Here’s a look at our top 10 local entertainment stories for 2016, part of our Year and Review feature that will run until Jan. 1.
- Organizers of the Thunder Bay Blues Festival, faced with a plummeting Canadian dollar, decided to stick north of the border when booking acts in 2016. The all-Canadian lineup, featuring the likes of Colin James, Serena Ryder and Burton Cummings, provided to be an all-out hit, drawing record crowds to the waterfront for the three-day event.
- It was a breakout year for local singer Coleman Hell, who started the year with a performance on the Hometown Hockey stage at Marina Park, dropped another hit single, Fireproof and his first full-length solo album, Summerland.
- The music world lost an early legend when former teen-idol Bobby Curtola died in June at the age of 73. Curtola had hits in the early 1960s with songs like Indian Giver, Aladdin and Fortune Teller, producing 25 Canadian gold singles and a dozen gold albums during his career.
- Actor Nic Serino made his mark in his debut silver screen performance, capturing the best supporting actor award for his role in the independently produced film Sleeping Giant.
- There was a changing of the guard at Magnus Theatre, where long-time artistic director Mario Crudo decided to step down. Crudo, who oversaw the theatre’s move to its present-day north-core location, was replaced by Thom Currie, who arrived from Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Former Late Show with David Letterman bandleader Paul Shaffer made a triumphant return to his hometown in October, reforming the band for a performance on the Community Auditorium stage.
- Tragically Hip front-man Gord Downie paid a visit to Ogoki Post, the home of 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack, to announce the release of Secret Path, his tribute to the youngster’s tragic tale. Chanie died in 1966, after running away from a residential school in Kenora. Earlier in the year Downie revealed he was stricken with terminal brain cancer and embarked on a final 15-date tour with the Hip. The last show, from Kingston, Ont., was screened at the Auditorium.
- Fort Fest drew thousands to Fort William Historical Park to listen to bands such as the Cult, Platinum Blonde and Starship perform.
- Proponents of a waterfront move for the Thunder Bay Art Gallery announced the proposed facility would cost $33 million to build, $5 million of which they hope city taxpayers would cover. The federal and provincial governments are also being asked to contribute to the project.
- Though it had to be delayed a day because of weather, the arrival of the Nitro Circus show at Port Arthur stadium proved to be a hit with thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies young and old. The stands were packed for the high-flying antics in the show’s first stop in Thunder Bay.
