HMF Concert Series to feature Leisa Way’s rock concert

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Rock n' Roll is on the way to Shelburne. 

The Rotary Club of Shelburne will be kicking off the first show in the 2022 HMF Concert Series on June 26 at Fiddle Park with the return of Leisa Way and her new smash hit concert “Rock n' Roll Is Here to Stay”. 

Last summer, Way's show “Rhinestone Cowgirl, A Tribute to Dolly Parton” was presented by Rotary Shelburne with a drive-in concert fundraiser. 

“We are very excited to be presenting another concert with Leisa Way after the success of the last summer's Dolly Parton show,” said Bobbi Ferguson, co-president of Shelburne Rotary. “This will be a great kick off to our fundraising concert series. All proceeds will support causes in the community, including food scarcity, youth sports, and youth school awards. We have been fortunate that the community has supported our fundraising efforts throughout COVID and we're looking forward to a successful concert series this year.” 

Starting from the 1950s when the genre of rock n' roll got its name, Leisa Way and her Wayward Wind Band (Fred Smith, Bobby Prochaska, Bruce Ley, Tyler Check, and Don Reid) over the two-hour show explore the greatest hits from Buddy Holly to Elvis, and Chuck Berry, Freddie Mercury and Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Linda Ronstadt, Jimi Hendrix, Bachman Turner Overdrive, The Who and so many more. 

“This is a really great way of uplifting people's spirits. People love rock music, it's so filled with energy and life, and it's doesn't matter what age you are,” said Way. “Rock appeals to every generation of people and that's the wonderful thing, is that we get people bringing their children to our show and then you have great grandparents coming too because rock music appeals to everybody.” 

‘Rock n' Roll Is Here To Stay' will mark the 13th show, Way has created from the group up from the song selects to the casting and costumes.  ‘Rock n' Roll Is Here To Stay' was originally scheduled to debut at 20 theaters across the country in 2020, but was delayed due to the pandemic. 

Way celebrated the official opening of “Rock n' Roll Is Here To Stay” last month at Theatre Orangeville. 

“After all of the craziness of the last two years to reopen this new show at my home theater was a real gift,” said Way. 

While there will be many songs and stories shared over the two-hour concert, Way notes one of her favourite pieces is the eight-minute-long medley that opens with Whiter Shade of Pale and then moves into Bohemian Rhapsody, Pinball Wizard, and ends with Stairway to Heaven. 

The annual Shelburne Heritage Music Festival (HMF) is the largest fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Shelburne with the proceeds raised going to various local initiatives. Funds raised from the 2022 HMF Concert Series will go toward reaching the final fundraising goal of $300,000 for the Shelburne Splash Pad project. 

“Shelburne Rotary's most significant project over the last few years had been fundraising for a Splash Pad for the Shelburne community. The HMF Concert Series, as well as many other projects, will contribute toward the last $50,000 needed to make the Splash Pad a reality for Shelburne families,” said Sandra Gallaugher, chair of the Shelburne Splash
Pad committee. 

‘Rock n' Roll Is Here To Stay' is scheduled for June 26 at 3 p.m. at Fiddle Park. The concert will be both a drive-in and walk-in concert that can be enjoyed from your vehicle or a chair. 

Tickets are now on sale with a carload ticket (up to four people) cost $60 (plus handling fee if bought online), and $20 (plus handling fee for online) for walk-in. 

Tickets can be bought by visiting Pazazz Clothing Store at 122 Owen Sound St. in Shelburne, online at www.HeritageMusicFestival.ca or by calling 519-278-0016.