Now Booking 2025

Attention community halls, theatre spaces, event creators, and festivals.

Now booking Ontario 2025 tour.

Fresh from sell out performances in 2024

Don't miss out. 519 820-3269

Thanks for a great season!

 

Gwelf Early Days at the River Run Centre

 Not bad for the first ever performance of this indoor one man show.

Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears. The tour continues.

Wow, it was another successful show!

A two show day at "Silence" the charming intimate venue in Guelph. 10:30am a show for seniors. Members of the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association, Guelph Lake Commons Retirement, and Riverside Glen, came by the bus loads to attend and enjoy. They loved it!

Then at 2pm another crowd gathered including, once again, relatives of the playwright, Charlene Herrold to laugh and cry along. Delightful!

Tea 'N Tales Guelph's Storytelling Event

 Some snaps from the day.

Head's and Tales - pick a story from the hat!

by the banks of the Speed River

Telling

The three amigos

Allison Leroux

 

JayWalking Alton

 

Alton Mill Arts Centre is delighted to present Actor/Storyteller Jay Wilson's full-length tour, JayWalking Alton. 

Renowned for his captivating storytelling, JayWalking Tours feature unusual tales, told where they happened, guiding you through the heart of Alton with stories that resonate with the past and echo in the present.

"It starts with great text," says Jay. "A well-written story is worth telling, and when delivered with passion, it transforms a walk into an unforgettable journey." JayWalking Tours are more than just walking tours; they are theatrical experiences.

The 90-minute tour begins at the Alton Mill Arts Centre and takes you through Alton's charming streets and historic sites. Experience the thrill of historical events as Jay narrates tales like “The Flood of 1889,” and “The Naming of Alton,” among others. Discover fascinating stories such as “A Thrilling Experience” and other captivating accounts that left their mark on the village.

Jay will also guide you through the historic Alton Mill, sharing intriguing stories of the people and events that shaped its legacy. As you walk through the village and the mill, you'll encounter reenactments, historical characters, and twists that bring the past vividly to life.

Tour Details: Duration - 90 minutes, Starting Point - Alton Mill Arts Centre.

July 14th, with further dates to be announced

Cost: $20 per person 

Jay looks forward to being your host!

Live theatre

I have always thought of the walking tours as street theatre. Then I created indoor versions of the tours.

I also have added some new shows:

Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears

Isn't That The Dickens - for Christmas

and Heads and Tales - something new.

So I thought it was time for this.

Live one-man shows. Now booking.

Tea 'N Tales 2024

Watch for the debut of a new show "Heads and Tales" Friday August 16, 10:30am at Riverside Park in Guelph.

The Guelph Guild of Storytellers presents stories outside at the Enabling Garden in Riverside Park every Friday, all summer long.

August 16 I am going to try something new. I throw a bunch of story titles into a hat. You pick, and whatever you draw out of the hat, I recite.

No two shows are alike. I never know what I will be asked to tell. It adds a whole new level of thrill to the performance.

Come and join us. Bring a chair and a mug for tea (or coffee) Admission is free. Stories are priceless.

See you there.

Jay

Alton Ontario

"Hey JayWalking, how's that tour of Alton and the Alton Mill Arts Centre coming along?"

"So glad you asked, the tour debuts during Historic Places Days, Sunday July 14."

I'll let you know about tickets as soon as I know.

I am really looking forward to launching this. I've found some GREAT stories to share and I can't think of a more charming setting in all of Ontario in which to share them. You are in for a real treat.

JAYWALKING

Looking ahead to 2025, JayWalking Guelph is evolving. As I ramp up the live theatre performances, the name JayWalking Guelph creates confusion. For the live theatre shows there is no walking and no Guelph.

That doesn't mean the walking tours are over, it just means the focus is shifting.

I will spend more time on "Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears" - watch for news about the 2025 Ontario tour. 

"Heads and Tales", a new show will replace the storytelling gigs. "Heads and Tales" is fun. I throw the titles of all the recitations I have learned over the years into a hat. Audience members then draw out a title and whatever they select, I recite with no two shows being alike.

And of course there's the Christmas Show, "Isn't That The Dickens". It is going to see a lot more action as audiences love that show.

However you can see the name JayWalking Guelph is awkward. Who's going to go to JayWalking Guelph at Eventbrite to buy tickets to a show called Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears in Owen Sound for example?

