Mystery, Mayhem and Community Spirit Fill Harmony Centre

Harmony Centre was transformed into the glamorous and mysterious Grand Sydenham Resort & Casino on May 30 as 120 guests gathered for Murder in the Commons, a sold-out evening of intrigue, laughter, and community spirit.

Dressed in everything from elegant evening wear to full-on noir-inspired costumes, guests embraced the theme and helped bring the story to life.

Four Owen Sound Little Theatre volunteers — Shirley Holmes, Reta England, Kelley Dewey, and Bill Oliver, plus a cast of professional murder mystery performers delivered memorable performances, while attendees worked together to unravel the mystery and compete for prizes.

The event was not only great fun — it also helped support Harmony Centre’s ongoing Raise the Floor campaign. Funds raised will help maintain and improve our historic building while keeping it accessible and affordable for the many community groups and organizations that call it home.

Harmony Centre extends heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, performers, donors, and guests. Special appreciation goes to event sponsor Benedict Electrical, and the Owen Sound Tourism Development Fund for their generous support.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a remarkable success!

Event photography generously provided to Harmony Centre free of charge by Edward Matthews Photography, https://www.edmatphoto.com.

Harmony Centre is looking for a volunteer with very specific responsibilities to keep our building safe and functional. If this sounds like something you could do to help, please contact Amy for further info.

Harmony Centre is pleased to welcome its newest resident organization, the SeaLight Sisters Society, a federally registered charity that supports women+ working in Canada’s maritime industry through education, mentorship, professional development, and community connection.

The organization is dedicated to helping mariners build successful careers while promoting safe, respectful, and supportive workplaces throughout the sector.Through a variety of programs and initiatives, SeaLight Sisters provides networking opportunities, peer support, educational resources, and advocacy for those entering or advancing within the maritime profession. The organization also works with industry partners to encourage best practices and strengthen workplace culture across Canada’s marine community.

By establishing its headquarters at Harmony Centre, SeaLight Sisters brings a unique national perspective to Owen Sound—a community with deep maritime roots and a long-standing connection to Georgian Bay.

Whether you are an experienced mariner, a student exploring a career on the water, an industry professional, or simply someone interested in Canada’s maritime heritage, SeaLight Sisters Society offers opportunities to:

Learn More & Get Involved: Visit sealightsisters.org or stop by their new office at Harmony Centre.

June marks the beginning of our summer schedule at Harmony Centre—a season filled with special events, community gatherings, and opportunities to connect. While some regular programs take a summer break, there’s still plenty happening throughout the month.

Be sure to check out this month’s featured events, including the Discovering Confidence meditation retreat, and Kindred Kids Music’s presentation of The Cat Came Back.

We’re also pleased to welcome the SeaLight Sisters Society as Harmony Centre’s newest resident organization and invite you to learn more about their inspiring work in this month’s Profiles feature.  

Thank you for being part of our community. We look forward to seeing you at Harmony Centre this summer!

Please note summer hours kick off this month, continuing through August (Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Amy Stewart, Operations Manager

info@harmonycentre.ca

Summer Office Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thank you to dedicated supporter Harriet Nixon, who hosted a rummage sale last month in support of our Raise the Floor campaign and to raise awareness for Harmony Centre❤️

Interested in hosting your own event? We’d love to hear from you.

For many area children, the festival is more than just a performance — it’s a milestone. From first-timer piano solos to confident ensemble pieces, participants experience encouragement and pride alongside skill-building.

“The energy at our festival comes from the kids,” says Regan MacNay, Festival Administrator. “We see hesitation turn into excitement, and young performers leave the stage with a sense of accomplishment they’ll carry with them. That’s the heart of this event — celebrating every child’s musical journey.”

In 2026, Harmony Centre plays a key role in hosting festival events, especially piano classes and recitals. It’s a meaningful partnership: Harmony Centre’s welcoming atmosphere mirrors the supportive community spirit the festival creates, and the Centre’s spaces come alive as a stage for young talent.

The festival’s roots in Grey County go deep, supporting opportunities for constructive feedback, scholarships, and provincial recommendations, all while connecting youth with peers who share a passion for music.

