Planning for 2010

Evaluation

Over the next few weeks, there will be an evaluation of the show in 2009, and an attempt to improve it for 2010.  An analysis was completed of all the evaluation forms that were returned over the summer.  They were amazingly positive. 99% of those attending the show thought that show overall and the entertainment were “excellent or very good.”   There were a few suggestions  about how to improve the  seating arrangement, the location, and the food; but even in those cases – the positives were very high.

Food was rated Excellent or Very Good by 91%

Seating arrangement was rated Excellent or Very Good by 90%

Location was rated Excellent or Very Good by 87%

Most of the complaints about location related to the heat.  As a result, we are looking into acquiring air conditioning for next summer.

In our menu, we attempted to provide typical Newfoundland meals: Jjigg’s dinner and turkey dinner, served with pea soup, bread and butter, and bread pudding with rum sauce.

Some Newfoundlanders like their pea soup very thick and served with “dough boys” or dumplings.  The pea soup that Noble’s Catering served was a little thinner and without dumplings, since it is difficult to make dumplings that are not soggy for that 100 people.  This led to the best comment for the summer on the evaluation forms:   “I haven’t seen pea soup this thin since the depression!”

We do take all comments seriously.  If you attended over the summer and did not complete an evaluation form, please email you comments to:

sroach@pigeoninlet.ca

T-shirts, hats, and jackets.

Wescal Sports has developed Pigeon Inlet T-Shirts, hats and jackets.

Edmund Dawson - Super Model

Mr. Edmund Dawson, member of the Bay Roberts Cultural Foundation Board of Directors and sponsor of Pigeon Inlet modeling the T-Shirt and Hat.

More photos of T-Shirts and Hats.

We hope to see everyone at the new productions!!

Last Three Saturday Performances – Sold Out

“A ‘Time’ in Pigeon Inlet” will be over for another year on Saturday, August 29th after a very successful summer. Audiences enjoyed Kelly Russell, Tonya Kearley Russell and their daughters, Naomi and Tamsyn [ 'Russells in the Corner' ] as well as Kelly’s recitations of his father’s works and the plays Algebra Slippers and The Hangashore.  Stephen Power, Melissa Dawe, and Luke Walsh, joined by Brandon Mercer this year, provided excellent entertain as Pigeon Inlet Players. The show was almost sold out each night and sold out completely three weeks before the last three performances.  The evaluations rated the show highly.

One of the highlights of the summer was the visit of Dr. Elizabeth Russell Miller who was accompanied by her sister, Peggy Vachon and her husband.

Dr. Elizabeth (Russell) Miller spoke about the life and work of her father, Ted Russell, at the Bay Roberts Visitor’s Pavilion on August 16, 2009. During her presentation she showed she had interited her father’s sense of humor when she described his adventures in outport Newfoundland and unique life story which is so tied to the history of outport Newfoundland in the pre-Confederation, Confederation, and immediate post-Confederation era. Dr. Miller has encapsulated her father’s life, times, and works in the biography, “Uncle Mose: The Life of Ted Russell,” and her edited collection of her father’s works: “The Chronicles of Uncle Mose,” both published by Flanker Press. Through these works she has helped to preserve outport Newfoundland’s cultural traditions.

Dr. Elizabeth Russell Miller

The guest performers provided other highlights.  The performers included: he Amalgamated Academy Traditional Band, Frank Maher, Con O’Brien , Pamela Morgan, Billy Sutton, Lewis Gosse with daughter  Sonya ,  Ray & Greg Walsh , and Duane Andrews.  On August 29,  Gerry Strong will be the guest.

Thank you to everyone who was part of the performances over the summer, including Kelly, Tonya and the girls, the Pigeon Inlet Players, the guest performers, Wayne Noble’s Catering, Sandra Roach, Bay Roberts Cultural Foundation General Manager, volunteers,  and last but not least the audiences, who were so enthusiastic.  It was a wonderful summer!

Show for August 1st – Bully Sutton – Guest

August 1st brought another great show.  At this show the play was “The Hangashore” and the guest was Billy Sutton.

Audience Involvement

Here are a few of the comments:

“Makes me proud to be a Newfoundlander.”

“Fist time in Newfoundland, never been to anything like this. I can guarantee I’ll be coming back for another trip.  Keep up the amazing work.”

The time when Uncle Sol Noddy stole the two holes from Skipper Lige Bartle.

“It was a wonderful evening.  No changes necessary! So much talent.”

“The young people are absolutely fantastic.”

“Hope this type of entertainment continues.  A great exhibition of the talent and art of our Newfoundlanders.”

“Good evening’s entertainment.  Too bad there’s not a permanent venue for this event.”