I never in my wildest dreams thought when I began JayWalking Guelph that one day there would be a subsidiary JayBird Theatre! Hard to settle on a name. Right now, I think I am going to go with simply JAYWALKING.

Another twist to all of this is the walking tours are moving inside. I am getting more requests for the indoor versions than the walking tours themselves. Even the tours are changing. Scheduled performances of the tours where individuals can buy tickets is waning yet group sales whereby groups can book any tour, any day, any time is on the increase.

The key to success is to remain flexible. Give audiences what they want. I'm looking forward to seeing where JayWalking leads in the next few years.

Coming to Guelph for a conference, family visit, or special event?

Make sure you go JayWalking while you're here.

Professional actor, Jay Wilson has been leading storytelling walking tours in Guelph for six years.

3 tours to choose from. Groups can have any tour, any day, any time.

Big groups can have an Indoor multi-media "tour" right at your hotel or conference facility.

Immerse yourself in local lore and make your visit to Guelph unforgettable.

519 820-3269 JayWalkingGuelph@gmail.com 

Press Release JayWalking Guelph celebrates 6 years

 JayWalking Guelph Celebrates 6 years!

In 2017 JayWalking Guelph had just completed writing and directing, “Guelph In Postcards – The McCrea Years” for Guelph Museums Backyard Theatre Project. It was through this project that Jay’s interest in Guelph’s history was born and as an actor, he began exploring other ways he might bring Guelph history to life.

Guelph is unique in that it was a “planned city” and while the Canada Company had all the terrible attributes of colonialism, Guelph’s Founder and Agent of the Canada Company was of a different mind. John Galt was a playwright, novelist, and poet and there are indications that he saw the future of Guelph very differently than his Canada Company contemporaries. Some even say his generosity and sense of fairness was the reason behind him being fired from his role as a Canada Company agent.

A community thrives when local citizens take an interest in local stories and newcomers discover the beginnings of the community where they now live. Citizens celebrate accomplishments and come to terms with past mistakes. A sense of place develops, and it is through this common bond that problems are faced head on and solutions created. Storytelling is powerful stuff.

In addition to empowering citizens, street theatre draws visitors. We don’t often think of Guelph as a tourist destination, yet when citizens have company over they love to share their enthusiasm about their city with friends and family and lately JayWalking Guelph’s audiences have been a mix of locals and visitors, some from other parts of Ontario and several from other countries. Local history makes for a wonderful visitor experience, especially unusual tales told where they happened. It is one of the reasons JayWalking Guelph reaches out to conventions and groups through the Guelph Pass program developed by the Guelph’s newly branded tourism department.

JayWalking Guelph performs one-man shows and other tours that have little to do with Guelph history but the first tour, Gwelf Early Days is a celebration of Guelph, its history, both good and bad, and a window into the lives of citizens from the 19th century. Guelph's beautiful limestone architecture and the mighty Speed River create the perfect setting to echo the words of local poets, news journalists, and diary writers.. While on this tour, those of us who live here come to realize just how fortunate we are to live in Guelph. 

This 90 minute, easy paced, walking tour has been described as a moving theatrical journey, and to celebrate the sixth anniversary, JayWalking Guelph is offering 60% off the Thursday June 6 performance of the Gwelf Early Days Tour. The $25 ticket is only $10.

Eventbrite Tickets here or call 519 820-3269 or email jay at jaywalkingguelph@gmail.com to reserve.

Prepare to be transported, and thank you Guelph for 6 wonderful years as we head toward Guelph’s Bicentennial coming up in 2027.

- 30 -

New shows!

Did you see JayWalking Guelph has added new theatre performances? Take a look at the bar above, announcing indoor tours, "Isn't That The Dickens" and "Heads and Tales."

I know, it's only May but I recommend you book the Christmas show now, to avoid disappointment.

JayWalking Guelph Tours - Theatre Style

The walking tours are now available as indoor theatre events.

These are marvelous for conferences & conventions, corporate events, social clubs, schools...

You provide the venue & a projector. I bring the entertainment and sound effects.

Upcoming shows include: 

A social weekend for accountants from across Ontario - Delta Hotel

A private function May 2025 - Cutten Fields

River Run Centre Studio Theatre - Date TBA

YOUR EVENT - jaywalkingguelph@gmail.com 519 820-3269

3 shows to choose from: 

Gwelf Early Days - amusing local history. 

