All summer long, music has been a big part of Amherstburg’s Open Air Weekends.
On Saturday, entertainment took centre stage at the clock tower as 14 different acts delighted those who came out to listen.
The specific event, which helped bring Open Air to a conclusion for another year, was called Amherst Palooza.
“Lollapalooza is a festival in California. Last year was our first year and it was hosted by Burger 67. This year the town got on board,” said Bethnay D’Alimonte from Musicland who helped sponsor this year’s Amherst Palooza.
Beginning at noon and running into the evening, over two dozen musical guests were front-and-centre. It started off with Dave Wilson and was followed by a duo which calls themselves Petals of Gold.
“We’ve been doing this now for two years,” said Tilbury’s Hannah Rivard. “We are both music teachers.”
Rivard shared the stage with partner Justin Dow from Windsor who joined in the vocals and played guitar.
Asked what type of music Petals of Gold likes to play, Rivard said, “we like to have something that pleases everyone.
Leaving the clock tower stage, they immediately went to the Navy Yard Park where several improv stages were set up. That is where Taylor Hallott who performed at 5:30 p.m., spent a good part of her day playing guitar and singing and wearing her fashionable sunglasses.
Performers came in all ages and included 11-year-old Jackson Crawley.
“He comes to every open mic night we have, he’s awesome. He plays the keys and sings,” said D’Alimonte.
Although most of the acts on Saturday were identified by their individual names, there was one that adapted it’s handle from a National Hockey League player – Cal Clutterbuck.
The group Clutterbuck that performed Saturday in Amherstburg is composed of Steve Fields, his daughter Lauren and Bill Bryant.
Steve and Bill were a duo and then wanted to add something more.
“We started to realize we needed to up our game and that we needed a better vocalist,” said Steve of bringing in his daughter.
The entertainment did not conclude when Monique Belanger left the stage as D’Alimonte said an open mic portion was available. As far as what happens next year, she seems excited about the prospects.
“We hosted an audition last March. All of the acts today are from those auditions. We don’t want to have the same people every year.”
“He comes to every open mic night we have, he’s awesome. He plays the keys and sings,” said D’Alimonte.
Although most of the acts on Saturday were identified by their individual names, there was one that adapted it’s handle from a National Hockey League player – Cal Clutterbuck.
The group Clutterbuck that performed Saturday in Amherstburg is composed of Steve Fields, his daughter Lauren and Bill Bryant.
Steve and Bill were a duo and then wanted to add something more.
“We started to realize we needed to up our game and that we needed a better vocalist,” said Steve of bringing in his daughter.
The entertainment did not conclude when Monique Belanger left the stage as D’Alimonte said an open mic portion was available. As far as what happens next year, she seems excited about the prospects.
“We hosted an audition last March. All of the acts today are from those auditions. We don’t want to have the same people every year.”
Open Air wraps up with Amherst Palooza
By Fred Groves
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