Juno nominee returns home to emcee Stories Steeped in Stone

Local musicians MD Dunn and Jay Case will be featured during two upcoming Stories Steeped in Stone performances scheduled to take place at the Heritage Discovery Centre Theatre at the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site.

Rootless: Settler Songs from MD Dunn will be staged on Oct. 13, and Jay Case: Of This Place will happen on Oct. 20.

These October performances will be emceed by former Saultite Debbie Lori Kaye.

The two-time Juno Award nominee "left the Sault in 1965 as a teenager with a Columbia Records contract and a spot on national television with The Tommy Hunter Show. Now, over 50 years later, she has returned to the Sault," says a news release. "Deb Kaye has a wealth of knowledge about the music industry and it will be a boon to see her take the helm for these October shows."

Full text of the news release follows:

With the completion of 10 shows and three more scheduled for the fall, the Stories Steeped in Stone performance series continues to bring together a wide variety of talents live streamed free to everyone.

The one-hour shows are themed around performances by Algoma talent who draw their inspiration from the stories, cultures and landscape of this region. On Thursday, Oct. 13, MD Dunn will perform 'Rootless: Settler Songs'; and on Oct. 20, Jay Case, accompanied by Frank Deresti, will perform 'Jay Case: Of This Place'.

Guest emcees have been a popular feature of the series and October’s emcee is one that will likely pull on the heartstrings of many viewers. Debbie Lori Kaye left the Sault in 1965 as a teenager with a Columbia Records contract and a spot on national television with 'The Tommy Hunter Show'.'Now, over 50 years later, she has returned to the Sault. An inductee of the Northern Country Music Hall of Fame and the two-time Juno nominee, Deb Kaye has a wealth of knowledge about the music industry and it will be a boon to see her take the helm for these October shows.

All shows are staged in the Heritage Discovery Centre Theatre at the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site (ECNHS) for a small in-person audience. Tickets are available by calling the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site at 705-759-5443. Tickets are $25 and includes two wine / beer / other beverage, and themed heritage appetizers.

Livestreaming (no registration or tickets required) is hosted on the Friends of the ECNHS YouTube channel. All shows start at 7 p.m.

Stories Steeped in Stone kicked off in March and has showcased poetry, spoken word, music, dance, theatre and film.

Most shows include performances of excerpts from writings by local authors, singers and heritage presenters in the lineup. The Oct. 13 show brings Cindy Ellen Crawford back with 'Let's talk around the block! Where do you live? A reveal into the namesakes of streets and neighbourhoods in Sault Ste. Marie' and 'A Neighbourhood Story: St. Andrews Terrace' featuring Bob Cooper and Max Sanguinetti, from the writings of Farmer Bob Cuerrier.

Past shows are available for viewing on YouTube, so, if you missed it the first time, search 'Stories Steeped in Stone performance' and discover premier performances by Rusty McCarthy, Maja Bannerman, Elizabeth Creith, Cindy Ellen Crawford, Tim Murphy, Kristin DeAmorim, Theresa Binda, Tracie Louttit, George Houston, Jarret Mills, Ellen Van Laar, Skye Smith, Peter White and Joel Syrette, Michael Burtch, Annie King and more.