Free Friday night concert kicks off Heritage Festival on July 13

The historic Town Hall theatre will come alive with music the evening of Friday, July 13, as renowned St. Marys-based jazz vocalist Jennifer Thorpe takes to the stage for a licensed show to help officially open the 23^rd annual Stonetown Heritage Festival.

The concert is free thanks to the generosity of a familiar St. Marys family. Siblings Kate and Andrew Tapley are taking up the Friday evening entertainment mantle from their father Al Tapley, who long-sponsored a barbecue and live music at the former Nick & Dan’s Collison on Wellington Street.

The barbecue was last held in 2016; since then, Kate and Andrew moved Nick & Dan’s to the west end of Stratford, and have become Fix Auto. But the family’s commitment to St. Marys continues.

“St. Marys is still ‘home’ for us; we’re just 10 minutes down the road and we like coming back,” says Kate. “The concert is a cool way to continue being part of St. Marys after growing up here.”

“This evening is great partnership for everyone – for the town, for us, and for Jennifer to showcase her amazing talent,” continues Kate.

According to her bio, Jennifer “Red” Thorpe, a graduate of the University of Western Ontario’s Music Performance program, “draws inspiration from fellow redheads Lucille Ball, Rita Hayworth and Carol Burnett, with skillful performances combining killer retro smarts, Old Hollywood glamour and timeless slapstick with the undeniable appeal of a warm and expressive voice.”

Thorpe, who has performed extensively throughout southern Ontario, will be backed by a talented quartet, making for a great summer night of hot jazz standards and modern gems.

Friday night’s concert is free, but seats must be reserved in advance, either by visiting www.eventbrite.ca and searching “Fix your Friday Night” or contacting Town of St. Marys Events Coordinator Andrea Macko at 519-284-2340, ext. 249 or amacko@town.stmarys.on.ca. There will be a licensed cash bar with a variety of refreshments. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, all of the festival’s traditional favourites, such as the street fair, heritage tours, and the family street dance and fabulous Rotary fireworks -- plus some great new activities -- will be on offer: check out the full schedule at www.stmarysheritagefestival.ca.

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Contact
Andrea Macko | Events Coordinator
519-284-2340, ext. 249 | amacko@town.stmarys.on.ca