Where Dreams Begin
(L-R) Sven Jensen and Joe Szabo, original Thunder Bay Community Auditorium staff members
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Celebrates 40 Years
By Sidney Ulakovic
“It’s wild that, in the middle of the boreal forest, we have this world-class facility,” says Andrew Edwards, acting general manager of the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. “If you take a moment to reflect on [who] we’ve had [perform here], it’s quite phenomenal.”
And it couldn’t be a more appropriate time to reflect. On October 16, 1985—40 years ago—the TBCA opened its doors, unlocking a world of potential for the region. To commemorate this milestone anniversary, the TBCA hosted a special event to launch their 40th season that paid homage to its roots.
Construction of the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
The celebration began with a re-creation of the very first performance ever held on the TBCA stage, a mime dance choreographed and performed by Faye Gleeson at the 1985 gala opening. Following statements from staff members and dignitaries, a short documentary by Westfort Productions premiered, putting the spotlight on the people who played a part in the venue’s inception, performed on its stage, or helped make all the magic happen behind the scenes.
The recreation of the first-ever performance on the TBCA stage by Faye Gleeson
“I was asked to put a group together, and I found some musicians who would be willing to do it,” says local musician Ted Vaillant, recalling the time he was, unofficially, the first person to ever play at the TBCA when he and a few other musicians played a song on the roof as the construction of the building neared completion. “[When] the last beam goes up, they call it a topping-off ceremony. So we played ‘O Canada’ as they raised the beam. It was pretty exciting.”
Ted Vaillant holds a photograph of the topping-off ceremony that originally appeared in The Chronicle Journal
Also spotlighted in this special 40th season kick off were original staff members Joe Szabo and Sven Jensen, who have been working at the TBCA since before it even opened its doors, playing a part in welcoming countless legends to the stage. “It’s always evolving,” Jensen says of their decades-long careers. Both Jensen and Szabo now work with their sons, showing them the ropes in hopes of eventually passing the torch. “My son’s been running around here since he was four years old,” Szabo says. “[It’s] definitely a second home.” Both Szabo and Jensen agree that, although they’ve gotten to meet a lot of stars, the local events they’ve helped come together hold just as much personal significance. “I know every dancer in town from five years old to 50 years old,” Jensen says. “I love working with the local community.”
Johnny Cash performs at the TBCA in 1993
The TBCA is the only venue of its kind in the region, boasting state-of-the-art acoustics that have attracted leading entertainment from Celine Dion to Johnny Cash, but it’s also a place where the greater community has a chance to step on the same stage as these stars. “It’s a very special place,” Edwards says.”I think everyone in this community has had the opportunity to get on that stage, from convocation to a dance recital.”
“That feeling of stepping onto this stage for the first time—the lights, the music, the nervous excitement—it never really leaves you. It becomes part of who you are,” says local dance instructor Maeghan Tofinetti at a media event, noting that she has been on that stage every year of her life since she was five years old, at a media event. “I think Thunder Bay is so lucky to have a place like this—a place where dreams begin, where talents grows, where stories are told.”
Paul Shaffer unveils street sign named in his honour at the TBCA
Also underway for this season is a new historical lobby display in addition to auctions of some memorabilia collected over the years. While the anniversary has staff members reminiscing over decades of memories, it's also been a critical time to plan ahead. “What keeps this place going is the community component,” Edwards says, explaining that they plan to host more free events, and reinstate some familiar favourites from years past. “We’re going to have things in all shapes and sizes.”
To stay up to date with what the TBCA has planned for its special 40th season, visit their website .