A Bunch of People Arts and Events hosted True Stories: An Evening of Life Stories and Live Music, a live event at the Winchester United Church on Oct. 16. Pictured after the event is a photo of event participants, as well as members of the group’s board of directors. Front Row (l-r): Paul Stockton, Harmony Koiter, Suzanne Millaire, Marie-Thèrése Robinson, Amanda Million (Burger), Daphne Evans, Sandra McNeill, Jed Looker, and Jo-Anne Barton. Back row (l-r): Steve Wilmink, Rachelle Eves, Rick Ventrella and Lily (the dog), Patrick Burger, Tony Glen, and Gordon Owen. Missing from photo is Michael Trolly. Courtesy Photo
WINCHESTER – In a recent live ‘sold out’ event, A Bunch of People Arts and Events provided a unique entertainment experience to more than 80 guests, while also raising money for the House of Lazarus Community Outreach Mission (HOL). A non-profit corporation that showcases the talents of local experienced and amateur physical, musical, and visual artists, A Bunch of People Arts and Events presented True Stories: An Evening of Life Stories and Live Music, a live showcase highlighting the storytelling and musical talents of 15 local artists, at the Winchester United Church on Oct. 16. While the venue was provided by the Winchester United Pastoral Charge, the lighting was courtesy of the Dundas County Players, and the audio equipment was on loan from the Railroad Recording Company. “The total profit from the whole year will go to HOL, hopefully for one or two local families for Christmas,” Amanda Million (Burger) said. Million is one of several A Bunch of People Arts and Events board members, as well as an event organizer. One of 10 storytellers, Million was joined by Jed Looker, Sandra McNeill, Patrick R. Burger, Jo-Anne Barton, Marie- Thérèse Robinson, Harmony Koiter, Gordon Owen, Paul Stockton, and Daphne Evans. Musical interludes, as well as accompaniment, was provided by five local musicians: Rick Ventrella, Rachelle Eves, Tony Glen, Steve Wilmink, and Michael Trolly.
The stories came in all guises, from sad to heart wrenching and from happy to hilarious. There were stories about childhood adventures, the mother- daughter bond, the loss of a beloved dog, the horrors of cloth diapers, alcoholism and love, mental illness, being dangerously ill in a foreign country, a Christmastime road-trip that led to a series of unfortunate events, and the aftermath of surviving suicide. Million said the group is hoping to present a Christmas concert in mid- December. To learn more about A Bunch of People Arts and Events, visit their website (abunchofpeopleartsandeve nts.business.site), send them an email (abunchofpeopleartsandeve nts@gmail.com), or follow them on Facebook.
