Ramona Brownell loves music. She often had kids show up at her door when she was practicing to listen to her play. She was delighted that some wanted to learn music, too. “They said, ‘oh, I wish I could do that.’ But I learned that some didn’t because their families couldn’t afford it. That broke my heart.” So Brownell decided to do something about it.
With the help of Huntsville’s local community of musicians and music lovers, Brownell is organizing a variety show to benefit the Children’s Foundation of Muskoka, an organization that provides funds for ‘recreational, cultural, medical and emotional needs and opportunities,’ including extracurricular activities like music and dance lessons, to families that need assistance.
There’s a diverse and talented group performing: Gina Horswood, Amy Wallace, Clayton Earl, Lewis Hodgson, James Jones, Barry Hayward, Katie Minnis, Chris Wallace, Hailey Scott, Hutch, Meeda Berg, Lexi Evans, Annabelle Pelling, Tyler Ellis, Gabrielle Groh, Amber Morrill, Jack and Jooniper Hill, Ramona Brownell, and Payton Strood and Miss Allie’s Dance Team from JJ Dance, with Grant Nickalls as Master of Ceremonies.
“Boy, if you want to see a combination of talent, this is it. Where else do you have dance, opera, Broadway, cover tunes, and original music all in one place?”
Among the performers is a young group of dancers who offered to help. Peyton Strood approached her dance instructor, Allie Dalziel, to choreograph and recruited five of her friends to perform with her. Miss Allie couldn’t be more proud. “They are donating their time and initiating the dance portion of the project,” she said.
“Those little girls deserve recognition for what they’re doing,” added Brownell. “Everyone has been great in offering to help. Besides all of the performers, Scott Pelling is co-producing this with me, and Alistair Dunlop (from Huntsville Theatre Company) is doing the lighting. Natalie Hamill is our backstage coordinator and Natasha Ellis is helping to coordinate the silent auction. We even have to make our own stage because there isn’t one in the ballroom. That’s been interesting!”
Brownell hopes the community will come out to support the cause and enjoy a great night out at the same time.
I think kids need to have opportunities to do these things. I had to do something to help even if it’s only one child, but hopefully more.
Ramona Brownell
The show is April 9 in the Mark O’Meara ballroom. Doors open for the silent auction at 6:45pm and the performance begins at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 in advance at Artisans of Muskoka, Cripple Creek Music and The Forest Store, or $25 at the door if any remain. They will also be collecting non-perishable food items for The Table Food Bank at the door.
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