gift today—your generosity will blossom for generations to come!

Signed to Atlantic/Warner Records at the tender age of 19, four-time Juno nominee and modern-day Renaissance woman Sarah Slean has since released 11 albums in over 10 countries worldwide – but perhaps the most astonishing aspect of her artistry is its breadth. Over her 25-year career, Slean has published two volumes of poetry, starred in short films and a movie musical (spawning two Gemini Award nominations), penned two string quartets and other chamber works, held numerous exhibitions of her paintings, and shared the stage with 10 of the country’s professional orchestras.

Classically trained from the age of 5, she routinely collaborates with cutting-edge contemporary classical ensembles like The Art of Time, and has been invited to sing world premieres by Canada’s leading living composers. She composes orchestral arrangements for her own music as well as for her pop colleagues (Dan Mangan, Hawksley Workman) and her recent collaborative recording with the Symphony Nova Scotia was just nominated for both an East Coast Music Award and a Juno Award in the Classical Album category 38 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

(2021). Sarah is also a recent alumna of the prestigious Canadian Film Centre’s screen composing residency (2017-8) and just earned her first Canadian Screen Award (2021).

Citing such diverse influences as Leonard Bernstein, philosophy, Joni Mitchell, Buddhism and Bach, her music borrows aspects of cabaret, pop, and orchestral: all knit together by the startling poetry of her lyrics, unique arranging and piano-playing, and that voice, described by the CBC as “a 19th century Kate Bush”. In addition to headlining theatres across Canada, Sarah has also toured Europe, the US and Scandinavia and has opened internationally for such artists as Bryan Ferry, Rufus Wainwright, Alanis Morissette, Andrew Bird, Feist, Ron Sexsmith, and Chris Isaak. Her 11th solo recording “Metaphysics”, released in 2017, is described as a “breathtaking amalgamation of Slean’s dramatic orchestral arranging and her signature take on songwriting”. In 20212022, Sarah composed the music for the stage musical adaptation of the award-winning film “Maudie”.

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Best of Barnful of Broadway

Best of Barnful of Broadway

TUESDAY, JULY 23 - SUNDAY, JULY 28 AT 2 PM - AT THE BARN

Meher Pavri

Meher Pavri (soprano) Kim Dafoe (mezzo-soprano) Adam Fisher (tenor) David Michael Moote (tenor) Brian Finley (piano & keyboard) Ben Finley (bass) Ian Wright (drums)

Parsi-Canadian soprano, Meher Pavri hails from London, Ontario. She is a multidisciplinary artist who enjoys performing in opera, musical theatre, film/television and is most passionate about new Canadian works. Career highlights include: Maria in West Side Story (LOT, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Niagara Symphony Orchestra); soloist in a number of Soulpepper Theatre shows, most recently 88 Keys; roles in the world premiere of The Overcoat, A Musical Tailoring (CanStage, Tapestry Opera, Vancouver Opera), Mozart’s Idomeneo (Opera Atelier), Bend it like Beckham, the musical (Starvox), singing the national anthems at NBA Raptors games, and most recently in the Canadian premiere of Mahabharata (Shaw Festival) which also toured to London, England to the Barbican Centre. Meher was also a part of the ensemble in Handel’s Messiah with Against the Grain Theatre that won a Dora award. You can catch her in films and tv shows such as Pixels, Royally Wrapped for Christmas, Private Eyes, Transplant, Murdoch Mysteries, and Coroner.

Meher is delighted to be back at Westben this summer! You can follow her journey at @ meherpavri on social media.

Program …from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice) Any Dream Will Do Kim, Adam & Company

Heaven on Their Minds Dave Meher, Dave, Adam

Gethsemane

Adam

INTERMISSION …on Love

…from Jesus Christ Superstar (Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice) Everything’s Alright

(Aspects of Love)

…from The Sound of Music (Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II) The Sound of Music

Meher

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

Kim with Dave and Adam

Climb Every Mountain

Kim

…from Old Broadway

I feel Pretty (West Side Story – Bernstein, Sondheim)

Meher

Maria (West Side Story – Bernstein, Sondheim)

Dave

Tonight (West Side Story – Bernstein, Sondheim)

Meher & Dave

Do You Love Me? (Fiddler on the Roof – Bock, Harnick)

Kim & Adam

…ABBA Andante, Andante

Meher

Dancing Queen

Meher, Kim, Adam, Dave

The Winner Takes it All

Kim

Waterloo

Adam

Till There Was You (Music Man - Meredith Willson)

Meher

If Ever I Would Leave you (Camelot – Lerner & Loewe)

Dave

…from Les Misérables (Schönberg and Boublil)

C’est Moi (Camelot – Lerner & Loewe)

Adam

Do You Hear the People Sing?

Meher, Kim, Adam, Dave

Adelaide’s Lament (Guys & Dolls - Frank Loesser)

Kim

On My Own

Meher

“Mistress of the House”

Kim

Bring Him Home

Adam

One Day More

Meher, Kim, Adam, Dave

…from Andrew Lloyd Webber Think of Me (Phantom of the Opera)

Meher

Music of the Night (Phantom of the Opera)

Adam

Memory (Cats)

Kim

Love Changes Everything

Kim Dafoe

Kim is so excited to be back on the Westben stage, and has been part of the Westben family for 25 years. Other stage and solo credits include work with The Quinte Symphony, The Kingston Symphony, The Belleville Theatre Guild, The Belleville Choral Society, Tweed and Company Theatre, The Commodores Orchestra, and Opera Buffa in Toronto. Kim has been a music and drama teacher with the Hastings and Prince Edward School Board for 27 years. A big thanks goes to Donna and Brian for all of their wonderful support, and lots of love to Dan, Olivia and Harrison.

Adam Fisher

Canadian vocalist Adam Fisher is known for his charismatic stage presence and wide range of repertoire. Adam’s recent credits include his acclaimed performances opening for Nana Mouskouri at Massey Hall, as the featured vocalist in America’s Wonders in 3D with Princeton Entertainment, lead vocalist in the Music of the Night tour across Canada with Sound the Alarm Music Theatre, Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat all with the Westben Music Festival. Along with Brian Finley, their cover of Don McLean’s classic song “Vincent” is available on all streaming platforms and is featured in the brand new 3D impressionist art film Lasting Impressions/La Magie des Impressionnistes that opened the winter of 2023 in Montreal, with dates in Toronto, Quebec City and soon an international IMAX 3D phenomenon. Also, Adam releases original pop music under the stage name JOHNMVRK.

David Michael Moote

David is a singer and actor originally from London, ON. A graduate of McGill University’s voice performance program, David has performed across the country in illustrious venues such as The Princess of Wales Theatre, Ed Mirvish Theatre, The Northern and Southern Jubilee, The Grand Theatre, Caesar’s Palace and many more. He has sung on Juno nominated albums, appeared in national commercials and television shows, starred in musicals, and is the lead singer of the metal band Operus, which has toured internationally and played to festivals of over 80,000 people. Performing in a variety of styles, genres, and mediums keeps things fresh and exciting for David, and life as an artist so satisfying. Enjoy the show!

Dave & Company

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Gerald Finley - bass-baritone

Brian Finley - piano

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31 AT 2 PM AT THE BARN Before the Concert - OPERA GARDEN TEA PARTY - 11:30 am to 1:15 pm Pre Concert Chat 1:15 pm - Nancy Hermiston & Brian Finley discuss the music & composers Revered from The Met to London’s Royal Opera House, Gerald Finley is a Grammy Award-winning Canadian bass-baritone singer, known as one of the top dramatic interpreters of our time. Don’t miss his only Canadian appearance in 2024. Together with his cousin (and Westben Artistic Director) Brian Finley at the piano, the afternoon features an array of favourite opera arias and art songs.

