Saturday November 22 7-11pm. Come celebrate and join us as we unveil a new Gallery/Performance venue and the new home of the Guelph Arts Council located in the Quebec Street Mall
What is the name of this new space? Well, that's what you will find out in addition to entertainment, prizes and a chance to reminisce. See where we've been and learn about where we're going.
It's really YOUR celebration Guelph. 50 years of arts!
The event is free. Donations appreciated. All are welcome. RSVP HERE
Show alert here. New date just added. See you April 9...2026! at Guelph's River Run Centre.
Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears. Jay uses the pure power of storytelling to transport you to another place, another time. Lovely Irish characters in amusing situations.
Your community deserves this show too. BOOK NOW. JayWalkingGuelph@gmail.com 519 820-3269
“I can’t get this story out of my head and the feeling becomes more intense every year as Halloween draws closer.”
Jay of JayWalking Guelph walks up and down Douglas Street every Halloween telling the story of William Harvey, who was sentenced to hang at the Wellington County Courthouse on October 31, 1889. William was found guilty of murdering his wife and daughters and yet the citizens of Guelph dubbed him ‘The Unfortunate Man’.
For the past several years Jay has told audience members this is the final performance only to find groups asking if he’ll tell the tale once more.
Due to demand, Jay is offering a Halloween performance on Friday October 31 at 8pm. Admission is $25 and to reserve email Jay at jaywalkingguelph@gmail.com or phone 519 820-3269
Jay has been telling this story since 2017 however the tale was transformed in 2019 during a time in which Jay found himself in bed due to a cycling injury. The accident proved to be a blessing in disguise as during that time he came across numerous newspaper reports both local and national. “Not only is the story fascinating but the writing of the day really brings the story to life. As an actor I am always looking for excellent text and here I found it.”
The story about the Harvey family has been written many times, Ed Butts, local historian tells the tale in his book “Murder, 12 True Stories of Homicide” and Kim Breese gives a horrific description of the hanging in the Guelph Historical Society’s Vol. XLII (2003) booklet. There is even a fictionalized account, “The Boys In The Trees by Mary Swan, so its safe to say many have been intrigued by this true story. As you gathered, Jay is an enormous fan of the Guelph Public Library.
“Initially I wanted to write a play, in fact I held a play reading at my home. I won’t go into the whole story, but suffice to say the effigy I hung in my back yard to advertise the reading brought the paramedics to my door!”
Now Jay recounts the tale as a walking tour - street theatre performance. “While I don’t actually play the characters, we do hear many voices and the hanging is reenacted on the very spot where it took place. I like to imagine that the spirits of Matilda, Willy, Lillian and Geraldine are present as I honour their story. Often the focus is on William Harvey, yet the story involves the whole family.
It’s pure tragedy, in that we’ll never know what motivated him. As a theatre person that too intrigues me. Modern theatre focuses on motivation, yet ancient tragedy never considered this. It is simply a matter of ‘the gods have deemed it so’. It’s the age old dilemma, determinism vs free will.
This 10 minute compressed version of "A Christmas Carol" includes all your favourite characters, the ghosts and, of course, Scrooge. An array of atmospheric sound effects compliment the story, now a poem of rhyming couplets, making for a delightful holiday tradition in the style of "theatre of the mind".
Being only 10 minutes it can be performed multiple times and makes for a great addition to you holiday neighbourhood party, seasonal market, special event...
Looking for something longer? There is a 30 minute show which includes additional stories and audience participation.
Standing by: jaywalkingguelph@gmail.com 519 820-3269
Make your holiday event stand out. Soon to be a tradition.
A true tale of murder from 1889?
OR
Guelph's cutest historical tour?
JayWalking Guelph since 2017
We love October!
This adorable story by Charlene Herrold made its debut this summer. I look forward to adding it to "Heads and Tales."