Ken Whiteley performs during Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts -

We one the executive of Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25th Anniversary is so thrilled about the first Saturday night event called "One World Dance" being held on Saturday, September 18th, 2010 at Uxbridge Music Hall.

Guess who is coming to play for us - yes, I mean a performer who has a passion for folk music in his heart and soul, that when he performs - it is all just like a giddy kid playing - Ken Whiteley. I can see some of you with your furrowed brow of confusion, that I should think that everyone should know who Ken Whiteley is. If you are at all in the folk scene in Canada, Ken is the friend that everyone wants to have, the head guy, the "oh my gosh you have got to be kidding" guy.

Ken Whiteley is one of Canada's most respected "roots" musicians. Drawing on his incredibly rich background in blues, gospel and folk styles, this 7 time Juno award nominee will WOW you with his passion (yes I said it again).

He has played at virtually every major folk festival in Canada and performed and recorded with such legends as Pete Seeger, John Hammond Jr., Tom Paxton, Blind John Davis, The Campbell Brothers, Stan Rogers, Guy Davis, Raffi, Linda Tillerey & the Cultural Heritage Choir and countless others. He is a prolific songwriter, a gifted and versatile instrumentalist and a powerful singer, and his music communicates themes of freedom, love, spiritual aspiration and social comment. His performances are presented with particapatory humor, grace and energy.

He is most recently known for his collaborations with brother Chris (the Whiteley Brothers) and old friends Mose Scarlett and Jackie Washington (Scarlett, Washington & Whiteley) have resulted in a wonderful collection of recordings, garnering high praise, successful tours and several awards.

Ken Whiteley has had his hand in more than eighty albums and they have resulted in 11 Gold or Platinum albums, 22 Juno nominations, 2 Juno winners and 2 Grammy nominations, with total sales in excess of 8 million copies.

I will leave you with something that I know will make you more than excited about this "One World Dance" night of September 18th, 2010 during the Celebration of the Arts - "with Ken Whiteley our enjoyment is virtually assured." Do I hear an audible WOW?

25 hours to create a masterpiece? Yes, at Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25

I am thrilled to be part of the executive putting together the 25th anniversary of Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts. This is a 2 and 1/2 week celebration of all things ARTS in September of 2010 - yes that is right, that is this year. I have described it before and this year will prove to be, from our meeting and the enthusiasm of the executive, exceptional and a blast of excitement for all of the senses.

I am on a couple of the "teams" creating the events, shows, activities, programs and showcases of the Celebration, and I am very excited about so much that is going to happen.

One of the teams that I am part of is the, and remember this is a secret code name - 25 hour event. Remember this is a secret code name!!!! don't spread it around, but all I ask you is to forward this blog to EVERYONE you know - but keep it secret.

Do you think that you can create a show-worthy, precise, enjoyable, memorable piece of art in 25 hours? Well some people are going to have the opportunity to do just that. On the Gala Saturday night performance, part of the program will get to the stage, brand spanking new entertainment. I mean, it won't even have been rehearsed until 25 hours before the Gala.

I don't want to "let the cat out of the bag" or "show all the colours" yet, and the rest of the information will just have to wait. This way we confirm time, place, event, people and more.

Needless to say - this is going to be very a fresh, new, exhilarating and amazing performance of ART.

New club in Uxbridge? not that kind of club!

I recently found out, and I thought I knew so much about my town, that there is a place where youth (and youth at heart) can go and see local bands, and invited bands. It is a controlled, safe environment for the youth of Uxbridge to hang out and well, not get into trouble.

This place is Club U and it is located at 69 Brock St. W. NOW WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

Part of it is that this is not my kind of place I guess, and if anyone saw me in there, they would think that I was coming to pick up my grandchild, or trying very hard to relive my youth. Also, I have not been to a dance/club/rock concert in way too many years, and no comments from the peanut gallery on that one.

Some of the great talent (both local and not) that has played there is BETA PORN, Deadwalk, Shut Eyes, conquered Ground, Denied Existence and more. Club U has also offered special feature nights like Retro Night and Beatles night, and often the events are all ages.

The next event is featuring Part 2 - STEREOS Robb Chalifoux DJ DANCE PARTY. And I am sure it will be amazing. Good things happening in Uxbridge around arts and yes this too is ART. It is great that there is a place where the youth can go and find their Art.

Planning for the 25th Anniversary of Celebration of the Arts

As with anything that is going to be spectacular, and a "cannot miss" event, the planning and ideas happen so many months ahead. Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25th anniversary year is not any different. We have been planning for a number of months, but now is the crunch and final organizing of everything.

The best thing about the planning meetings are the ideas that come streaming from the committee. One idea sparks the thoughts of another member, which give another a suggestion to make it even that much better. BUT if we did all of the things that we have been talking about, we would have to extend the celebrations into 4 weeks instead of 2.

If you love arts, and I mean any kind of art in the form of sound, visual, movement, prose and so much more, this really is the event to keep in mind. And we will absolutely forgive you if you can't make it to every event, but boy oh boy, you are going to want to. And it won't be very hard on your pocket book because many of the events will be FREE. Yessssirrrr, that is what I said. FREE.

We are also making a strong increased effort to fit in a number of "children's focused" events as well, and look forward to stirring the imaginations of those young people from Uxbridge township.

Watch this blog and the papers for announcements on events, artists, schedules, descriptions and even deadlines if you want to participate in some of the contents.

Please push this out to your network, and over the next few months you will be as excited as I am and as our executive is.

This is going to be almost as good as the 2010 Winter Olympics!!! Almost? or better.