Program An die Musik (To Music) – Franz Schubert (Franz von Schober) Selections from Songs of Travel – Ralph Vaughan Williams (Robert Louis Stevenson)

Ich will meine Seele tauchen (I want to immerse my soul) Ich grolle nicht (I do not begrudge)

The Roadside Fire

INTERMISSION

Whither must I wander

Lord God of Abraham (Elijah) – Felix Mendelssohn

Bright is the Ring of Words Intimacy No. 7 “Lilacs” – Brian Finley Ein Selbstgespräch (Soliloquy) – Ludwig van Beethoven Selections from Dichterliebe (A Poet’s Love) Op. 48 – Robert Schumann (Heinrich Heine) Im wunderschönen Monat Mai (In the wonderful month of May) Wenn ich in deinen Augen seh‘ (When I look into your eyes) Die Rose, die Lilie, die Taube, die Sonne (The rose, the lily, the dove, the sun) Aus meinen Thränen spriessen (From my tears spring up)

“Pietà, rispetto, onore” (Mercy, respect and honour) (Macbeth) – Giuseppe Verdi (Francesco Maria Piave, based on Shakespeare) Intermezzo from Cavallera Rusticana – Pietro Mascagni, arr. Brian Finley “Die Frist ist um” (The time has come) (The Flying Dutchman) – Richard Wagner My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose – Robert Burns, arr.

Brian Finley “Some enchanted evening” (South Pacific) – Richard Rogers (Oscar Hammerstein II) “Edelweiss” (The Sound of Music) – Richard Rogers (Oscar Hammerstein II)

BEFORE THE CONCERT Opera Garden Tea Party 11:30 am to 1:15 pm Reservations are required 48 hours in advance Join us for an afternoon of teas, treats, and whimsical wonders. A lunch spread prepared by Nikki Fotheringham of Green Moxie featuring a wide range of options including tea sandwiches, salad, cake, cookies and tarts made from local ingredients including flowers. Sure to suit every taste.

Nikki Fotheringham is an author who lives in Warkworth with a fluffy cat and a really bad dog. Her latest book Taste Buds: A Field Guide to Cooking and Baking with Flowers helps readers forage, grow and enjoy edible flowers. Nature and sustainability are her focus.

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Gerald Finley

Grammy Award-winning Canadian bass-baritone Gerald Finley is one of the most revered and influential artists of our time, with celebrated performances at the world’s major opera and concert venues and recordings on CD and DVD with major labels in a wide variety of repertoire. His extensive career is devoted to the complete spectrum of vocal art, encompassing operatic, orchestral and song repertoire, collaborating with the greatest composers, orchestras and conductors.

His career initially focused on the music of Mozart; his Don Giovanni and Count Le Nozze di Figaro have been heard live and broadcast throughout the world. His expanding repertoire soon encompassed major Wagner and Verdi repertoire as well roles including Bluebeard, Guillaume Tell, J. Robert Oppenheimer in John Adams’ Dr. Atomic, and Jaufré Rudel in Saariaho’s L’amour de loin. He created Harry Heegan in Mark Anthony Turnage’s The Silver Tassie.

The 2023/24 season highlights include Hans Sachs in Laurent Pelly’s new production of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg in Madrid; the European premiere of Adams’ Antony and Cleopatra at the Liceu in Barcelona; and returns to Bayerische Staatsoper as Amfortas and the Royal Opera House as Don Alfonso. In concert, he performs Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem with the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia; Mendelssohn Elijah with London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Antonio Pappano and Bluebeard Bluebeard’s Castle at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the Oslo Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony; as well as a gala concert with Aalborg Symphony Orchestra and a recital tour with Julius Drake in London, Strasbourg, Vienna, Madrid, Luxembourg and Valencia. Most recent engagements saw Finley as Antony in the world premiere of John Adams’ Antony and Cleopatra at San Francisco Opera; Scarpia Tosca and Count in Netia Jones’ new production of Le Nozze di Figaro at the Opéra national de Paris; his debut as the title role in Der fliegende Holländer at Staatsoper Berlin; Wolfram Tannhäuser in critically acclaimed performances at the Royal Opera House; Iago in a new production of Otello at the Bayerische Staatsoper and the Canadian Opera Company; the title role in Bluebeard’s Castle and Count Almaviva Le Nozze di Figaro at the Metropolitan Opera; Count Almaviva at Bayerische Staatsoper; the title role in Falstaff at the Vienna State Opera and in a new production at the Salzburg Festival; Beethoven Symphony No.9 conducted by Bernard Haitink in Munich and at the Salzburg Festival with Riccardo Muti; the opening gala concert at the Paris Opera with Gustavo Dudamel; Bluebeard’s Castle

in a highly acclaimed production at Stone Nest in London and in Toronto with Against the Grain Theatre; and with l’Orchestre de Paris, the Vienna Symphony and Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra.

Finley’s many solo recital CD releases have been devoted to complete songs of Barber, Britten, Duparc, Ives, Liszt, Ravel and Schumann song cycles Dichterliebe and Liederkreis Op. 24 & 39. With a continuing partnership with Julius Drake on the Hyperion label, all have been critically acclaimed, including an unprecedented three Gramophone Awards in the Solo Vocal category. Their release of Schubert Winterreise won a Canadian Juno Award in 2015 and last season saw the completion of their Hyperion Schubert trilogy with the release of Die schöne Müllerin.

Finley was born in Montreal, began singing as a chorister in Ottawa, Canada, and completed his musical studies in the UK at the Royal College of Music, King’s College, Cambridge, and the National Opera Studio. He is a Fellow and Visiting Professor at the Royal College of Music. In 2014 he climbed Kilimanjaro for the charity Help Musicians UK. In 2017 he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire and had previously been appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. Mr Finley also features on a Canadian stamp celebrating Canadians in opera..

Brian Finley

Pianist and composer Brian Finley enjoys a multi-faceted artistic career. As a pianist, Brian has performed with orchestras from Dallas to Calgary as well as at venues ranging from Wigmore Hall in London, England to the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. His recordings include solo piano music from Wigmore Hall, three critically acclaimed CDs with his musical and life partner, soprano Donna Bennett, as well as world premiere recordings of his Intimacies (2023), Preludes to Canada (2017), Rapunzel (2005), and Requiem for a Millennium (1999).

As a composer, Brian’s work includes music for piano, voice, choral works and arrangements for full orchestra. He has written and produced several full-length opera-musicals including SAMSON (2001), Rapunzel (2005) and The Selfish Giant (2010) and most recently, an opera based on his own original story The Pencil Salesman inspired and commissioned by Dr. Agnes M. Herzberg (2016).

Together with Donna, Brian co-founded the Westben Centre for Connection & Creativity near Campbellford, Ontario in 1999, serving ever since as the organization’s Artistic & Managing Director.

Presenting an ever-growing list of local, emerging and international artists and activities in an array of genres, Westben has contributed to community-building in the region and has played an important role in supporting Canadian music and emerging artists. Brian was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and, together with Donna, the Order of Canada in 2017.

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Big Smoke Brass

Holly Cole

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2 AT 7 PM - AT THE BARN

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3 AT 2 PM – AT THE BARN BEFORE THE CONCERT Dare to Pair - A Taste of New Orleans 11:30 am to 1:15 pm Holly Cole has a long and storied international career, having sold hundreds of thousands of recordings internationally while at home in Canada her successes include multi-platinum album sales awards, three JUNO awards and countless successful national tours! In 2013 Ms. Cole became the 15th winner of the highly prestigious Ella Fitzgerald Award. This award, created by the world renowned Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, is annually conferred upon “A jazz singer of significant talent who has had a major impact and influence in the international scene.”

Other winners include Sade (2011), Aretha Franklin (2008), Harry Connick, Jr.(2007), Etta James (2006) and Tony Bennett (2004).

Born on the streets of Toronto in 2017, Big Smoke Brass is a leading voice in the Canadian brass scene.

Dedicated to fostering community and connecting people through their high-energy music, the band has given hundreds of performances across Canada and released a growing discography of original music and videos. Wherever you may be, Big Smoke Brass is determined to share their love of music with you.

Big Smoke Brass has firmly established itself as a leading voice in the Canadian brass band landscape since its inception in the Summer of 2017. The band got its start playing on the streets of Toronto, and quickly garnered a strong following thanks to its ear-catching sound and strong group dynamic.

The band released their first EP, “No Breaks” in May 2018, with a subsequent tour of Canada’s East Coast later that year culminating in a headlining performance at the Pocologan Camp Party 2018. The year also included a featured performance at TEDxToronto 2018, an opening set in support of NYC’s The Lucky Chops, and the filming of the band’s first music video; a cover of The Jacksons’ “Blame It on the Boogie.”

2019 saw the release of Big Smoke Brass’s second music video (a cover of Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next”). The band was also featured at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival and Canadian Music Week, and performed alongside France’s Ceux Qui Marche Debout.

