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The fall approaches. Leaves (not leafs) tumble down from the tree tops, the nights get shorter, russett apples get ripe, and Welland brings us one last festival to say au revoir to the summer. Youth Action Fest takes place this Saturday, September 11. Local musician and Blacktop Records owner Ben Andress has taken the reigns on this festival and is running with it. There will be four distinct stages around Merritt park in Welland’s downtown eastside. Bands like: Black Majik, Northern Primitive, Pete Tremblay and the Boozy Truth, Grey Kingdom, Attenborough’s Children, Elk and headlining the fest is Long Island’s Wheatus (rumour has it the band will be listening to Iron Maiden all weekend, baby).
Andress explains that the festival is looking to raise money to support a Youth Action Centre in Welland. “[Youth] Action Fest came around while we were in the process of securing a location for our new Youth Arts Centre in Welland. We were looking for ways to make funds to keep the place open, buy music and art supplies for the youth to use and book workshops. The YMCA and Welland Canal Corps have a big help in making this festival happen. It is a real community event. Everyone profits, not just a sole promoter.”
Click on youthactionfest.com for full line–up, and to buy advance tickets for only $10.
Also happening on Saturday, at Pan Cafe in downtown St. Catharines will be a Song Swap featuring Bryson Waind, Carl David Onofrio and Kathy Evans. All three musicians are no stranger to the stage and will be trading songs as well as performing originals all in a very organic and welcoming venue. Doors open at 8pm and cover is pay–what–you–can.
Sunday, just down the street at the Merchant Ale House, the Suitcase in Point Theatre Company will be presenting a back–to–school Cabaret entitled: Cabaret Spring Break – Overdose on Awesome! What can be expected you ask? As an unofficial representative of the beach, I can only guess. Boogie boards, waxed chests, general debauchery, volleyball bumpin’, wet t–shirt contests with bros, sand in bathing suits, ski trips, body shots and more! Doors open at 7:30pm and local musician/actor Aaron Berger gets music going before the show around 8pm. This is also a pay–what–you–can show.
Earlier in the afternoon on Sunday, local artist–of–all–trades Laurie Boese will be having a closing reception for his art show at the Niagara Artists Centre. Boese’s show is self–described as “Home–made chalk boards tarted up with portraits of people I admire, drawn with grease pencil, or gesso.” Among the subjects portrayed are John Cage, Buffy Sainte–Marie, Sir Issac Newton, Gandhi and my favourite local goofball–meets–genius Edwin Conroy Jr. The reception gets going at 3pm.
Lastly, for all you videogame–loving–hermits out there, EA Sports continues to revolutionize digital hockey with their newest game, NHL 11. Not only have they tweaked gameplay to make the game seem incredibly fluid, but they’ve included CHL teams including our local boys in the OHL, the Niagara Ice Dogs. NHL 11 is in stores now. And if you’re looking for an EASHL challenge, be sure to look for the Niagara Brew Cats. We’ll promise to take it easy on you.
Got an idea for the YACK? Send an email to editor@pulseniagara.com or stay up–to–date on twitter: @holdthemap.
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