Dame Beatrice will be making her return to the Highlands Nov. 27, this year en route from London, England and Ingersoll, Ontario.
Her alter ego, Mike Jaycock, said the Highlands Christmas Shindig is coming back in hybrid form for 2021.
The eighth annual festive offering will be staged from the Haliburton Legion this year.
While on many people’s calendars for its comedic and musical line-up, Jaycock reminded fans, “This is an important fundraiser for Fuel for Warmth and to date the event has raised over $100,000 in support of families and individuals in need of help during the winter months.”
Dame Beatrice and Penelope (Victoria Bingham) will be back to host the show, and Jaycock said both are “quite anxious to get back to the Highlands. As Beatrice says, ‘I miss my little chipmunks’.”
The show will have a limited live audience of 100 people in the main hall of the Legion, plus a watch party of 50 in the Legion’s Club Room downstairs.
The limited quantity of tickets go on sale Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. from tables at Up River Trading in Minden and the entrance lobby at Glecoff’s Family Store in Haliburton.
Tickets are $25 for the live show and $15 for the watch party. Proof of second vaccination is required for each ticket at the time of purchase. This will also be the requirement the night of the Shindig for entry into the Legion.
The Dominion Hotel and Pub in Minden will also hold a watch party for people who book tables. Donations will be made to Fuel for Warmth.
Jaycock said the show will once again feature local talent: Jim Blake and Fay Wilkinson; Nick and Stan Russell; Slinky and The Boys; Tomorrow Never Knows; The Moontones and the Kowalksi Sisters with Ragged Company.
Special guests this year are David Archibald and Robin Duke, who played Wendy Kurtz, owner of the Blouse Barn, in Schitt’s Creek.
“Robin has a property in the Highlands and, on seeing Ron James’ support last year, said she would be delighted to lend her support to this fundraising event,” Jaycock said.
Duke teaches writing as a faculty member at Humber College in Toronto and, over the last year, the majority of her classes were done online from her Highlands cottage.
The show will be available for home viewing through YouTube, the Highlands Christmas Shindig Facebook page and at Fuel for Warmth’s website: fuelforwarmth. com. Donations can be made online through the website.
Jaycock added they will be using state-ofthe-art technology.
“Three cameras will be employed to capture the antics and entertainment and then to a mixer to send out a quality show. In behind the scenes, information regarding tech requirements for each act has been gathered and plans are underway for the three stages that will be required for the show. The entire undertaking will observe distancing and implementation of COVID protocols.”
Showtime is 7.30pm.