In 2020, the band opened once again for The Lucky Chops, was featured on the new TVOKids program 44 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

“Backyard Beats”, and performed for the TD Niagara Jazz Festival Online Summer Mardi Gras. 2020 also saw the band complete a “Parks Tour” of Toronto, bringing live music back safely to outdoor spaces in the first Summer of the Pandemic.

“Most of all, her playfulness and the sheer pleasure of singing to a crowd reminds me of Ella more than any past recipient” – André Ménard, artistic director and co-founder of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal

After successfully exceeding a fundraising goal of $15,000 and recording with Juno award-winning engineer Nyles Spencer in November of 2019, Big Smoke Brass released their debut album “From a Block Away’’ in June of 2021. The band also had a sold-out appearance at the 2021 Prince Edward County Jazz Festival.

“She exudes as much fun as feeling in concert treating the people to a rare performance that was musically rewarding and refreshingly intimate.” – Calgary Herald

Big Smoke Brass released their self-produced EP, “Bass Camp” at the end of 2021, accompanied by an original music video (“Underthink”) produced with the Drom Artists Collective of Drom Taberna, where the band has performed regularly since 2018.

2022 was in full force for Big Smoke Brass, with the band completing over 130 performances and releasing their newest EP, “House Party” (and accompanying music video, “Lizzo”) at the end of the year. 2022 saw Big Smoke Brass appear at TD Sunfest, Beaches Jazz Festival, and numerous other festivals & events.

In endeavouring to spread positivity wherever they go, Big Smoke Brass continues to foster a sense of community with their listeners while helping to spread their music through educational outreach. The band can still be found performing on the streets of Toronto in the Summer, as well as maintaining a busy schedule of shows & events throughout the year.

Wine Buff Duarte da Silva - Born in the Azores, Portugal, Duarte was introduced to the world of wine at a young age, his grandfathers, being amateur winemakers. He developed an interest in all things wine from the vineyard to production, to promoting, educating, and selling wine. He has travelled to wine regions around the world including, France, Spain, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. He currently lives in Prince Edward County, Canada’s fast growing wine region and was previously the Executive Director of the Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association representing 40+ wineries and cideries. Duarte continues to deplete his wine collection.

Chef Ron Csenar is an award acknowledged and Red Seal Chef. Ron is well known for his previous ownership of Capers Tap House restaurant, established in 1997 in the beautiful town of Campbellford. Although semi- retired, Ron continues to be involved with the Westben as well as, Fundraisers like the Dr’s Cook Off and the Incredible Edibles. Ron presently lives on the Trent River with his partner Nancy where they enjoy boating and hanging out with their canine friends Eddie and Frankie.

BEFORE THE CONCERT Dare to Pair - A Taste of New Orleans 11:30 am to 1:15 pm Savour the flavour of New Orleans with Chef Ron Csenar. Order now to reserve your spot at the table laden with a succulent lunch served with wines curated and introduced by Wine Buff Durarte da Silva from Prince Edward County.

Limited Seating. Reservations are required 48 hours in advance. Please book online at westben.ca or Call the Box Office.

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Seyblu SATURDAY, AUGUST 3 AT 8 PM – AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

Jackie Richardson & Joe Sealy present Africville Stories SUNDAY, AUGUST 4 AT 2 PM - AT THE BARN

One of Canada’s foremost singers of jazz, blues and gospel, singer/actress Jackie Richardson enjoys a rich career which spans over five decades.

Together with fellow jazz icon, pianist/composer Joe Sealy, she sings and narrates his inspirational “Africville” in this soulful, uplifting close to our 25th summer season!

AFRICVILLE STORIES

After growing up in Campbellford, studying classical and jazz in her teens, Chelsey Bennett went out on a limb to pursue her original music in Toronto under the new moniker, Seyblu. Since then, she’s been captivating audiences with her remarkable talent as a jazz vocalist who skillfully integrates elements of jazz and R&B into her songwriting. Her innate charisma shines through her mesmerizing vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and electrifying live performances, making her a true force to be reckoned with. With each release, she leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of her listeners, inviting them to join her on a journey of introspection, longing, and love realized.

You can listen to Seyblu’s music on all streaming platforms and purchase on Bandcamp.

Seyblu is deconstructing her typical band and backing-track performances to create special acoustic versions of her songs for The Campfire stage. She’s preparing unique arrangements of her songs like Backwards, 17, Honest as well as new songs that are set to release in the fall of 2024!

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Africville Stories is Joe Sealy’s new presentation that builds on his Juno award winning Africville Suite. Africville Stories will present poignant and uplifting new stories about the people and their community. These stories are the ones that you generally don’t hear when people speak of Africville.

Established in 1847 “Africville” was nestled on the shores of the Bedford Basin at the north end of Halifax and was Canada’s oldest black community, until it was raised in the late 1960’s as an “urban improvement” measure. Africville had to overcome a multitude of challenges but managed to survive for more than a century, until the final building was demolished in 1970.

The stories surrounding George Dixon, Joe Louis, Portia White and Duke Ellington combine to create the legacy of this unique Canadian community.

Africville Stories tells of this legacy in a narrative and musical journey. The Africville story continues right to the present time with a new tribute composition titled “The Seaview African United Baptist Church”. The re-construction of the church has been discussed for years and it is currently nearing completion on the site of Africville. Its construction is seen as a small step towards compensating the “Africville” community for injustices of the past.

JOE SEALY, pianist and composer For more than five decades Joe Sealy has enjoyed a successful career as a musician, actor, composer, music director and recording artist. During this time he has been featured on numerous television shows, toured throughout North America and Europe and worked with many major names in the entertainment industry. Joe Sealy was invested in The Order of Canada.

JACKIE RICHARDSON, vocalist and narrator Born in Donora Pa. and raised in Canada from the age of seven, Jackie Richardson is one of Canada’s foremost singers of gospel, blues, and jazz. She is known internationally for her performances on the concert stage, nightclubs, stage, screen and in the recording studio. A resident of Thornhill, Ontario, Ms. Richardson has received the Canadian Actors’ Equity Lifetime Achievement Award, the Canadian Black Achievement Award, and the Toronto Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Award.

PAUL NOVOTNY, bass Paul Novotny knows how to make the bass talk. Singers like Jackie Richardson, Holly Cole, Carol Welsman and Molly Johnson would all agree. They have called upon Paul for his melodic and rhythmic style. Paul is also an established Film/ TV composer who penned the orchestral theme for (CBC) “The National” in 2001, and in 2004 he wrote the original theme for (CBC) “The Hour” featuring George Stroumboulopoulos. Paul has also written and produced music for feature films and many national radio and TV commercials.

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The Silver Moon Gala at The Barn

Sounds in Nature

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 AT 1 PM - AT THE BARN

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 AT 10 AM AT THE CAMPFIRE & THE MARY WEST NATURE RESERVE

With special musical guest, Gino Quilico, O.C., baritone Co-Hosted by Jeanne Beker & Brian Finley Catered by Chef Ravi Anandappa (Antonia’s Bistro)

(please book early – limited capacity)

You’ll be over the moon!

In honour of Westben’s 25th anniversary, Westben presents the Silver Moon Gala at The Barn, a glittering afternoon fundraiser hosted by fashion icon Jeanne Beker, catered by Chef Ravi and featuring the silver-voiced Canadian star, Gino Quilico.

Westben will fly you to the moon with delicious appetizers and a gourmet lunch, refreshing wines and thrilling music. Visit the colourful silent auction to bid on exquisite art, a day at the Spa, or an evening of Sips, Savouries and Stories with Westben CoFounders right in their living room - and more!

Enjoy a magical autumn morning amidst the ancient splendour of colourful forests, peaceful streams and turning leaves. Watch as its beauty is transformed into music by Ben Finley & friends! Small groups of 18 meet around The Campfire then are guided on a nature walk through The Mary West Nature Reserve just across the road from Westben, then back to the Westben Campfire for local flower-based refreshments, snacks, and conversations with the artists.

An amazing music & nature wellness experience! And uniquely Westben…

“This experience allows you to connect with nature in a way you would never expect. The combination of forest bathing and music brings the forest to life, as if it is singing to you. To see (hear) how every sound in nature can be turned into a piece of music was unbelievable.” – Kristin Schaab

Join in the fun by dressing up in your favourite galaxy silver or moons and stars (or simply enjoy the spectacle!)… Its an out-ofthis-world way to support Westben!

