Perth Paints the Summer Spectacular!

Perth Paints the Summer Spectacular! - theHumm July 2019

By John Pigeau

Perth is such a lovely town in the summer. Especially in the summer. There are so many fun and interesting things to do: cycling the old streets, paddling about in the restful Tay Basin, strolling through majestic Stewart Park, browsing all the wonderful shops in the picturesque downtown, and grabbing a bite to eat at one of the fine restaurants or enjoying a drink on a patio with a water view. It pretty much makes you wish July would last forever!

Antiquarians and sentimentalists might agree — all the good folks who come to town every summer in search for that one antique they just can’t do without. For them, the weekend of July 6 and 7 offers up a tremendous treat as the Perth Civitan Club hosts the 33rdannual Perth Antique Show and Sale.

This always fun and popular show is both indoors (for those with a fondness for air conditioning) and outdoors under tents. Dealers from far and wide will bring their finest antiques as well as popular retro, vintage and nostalgic collectibles, so there will be lots of wonderful items to see and enjoy and maybe purchase, if that certain something just happens to catch your eye. A Fonzie lunch box, say. Or a first-edition, mint-condition copy of Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine.

There will be the mainstays for sale, of course: art, china, silvers, textiles, jewellery, tools and furniture, but you truly never know what to expect to find at this show. Every year is delightfully different, so expect to be joyfully surprised! Admission is $7, and the show runs from 10am to 4pm both days.

The Perth Citizens’ Band continues its Summer Pops Concert Series with two shows this month: one on Thursday, July 11 and the other on Thursday, July 25. As always, they’ll be playing in the bandshell adjacent to Stewart Park. Bring a lawn chair, maybe a cold supper in a picnic basket, and enjoy. Both concerts begin at 7:30pm.

Need an excuse to get down to Fiddleheads Bar & Grill? I got one for you: Tom Watson will be playing an acoustic set there on Friday, July 12 at 9pm. His sets are varied, hopping genres — from rock, folk and alternative to East Coast and Irish — and always crowd pleasers. Watson is also playing CC’s on the Rideau on Saturday, July 20 from 5–8pm — in case you need an excuse to go there too.

Art lovers rejoice! The Rideau Lakes Artists’ Association (RLAA) presents its third annual art show and sale, called Paint the Summer, on Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14 at the Perth campus of Algonquin College. More than forty talented artists will be displaying their work in oils, acrylic, watercolour, mixed media and batik. The show offers a great chance to meet the artists, chat about their ideas and inspirations, and perhaps find and fall in love with that truly original and gorgeous piece of art you just can’t do without.

Visitors can also vote for their favourite artwork from a collection themed Celebrate the Summer, and one artist’s work will win the People’s Choice Award. The RLAA is pleased to cultivate and support young emerging artists, so new this year is an exhibition of student art from local schools. Paint the Summer is also proud to support Lanark County Interval House. The show and sale run from 10am to 4pm both days. Parking and admission are free, and you can visit rideaulakesartists.com for details.

It’s hard to believe that the Stewart Park Festival is now in its 29th year, isn’t it? Well it is, and this first-class event has steadily become one of the premier music festivals in Ontario. It’s no wonder though — where else can you enjoy three free days of music in such a beautiful setting as Perth’s Stewart Park? There are so many fun and fantastic things to do as well — on top of the outdoor concerts — and the roster of talented musicians is always varied and impressive. It runs from July 19–21, and you can find out all about it at stewartparkfestival.com or on page 5 of this issue.

It’s officially summer. And you are craving ribs. Mouth-watering, scrumptious, fall-off-the-bone, ridiculously delicious, tender, tasty, smoked-and-barbecued ribs. Fear not your cravings, my hungry friends, for the Rotary Club of Perth has totally got you covered — they’ll be hosting their 5th annual Perth Ribfest Music Festival at Last Duel Park from July 26 to 28, and it’s going to be downright delectable.

This popular festival features three days of live entertainment featuring local musicians; two celebrated ribbers; a slew of food and non-food vendors (including vegetarian options); locally brewed beer from the Perth Brewery and Weatherhead; a wine, cooler and spirits bar hosted to TopShelf Distillers; and car shows featuring some really cool antique and exotic rides. There will be a kid’s zone too, with face painting, slides and a climbing wall. Some lucky folks will win rib dinners and door prizes.

Admission is by donation. The whole wingding kicks off on Friday, July 26 at 11am and wraps up Sunday evening at 7pm. Visit perthribfest.com for a detailed list of events. Things might get sticky, folks, so if you own bib overalls, well, don’t be afraid to show ’em off!

The Ladies’ Foursome
Teeing Up for July 4th Opening at Studio Theatre - theHumm July 2019

By — Paul Joyce

It’s that time of year again, when the rattle of expensive metal is heard coming from car trunks and when spouses disappear for hours at a time, reappearing with sunburns, bug bites, and either smiles, scowls, or looks of quiet resignation.

Yes, it’s golf season.

For the final show of its 2018/19 series of plays, Studio Theatre Perth presents The Ladies’ Foursome, a Norm Foster comedy that will make you love the game, even if you, well, currently hate your game.

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Perth Paints the Summer Spectacular! - theHumm July 2019