Gary Beals Jr.
Cherry Brook
2003 Canadian Idol Runner-up
Pop, gospel vocalist

Gary Beals Jr., is a gospel and R&B vocalist and aspiring actor who hails from Cherry Brook. He is a member of Cherry Brook United Baptist Church Youth Choir and the Acadia International Gospel Choir. In 2003, Gary was propelled to instant fame when he was the runner-up in the popular Canadian Idol Talet Competition. His debut CD entitled Gary Beals was released in the summer of 2004.

Available November 22 - 26 only

Appearance fee including short perfomances $500

Juanita Peters
Halifax
Actor, Film Director

Juanita Peters is the director the I Made a Vow, the 2004 National Film Board documentary looking at the tradition of large weddings in the Prestons. Ms. Peters has been a broadcaster, screen writer and actor since 1981. She recently served as host of CBC-TV's Doc Side. As an actor she appeared in Homeless to Harvard (2000) and Footsteps (2003). Ms. Peters is available for screenings and discussions of I Made a Vow.

Available November 22 - 26 only

Screening and discussion fee $200

Shelley Hamilton
Toronto
Actor, vocalist

Shelly Hamilton is a Cherry Brook born actor and vocalist. She first rose to prominence playing the role of Lydia Jackson in the award winning Cole Harbour Hish School play Freedom (1984). In the late '80s she moved to Toronto to pursue a performing career. She has appeared as an actor on the popular Children's TV series Treehouse and in several Toronto stage productions. As a singer she is a member of the proforming group The Delightful Divas. Her debut CD Feeling Good featuring her original music was released in 2004.

Available November 16 - 19 only

40-minute concert performance $200

Israel
Ghana
African drummer, multi-instrumentalist

Isreal is a master drummer and multi-instrumentalist from Ghana, West Africa. He plays a variety of traditional African musical instruments including balaphone, hand drums, kalimba, ngoni, etc. He is the bandleader of Isreal's Lost Tribes an African performance ensemble that includes drummers, musicians, singers and dancers. Isreal recently moved to Halifax where he operates Tribes Art and Drums - an African art and musical instrument store on Quinpool Road in Halifax. He will present on West African people, music and traditions.

Speaking fee $75

30-minute drumming performance $150