“You want the moon, Mary?” Just lasso yourself a ticket!

Sustainability at Westben From the beginning, Westben’s mission has focused on creating musical experiences with an open-door feeling. What does it feel like to experience music while welcoming in the outside world; by listening alongside fellow sound makers like Eastern Wood Pewees, choruses of gulping Spring Peepers and oak tree rustles? Over time, various global environmental concerns have challenged us at Westben to re-examine our role in caring for this beautiful area. Since 2022, our sustainability team has been working on initiatives including a better waste 48 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

system, providing basic infrastructure for cyclists, renewing our commitments to local food sourcing, creating new natural habitats like our Miyawaki and hula hoop native gardens, building community partnerships, installing birdhouses, and exploring artistic experiences that foster empathetic, responsible and joyful relations with our surroundings.

Please visit our website for more info. If you’d like to join our sustainability team, please email ben@westben.ca

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Broadway Belles - A Fundraising Concert

Meet the Westben Community

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 AT 2 PM - AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE Featuring Kim Dafoe, Anita Halfpenny and Susan McCourt with pianist Tom Dietzel The Broadway Belles present a tribute to the music of Broadway in a special 90-minute show created and staged by Caroline Smith. Enjoy an array of songs and characters of the musical theatre stage: Dear Evan Hansen, Annie, Company, Aspects of Love, The Full Monty, Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady – and more! Don’t miss this very special trip down Broadway!

Chalk Talk Concerts Hearing Beethoven SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 AT 2 PM - AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE Christopher Cameron – speaker Kcenia Koutorjevski – mezzo soprano Brian Finley – piano Explore the art and creative process of the world’s most famous deaf musician, Ludwig van Beethoven.

Deaf opera singer Christopher Cameron is joined by the young mezzo soprano, Kcenia Koutorjevski.

Music includes Beethoven’s love song to the distant beloved, “An die ferne geliebte” and more.

Alchemizing Earthfullness SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9 AT 2 PM - AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE Ben Finley – speaker and bass, annais linares – speaker and singer “Self-rootedness, community connectedness, and Earth intimacy.” Rejuvenate through the grounding and provocative sounds of bass and voice as Ben and annais share songs and reflections inspired by alchemize, an audio program hosted by the podcast Green Dreamer.

A Westben Christmas Carol SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 & SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 AT 2 PM - AT THE BARN SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 AT 2 PM - AT NORWOOD UNITED CHURCH Chick Reid and Tom McCamus Westben Youth, Teen and Festival Choruses The Past, the Present and the Future – all come wonderfully to life in this concert-style retelling of the perennial classic by Charles Dickens, Christmas Carol. Adapted by Brian Finley, with original and traditional music, bundle up to experience this family favourite at The Barn with a cup of hot apple cider, or indoors, at the ever-friendly Norwood United Church.

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THE BARN BOARD John Welch (Chair) Brenda Preston (Vice Chair) Gordon Allan (Treasurer) Patt MacDowell (Secretary) Directors: Laurane Bennett Nikki Fotheringham Michael Kaufmann Pat MacGinnis Kerri Ough Sarah Belle Reid Jennifer Weeks THE STAFF Brian Finley, Co-Founder & Artistic & Managing Director Donna Bennett, Co founder & Marketing Director Rebecca Baptista, General Manager Alannah Haig, Customer Service Coordinator & On-Site Coordinator Anna Cable, Marketing & Social Media Coordinator annais linares, Community Connections Associate Ben Finley, Creative Director/Facilitator: Performer-Composer Residency & Sustainability Coordinator Nancy Honey, Bookkeeper April Watson, On-Site Coordinator Andy Thompson, Production Coordinator Barry Twohig, Production Assistant Luke LaRocca, Production Assistant Dan Graham, Production Assistant Tripp Handson, Production Assistant ** Ivy Hall, Production Assistant ** Jessica Williams, Customer Service Janey King, Customer Service ** supported by Canada Summer Jobs VOLUNTEERS Sandy Robertson – Volunteer Coordinator Laurie Beaubien, Barbara Cooper, Nancy Garrod, Colleen Lang, Anne Olscher – Assistant Volunteer Coordinators Doug Keene – Grounds Coordinator Catherine Warrener – Lighting & Hospitality Coordinator Karen & Patrick MacGinnis – The Milkshed (Bar) Coordinators Doris Meier & Anne Vogan – The General Store Katherine Cochrane – Office Support

VOLUNTEERS Sharon Abernethy, Leslie Abram, Trish Baird, Elaine Barry, Janice Bennett, Lionel & Laurane Bennett, Dawn Berry, Jill & Mark Bissell, Paula Buck, Michael Bunn, Alain Cabardos, Lexy Cameron, Louise Campbell, Samantha, Delaney & Mackenzie Cameron, Sandy Chapman, Jim Connor, Mary Coles, Andrea Conte, Lance Cooper, Jeanette Cournoyer, Julie Crook, Ron Csenar, Jane Dainard, Alex & Bonnie Davidson, Heather Davis, Ian Davis, Margaret Dawson, Lyn DelaCour, Anita de Jong, Alec Dewdney, Dorothy Dies, Marina DiFrancesco, Maureen Dikun, Francine Diot-Layton, Martin Edge & Debra Richardson-Edge, Susan Evans, Hazel Farley, Joan Filip, Mary Fleming, Jamie Georgeoff, Marie Glover, Eva Gonos Mocon, Janice Gorman, Neil Graham, Amy & Elisabeth Hagerman, Brenda & Lorne Hagerman, Cathy Hall, Carol Hamilton, Meredith Hamilton, Doug Harpur, Anne & Peter Harris, Charlotte Hastings, Shaun Higgins, Laurie Hill, Barb Hobart, Heather & Neil Holtby, Rosemary Hood, Sue Hoult, Pauline Hwang, Jackie Igleheart, Lois Iles, Cheryl Jamieson, Janet Jeffery-Hobbs, Suzan Johnson, Pat Johnston, Kat Kinch, Daniel, Rebekah & Janey King, Ashley Krahn, David Krueger, Phyllis Leger, Meghan Lewis, Teresa Lowe-Hodges, Patt MacDowell, Deb & Gary McCarthy, Leona McGee, Mundy McLaughlin, Terry McLean, Diane Menzies, Ann Meyers, Beverly Meyers, Mireille Meyers, Skye Morrison, Geoff Nabb, Meghan Oldham, Liana Palmer, Denise Papple, Melanie Parkes, Sue Paterson, Judith Pearce, Nicole Pearson, Rosemarie Peikes, Marcia Perryman, Tracy Peters, Yvonne Poneta, Susan Potts, Brenda Powrie, Chris Rank, Bill Reid, Dolores Rempel, Karen Richens, Gord Rigby, Guy & Vicki Robertson, Elaine Scott, Autumn, Sophie & Leslie Scott, Patrick Shannon, Doreen Sharpe, David Smith, Nellie Smith, Vern Sparks, John Steele, Jeanne Summerville, Kathryn Teng, George Thistel, Christine Thompson, Paula Torti, Allison Townsend, Shirley Traviss, Michael Tumpane, Jim Turner, Katie, Steve & Jackson Vallis, Elinore Van Meer, Minny Verburg, Stephen Vogan, Dave Wakeling, Deb & Ralph Watson, Janice West, Debbie Williams, Janice Wood, Rob Wood

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Friends of Westben Membership

Meet the Westben Community

RASPBERRY PATCH Martin Edge & Debra Richardson-Edge, Dr. A.M. Herzberg

CUPOLA Doreen Allen-Bell, John Apostolides, Christine Best, Gordon & Catherine Best, Margaret Pulver & Bill Nichols, Marianne Bowman, Jeffrey & June Brace, Kalman Brettler, Lorne S. Brown, Hans & Lenneke Buré, Penny & Doug Burgess, Patricia & Robert Burke, Julia & Bernie Burns, Doug & Pat Burnside, Margaret Burrows, Natasha Carr, Bill Crins & Emma Carr, Gay Chisholm, Lorrie Cole, Jim Connor, Connie Corbett, Elizabeth Cowan, Maureen & Jim, June Dinsdale, Nancy Elmhirst, Dale Glenn, Bonnie Jean Gordon, Maureen Greenwood, Alannah Haig, Brad & Heather Halls, Ross Hamilton, Karen Hanbidge, Fred Helleiner, Elizabeth Heon, Donna Jefferson, Thea Jenkins, Suzan Johnson, Eric Kristensen, Barbara Kyselka, Colleen Lang, Victor Lehotay, James Littlefair, Mary E. Lockett, Cobie & Charlie Love,

