Season comes to a close
Final of Ross Family Ceilidh set for Wednesday
The Ross Family Ceilidh wraps up its season at Clinton Hills on Wednesday, Sept. 27. Situated between Kensington and Cavendish, Clinton Hills is a renovated dairy barn at 123 Harding Creek Rd., (off Route 6), that dates back to 1959.
“For over 40 years, there were cows in the stable and hay in the loft; now its dinner below and a show above, but we’ll keep the tunes pumping ‘til the cows come home,” says group piano player, Johnny Ross. Previously limited by a smaller venue where demand often exceeded supply and would-be attendees were being turned away, the group decided relocation was necessary. “Now everyone gets in, well almost - remarkably, there were still some sold-out nights here, even with the greater capacity,” said Ross.
The change of venue has also improved the ceilidh experience with the inclusion of a licensed bar and an optional buffet dinner prior to the show. Strawberry sundaes and slices of meat pie are available at intermission.
The Ross Family Ceilidh has been running twice weekly since mid-June and the reviews have been favourable. “One gentleman offered me a cherished keepsake as gratitude for bringing joy to his elderly mother who had suffered a stroke the year prior - the pair attended the show twice because he hadn’t seen his mother smile that way in a long time,” Ross explained.
Other group members are siblings Danielle Ross on fiddle and Stephanie Ross on guitar, both of whom sing and stepdance.
Their mother, Dorothy, also step-dances on select numbers. Show content runs the gamut from fiddle medleys and traditional songs, to light comedy and rock ‘n roll with trick playing, a hula hoop, and feet on the piano. While 2017 marked the 12th season of the ceilidh, the group has evolved significantly from its early days.
“If you haven’t seen the Ross Family lately, you haven’t seen them at all; this is no longer a group of kids being cute, they’ve honed in their skills and created a dynamite show,” says longtime fan, Ian Rogers.
Tickets are available at the door, online at www.clintonhills.ca, or by phone at 902-8863080. The optional buffet dinner is offered in two seatings: 5 and 6 p.m. and requires a reservation. Doors open for the show at 6:50, show starts at 7:30. See www.rossfamily.ca for more info on the group.