“The play and music was fantastic.  Great to see such talent.”

“The whole evening was wonderful.  Glad we came.”

“Good job to all.”

“Stephen Power is priceless.  Great young talented man.”

“An overall excellent performance.  Hats off to all of you.”

“Wonderful local talent.”

Billy Sutton

Feedback for 2009 Show.

Evaluations.

80% of those who responded thought that overall the show was excellent, and 20% thought it was very good; 84% thought that the entertainment was excellent and 16% thought it was very good.

Here are a few of the individual comments:

“I think it is worth your knowing that the Bay Roberts, NL Pigeon Inlet Dinner Theater which has Kelly Russell and his family (they called themselves Russels in the Corner)   is the best I’ve seen so far.  There were 3 or 4 other Non-Family Members who were very talented too. And the meal itself  aside from being very tasty authentic NL food… well you didn’t even know you were being served the staff were so efficient…  The show was very professionally done … they had us all singing the songs we know so well.  The whole room of 80 or 100 were involved… it was amazing to be a part of ….  I  couldn’t help but feel proud of the talent we have here in this province.  I definitely would recommend it to everyone, local people and visitors alike.”

Barbara Strong – Memorial University.

” A very enjoyable evening and good to relive the stories from Pigeon Inlet.  Especially enjoyed the Russell Family music.”

“It told so much about who we are and who we were.  I think we should show off more of this type of dinner theatre.”

“A grand Time!  Thanks.  Keep up the good work especially with the youth.”

“A great Time.”

“A beautiful evening and made me very proud of our heritage and the talent of Newfoundland.”

“The food was outstanding.”

“A wonderfully entertaining evening.  I will recommend it!”

“A beautiful evening of enjoyment. Thank you!”

“Great show & meal.”

“Thoroughly enjoyed meal and entertainment. Congratulations.”

“Very enjoyable.”

“We will come again!”

“Fantastic!!”

Guest Performers and Plays for Summer 2009

Kelly Russell and Graham Wells
Originally uploaded by
Jean Knowles
Limited Internet mid-week

On July 11, Con O’Brien will be the guest at Pigeon Inlet, and the play will be “Algebra Slippers.

On July 18, Graham Wells will be the guest, and the play will be “The Hangashore.”

On July 25, Pamela Morgan will be the guest, and the play will be “Algebra Slippers.”

On August 1,  Billy Sutton will be the guest, and the play will be “The Hangashore.”

On August 8, the Gosse Family (Lewis with daughters  Sonya and Michelle) will be guests, and the play will be  “Algebra Slippers.”

On August 15, Ray & Greg Walsh will be guests, and the play will be “The Hangashore.”

On August 22,  Duane Andrews will be the  guest, and the play will be  “Algebra Slippers.”

On August 29,  Gerry Strong will be the guest.  and the play will be  “The Hangashore.”

Opening Night – June 27th

Pigeon Inlet opened again this year on Ted Russell’s birthday.  The audience and cast joined in singing “Happy Birthday.”

Happy Birthday

In addition to a new location, Pigeon Inlet has a number of other new features this season.

Guest Performers

First, there will be a special guest or guests each Saturday night.   For Opening Night the special guests were the Traditional Music Group from the Amalgamated Academy in Bay Roberts.

Amalgamated Academy Traditional Music Group

For July 4, the special guest will be Frank Maher.

Frank Maher

Frank Maher was a member of Figgy Duff. He received the 2002 Tradition Bearer Award from the Celtic Roots Festival in Goderich, Ont., and the 2003 St. John’s Folk Arts Council Lifetime Achievement Award.

For July 11, the guest will be Con O’ Brien.

Con O'Brien

Con O’Brien is lead singer and guitarist in the Irish Descendants, who have toured the globe playing traditional music. The group won a Juno award in 1995 for the best roots traditional album – “Gypsies and Lovers.”

New Menu

Newfoundland Pea Soup

Either Traditional Jigg’s Dinner with Pease Pudding OR

Turkey Dinner with Gravy, Newfoundland Dressing, and Figgy Duff

Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce

Additional Play

“Algebra Slippers” will be alternating with “The Hangashore.”

Painting on Tickets

A professionally framed, limited edition print of Gerry Squire’s painting of Ted Russell will be on tickets.  The print can be viewed while attending the ‘Time.’

Photos from Opening Night

Brandon, Luke and Naomi

Fresh Bread and Newfoundland Pea Soup, Jigg's Dinner with Pease Pudding

New for Summer 2009

In Summer 2009, the “Time in Pigeon Inlet” will be held in the Masonic Lodge on the Conception Bay Highway, next door to Woodward Motors Ltd.

