In the summer of 2007 the classic rock band Bend of Elbow played at a party at 300 Elbow Lake Rd., in Estaire.
Blair Duhaime (guitar and vocals) and Ron Nantais (drums)
are volunteer firefighters with the Estaire-Wanup Volunteer
Fire Department. Rory Wardell (guitar and vocals) is a past
volunteer firefighter from Estaire and Tom DeLong a
would-like-to-be firefighter plays bass.
"They were such a hit we decided people would pay to hear the
band, and three weeks later Music On The Grass I took place,"
said Gord Hall, Fire Chief for Estaire-Wanup Volunteer Fire
Department.
"We contacted some other musicians who all graciously agreed to perform for a fundraiser in support of our small, unpaid volunteer fire department. We had a seven hour mini- music festival and despite the worst rain storm of the summer, we had a great turnout," he adds.
Music on the Grass II, which takes place Aug. 23, promises to be even bigger and better with the musicians donating more than nine hours of their time to help the fire department fundraiser.
On tap this year are: country and rock by the re-united Sam Lahti and the Colts, with Sam Lahti on lead guitar and vocals, Mel Storms on bass and vocals, Mike Kendal on keyboard and Dave Mathe on drums.
There will be bluegrass by Sudbury's Junction Creek; light rock and blues by Katz also from Sudbury; country and gospel by Mag River from Burkes Falls; a capella by Cheers the award winning barbershop quartet from Sudbury's Nickel City Sound; folk by Ad Roberts and contemporary by Sandee both from Toronto; blues and ballads by the Forster Sisters from Kingston and Estaire; vocals by Riley Nantais from Estaire; and classic rock by Bend of Elbow.
The gate is open at 11:00 a.m. at 300 Elbow Lake Road (off Nepawassi Lake Road, in Estaire). Admission is $15.00, and parking is free. Kids under 10 are free. No pets are allowed.
Everyone should bring their favourite lawn chair, refreshments and food. The music will go from noon till dark and tents are set up in case of rain.
Tickets are available at Jett Landry Music, Northern Insurance Brokers, Cosmic Daves Guitar Emporium, Black Cat, Wanup General Store, Estaire Gas Bar and on-site. All proceeds to benefit the Estaire-Wanup Volunteer Fire Department. For information call Gord Hall 695-2798.
