Original stories were told, poetry was recited, bands played, songs were sung, and pianos, fiddles and other instruments soared to the great delight of an appreciative audience at the annual Cariboo Festival Spotlight Performance held at Cariboo Bethel Church Saturday evening.
Those chosen to perform at the Spotlight Performance won gold standing in their particular class of competition and received high praise from the adjudicators.
“Those performing tonight have been recommended by the adjudicator because they demonstrated a special quality of artistry and entertainment in their performance,” master of ceremonies Bill McDonald said.
As each performer took to the stage McDonald announced the awards they had won.
The Allegro Alley Cats, who won the best band award, conducted by Rocco Catalano kicked things off with Ghosts in the Graveyard by Watson.
Quintet Plus choir, conducted by Jessie Chapin, won the high point choir award, and followed with their amazing rendition of the tone poem Kasar Mie La Gaji by Alberto Grau, a modern a cappella piece with international musical influences meaning The Earth is Tired.
Every performance that followed was a delight to watch, reflecting hours of study and practice by the participants.
It was particularly nice to see so many creative writing students reading pieces they had written themselves included in the performances this year.
The animation shown by people reciting poetry and prose was also impressive, including a long story called The Party by Dunbar recited by Mary Trott.
An amazing group of eight young fiddlers and a drummer wrapped up the concert with a performance of Fuego by Bond.
There were too many stand-out performances to mention them all here, but the award winners will be announced in later editions of the Tribune.
The major festival awards and delegates to the provincial festival will be announced at the Cariboo Festival’s 2011 Honours Concert this Saturday evening, May 7 at Cariboo Bethel Church starting at 7 p.m.
During the concert McDonald also recognized the festival’s community supporters and volunteers, and encouraged people to become festival volunteers.
He invited people interested in helping with the festival to attend the annual general meeting Tuesday, June 14 at 7 p.m. in the new Central Cariboo Arts Centre.