SHIRLEY NEWHOOK
The Telegram

The Wonderful Grand Band reunion tour began in Labrador West Nov. 9 and finishes tonight in St. John's. All concerts have been soldout for three weeks. There's just one more concert (to be held in Clarenville on Sunday night) - last I heard, there were some seats available.

Tuesday's concert was phenomenal! In the lobby, excitement was in the air long before anyone entered the theatre. The house rose in a mass ovation when the music began, amidst thunderous applause. (This was, after all, the first reunion since 1984.) They clapped, they hooted and they sang along to their favourite songs.

The audience was a reflection of the fans of the TV series that ran on CBC from 1980-83. The inimitable actor/comedien Greg Malone was host and comic relief between the group's performances of their best-loved songs. Among the favourites: "Hard Times," "Babylon Mall," "UIC" and "Sonny's Dream."

The audience roared when "Living in the Fog" came with appropriate visual aid. Greg revived some of the much-loved characters he portrayed in the series, including Mr. Budgell and Mavis from the Goulds.

During intermission, the crowd mobbed the counter that offered the first DVDs of some of the earliest shows: Volume 1 and 2, with more to follow.

At the peak of the series, it was the most popular show ever evaluated on Canada's national ratings agenda, even beating out the evening news. It took years for the group to obtain rights to the material. There were 10,000 copies ready for the tour, with another 6,000 on order.

With the exception of some grey hair, the band hasn't changed all that much; they're in great shape - Ron Hynes, Sandy Morris, Glenn Simmons, Jamie Snider, Ian Perry and Paul (Boomer) Stamp.

As for Greg, he could dance any teenager off the stage. To put it in his own vernacular, "My feet was worn down to me knees!"

The most moving part of the evening was a special tribute to the late Tommy Sexton, who passed away in 1993 at the age of 36. He was the youngest member of the famous Codco comedy troupe and a regular on WGB.

If you're looking for one of those DVDs for Christmas gifts - and if you'd like to meet the members of the WGB - they'll be at Fred's Records on Duckworth Street Saturday at 2 p.m.

Music in the air

"Transfigured Night," Arnold Schoenberg's dramatic string sextet, has been called the "apex of late romanticism." It's part of a concert at the D.F. Cook Recital Hall featuring faculty and guest artists. That's at 8 p.m. Saturday. For tickets and info, call the concert hotline at 737-4455.

It's a busy week at Memorial's concert hall. Debut Atlantic brings violist Sharon Wei and pianist Angela Park together in the D.F. Cook Recital Hall stage with the fruits of their 10-year collaboration: a recital of treasured repertoire for this soulful instrumental duo. That's Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 8 p.m.

And on Nov. 26, it's "Music from the Great White," music by Canadian composers played by the MUN Wind Ensemble under the direction of Denise Grant. It's at the recital hall at 8 p.m.

Speeders beware

At the last St. John's city council meeting, Coun. Debbie Hanlon presented a petition on behalf of the residents of Kerry Street in the east end of St. John's. They're concerned about speeding motorists in the neighbourhood, where a 30 km/h speed limit is posted but not always observed. Some drivers are doing twice the legal limit.

The street is often used by non-residents as a shortcut to avoid the traffic light at Portugal Cove Road and Elizabeth Avenue. A sharp turn at one end of the street prevents drivers and pedestrians from seeing oncoming traffic.

In an area where there are many senior citizens, young children and family pets, concerned residents are petitioning for a traffic study to solve the problem of street safety.

Customer appreciation

The MUN Botanical Garden is having Customer Appreciation Days Saturday, Nov. 28 and Sunday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A lovely selection of Christmas and locally made gifts in stock, with 15 per cent off most items in shop.

The Hectic Pace returns next Friday.