MCA CONCERT COULDN’T GET BETTER, WITH BRIDGE AND WALOK. BUT 70-YEAR ARTS GROUP NEEDS YOUR HELP MORE THAN NEVER — MAYBE

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — The whirling sounds of music, gaiety and laugher yesterday in the Opera House were testament to more than 70 years of the Muskoka Concert Association.

The MCA is on hold now, taking a break to regroup over the winter, as it looks to regrow its core base of concert goers. Watch for more news in the spring.

Meanwhile, president Diane Harrop and her volunteers presented as fine a performance as they have for decades.

Michael Bridge and Kornel Wolak were as humourous as talented.

Bridge and Wolak mixed the best of classical music at the highest levels with entertaining humour that had the small audience laughing with love. Photos Mark Clairmont

The digital accordion and clarinet players, respectively, were entertaining as hell with a show that stayed true to the MCA’s classical roots while playfully mixing their ‘Scandalous Romantics’ program with the best of past and present — including each taking turns on the grand piano accompanying one another.

It was also a great way to end Harrop’s 20 years at the MCA helm.

Not only did she book Bridge and Wolak, but she made a cameo performance with them that almost stole the show and highlighted her acting talents as she bashfully gasped and foe feinted at the appropriate time while filling in for Chopin during an introduction to his music.

A star may be born.

Outgoing MCA president Diane Harrop made an amazing cameo performance filling in for Chopin, here with Kornel Wolak examining her.

It was all fun and made for the usual splendid concert.

And included a spirited Polish polka that had the small house on their feet clapping and stamping along.

Another one that deserves more than that encore.

The MCA may be down, but it’s not out after this show.

Watch for the MCA to rebound over the summer and offer to help if you can.

Local classical guitarist Peter Wainwright was wonderful again warming up the audience beforehand in the Trillium Court with some lovely light favourites.
The numbers may be dwindling, but the audience was truly appreciative. The MCA would love to see more if they are to continue. Contact them to keep this music going.
Inge Fritz, a member of the Gravenhurst Bifocals Band, enthralled Wolak with stories of playing the clarinet for 50 years, which entertained him afterwards.
From their wedding march start to a Polish polka endiing the two-hour show-concert, Michael Bridge and Kornel Wolak were friendly, funny and of the spectacularly talented brand of musicians the MCA has presented at the Gravenhurst Opera House for going on 80 years.

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