ORCHARD Diane Menzies, John Welch PADDOCK Brian Finley & Donna Bennett, John & Nancy Burge, Lance & Barbara Cooper, Paul & Ruth Fleming, Jan Hay, Nancy Jane Hermiston, Jill & Gerald Hutcheon, Judy & Michael Kaufmann, Greg Meehan, Ann Noges, Judith Pearce, Don & Carol Pearson, Joan Sharp, Glenn Taylor, Sally & Earl Thompson GAMBREL Stephen & Joan Bale, Lionel & Laurane Bennett, Bob Bennett, Betty & John Bennett, Steven & Allison Blakey, Blair Chiasson & Paul Collins, Michelle CunninghamLangevin, Anonymous, John A. Good, Lorne & Brenda Hagerman, Douglas Harpur, Jim Harvey & Pat Irwin, Liz Hathway, Jann M. Instead, Doug Keene, Karen & John Kemp, Jill & Herb Koplowitz, Lynn Lewis, Karen & Patrick MacGinnis, Kim MacNeil, Mundy McLaughlin, Larry & Mireille Meyers, Roger Nainby, Leslie Orpana, June Seaborn, Stephen Snell, Judith Stephanson, Louise Stevenson, Nicole Tellier GRANARY Gordon Allan, Carol & Richard Anjo, Susan Austring Spaulding Guest House, Jeremy Sporring & Donna Bennett Sporring, Timothy Bowden, Christopher Cameron, Lorna Campbell, Margaret Carter, Alexandra Caverly-Lowery, Katherine Cochrane, Julie Crook, M. Lynn Curle – Simzer, Alex & Bonnie Davidson, Heather Davis, Clare Dawson, Dewdney Consulting Group, Benjamin & Caitlin DietschiWood, Peter Dorsey, Jim & Barb Doyle, Joan Filip & Bill Reid, Brenda Finley, Julia D. Harrison, Susan Hatcher, Michael Nitsch & Holly Hurlburt, Meredith Jones, Jane & Don King, Kent & Margaret Kirkland, Catherine Link, Neil Lucy, Patt MacDowell, Maggie McDougall, Susan McMurtry, Doris Meier, Jeanette Northrop, Liana Palmer, Lea Phillips, Shelagh Purcell, Sandy Robertson, Ron & Elaine Scott, Yves Thomas, Jim & Cathy Turner, Monique Greenwood, Frederick Wardle, John & Mary Webb, Murray & Marie Locke, Arnold E. & Marie Westlake, Edna Whitehouse, Anna Whitley

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HAYLOFT Sharon & Harold Abernethy, Leslie Abram, Pat Archer, Marybeth Ashbourne, Marijke Bakker, Gary Ballard, Rebecca Baptista, Julia & Craig Barber, Elinor & Mary Bartle, Byron Basiga, Judy & Michael Bates, Mary Carol Black, Rebecca Black, Alan & Samantha Bland, Paul Brown, J.G. Terrance Brown, David Brunton, Hynze Bryans, Lynda Burke, Lexy Cameron, Michelle Campbell, Dave Carley, Mike & Kathy Carter, Sandra Caswell, Gwen Cavers, David Chambers, Russell Chrsitianson, Bonita Clancy, Kathy Clement, Roda Contractor, Jeanette Cournoyer & Charlotte Hastings, Geraldine Crown, Karen Cullen, Garry & Penny Culverson, Kathryn Cureatz, Elizabeth Curry, Rosemary & Brian Donaldson, Doug White & Liz Cochrane, Mark Downing, Anonymous, Phyllis Durnford, Jim & Susan Eddie, Margaret Eley, Robert Ertel, C. Rae Finley, Diana Finley, Marilyn & Paul Freer, Danielle & Georges Gagnon, Gregory Garrett, Lenore Gay, Ronald Getz, Rob Gibson, John Good & Doug Andrews, James Gurd, Gabriella Hamley, Ruth & Michael Harding, Bill & Penny Harris, Deborah Henderson, Katherine Hicks & Ron Gostick, Richard Holland, Bill Hossack, Elizabeth & Milan Ichniovsky, Alan & Jenny Ingram, Diane Jamieson, Anonymous, Carol Johnston, Dena Johnstone, Aaron Eddie & Kat Kinch, Doreen Kearns, Lisa Kelly, Ann & Murray Keys, Judith Knopp Brown, Richard Kurovsky, Ken Layton & Jeanette Sanderson, Tim Lilleyman, Cathy Loudon, Sandra Lovering, Suzanne M. Lowther, Steve MacDonald, Mary-Margaret & Don MacInnes, K. MacLeod, Ron & Valerie Marshall, Bruce Mather, Helen & John McDougall, Leona McGee, Ann McLeod, R.S. McMechan, Beverly Meyers, Evan & Mary-Ellen Meyers, Mary-Lynne Morgan, Pauline Morissette, Barbara Morris, Carmel Morrison, Sue Mortimer, John Murnaghan, Wayne Sabados & Neil Graham, Katherine O’Flynn, Peter & Bonnie Ostwald, Denise & Dave Papple, Doug & Gillian Parker, Peter & Joyce Payan, Susan Payne, Rosemarie Peikes & Michael Tumpane, Maria Pelletier, Sandy Pinkerton, Janet Pomeroy, Marguerite Prachowny, Robert Longo & Gabrielle Prata, Brenda Preston, Joanna Primavesi, Howard Pulver, Sharon Raby, Brian, Cathy, Andrew & Ian Redden, Mike Rehder, Sarah Reid, Carla Rinaldo, Ron Schlumpf, Gunter Schubert, Wayne & Carol Shaw, George & Marlee Shephard, Felicity Sidnell Reid, Jean Simard, Wayne Singleton, John Sled, Walter & Wendy Somerville, Karen St. Germain, Robert Stairs, Tim Stiff, Burle & Kay Summers, Ian Sutherland & Carolyn Ketcheson, Kathy Tibbits, Margaret Treloar, Minny Verburg, Hendrik & Jane Vermeer, Cathy Vosper & Christine Hallett, Heather Wade, Doug & Marie-Claire Wallace, Virginia Walley, Catherine Warrener, Ann Wiggins, Paul & Gillian Wilson, Joan Wort, Mary Lou Wright, Winfred Wright

Pia Maleus, Patricia Marett, Cora McCallum, Gary & Deb McCarthy, J. McClary, Joan McCulloch, Ann Meyers, Tom & Deb Mohr, Janice Mononen, Barbara Morrison, Larry Palmer, Eileen Paulsen, Mike Pearson, Barbara Pellow, Carolyn Porteous, Beverly Pulver, Barbara Purcell, Nancy Anne Purre, Patricia Ralston, Gail Rayment, Krystyna Riel, Gwen Robertson, Paul & Shirley Ross, Robert & Connie Rowe, Anonymous, Celia Sage, Marjorie Schryer, Linda Seppanen, Lynn Sewell, Andrea Shury, Shane Simpson, Ron Smith, Cheryl Standish, Andre Steffens, Shawn Stevenson, Charlotte Ann Sutton, Kim Taylor, Dianne Thomas, Lillian Tilbrook, Karen Todd, Brad Topping, Allison Townsend, David Vanderlip, Lisa Vincent, Mairin Viol, Donald A. Watkins, Jennifer Weeks, Kathryn White, Stephen Wright, Nancy Phillips Wright, Karen Zarnett

SEASON LONG SILENT AUCTION ARTISTS Tina Barsony, Laurane Bennett, Susan Brown, Michael Bunn, Julie Crook, Kara-Lynn Dunn, Liz Hathway, Kimberly Hulsman, Suzan Johnson, Klarissa Kocsis, Phyllis Leger, Robert Longo, Mundy McLaughlin, Peter Moore, Bob Omar Tunnoch, Nellie Smith, Adrianne Towns, Catherine Warrener, April Watson

DONORS Anonymous, Elinor & Mary Bartle, John F. Bennett, Jane Bremner, Ian Burton, Mark Cameron, Corporate Charitable Giving - Capital Group, Benevity Community Impac t Fund,Mr. & Mrs. David Durnford, Martin Edge & Debra Richardson-Edge, 1529029 Ontario Inc, Joanne Farquharson, Bill Reid & Joan Filip, David Filman, John P. Good & Doug Andrews, Gabriella Hamley, Julia D. Harrison, Barb Hobart, Winston Kooistra, Ken Layton, Neil Lucy, Zachariah Marquardt, Anonymous, Greg Meehan, Mary-Lynne Morgan, Denise & Peter Reid, Glenn Relf, William Ryken, Ron & Elaine Scott, Felicity Sidnell Reid, Nellie & David M. Smith, Marsha Hay Snyder, Paul & Eileen Tichauer, Jim & Cathy Turner, Joyce Twohig, Gail & Glen Warnock, Weaver Family Funeral Homes (Campbellford), Blythe Weber.