The Masonic Lodge

There will be a choice of two meals which will be ordered at the time of booking.  If a person has a special diet, every effort will be made to accommodate, but the special diet must be mentioned at the time of booking.

A seating plan is being established.  As soon as the seating is ready, it will be published at www.pigeoninlet.ca

At the time of booking, seating can be booked on a first come – first serve basis.

We are getting ready to announce more about Summer 2009.  Keep checking back for more information.

A Time in Pigeon Inlet – 2009 – Audition Call

All Ages – Musicians, Singers, Actors, Dancers, Storytellers.

We want YOU… to audition for this summer’s production of  A Time in Pigeon Inlet : A Musical Theatre Show

by the Bay Roberts Cultural Heritage Foundation
Produced and directed by
Kelly Russell & Tonya Kearley

Candidates must be available every Saturday night from June 27 to August 29 plus various weekend rehearsal times during May and June.

We seek talented performers in music and theatre, all age groups both youth and adult.

Auditions will be held at Ascension Collegiate in Bay Roberts on Sunday, April 26.

To book your 15 minutes of audition time slot, please contact us:
Phone: 709-488-3821
Email: kellyrussell@nf.sympatico.ca

A New Season

Plans are underway for the new season of Pigeon Inlet.  If you check the Compass and the Telegram, there is an ad for catering services.  We are examining choices for a new venue for the show.

People of all ages in the community have become involved in Pigeon Inlet.

Coley’s Point Primary Art Smart Program about Pigeon Inlet

Younger members of the community have become involved in Pigeon Inlet. Mrs. Wendy King of Coley’s Point Primary has received funding for her students to study “Pigeon Inlet” and the writings of Ted Russell under the “Cultural Connections: K-12 Arts and Cultural Strategy” sponsored by the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education. Kelly Russell will be visiting her classes and performing his father’s stories, as well as demonstrating his musical skills. The children will learn about Newfoundland culture as illustrated in Newfoundland literature, foods,  and music.

Illustration by Sylvia Ficken

From “The Point” Newsletter:

Our Grade 3 students are involved in a special project in February. Through funding that our school has received from the NL Arts Council ArtSmarts initiative, we hope to develop a deeper understanding of the works of local native son, Ted Russell,  by having our students work directly with Kelly Russell, Ted’s son. Last week was their first session and the children were in awe of Kelly’s talent in spoken word, song and music. The project will include a performance at the Heritage Concert to be held at Amalgamated Academy on March 4th featuring “Our Time in Pigeon Inlet” and using Kelly’s, “A String of Squids”, based on his father’s, “The Smokeroom on the Kyle”, and his uncle, Art Scammell’s, “Squid Jiggin’ Ground”. We’re so excited about this opportunity for our Grade 3 students and hope to build on it in future years as the Town of Bay Roberts expands its “A Time in Pigeon Inlet” project.

Pigeon Inlet Quilters

The Regional Quilters’ Guild has formally adopted the name: Pigeon Inlet Quilters.   They are currently making a “Pigeon Inlet” quilt which will be on display in the Holdin’ Ground Room at the Bay Roberts Visitor’s Pavilion on the Veteran’s Memorial Highway.

Illustration by Sylvia Ficken

“The Holdin’ Ground:  Saving Our Cultural Heritage.”

Congratulations to the Bay Roberts 50 Plus Club for being awarded funding from New Horizons for their project “The Holdin’ Ground: Saving Our Cultural Heritage.” The project will preserve the traditions, values, and spirit of the municipality of Bay Roberts – through documenting traditional skills, music, stories, local history, customs, language, and points of interest. The objective is to record the intangible history of the community before older citizens pass away and it is lost. The recording will include how to perform tasks such as building / repairing boats (punts), preparing or mending cod trap, barking nets, developing and maintaining kitchen gardens, repairing fences, preparing traditional recipes and crafts. It will also include recoding traditional stories, music and dance, games, traditional methods of celebrating holidays and occasions such as weddings and births, story telling (ghost and fairy stories), local history, history of organizations and churches, local sites of interest with traditional names, and local heroes and persons of interest. A major objective of this endeavour is involve seniors and to improve their self-esteem, showing them that what they are respected and recognized for their contributions. They will have access to educational opportunities in the use of new media, and they will participate in community development.

The Mummers have landed!

Last night, “A Mummers’ Christmas” was held in the Lion’s Club in Bay Roberts. There was a great turn out, despite the scary forecast…and the Bell Island ferry problems which could have left Kelly and family stranded on Bell Island.

Pictures of the event with a commentary have been uploaded at Flickr.
A Mummer’s Christmas