The Juno award winning Stretch Orchestra added its own musical flavour to the latest venture of Sensational Elora on Sept. 21 with their concert at the Fergus Grand Theatre.
Described as “a renegade trio, hell-bent on saving the world, making it safe for the little guy. Individually, Jesse Stewart, Kevin Breit and Matt Brubeck, have entertained the multitudes in many ports and have acquired many letters of love and shiny things that go on walls and shelves.”
The Friday night concert was held in conjunction with the Elora Empty Glasses Project as hand blown glasses by various local artists were on sale in the theatre’s front lobby.
Kirk McElwain said Empty Glasses is part of the Sensational Elora program which has been in place for the past four years.
“Between the Empty Glasses and the Empty Bowls program, we have raised almost $50,000 in the past four years to combat hunger and poverty in Centre Wellington.”
Most of the contributions, he said, go to the Centre Wellington Food Bank.
Some of the funds also go to the high school breakfast program
Specifically referring to the night’s event, McElwain said “every glass here has been donated by one of our glass artists in the community.”
Each glass included complimentary three flights of wine which was also donated for the event.
“Every cent that is raised goes directly to the food bank or the high school breakfast program,” McElwain said.
He noted the Empty Bowls program runs in parallel.
Currently on sale in the Styll Gallery in Elora, the bowls will also be for sale at the Sensational Soup Off event in Aboyne on the Thanksgiving Monday.
“All the bowls have been donated by local potters.”
He noted there are numerous participants in the soup off event in three categories – professional, amateurs and youth.
“Again, all the money raised goes to combat poverty and hunger in Centre Wellington.”
Although the glasses were only available at the concert event, McElwain anticipated any remaining glasses will be on sale at the soup off event as well.
“People can by a glass instead of a soup bowl to get in.”
He commented that the soup off has a $40 entrance fee, which includes a bowl (or glass).”
He later added that ScotiaBank has been a sponsor for all four years of Sensational Elora.
“They’ve worked with us for both Empty Glasses and Empty Bowls, through their matching grant program which is very generous,” McElwain said.
He said that everything going to the local food bank or breakfast program includes a large financial contribution from ScotiaBank “so we are very, very appreciative of their support and of their continued support.”