In Memory of Beverley Mathieson: Fred & Olga Acri, Doug & Penny Burgess, David Forgay, Jean Mitchell, Bill & Helen Robson In Memory of Elizabeth Hathway: Annette Tilden In Memory of Robert (Bob) Bennett: Gene & Helen Brahaney, Katherine Cochrane, Diane Jamieson, Susan McAllister, Arnold E. & Marie Westlake In Memory of Steve Dagg: Katherine Cochrane In Kind Donors: Heather Davis, Debra Richardson-Edge, Kinch Eddie Litigation, Terry McLean, William Ryken Supporting the Performer Composer Residency Program: Terry Crowley, Krzysztof Czajczyc, Jennie Steenwyk

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ADOPT A BIRDHOUSE 2023

SCHOOLHOUSE CAMPAIGN DONORS

Leslie Abram, Gordon Allan, Rebecca Black, Mark Cameron, Lorna Campbell, Jim & Susan Eddie & Pat Kinch, Elizabeth Gardner, Cheryl Higgins, Leslie Pearson, Andrew Pyle, June Seaborn, Lynda Seeney, Anne Sidnell, Burle & Kay Summers, John Welch

TRUSTEES

In Celebration of Marilyn Keene, Bill & Penny Harris, Ken Layton & Jeanette Sanderson, Ontario Trillium Foundation, The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group L.E.A.F. Initiative VALEDICTORIANS

2023 MIDSUMMER MAGIC GALA DONORS

Martin Edge & Debra Richardson-Edge, Donna Finley - Finley & Associates, Mundy McLaughlin, Diane Menzies, Catherine Warrener, John Welch

Betty Bennett, Laurane Bennett, Brimacombe, Cameco Capitol Arts Centre, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Centre & Main Chocolate Co., County Stage Company, Julie Crook, David Dunkley Fine Millinery, Alex & Bonnie Davidson, Heather Davis, Martin Edge & Debra Richardson-Edge, Escape Maze, Frantic Farms, Hannaford Street Silver Band, Haute Goat, Huff Estates Winery & Inn, Suzan Johnson, Kawartha Nordic Ski Club, Colleen Lang, Liftlock Cruises, Doug McLean, Terry McLean, Madawaska Kanu Centre, Ron and Val Marshall, metaphorhome, Museum of Contemporary Art, Lisa Nail, Northhumberland Valley Golf Club, Opera Atelier, Redtail Paddle Co., Anne Renouf, Schmidt Law Legal Services, Shelter Valley Pines Golf Club, Marielle Simzer, Karen St. Germain, Tafelmusik, Jim & Cathy Turner, Joyce Twohig, Warkworth Golf Club, Catherine Warrener, 4th Line Theatre

DEANS LIST

Cozette Barnum, Beloved Teacher at West School, In Loving Memory of Aunt Shirley, Wayne Sabados & Neil Graham, Karen & Patrick MacGinnis, Leslie Orpana, Ray Richardson & Anne Nurse-Richardson STAR PUPILS

John & Nancy Burge, Clark Consulting Services, Jeanette Cournoyer & Charlotte Hastings, Elizabeth Hathway, Jan Hay, Kinch Eddie Litigation, Arnold & Marie Westlake HONOUR ROLL

MOMENTUM CAMPAIGN DONORS Kat Kinch & Aaron Eddie, Doreen Allen-Bell, Anna Argento, Tourism Cafe Canada, Cori Arthur, Stephen & Joan Bale, Donna Bennett & Brian Finley, In Memory of Ron Scott, Bob Bennett, Jean & Paul Berlanguet, Mary Carol Black, Clare E. Bland, Samantha & Alan Bland, Melissa Booth, Timothy J. Bowden, Jeffrey & June Brace, Margaret Brown, Hynze Bryans, Patricia & Robert Burke, Marg & Stu Burkholder, Doug & Pat Burnside, Matt & Anna Cable, Lexy Cameron, Christina Cameron, Anonymous, Michelle Campbell, Gwen Cavers, David Chambers, Elizabeth Chatten, Katherine Cochrane, Jim Connor, Lance & Barbara Cooper, Ken Cooper, Alex & Bonnie Davidson, Heather Davis, Martin Edge & Debra Richardson-Edge, Maureen Dikun, Rosemary & Brian Donaldson, Blanche Drahun, Jim & Susan Eddie, Margaret Eley, Darlene Ewing, Fay Farmer, Brenda Finley, Richard Forsyth, Don & Cindy Fyvie, Michele Gagnon, Lenore Gay, Ronald Getz, David & Marie Glover, Brad & Heather Halls, Christine Hammond, Jim Harvey & Pat Irwin, Susan Hatcher, Jan Hay, Carrie Hayward, Charles Helmer, Deborah Henderson, In Memory and Honour of Ron Scott, Hajnalka Hos & Steven Ross, Helen Kelly, Jill & Herb Koplowitz, Barbara Kyselka, Michael Locke, Mary E. Lockett, Suzanne M. Lowther, Neil Lucy, Patt MacDowell, Pat & Karen MacGinnis, Christine Male, Frank & Patricia Marett, Bruce Mather, Leona McGee, Susan McMurtry, Diane Menzies, Beverly Meyers, Robert Moorcroft, Carmel Morrison, Roger Nainby & Virginia MacLean, Margaret Pulver & Bill Nichols, Jeanette Northrop, Connie Nozzolillo, Leslie Orpana, David & Denise Papple, Ross Paul & Jane Brindley, Peter & Joyce Payan, Mike Pearson, Carol & Don Pearson, Wm H Petherick, Sandy Pinkerton, Robert Longo & Gabrielle Prata, Joanna Primavesi, Beverly Pulver, Quinte Jazz, Shelagh Purcell, Jim & Jean Reavell, Anne & Ray Richardson , Sandy Robertson, Paul & Shirley Ross, Stanley Rossell, Demetra Saldaris, Gunter Schubert, Ron & Elaine Scott, Bill & Ann Selby, Sharon Seward, Carol Ann Shaw, Wayne Singleton D.C., Harry & Gwen Smit, The Christmas Belles, In Memory of Steve Dagg, Ravi-Inder Soligo, Walter & Wendy Somerville, Robert A. Stairs, Louise & Ross Stevenson, Burle & Kay Summers, Ian Sutherland & Carolyn Ketcheson, David & Anne Swales, Dianne Elizabeth Thomas, Sally & Earl Thompson, Lillian Tilbrook, Jim & Cathy Turner, Edmond & Sylvia Vanhaverbeke, Christine Hallett & Catherine Vosper, Heather Wade, Virginia Walley & Carla Rinaldo, In Memory of Ron Scott, Frederick Wardle, Gail & Glen Warnock, Catherine Warrener, John Welch, Pamela & Steve Went, Arnold E. & Marie Westlake, Kathryn White, Sue White, Robert & Terry Woodrow

