As we head into the final week of the Festival of Small Halls—a concert series currently taking place across Eastern Ontario—you may have a question: What, exactly, is a “small hall”?
In a nutshell, it’s an intimate venue that may or may not regularly host concerts and events. Buildings featured in this year’s festival include everything from churches and a small concert hall to a former schoolhouse, a Legion hall and a century-old barn. Just checking out the profiles of the venues is a bit of a virtual architectural tour of Eastern Ontario. To give you a taste, here’s some background on a few of the venues that will be hosting shows in this final festival week. (Many thanks to the festival organizers for the historical info and the photos.)
Union Hall, Clayton
Photo of the Union Hall courtesy of the Festival of Small Halls.
This must be one of the oldest community centres in Eastern Ontario: It dates back over 150 years, to its construction in 1857. It even has a road and a creek named after it. This Mississippi Mills community has been careful to preserve this heritage; it carried out major renovations on the building in the 1980s. On Thursday, September 29, the hall will host Harrow Fair and Terry Tufts at 7:30pm.
The Ivy on William, Smiths Falls
Photo of the Ivy on William in Smiths Falls courtesy of the Festival of Small Halls.
The Ivy on William began as a Sunday school in the late 19th century, then morphed into an Orange Hall. In 2014, two local women converted it into a health and wellness centre, and it now regularly hosts Crossfit and yoga classes. On Thursday, September 29, Sheesham and Lotus & Son will play there at 7:30pm.
McDonald’s Corners Agricultural Hall
Photo of the McDonald’s Corners Agricultural Hall courtesy of the Festival of Small Halls.
This busy community hall dates back to 1891 and hosts events of all sorts, including a concert by Jim Bryson with Melwood Cutlery on Friday, September 30, at 7:30pm.
Lyndhurst Legion Hall
Photo of the Lyndhurst Legion Hall courtesy of the Festival of Small Halls.
A local seniors’ group got a grant in the 1950s to fund the construction of this Royal Canadian Legion Hall, which is still a popular community venue. On Friday, September 30, it will host a performance by the Devin Cuddy Band with Amanda Jordan at 7:30pm.
St. Andrew’s United Church, Pakenham
Photo of St. Andrew’s United Church in Pakenham courtesy of the Festival of Small Halls.
This stone church has been a Pakenham landmark since it opened to serve the Presbyterian community in 1897. The church has hosted everything from fiddle concerts to murder mystery evenings, and on Saturday, October 1, it will host a show by Sherman Downey and Matthew Byrne with Adam Puddington at 7:30pm.
Firehall Theatre, Gananoque
Photo of the Firehall Theatre in Gananoque courtesy of the Festival of Small Halls.
The Firehall Theatre dates back to 1913, when it was constructed as the Gananoque Armouries. It later housed the town’s police and fire departments, before being converted into a 140-seat theatre in 2004. Jim Bryson will perform here with Kevin Head on Saturday, October 1, at 7:30pm.
ABC Hall, Bolingbroke
Photo of the ABC Hall in Bolingbroke courtesy of the Festival of Small Halls.
“ABC” stands for “Althorpe Bolingbroke Community,” and these two rural communities just south of Highway 7—between Perth and Sharbot Lake—started raising funds for this local hub in 1947. The first event was a euchre party, which cost adults the princely sum of 25 cents (or about $3.12 in today’s dollars) to attend. The building opened for events in 1953. On Sunday, October 2, it will host the Devin Cuddy Band with Keegan Carr (3pm).
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