Since its inception, Sudbury Performance Group (SPG) has supported and nurtured creatives, as part of its mandate.
“Through our regular programming, local musicians get chances to play gigs at local hotels and bars, and eventually at some of our special events,” said SPG President, Mark Mannisto. “We give them the venue, time, compensation, and audience to really hone their craft.”
Two of the musical acts that SPG has helped nurture are Music Mel (Melanie Gaudreault) and the Moonlight Buskers (Fabio and Parker Cinel).
“Mark really took a chance on me,” recollected Music Mel. “I had always played guitar and sung, but mainly for friends and family, around a campfire kind of thing. One night, I took my daughter to SPG’s performance of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (her friend was acting in it). Mark was the emcee, and mentioned that they were looking for local artists to perform.”
She paused, then continued, “I kept thinking, all through the rest of the play, am I a local artist? What does that mean?”
After the play was over, Mel and her daughter went backstage, and she ended up talking to Mannisto. “Initially, we were talking about my daughter being in their summer theatre camp, but I kept wondering. Finally, I just said, what did you mean by local artist?”
Mannisto asked Mel if she had any recordings of herself performing. She had, nothing professional, just something shot by a friend at a gathering. “I sent it to him, and he called me and said I had real talent, and did I want to play at The Hilton Garden Inn in the next couple of weeks! I was in shock,” said Mel.
Mel and Mannisto took a chance on each other, and the rest is history. Mel started playing regularly at the Hilton, then at other venues as people heard of her and word spread. She leased and then bought her own equipment, got some business cards, and recently, after Mark pushed her to apply, she was accepted to play at Ribfest.
“It’s surreal,” said Mel. “I just keep thinking, I’m just a girl with a guitar…and look at what I am doing! Thank you so much to Mark for believing in me and pushing me!”
Fabio and Parker Cinel have been playing together since Parker was 13 (he is 16 now). Father Fabio taught music informally for many years before the pandemic and brought his son Parker with him. At the age of 10, Parker picked up a guitar and it was obvious he had natural talent. Thanks to a professional recording of one of his original songs, he was accepted for a sponsorship at the Sudbury Music Academy.
The father and son duo, Moonlight Buskers, started busking in the parks during the pandemic, when gatherings and live music indoors was forbidden. “After that, Mark and SPG really helped us out a lot getting gigs in local venues and special events. That support really helped Parker continue to grow and develop as a musician,” said Fabio.
“We have both been fortunate to be invited to play at several galas, festivals including the Sudbury Market, Northern Lights Festival, Massey Fair, Burwash Festival, and at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre for Poutine Fest, and this year Rib Fest!” said Parker. “I am very fortunate and excited to perform at Bizzzy Bea’s annual Gala for the third year in a row!”
The Moonlight Buskers continue to busk outdoors in the summertime, with their well-loved sign: “Playing for your smiles…tips nice too.”
“SPG will always continue to support local artists in all the ways that we can,” said Mannisto. “Sudbury is a place that is full of talent, and we are so fortunate to be able to help and watch it all grow!”
For information on Sudbury Performance Group and all of the upcoming events, go to the website here.