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CAROL FEENEY: Special concert March 3

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The Quinte Symphony is gearing up for an exciting event Saturday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m. to help raise funds for the purchase of new music for the orchestra’s library.

 

It is being held at the Belleville Club and the orchestra’s event that will have a Speakeasy theme.

The term “speakeasy” originally referred to the illicit drinking houses during the Prohibition-era (1920-1933) in the United States. At the time, it was illegal to sell and consume alcohol, so people started serving alcohol behind closed doors in discreet locations usually only known to a select few.

The prohibition of alcohol in Canada arose in various stages, from the possibility of local municipal bans in the late 19th century, to provincial bans in the early 20th century, to national prohibition (a temporary wartime measure) from 1918 to 1920. Surprisingly, the relatively large and powerful beer and alcohol manufacturing sector - and the huge working class that purchased their products - failed to convince any of the governments to reverse their stance on prohibition. Most provinces repealed their bans in the 1920s, though alcohol was illegal in Prince Edward Island from 1901 to 1948. By comparison the temperance act in Ontario ran from 1916 to 1927. (Source Wikipedia)

Those days are gone (and the Belleville Club is legally licensed) but the Roaring Twenties theme gives great opportunity to dress up in costume and enjoy yourself. The Speakeasy will feature a brass quintet of orchestra musicians playing Ragtime tunes, a sax quartet from Albert College and other musical surprises. Guests will also enjoy hors d’oeuvres, games, a silent auction and an Experience Auction.

Loyalist College students have played a big part in organizing this fundraiser for the Quinte Symphony. Wheasked how this came about, Debbie Shaw, president of the Quinte Symphony, explained “Last Spring we were contacted by Kerry Ramsay at Loyalist College, who asked if we’d be interested in having a team of Loyalist Public Relations and Events Management students organize a fund-raising event for us as part of their program. Absolutely! The students are hard-working and full of fresh ideas. It has been a pleasure working with them.”

Tickets are only $25 each and are available at Sam the Record Man, online at thequintesymphony.com and a limited numbers of tickets will be on sale at the door.

Tonight it’s Hockey Night in Quinte presented by the Rotary Club of Belleville Satellite Group. This will be a night of fun, music with a DJ and live band, The Far Side.

There will also be hockey inspired games and live and silent auctions. The event takes place at the Belleville Armouries, 187 Pinnacle Street, Belleville at 7 p.m. All proceeds will go to Playing for Keeps in support of children in sports. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Belleville Chamber of Commerce or Re/Max Quinte Ltd. in Belleville.

Don’t forget to head on down to downtown Belleville this Saturday to enjoy some fabulous soup at many restaurants and locations in the heart of the city. Organized by the in BDIA, Savour the Chill is in its 15th year and is a very popular annual event. Soup samples are $2 each and people are encouraged to go green and bring their own spoon. There are free horse drawn trolley rides, hot cider at the BDIA office and more events happening on Saturday and Sunday to support the Hometown Hockey event. So get out and have some fun this weekend I downtown Belleville. 

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