54 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

In Celebration of Nancy Coulter, Stephen & Joanne Allen, Laura Andrews, Bob & Ann Bennett, John & Betty Bennett, Eric & Marlaine Bennett, Bennett’s Furniture & Mattresses, Lionel & Laurane Bennett, Terry Brown & Audrey Williams, Lorna Campbell, Centre & Main Chocolate Co., Katherine Cochrane, Lance & Barbara Cooper, Karen Cullen, Penny & Garry Culverson, Kathy Domoney - Domoney Artists Management,, Jim & Susan Eddie, Robert Ertel, Ben Finley, Brian Finley & Donna Bennett, Brenda Finley, Don & Cindy Fyvie, Lorne & Brenda Hagerman, Nancy Hermiston, Doug Keene, Gloria Larkin, Alison Lester - Barrister & Solicitor, Mary Lockett, Neil Lucy, Patt MacDowell, Joan McCulloch, Greg Meehan, Roger Nainby, Ida Noe, A Noges, Don & Carol Pearson, Bill Reid & Joan Filip, Carol Robertson, Ron & Elaine Scott, Rick & Michelle, Louise & Ross Stevenson, Burle & Kay Summers, Cathy & Jim Turner GRADUATES

In Memory of Edna Stillman (Bell), In Memory of Betty Wellman, In Memory of Mary E. McCreary (nee Rutherford) - a student at West Schoolhouse in the 1930s, Kay Rutty In Memory of Sally Alton, Anonymous, Jim Abel, Sharon & Harold Abernethy, Rod Adams, Suzanne Aldis Routh, Doreen Allen-Bell, G. K. Alton Family, Carol & Richard Anjo, Diane Arsenault, Simon & Marybeth Ashbourne, Joan & Stephen Bale, Gary Ballard, Julia & Craig Barber, Elinor & Mary Bartle, Judy & Michael Bates, John & Eila Belton, Debbie Bennett, Don Bennett, Gervis Black, Steven & Allison Blakey, Alan & Samantha Bland, Eleanor Bond, Timothy Bowden, Jeffrey & June Brace, Eugene & Helen Brahaney, Lorne S. Brown, Myrna Brown, Mara Brown, Terry Brown & Audrey Williams, Lois Brummitt, Hynze Bryans, Peter Budzik, Hans & Lenneke Buré, Robert & Patricia Burke, Pat & Doug Burnside, Sandra Campbell, Frances Cardwell, Dave Carley, Mike & Kathy Carter, David Chambers, Kathy Clement, Vic & Andrea Conte, Anne & Neil Conway, Geraldine Crown, Greg Cumming, Kathryn & Sam Cureatz, Curle’s Maple Products, Glenn Curle, Jean Curle, Rachael Curle-Garrah, Tristan Curle-Garrah & M. Lynn Curle, Alex & Bonnie Davidson, Heather Davis, Dorothy De Lisle, Michael Dent, Carolyn DeWolf VanHumbeck, Maureen Dikun, Rosemary & Brian Donaldson, Cathy Miller & Peter Dorsey, Julia Duguay, Margaret Eley, Nate Fanning, Fay Farmer, Leslie Farmer, C. Rae Finley, Fitness for Grownups, Ruth Fleming, Leo Fortin, Daniel Foster, Leesa Franklin, Frantic Farms Gallery, Greg Garrett & Jenny Wong Garrett, Lenore Gay, Ron Getz, Eva Gonos-Mocon, M & I Gopnik, Dianne & Gord Graham, Heather & George Greer, Christine Hallett & Catherine Vosper, Brad Halls, M. B. Harding, Pamela & Doug Haskell, Sue Hatcher, Carrie Hayward, Philip Headlam, Mark Helmer, (cont’d)

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SCHOOLHOUSE CAMPAIGN DONORS (CONT’D)

MORE WAYS TO GIVE

GRADUATES (CONT’D)

Grow Your Gift Campaign To celebrate Westben’s milestone 25th anniversary and to support the years ahead, we are thrilled to launch our Grow Your Gift campaign—this is your chance to plant new seeds of possibility, grow your gift, and double your bloom!

Barbara Hems, Dr. Herzberg, Gail & Horace Hinds, Mary Hogarth, Gary & Libby Horton, Margaret Hudak, Jeffrey Hunt & Daredra Beswick, Robert & Mary Hunt, Jann Instead, Hans Jacobs, Kellie James, Diane Jamieson, Donna Jefferson, Janette Johnston, Cydney & Hans Kamping, David Carmen King, Jane & Don King, Jane Kitchen, Judith Knopp Brown, Normande Lacoursière, Margaret, Roger & Kathy Lee, Phyllis Leger, Dick & Lynn Lewis, Tim & Vicki Lilleyman, Donna Lohnes, Sandra Lovering, Steve & Julie MacDonald, The MacDonald’s, Lise Mace, M. E. MacFadzean, Kay MacLeod, Kim MacNeil, Gary Main, Lori & Rob Majdell, Frank & Patricia Marett, Ron & Val Marshall, John & Lynda Martin, Arnott & Ruth Anne Matthews, Susan & Stephen McAllister, Mary McBride, Tom McCamus & Chick Reid, Maggie McDougall, Bill & Rosemarie McMechan, Sue McMurtry, Don & Hélène McQuigge, Doris Meier, Beverly J. Meyers & Alice L. Meyers, Larry & Mireille Meyers, Diane Mills, Alec Milne & Jocelyn Colquhoun, Jo & George, Robert Moorcroft, Mary-Lynne Morgan, Pauline Morissette, Barbara Morris, Barbara Morrison, Carmel Morrison, John & Heather Mueller, Michael Nitsch & Holly Hurlburt, Jeanette Northrop, Bonnie & Peter Ostwald, Liana Palmer, Douglas & Gillian Parker, Robert & Jean Parker, Sue & Mike Paterson, Ross Paul & Jane Brindley, Eileen Paulsen, Peter & Joyce Payan, Judith Pearce, Maria Pelletier, Marcia Perryman, Debbie Petherick, Paul Petherick, Sandy Pinkerton, Graham Pitman, Lisa Poirier, Janet Pomeroy, Marguerite Prachowny, Gabrielle Prata & Robert Longo, Joanna Primavesi, Margaret Pulver & Bill Nicholls, Shelagh Purcell, Jean & Donald Pysklywec, Gail Rayment, Jose Richter, Gwen Robertson, Sandy Robertson, Paul & Shirley Ross, Pam Royl & Ian McArdle, Linda Rumpf, Sonja Rundle, John Russell, Ron Schlumpf, Gunter Schubert, June Seaborn, Bill Selby, Maureen Sheehy & Winston Kooistra, Bev & Dave Sherwin, Felicity Sidnell Reid, Wayne F. Singleton, Stephen Snell, Walter & Wendy Somerville, Norma Spence, Robert Stairs, Judith Stephanson, Janet Stubbs, Ian Sutherland & Carolyn Ketcheson, Mark & Helen Szumigaj, Aimee Tedford & CCS, Dianne Thomas, Sally & Earl Thompson, George H. Thorpe, Paul & Eileen Tichauer, Susan Traer & Fred Wardle, Margaret Treloar, Elke Van Meer, The Vanderlip’s, Minny Verburg, Heather Wade, Fred Wardle & Susan Traer, Debby & Ralph Watson, Franz & Mary Weilandt, Kathryn White, Peter & Kathy White, Anna Whitley & Fred Blair, Ann Wiggins, Donna Wilson, Cfa Winnipeg Inc., Cait Wood & Ben Dietschi STUDENTS

Anniversary of Ann & Bob Bennett, Anonymous, Dennis Ablett, Pat Archer, Bronwyn Atkinson, Garnet Barber, Heran Baronikian, Sarah Cashman & Carl Swanston, Gwen Cavers, Fern Colson, Nathan & Lori Copeland, Connie Corbett, Henry & June Dinsdale, Marybelle Dockstader, MB Dugan, Audrey Gillam, Andy Gopnik, Fern Greenspoon, Celina Hawkins, Catherine Holt, Irene Kavanagh, Pat & Graham Lockey, Greg Loucks & Sharon Hunter, Margaret, Therese May, Gary & Deb McCarthy, Jan McClary, Merrilyn, Pedersen Family, Tracy Peters & Pierre Martin, Rachel & Hugh Prichard, Patricia Ralston, Janet Shaw, Lillian Tilbrook, Eugenia Venchiarutti, Joyce & Wilburt Ward

Every gift you make will be matched—dollar for dollar—up to $75,000 thanks to the generosity of a small group of seed donors. This means your gift will grow to have twice the impact, nurturing a vibrant future for Westben.

