“Oh What a Night!” by Carolyn MacArthur
Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.
Sandra Gold’s shows are always a wonderful night out. What makes her shows so wonderful is the amazing lineup of talent she hires to entertain; and if you have been to one of her ‘dinner and a show’ events, you know that the venues Sandra selects always provide excellent meals. At the November 1st Stars on Stage Casablanca Winery Inn dinner-show, “One Night Only”, I was joined by my long-time friend, Janet, who was attending one of Sandra’s event for the first time. We both enjoyed the four course chicken dinners that were brought to our table by a very courteous and accommodating waiter.
Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.
We dined with Tammy, her sister Melody and her husband, Dan, Jennifer, and our photographer friend, Buck. With all, we enjoyed delightful conversations; and I especially enjoyed hearing about Tammy’s trip to Graceland. Later we were joined by Tish and her husband, Marcello, Sandra, Rita, and Sue. Before the show, I had a moment to speak to fans and friends, Cathy Wood, and Annette and Fred Coulas, whose tables were close by. Many of those seated at the tables around the room were people I have met or seen at other ETA shows, and a few were faces that Janet and I had not seen since our days at Winona High School. There never seems to be enough time at events and festivals to circulate and chat, so I will take this opportunity to say a warm hello to everyone I may have missed.
Motown entertainer, Kenni Hite. Photo Credit: Buck O’Dell.
As the lights dimmed, the first entertainer to take the stage was Motown tribute artist Kenni Hite. Known as “Mr. Energy”, Kenni lived up to the name with his energetic performance. Kenni, who comes from a Jazz and R & B background, and was mentored by his dad, George Hite, who played with greats, such as Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lionel Hampton, treated us to great Motown hits from the Four Tops to Michael Jackson; and his set list included my favouite song, “My Girl” by the Temptations.
Dancing the night away! Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.
The music was just too good to stay in our seats, and first to take to the dance floor was our friend and fan, Cathy. She was soon followed by others, including Sandra, Tammy, and Penny, and as we would learn later, Melody’s teacher from nursing school whom she hadn’t seen in years. From the vantage point of the dance floor, I could see Kenni’s awesome footwork—moves most often associated with Motown groups. If you check out the poster for the Casablanca show, you will see that under Kenni’s photo on the left hand side, his name is listed as “George St. Kitts Motown Tribute”. Kenni Hite is a member of the George St Kitts band that has been entertaining audiences across Canada and the USA since early 1990. Kenni is one of seven singers, and six musicians, who make up a group founded by two-time Juno nominee, George St. Kitts.
In the video, you will see Kenni doing similar “awesome footwork” while singing and performing Motown songs with the group. Leaving nothing on the stage Friday night, Kenni channelled his love for music throughout his solo performance, and everyone felt his passion for the music. What a fantastic opening act!
Paul Fracassi as Frankie Valli. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.
Next to perform was Frankie Valli tribute artist, Paul Fracassi, and what a bio this 28 year old entertainer has! Paul, who studied business at York University, has been involved in several music related ventures, including a musical revue called “Frankie and The Knuckleheads”, a rock band called Silence the Sirens, two Beach Boys tribute bands, plus several different tribute shows including Dion and The Belmonts, Elvis Presley and Frankie Valli. In 2007, Paul competed in season five of Canadian idol, which he described as a really nerve-racking, but good growing, experience. Making it to the top 22, Paul credits Canadian Idol vocal coach, Debra Byrd, with teaching him all sorts of things that he still uses today as part of his preparation before performances.
Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.
In 2012 at the Playhouse in Thornhill, Paul performed as Frankie Valli in “New Jersey Nights - Frankie Valli Tribute”, a show he developed two years earlier after a girl he worked with told him she’d just seen the hit Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” and thought he was a dead ringer for Valli. Paul began performing at an early age, honing his skills impersonating Elvis for competitions and tribute shows.
Of special interest to SB Mag’s ETA fans, Paul is quoted as saying, “There’s this community in Canada that loves Elvis. And there are so many Elvis concerts that are put on that it’s a great opportunity for young artists to get on stage and get some experience performing in front of audiences. That really helped me out because that made it easier for me to really connect with an audience and know how to conduct myself and talk to the audience and hold their attention.” Lessons were well learned, as Paul very much connected with the Casablanca audience.
Performing Frankie Valli tunes is a natural fit for Paul Fracassi, who grew up in a “typical” Italian family and neighbourhood in Woodbridge listening to Frank Sinatra, Frankie Valli, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin and Louis Prima. On Friday night at the Casablanca, Paul covered several of Frankie Valls hit songs, such as “Sherry”, “Walk Like a Man”, and “Grease”, and others.
