BARGE SEASON OPENED SUNDAY WITH BIFOCALS, MOTOWN IN MOTION — AND NEW FULLHOUSE ROTARY SEATING

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Call it a mini Mariposa.

As Orillia’s folk festival wrapped up Sunday, north Gull Lake Rotary Park was just starting it’s summer season of Music on the Barge.

With the Bifocals Band kicking things off in the afternoon, they were followed that evening by Motown in Motion.

Gathered round the Rotary Gazebo — sitting in lawn chairs under the tall pine trees — 30 Bifocals community band members entertained with an eclectic concert offering of pieces from classical (Renassance Masters, Ballet Egyptien) to pop (Genius of Paul Simon), rock (Queen in Concert, Eighties Flashback, Beatles Ticket to Ride and I Love Her), to jazz (Duke Ellington in Concert, Soul Bossa Nova and Just A Closer Walk With Thee) under the direction of Fran Harvey.

At 7 p.m. it was the best in Detroit sounds with Motown in Motion bring back Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Smokie Robinson and The Four Tops.

They filled Rotary’s new Rock the Barge amphitheatre seat on the hills that was opened last Thursday.

More than 400 sat on the giant slabs of rock or perched their lawn chairs on the 11 rows.

Some even found patches of green grass to still sit on like the old days.

It was a great start to summer of music and love on Gull Lake.

Bifocals conductor Fran Harvey and her band played in the afternoon in a perfect setting in the Rotary Gazebo with lawn chairs all around. And a playground behind where the band sang Happy Birthday to one lovely, appreciative three-year0old girl who played her whistle to help out. Photos Caroline St. Clair
The Bifocals Band opened the Music on the Barge season Sunday under the pines in the Rotary Gazebo with an eclectic program of rock, pop, classical and jazz standards.
Sheltered from the searing sun, the Gravenhurst Bifocals Band played a pleasant afternoon concert with a very pleasing performance.
What’s better than relaxing in the park in your lawn chair and listening to the Bifocals. Photo Mark Clairmont
It was full house sitting on the new Rotary Rocks the Bagre amphitheatre with more than 400 enjoying the evening concert feature the best of Detroit sounts. Photos Greg Poole Photography
Motown in Motion blasted out the songs of Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Smokie Robinson and The Four Tops.
Looking out on a golden night the band saw a sea of faces in the setting sun.
Both hills overlooking Gull Lake now have ample seating for music and lake events.
The Barge, the beach and the crowd make for a perfect Sunday night setting each week in Gravenhurst.

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