BORN AND RAISED RETURNS OCT. 25
The annual Born and Raised music and comedy night is returning for another year. The event, which features local performers, is a fundraiser for the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation. It will take place at the Royal Canadian Legion in Barry’s Bay on Oct. 25.
Last year’s event sold out and raised over $10,000. Marie Finnerty, theevent’s main co-ordinator, is hoping the local community will come out again this year in the hopes of surpassing that amount.
“The St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation is near and dear to me and supporting local healthcare is very important,” said Finnerty. “There’s so much talent here in our backyard and I'm a huge supporter of, and have a deep passion for live entertainment. Combining comedy and music in our small town with tasty refreshments has been on my bucket list for a while.”
This year’s event will feature local performers including The Salt Cellars, Two for the Road, Lisa Hildebrandt, Brendan Cybulski, Geoff Webber, and Tim Baklinski. Comedian Andrea Murray, who grew up in Barry’s Bay, is also returning to help emcee and entertain the crowd with her witty, charming and bratty sense of humour.
The event will also feature raffle and door prizes, Andrea Budarick’s famous donuts, appetizers and a cash bar.
Local resident and freelance journalist Barry Conway attended last year’s event and is desperate to see another one.
“If last year’s Born and Raised was any indication of the untapped, professional-grade comedic and musical talent to be had on a fall night in Barry’s Bay, this year’s show will be even better,” said Conway. “We laughed till we darn-near cried and rolled in our seats till our bellies almost burst. It was raw Opeongo Line entertainment at its very best. Born and Raised is not to be missed this year.”
Conway added that some things, like moonshine, take time to percolate. “Others, like Halley’s Comet, come screaming out of nowhere. The beauty of our local Born and Raised – it’s moonshine and comet.” Tickets are $60 and they can be purchased by sending an etransfer to bornandraisedinthevalley@gmail.com. A limited number of tickets are available at the Foundation office. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the show starts at 7 p.m.