Paul dreams of one day earning a living off of playing original music, but thinks his future might be in accounting. “The funny thing is,” he says, “I like accounting to music; and in a way, both professions, I think, are misunderstood and undervalued today.” No misunderstandings in Friday’s performance—Paul’s performance was fabulous! A great moment for me occurred when I glanced over from the dance floor and saw my friend, Janet, enthusiastically applauding, with her hands held high and a big smile on her face!
Carousel with Photos by Buck O’Dell
ETA Tim E Hendry. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.
ETA Tim E Hendry. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.
As the editor of an ETA magazine, my main reason for attending shows is to see Elvis Tribute Artists. Some are new to me, but at the Casablanca show, seeing Tim E Hendry was like seeing a good friend perform. Since the time of Tim’s interview, and after seeing him perform several times, including his fantastic win at the Collingwood Elvis in 2018, I truly appreciate Tim’s personality on stage as well as his performance. With numerous wins to his credit and years of experience, I knew he would give a fantastic performance. What I enjoy, as much as the music, is his comfort and humour on stage, and his rapport with the audience. Tim barely began his first set, when he was off and running, singing and talking to fans who were seated far from the stage. It is this type of consideration for all fans that make ETAs like Tim very popular performer. Wearing black leather and performing under spotlights, is sweaty work, and Tim used the situation to his advantage by making jokes about his durable stage make-up. After offering Tim towels many times, his girlfriend, Brandy, and friend, Tish, donned rain ponchos for added protection in their front row seats. All in good fun, the joke was not lost on Tim.
After intermission, Tim returned to the stage wearing a jumpsuit I had not seen before. Someone who knows more about the jumpsuits may want to give it a name, but what I can tell you is, “It was dazzling!” Studded with gold beads, the suit fit extremely well. Funny, and fun loving, Tim let us know that he bought the suit from ETA Michael Cullipher and had to have it shortened in the crotch because Michael has a very long torso…lol! Confident in what he says and does on stage, Tim gave an excellent Concert Years performance. For crowd pleasing “Burning Love”, Tim was joined on stage by Tammy wearing her Tim E Hendry autographed T-shirt. After Tammy’s inspiring dance moves, she took the mic from Tim and thanked her sister, Melody, and brother-in-law, Dan, for bringing her to the show, and closed by telling her sister how much she loved her. She also told Tim she loved him, which afterwards I learned from her sister that it is a case of “If You Can’t be with the One You Love, Love the One You’re With”. Like many fans, Tammy LOVES all the ETAs :)
ETA Tim E Hendry looked fantastic in his new jumpsuit. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur for SIDEBURNS Magazine.
It definitely was a night for “ladies who love Tim”.
Whenever I post something about Tim, I am guaranteed that his biggest fan, Serena Richmond, will comment. I had not met Serena until Friday night, and what a pleasure it was to meet her in person. Newly engaged, and celebrating her birthday, Serena was delighted when Tim led the singing of “Happy Birthday” for her and another lady, and gave Serena a scarf and a hug. Serena shared a story with me about a time she was surprised to see Tim’s dad, Diamond Jim, sitting in Tim’s car. Serena’s fondness for Tim and his family goes back a few years.
Photo Credit: Buck O’Dell.
In a very touching moment with another lady, Ed Hand from Helping Hand, a company that provides immediate support and assistance to victims of injury or accident, brought one of his clients to the stage to meet Tim E, and receive a scarf. Tim sang “The Wonder of You” to Jenny, thus ending his second set on a beautiful note that had many audience members wiping tears..
Sandra asked if we all wanted to hear one more song, to which we enthusiastically shouted, “Yes!” And Tim E Hendry, Kenni Hite, and Paul Fracassi hit the stage for a rousing rendition of “Viva Las Vegas”. After the show, Tim stayed for a meet-and-greet. Next night, it was off to Rockway Vineyards Golf Wine Dine for Tim and a repeat performance. Cheers!
Slide Show
Photos in the slide show are credited to C. MacArthur, except for the four b&w (watermarked) photos of Kenni Hite by Buck O’Dell, and the last photo of Tim E Hendry by Janet Arsenault.
On behalf of ETA fans and friends, thank you, Sandra and your team, for another great night at the Casablanca Winery Inn. Thank you to ETA Tim E Hendry, Paul Fracassi, and Kenni Hite for an evening of spectacular entertainment. Thank you to Buck O’Dell for his photos used in this article. And thank you, Janet, for joining me. Hope you had a wonderful time. Hugs, Carolyn.
