Macdonald Festival 2011

Inspired by the fascinating personality of Canada’s First Prime Minister, the Macdonald Festival examines the private life and celebrates the political contribution of Sir John A. Macdonald, all within the historical setting of Canada’s first capital: Kingston, Ontario.

The focus of the Festival is a professional production of the comedy Sir John, Eh? The Musical, performed within the Sanctuary of historical St. Andrew’s Church in downtown Kingston. St. Andrew’s was where Macdonald regularly attended services back in the 1800s. He could also be found frequenting the Royal Tavern, still located across from St. Andrew’s.

The Royal Tavern was not just a social spot for Macdonald, but his campaign headquarters. During the Festival, the Tavern will feature specialty menu items and a kitchen-party theme, reminiscent of Macdonald’s own experiences. The grounds of St. Andrew’s will offer a picnic atmosphere during the day with additional entertainment and vignettes, including the renowned Barefoot Players. Other Kingston attractions, such as Arthur Milnes’ “In Sir John A. Macdonald’s Footsteps” walking tours, Bellevue House (Macdonald’s former residence) and the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, which will display Macdonald era artwork, are also part of the festivities.

The Macdonald Festival is produced by Jim Garrard. Jim is an established author, founder of Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto and a graduate of the Canadian Film Centre. He is former President of Rochdale College and served as Executive Director of the Toronto Arts Council. His play, Cold Comfort, was produced as a film starring Maury Chaykin and Paul Gross.

Macdonald Festival 2011 Contact Information

Jim Garrard, Producer
Kendra Pierroz, Assistant to the Producer
Peter Aitken, Business Manager
Allison Townsend, Marketing Director
Nancy Helwig, Box Office & Merchandise
Changuk Sohn, IT Manager

Macdonald Festival 2011 Board of Directors

• Nancy Helwig (President) – Nancy is not stranger to theatre, managing and having programmed The Grand Theatre for nearly twenty years. Nancy founded Kingston Fringe Festival, and produced seven seasons of Kingston Summer Festival. She served as Cultural Programs Director for the 1976 Sailing Olympics, Special Consultant to Ontario Arts Council, Member of Canada Council Explorations Adjudication Committee, and theatre consultant with Brian Arnott Associates. She is an award-winning actor and alumnus of the legendary Straw Hat.
• Adam Koven – Adam was raised in Kingston with the notion that our theatres and galleries are an integral part of cities heritage. His parents were and are staunch supporters of The Grand Theatre, The Agnes Etherington Art Center and many other gems of our community. Rob sees this as an opportunity to assist in another fine example of long-lived Kingston culture.
• Bhavana Varma – Bhavana Varma moved to Kingston 12 years ago from the Niagara region. She enjoys living and working in Kingston, travelling, walking, reading, good food, wine, the opera and theatre. Ms. Varma has volunteered for a number of agencies and has worked in the not for profit sector for the past 20 years.
• Chris Whyman – Chris was born and raised in Kingston. He was chosen as Kingston’s official Town Crier and Goodwill Ambassador in June of 1984 and has gone on to represent the City of Kingston with honour and pride on all occasions since that time. His promotional duties have seen him visit Australia, Belgium, England, Ireland, across Canada and the US “crying” the praises of Kingston “the Limestone Gem”. In 2004 and again in 2010 Chris was crowned champion of “The Lord Mayor of Chester’s World Town Crier Tournament” in Chester, England. He has hosted the Learning Channel’s production on Travel which highlighted Kingston and his photo in full regalia dons many of Kingston visitor brochures, videos and magazines. His Crying career has led him to become the full time Manager of Visitor Services for Tourism Kingston, where he can combine his crying talents and promotional abilities, to the service of citizens and visitors alike.
• Gillian Sadinsky – Gillian Sadinsky grew up in local Kingston, testing the waters in high school musicals. Ever since, she has been an avid theatre-goer. She provided communications services for the Kingston Summer Festival at the Grand Theatre in the mid-1990s and joined the board of the Salon Theatre in 2009. Today, she is a communications specialist and yoga teacher and lives next door to Bellevue House, historic home of Sir John A Macdonald.
• Ramsay King – Ramsay started working in theatre in the 1970’s in Toronto, first with Paul Bettis at Theatre 2nd Floor and then for Passe Muraille and Salon Theatre productions in the 1980’s. Ramsay moved to Saskatoon to work on Paper Wheat at 25th St. Theatre. Mr. King worked for many years stage managing and designing in Saskatoon, currently working as a Horticultural Therapist.
• Rob Matheson – Rob is a former Kingston City Councillor, and most recently a mayoral candidate. Rob is currently working as an advisor for Kingston Toyota. As a City Councillor Mr. Matheson helped bring about the Sir John A signage at the entrances to our great City off of the 401, and sponsored motions supporting a National Holiday.