Storytime

Next week I will begin rehearsing some tales for an upcoming event of which I am very honoured to be a part. (whew that was hard not to say "be a part of")

Come celebrate with us 50 years of the Guelph Arts Council. They have invited me to recite some favourites from Heads & Tales.

I'm not the only one on the bill however. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements as we get closer to Saturday November 22. The fun starts at 7pm in their new home in the Quebec Street Mall.

I hear there are snacks too! In fact here are the details

And a bit about me:

Bio:Jay Wilson

50 plus years as an actor with various Ontario theatre companies interspersed with administrative work with The National Tap Dance Co. of Canada, The Ontario Lottery Corporation, The Gravenhurst Opera House and Theatre Collingwood, Jay is known locally for JayWalking Guelph. A volunteer guide with The Guelph Arts Council’s historic walks, Jay has recently joined the Board at GAC. Watch for his one-man show Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears coming to Guelph’s River Run Centre April 2026.

Performance Description: Heads & Tales

Inspired by Edmund Kean who could recite any Shakespeare monologue at the drop of a hat, a lot of monologues, poems, and recitations, have gone into Jay’s head over the years. To keep them fresh, titles are placed in a hat. You draw a title and Jay recites it. Neither of us knows what to expect. Like Cracker Jacks – a surprise every time! This performance will have some Guelph references.

Christmas at the Guelph Library

Thursday December 11, 2025 at 7:00pm

A 30 minute Christmas presentation followed by a Christmas craft.

A holiday feast for the senses. Admission free, but you must register. HERE

The Guelph Library - East Side Branch. 1 Starwood Drive

I'll kick off the festivities with this Live Radio Drama, a retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol as you have never experienced before. Atmospheric sound effects compliment the voices of Jacob Marley, Scrooge, and all the ghosts.

Followed by some holiday favourites. Christmas stories to warm our hearts.

Then the library staff will guide us through making stove top scents.

All ages, everyone welcome. 

I hope to see some familiar faces and some new ones. I look forward to this event every year. Thank you Guelph Public Library

Guelph Arts Council Golden Anniversary

50 years! One of Ontario's oldest and effective arts councils. Come join us as we celebrate you.

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

New performance added

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

Friday October 31, 2025

 

See you in 2026.

The Unfortunate Man – Guelph’s Halloween Tradition

“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.

Christmas already?

Book NOW!

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.

Awesome autumn tours

The Ontario street theatre season is coming to a close, however October is the best month! Cooler temperatures, atmospheric lighting.

A true tale of murder from 1889?

OR

Guelph's cutest historical tour?

Book your group NOW

JayWalking Guelph since 2017

We love October!