The Schoolhouse Campaign

We heartily welcome you to support Phase 2 through a tax-deductible donation. Your donation will help us transform this historic learning and gathering space into an accessible community learning hub: a welcoming home for all-ages workshops, friendly rehearsals, Chalk Talks, Schoolhouse concerts, and other creative music appreciation events.

Adopt a Tree

Support Westben’s sustainability initiatives by adopting a tree on the grounds. In recognition of your donation, your name, a quote or dedication on a plaque will be displayed at the base of your tree.

Adopt a Bird House

Support Westben’s sustainability initiatives by adopting a bird house on the grounds to help encourage the bird population, PLUS get your name, a quote or dedication on a plaque displayed on your bird house.

To make a donation or to adopt a tree or birdhouse, please contact The Box Office at 1-877-883-5777 or email westben@westben.ca for more details.

Give Stocks & Securities

A donation of securities is a great way to make a significant difference to Westben, while reaping tax benefits.

Your gift can be in the form of shares, bonds or mutual funds.

Planned Giving & Bequests

Give to the future! Participants can support Westben’s sustainability be setting up bequests, contributing to Westben’s Endowment Fund, or by naming Westben as a life insurance beneficiary. Donations to the Planned Giving, Endowment and Bursary funds are tax deductible and will contribute immensely to supporting Westben’s long-term stability and vision.

Gifts in-kind: Please connect with us for more information.

Employee Giving Program

Does your company have an employee giving program which encourages you to donate to charities?

If so, why not consider Westben? As an eligible charitable organization, it might just be your ticket!

Memorial Donations

Please connect with us for assistance in commemorating your loved one.

For more information, please contact Rebecca Baptista, General Manager, at 1-877-883-5777 or email rebecca@westben.ca

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CATCH A FLICK ARON THEATRE CO-OP ADULTS $8 members / $11 non-members STUDENTS / SENIORS $6 members / $9 non-members 54 Bridge St E Campbellford ON | arontheatre.com

Live Entertainment!

Companion animal care, including preventive care, medicine, surgery, dentistry, and physical rehabilitation.

Open weekdays with extended hours until 8 pm on Tuesdays.

A Unique Dining Experience On The Trent Severn Waterway 67 Queen Street, Campbellford, ON | 705-653-3737 info@thedocksidebistro.com | thedocksidebistro.com

176 Bridge Street West Campbellford, ON (705) 653-2750

VOTED SWEETEST BAKERY IN CANADA! Famous Donuts • Breads • Pies • Tarts Muffins • Cookies • Cakes • Squares Bagels and SO much more!

61 Bridge Street East, Downtown Campbellford 705.653.1460 www.doohers.com Open Tuesday - Saturday 9 am to 5:30 pm

Gourmet Food | Catering & Special Events

★★★ Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce ★★★ Excellence in Business Award Winner Customer Experience Award Winner

Mirmil Products has established itself as one of the Leading Architectural Millwork companies in North America, working on high profile and prestigious jobs in Canada, The United States and Worldwide. These include a variety of construction projects such as casinos, amusement parks, high-end hotels, stadiums, health care facilities, colleges and universities.

Mirmil Products is a locally owned Canadian company located in Campbellford, Ontario. We operate Monday to Friday days to accommodate work-life balance and offer progressive jobs on brand new equipment. Our employees have been key to our success, and we move forward with a focus on being an employer of choice.

Check out our current job opportunities at www.mirmil.ca/careers, or call 613-394-1022 ext. 23 for more information! mirmilproducts mirmil_products

58 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

Celebrating 90 Years in Business 43 Bridge St. E. Campbellford, ON K0L 1L0 705 653 2540 www.rabethgesjewellery.com

WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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For the past 15 years, de Blois Built has specialized in full-scope renovations and one-of-a-kind new builds in Toronto, Northumberland County and Prince Edward County. Collaborating closely with clients, architects and designers, de Blois Built builds beautiful, functional and truly custom homes.

Their team is passionate about providing quality workmanship, exceptional service and making meaningful connections with their clients and trade partners.

C A N D L E C O M P A N Y & G A L L E R Y

Exquisite handmade furniture and accessories

Building More Than Homes From concept to completion, de Blois Built clients have the full support of a highly-skilled, creative, and committed team. Our project managers, site supervisors, in-house carpentry crews, and operations staff are there every step of the way making sure that project plans gel with client vision and budgets, that pricing is clear and transparent, and that every detail is just right.

www.debloisbuilt.com

60 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

Blue Loo Ltd Derek & Cait Lynch +705.924.9393 blueloo.ca bluelooltd@gmail.com facebook.com/bluelooltd/ 156 Elgin Street P.O. Box 118 Hastings, ON K0L-1Y0

23 Main St., Warkworth, Ontario 1-866-243-3592 • 705-924-9330 www.cheekybee.com

WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING CHOCOLATE STUDIO find us at the corner of Centre & Main Warkworth centreandmainchocolate.com

Warkworth’s Fashion Warkworth’s Fashion Boutique Boutique Warkworth’s Fashion Boutique TRENTMENDOUS! WE MAKE FASHION TRENTMENDOUS! MAKE FASHION FIT YOURWE LIFESTYLE FIT YOUR LIFESTYLE

TRENTMENDOUS! WEK0K MAKE 33 Main Street, Warkworth, ON 3K0FASHION | (705) 924-3143 33 Main Street, Warkworth, ON K0K 3K0 | (705) 924-3143 FIT YOUR LIFESTYLE

ttrree nn tt m o uu ss .. cc oo m m me en nd do

33 Main Street, Warkworth, ON K0K 3K0 | (705) 924-3143

trentmendous.com

Handmade Pottery & Blown Glass

by Monica Johnston & Paulus Tjiang

2 Mill Street Warkworth 705–924–9173 franticfarms.com

Frantic Farms 62 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

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705-696-3600 EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT

SEASONAL PATIO SIGNATURE COCKTAILS SIGNATURE RECIPES HOUSE-SMOKED MEATS

crafting good times VISIT OUR taproom, PATIO & RETAIL STORE 98 County Rd 35, Hastings, ON K0L 1Y0

@mcgillicafeys

Onion Skins & Peach Fuzz: The Farmerettes*

*Based on the book by Shirleyan English & Bonnie Sitter

WOR LD PR EMIER E Written by Alison Lawrence Directed by Autumn Smith

July 1 – 20, 2024

Photo by Wayne Eardley, Brookside Studio.

TAKE A ROAD TRIP TO 4TH LINE THEATRE!

Jim Watts: Girl Reporter WOR LD PR EMIER E Written by Beverley Cooper Directed by Kim Blackwell

July 30 – August 24, 2024 Kim Blackwell, Managing Artistic Director

BOX OFFICE: 705-932-4445 or 1-800-814-0055 4thlinetheatre.on.ca

64 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

WESTBEN.CA | 25 YEARS OF MUSIC IN NATURE

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• Rejuvenate amidst nature, in solitude or with friends and family

• Perfect for retreat groups, family reunions, small weddings and solo/couples getaways • Numerous ecosystems, rolling hills, diverse wildlife and whispering trees

HAVEN IN THE MEADOW

HAVEN ON THE HILLTOP

6 BEDROOM FARMHOUSE

ALL-SEASON YURT

• Cozy accommodations

RAINBOW HAVEN

JUST 20 MINUTES SOUTHWEST OF WESTBEN

WHITE PINE HAVEN

IN THE HEART OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

LABYRINTH

magic DISCOVER THE

www.fellsmeadows.com | info@fellsmeadows.com Host: Leslie Fell OVER 100 ACRES OF PEACE AND SERENITY info@fellsmeadows.com TO NOURISH MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT fellsmeadows.com • 905-344-5014

Multiple Porches, Multiple Artists, an Audience of Music Lovers!

You’ve probably heard of House Concerts, but Porchella takes it outside!

Campbellford: Saturday September 14, 2024 Noon to 4 pm

More info…

www.porchella.ca 66 WESTBEN | 2024 PROGRAM

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Box Office: Schoolhouse, Box 1413, 6788 County Road 30, Campbellford, ON, K0L 1L0 The Barn, Willow Hill, The Campfire: 6698 County Road 30, Campbellford, ON, K0L 1L0 Westben.ca 705-653-5508/877-883-5777

FURNITURE