After “really missing” the Highlands Summer Festival season last year, Leisa Way and her band return with ‘sweet dreams: the music of Patsy Cline’ for five shows starting Aug. 2.
She has brought four shows over the years to the festival at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion (NLPAP): Early Morning Rain (Gord Lightfoot), Opry Gold, Across the Pond (British Invasion), and Rock n’ Roll is Here to Stay.
Way said she thinks Haliburton County audiences are a mix of country folk and people from away, “but they all love music” and particularly good music.
She noted she got her start in opera, with country music coming to her later in life.
“The people who come to our shows are so warm. We just love the audiences. There’s an instant rapport that you sometimes don’t get at other theatres. And that theatre (the NLPAP) is long, and you still feel like it’s very intimae when you are on the stage, so that is a real plus.”
Way said she was struck by the artistic community when she first came to the Highlands. “Haliburton was such a wonderful surprise because people from every art medium have come to one place.” She recalled meeting folks involved in theatre, opera, and all sorts of different kinds of music.” She recalled billeting with fiddle players. There were ceilis – traditionally social gatherings featuring Celtic folk music – with camaraderie and everyone welcome.
Way said she’s bringing a high-energy concert for all ages that celebrates the legendary Cline, who transformed the music industry as a trailblazing singer who crossed over from country into pop, rock, and the blues.
Way said she and the Wayward Wind Band concert have been called “the finest Patsy Cline concert in North America.”
The band of all-star, award-winning Canadian musicians includes virtuoso guitarist/singer Yvan Petit, who has been a guest on the Grand Ole Opry. The other musicians are: Doug Balfour, piano and vocals, Bob Hewus bass and vocals and drummer John Collin. Way said, “this group of seasoned veteran performers raise the roof on every stage they grace.”
She added the two-hour concert captures the magic of Cline’s live performances, sharing 25 of the singer’s biggest hits, and including fascinating stories and humorous insights into Cline’s life. She said people will hear songs such as ‘Walkin’ After Midnight”, “I Fall to Pieces”, and “Crazy” – which became massive crossover hits, proving country could dominate the pop charts.
Way said Cline was a trailblazer for all women. “She was the first female country singer to headline her own shows, including at Vegas and Carnegie Hall, and she was the first woman to wear pants on stage at the Grand Ole Opry.”
She added she shares Cline’s great sense of humour with riveting stories that have never been shared before, including fascinating tales of Cline’s time performing in Canada. “Patsy loved her Canadian friends.”
Sweet Dreams has toured more than 150 theatres across Europe and Canada, playing to sold-out crowds.
Way said, “it’s been over 60 years since the world lost this legendary singer in a plane crash at the age of only 30,” but they’re keeping Cline’s spirit and music alive.
For tickets, call the Highlands Summer Festival at 855-457-9933 or visit – highlandssummerfestival.on.ca
Sweet Dreams show schedule: Aug. 2 at 2 p.m.; Aug. 3 at 7 p.m.; Aug. 4 at 7 p.m.; Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.; and Aug. 6 at 7 p.m.