Whether it’s a seasoned vocalist or a nervous first-time performer, the Kiwanis Festival of Music proves again and again that the real score isn’t in rankings — it’s in the joy, confidence, and connections found along the way.

The Grey County Kiwanis Festival of Music runs April 13–17 and April 20–24, 2026, with selected piano classes and performances taking place at Harmony Centre, supporting our young performers.

Glasswork Coop is one of the many groups that use Harmony Centre regularly for events and gatherings. This week they kindly posted a thank you to Harmony Centre. We so appreciate hearing when we succeed in filling a community need.

Glassworks posted:

We’re so grateful for the support from the Harmony Centre Owen Sound! They’re always there when we need a space for our larger in person events and they’ve always shown us lots of support and solidarity! And they’re a truly amazing hub for community initiatives, organizing and gathering! 

Shawna Banville Art Therapy is among the many creative residents who call Harmony Centre home. Later this month, Shawna will be hosting a unique creative experience called The Art of Seeing. Running from 10:00 to 3:00 on November 29, this Expressive Art Retreat will guide you on a journey of mindful self-exploratio

Cost: $150

AWAKEN YOUR SENSES

Get out of your head and step into a day of presence, creativity, and mindful self exploration. Nurture your body, mind, and spirit through art, sound, and movement.

Explore and play in a safe, supportive and confidential space and leave with practices and insight to integrate connection and awareness into your everyday life.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Guided mindful journey inward
• Reflective Art Therapy exercises and art materials (sensory processing, drawing, watercolour, journaling)
• Exploration of what gets in the way of seeing ones truth
• Sound/frequency healing
• Opportunity for group sharing
• Catered lunch and refreshments

YOUR HOSTS

Shawna Banville, BA, RP, Registered Art Psychotherapist,
nature lover, mother, artist, dancer, private practice owner, and
guide in creative mindful self discovery.

Mike Merrit, MSW, Clinical Logo therapist, Ex Naval officer,
2nd degree black belt in Karate, dabbler in the arts, and
mindfulness practitioner.

Contact Shawna to Reserve
1-519-374-9850
shawnabanville@gmail.com

Harmony Centre celebrated a major milestone at its Annual General Meeting held on September 9. Board Chair Jeff Elie announced that the charitable organization had exceeded 1,500 bookings in its fiscal year ending March 31 – breaking previous records.

“This is an incredible achievement,” Elie said in his report to the board. “It speaks to the resilience of our organization and the efforts of all the people who make Harmony Centre work.”

According to Elie, more than $17,000 was granted in rent subsidies to not-for-profit users during this period of growth, fulfilling Harmony Centre’s mandate to provide affordable short- and long-term rental spaces to community groups.

Elie also highlighted several solutions-based and community-oriented events produced recently by Harmony Centre, including this year’s flagship Small Communities Solutions Conference, which drew speakers and attendees from across the country, and its popular ChangeMaker Pub Nights, which showcase local groups and organizations.

“These events not only highlight the capabilities of Harmony Centre, they also strengthen our bonds with community members, partners, and sponsors,” Elie says.

The report noted how February’s installation of new stackable chairs in Greaves Auditorium has expanded the functionality of this impressive venue. The space is already being used for in-the-round assemblies, facilitated discussions, and workshop-style events – this summer a full-sized trapeze was installed there for the circus camp, and even more innovative uses are in the planning stages.

Harmony Centre’s annual strategic planning meetings have proven useful for consolidating a shared vision of the organization’s direction. According to Elie, planning workshops have guided the organization to focus on more home-grown events that position Harmony Centre as a leading supporter of local positive change. “This is a strategic goal that we have embraced as an organization,” he says.

“Harmony Centre remains steadfast in its goals – to ignite creativity, foster connections, and nurture growth. As we move forward, we do so with pride, optimism, and a sense of purpose,” Elie concluded.

Hello friends! We’re looking for (at least) two web based volunteers – we need help posting to our wordpress website (copying over content from our newsletter, approving events) and we’d also like some help with Facebook – creating posts and sharing content from our amazing residents and user groups.

If you’re looking for a way to help from the comfort of your home and become part of a great team dedicated to this special social enterprise/registered charity please get in touch!

info@harmonycentre.ca and 519-376-8880