The Unfortunate Man - a true tale of murder from 1889 and 

Scandalous Guelph - Guelph scandals of course (this tour was originally an indoor show)

See you soon - inside. JayWalking Guelph Indoor Theatre

Things to do in Guelph

 WALKING TOURS. TICKETS HERE

Thursday - history, Friday - Murder, Saturday - Scandal 

8:00-9:30pm

Come JayWalking Guelph with me. I enjoy being your host and storyteller.

Another sold out performance

Mother's Day at the Edgar Community Hall saw another sold out performance of Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears.

Audiences are loving this show written by Charlene Herrold and performed by Jay Wilson.

It has sold out in Collingwood, Guelph and now Edgar Ontario. The Edgar Community Hall is an adorable venue, lovingly looked after by the Township of Oro-Medonte.

I look forward to bringing this show to your venue. Standing by.

Why not invite an actor to your next event?

 

I'm pleased to see 10c Shared Space took my suggestion and has invited an actor to their Member Month event.

Come and see if you can stump me. I place about 20 stories in a hat. You draw one and I'll recite it. We'll probably have time for 10 of the 20 that are in the hat.

You will help me by keeping me on my toes as I have to know all of them.

I promise to provide you with some amusing & wonderful stories.

Free. 11:00am - 12 noon, Thursday May 9. See you there!

Guelph Walking Tour Season begins

It's time to go JayWalking Guelph! 

👉 TICKETS HERE

Summer season announced

Attention walking tour fans. Tickets are now available for the 2024 season.

New time. Tours will begin at 8pm this year.

Gwelf Early Days - Every Thursday at 8pm

The Unfortunate Man - Every Friday at 8pm

Scandalous Guelph - Every Saturday at 8pm

All summer long

Indoor tour - Scandalous Guelph April 27, 2024

AN INDOOR WALKING TOUR!

For those who want to hear the stories but don't want to walk in all types of weather, JayWalking Guelph has the perfect solution...indoor tours!

When discovering the stories for the Scandalous Guelph Tour, I came across pictures of old buildings, tombstones, newspaper headlines, and obscure photographs of people. "One day these will come in handy", I said. At the same time, when reading these true tales I would often hear sounds, howling wind, thunder, a distant train whistle, voices, and music.

Tickets for the indoor Scandalous Guelph Show available HERE 

The outdoor tours are marvelous because we often stand on the very spot where the event took place. I seek out unique locations to visit and we are in nature, surrounded by striking architecture. We feel the wind on our face or the heat of the sun while listening to these fascinating stories.

An indoor tour removes the distractions, the screeching of cars, loud sirens, trucks backing up and airplanes. The pictures transport us to another time.

All three of the walking tours, Gwelf Early Days, The Unfortunate Man and Scandalous Guelph have indoor versions and I am very excited to be bringing Scandalous Guelph to 10C Shared Space on Saturday April 27, 2024

Guelph Walking Tours

Another endorsement. Giovanna & guest braved a January, 2024 storm, insisting that we go ahead with the walk. Here's what she had to say after the tour.

"Thank you so much for the tour! We loved it, in spite of the weather conditions. We are already planning our next visit to Guelph and have agreed we definitely need more walking tours!
I look forward to seeing you in the spring!"

Giovanna Iosso
Wisconsin

Music to this tour guide's ears. 

Groups have more fun

It really is more fun in a group. Delta Hotels Guelph Conference Centre put together this Guelph Group Guide which is full of terrific activities for groups

JayWalking Guelph offers the ultimate flexibility for groups of 4 or more = Any tour, any day, any time! How's that!?

Book now jaywalkingguelph@gmail.com

Summer Theatre

Summer theatre has been a passion of mine...forever. From my teenage years working with The Grand Street Players in Galt ON, to my time spent at The Gravenhurst Opera House and Theatre Collingwood.

The summer theatre season has always stirred up intense feelings of joy and excitement.

It is no surprise then that I have come up with a summer theatre tour of my own in my "golden years".

The Show - Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears, a one-man show featuring delightful Irish characters in amusing and unusual situations.

Sunday March 17, St. Patrick's Day 7pm Red Brick Cafe, 8 Douglas Street, Guelph

Sunday May 12, Mother's Day 2pm. Edgar Community Hall (near Barrie ON)

Sunday June 16, Father's Day 2pm. Historic Ennotville Library (between Guelph & Fergus)