*NEWS FROM THE PRESS

WIARTON — Petula Clark, the legendary British singer and performer, will officially open the 2009 revival premiere of the classic U.K. movie, “I Know Where I’m Going” on Friday, September 18th at 7 p.m. at Peninsula Shores Performing Arts Centre in Wiarton.  This screening commemorates the film’s now largely forgotten North American premiere in Tobermory, Ontario on April 29, 1946.

The event is being staged to help create lasting recognition for the original premiere, a historic moment in Canadian entertainment that organizers believe should not be forgotten and to raise funds for “Miracle Place – Wiarton”, the Bruce Peninsula’s first affordable rental apartment housing.  Construction of Miracle Place is expected to begin in early autumn.

Petula, whose presence adds to the premiere because she appeared in the film at age 13, is waiving her appearance fees and donating proceeds from autographed CDs and DVDs sold at the fundraiser.  Her appearance at the 400-seat is a non-concert one, giving her fans a chance to meet her in an informal format - “up close and in person and in conversation in Wiarton.”  She will be here from September 17-19; dates that she has especially carved out for this event from a series of a half-dozen concert dates in North America around that time. During her time here, she will visit some local facilities and be taken to  see some of the region’s natural beauties, such as Sauble Beach.

Best known for such recordings as “Downtown” and “Don’t Sleep on the Subway”, Petula will be speaking for about an hour about the making of the movie, its late stars, her wartime role as a child entertainer (such as performing at the age of nine to 200 Allied Forces camps in Britain), her 40-some movies, and subsequent hit recording career with more than 60 million records sold worldwide. In January, she released a new DVD of love songs that has climbed high on sales charts.   She also will talk with fans and sign autographs and DVDs.

General admission tickets will be on sale on this website starting Thursday, June 18th for $20.   For those wishing, tax receipts for 75% of the ticket price will be issued at the theater.  The other 25% will fund a school Theatre Arts scholarship for a graduating student in 2010 wishing to pursue higher education in drama.

At the official opening, greetings will be brought by local dignitaries, including Mayor Gwen Gilbert, MPP Bill Murdoch, and Wiarton Willie; all early supporters of Petula’s  invitation.  The McLaren Pipe Band is expected to play selections from the 90-minute movie, which is set in Tobermory, Scotland.  Petula Clark will follow, with the movie starting at 8:30 p.m.  “I Know Where I’m Going” has been critically acclaimed as among the 100 best movies of all time.

For further information: Paul Kastner  519-534-0786  pkastner@amtelecom.net

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