It is hard to believe that it is already September. It seems like just yesterday that the last vestiges of winter’s massive snow disappeared, and now the first leaves are beginning to take on their autumn colours. This signals a new series of colourful events in Westport. See below for a few details.

But first, a few words on August, a big month for culture in Westport. Once again, Music Westport, our village celebration of free music in the outdoors, was a huge success. If the enthusiasm of the crowds was any indication, this will truly be an annual festival. Our front lawn stage, one of three Westport stages, was host to Romeria, who started it all off by weaving their magic blend of exotic and ancient music over Church Street, to Brea, a local recording artist who charmed the audience acoustically with her own compositions and covers of some well known favourites, and to Roger James, folk singer, instrumentalist, and humourist extraordinaire, whose unique blend of music and wit captivated us, made us laugh, and after it was all over, left us still scratching our heads about the meaning of Wooly Bully. With six more outdoor acts on the other stages, including the ever-popular Abrams Brothers, and evening indoor shows, Music Westport had something to offer to everyone.

Another evening, in a benefit concert, Guthrie House, quintessential folk-rockers from our area, entertained us up on Foley Mountain with their own compositions and timeless tunes spanning Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young to Joni Mitchell to Gillian Welch. A Company of Fools, the Ottawa Shakespeare company performed Romeo and Juliet at the Stepping Stone and Westport hosted over 63 artists at the 27th annual Rideau Valley Art Festival last week. And all that was just in August.

Be sure to mark your calendar with these upcoming events:

First Annual Writers Reading (Saturday, September 27, 2-5 PM): a literary afternoon with wine and cheese tasting, featuring Charlotte Gray, Mary Cook, and Terrence Rundle West, tickets $17.50. See the August 28 blog entry for the poster and full information.

Autumn Colour Geology Tour in the Biosphere Reserve (Sunday, October 5, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) : The Frontenac Arch was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in November 2002. Learn how the Champlain Sea was created, what occurred during the last ice sheet (melt), and specifically, the underlying geology of the Frontenac Arch. This tour not only provides a summary of our geological history, but how it impacts us today. $25.00 per person includes the bus tour, box lunch, refreshments and tour guidebook. The tour departs and returns in Brockville. See the August 29 blog entry for the description and pamphlet.

Fall Colours Studio Tour (Saturday – Monday, October 11 - 13, 2008, 10 am - 5 pm): For three days, the 26 artists of the tour welcome you to join them in celebrating Westport’s Centennial Year by visiting the 12 studios as you meander through the countryside and enjoy this most colourful time of the year. The Studio Tour website is http://www.artatwork.ca/westport_studiotours/fall-colours/index.htm.

Curley Bridges with the Chris Whiteley Band (Friday – Saturday October 17-18): this is the first of this season’s Blues on the Rideau series at the Cove Inn featuring Canada’s best Blues artists. Shows are the 3rd weekend of the month, from October through June except December. See the full lineup at www.coveinn.com.

Coming up, more Blues on the Rideau, the Santa Claus parade, Skate the Lake. Stay tuned.

Autumn Colour Geology Tour in the Biosphere Reserve (Sunday, October 5, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, departs and returns in Brockville):

The Frontenac Arch was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in November 2002. Learn how the Champlain Sea was created, what occurred during the last ice sheet (melt), and specifically, the underlying geology of the Frontenac Arch. This tour not only provides a summary of our geological history, but how it impacts us today. $25.00 per person includes the bus tour, box lunch, refreshments and tour guidebook.

Click here for the pamphlet with the full details

First Annual Writers Reading (Saturday, September 27, 2-5 PM): a literary afternoon with wine and cheese tasting, featuring Charlotte Gray, Mary Cook, and Terrence Rundle West, tickets $17.50.