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added his gymnastics to the entertainment of those nearby.Culture Days: Now for an update on Culture Days. This is a nationalevent, now in its third year, which has obtained much less publicitythan it deserves. Cultural Days is a coast-to-coast-to-coast federalgovernment initiative to get artists and arts organizations out in thecommunity and get the public aware of and involved with them.Thousands of activity organizers self-mobilizeat the grassroots level to present andcoordinate free public activities that takeplace throughout the country over the lastweekend of September each year, this yearSeptember 28, 29 and 30. One Culture Daysevent of interest to community band members,that we are aware of, is an invitationto local brass players by members ofthe Hannaford Street Silver Band tosit in and join them for an afternoonof music making. Many members ofthe Hannaford audience are activebrass players themselves, and sothe Hannaford folks thought that itwould be great to get together withthem and make some music. Theband will be in the sanctuary of theMetropolitan United Church in downtownToronto on Sunday, September 30 from 2pmUnionvilleMilleniumBandstandin therain andcockatoosideshow.to 4pm to play music, enjoy some refreshments, and welcome anyand all brass players of any age or ability level to play with them. (Forthose who might like a practising edge, check back at the Hannafordwebsite www.hssb.ca for updates on this event. They expect to haveparts available for download from their website. See also listings sectionD, “The ETCeteras,” for other Culture Days events.Happy 140th anniversary to you! A few years ago we made somecomments in this column referring to “Canada’s oldest communityband.” That sparked quite a response from a number of bands, each ofwhich claimed to be “Canada’s oldest band” or “Canada’s oldest continuouslyoperating band.” Rather than re-ignite that discussion, it ismore appropriate to offer congratulations to the Newmarket CitizensBand as they prepare to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the bandbeing recognized as the “Official Town Band of Newmarket.” Whilea band had been playing in thecommunity prior to then, it wasin 1872 that the band was officiallyrecognized as the town band.At that time a petition was circulatedamongst the local businesscommunity by three sons of thefur trader William Roe. One ofthe sponsors was Robert Simpsonof the Simpson department storechain. The grand sum of $319 wasraised to purchase instruments.To celebrate their 140 years ofcontinuous service in the community,the Newmarket Citizens Band are inviting everyoneto a special free concert complete with balloons and birthdaycake. They will present a musical journey through time at theRiverwalk Commons, 200 Doug Duncan Dr., in Newmarket,on September 30. Festivities will get underway at 2pm. Bravoto one of the few bands that still participate in parades including,a half dozen or so Santa Claus parades every year.Something for next month: With the approach of fall, manybands indulge in a bit of retrospection and then plan for concerts,other functions and repertoire for the coming season. An excellentstimulus for that is to meet with members of other bands at theCBA Community Band Weekend. Every October the Canadian BandAssociation (Ontario) conducts such an event. This is an opportunityfor community musicians to meet like-minded individuals, play aJACK MACQUARRIENewHorizonsToronto40 thewholenote.com September 1 – October 7, 2012