Tempest busking in Barry’s Bay
Madawaska Valley shoppers were treated to an impromptu performance between showers on August 18 in downtown Barry’s Bay. Local group Tempest, composed of Madawaska Valley District High School students Ravyn Kellar (guitar) and Andrew Sernoskie (drums), set up in the pocket park between Talk O’ The Town and V&S Stedmans to play covers of hits by artists such as The Beatles. The Barry’s Bay BIA initiative not only entertained customers in the village but also provided the busking students with community volunteer hours.
Gerard O’Malley of Barry’s Bay Metro explained that the BIA and high school music department had put out a call for student musicians to play. The weather did not co-operate on the first few scheduled occasions and there was a good chance the initiative might have failed as a result. But he credited student Ravyn Kellar, who also works part-time at Metro, for reviving the concept and following through to make it happen. Kellar and Sernoskie had performed at two shows as Tempest at the high school during the past year. They coordinated everything they needed: instruments, sound equipment, transportation — and an umbrella.
Ted Williamson, BIA chairman, said they were happy to promote young musicians and hinted that shoppers could expect more musical surprises in future.
