Jean-Louis Guillas isn’t officially done until next Friday, but last night at the Third Thursday Music night was his retirement party.
“Oh, it was just exactly what I wanted it to be. Which was a celebration of all the different kinds of musicians that have played here at the library through our seven-plus years of doing this program.”
The night had some great performances and surprises for Guillas.
“My girls did a beautiful, beautiful number that was very, very special, for them to have made the trip out from Winnipeg to do that. It was also great to see the barber shoppers, that was a complete surprise to me I didn’t know they were coming. All my friends who’ve played here over the days it was all fantastic to see all of them here.”
165 different performers have performed at least once during Guillas’ time as library director.
Although Guillas may be retiring, he’s sticking around town.
“My wife and I are not leaving town. I wear a few different hats so I’m going to continue to be working around town with groups like the Dauphin Rotary Club, Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal, youth theatre at the WAC, and here at the library I’m going to be doing some of the same things but as a volunteer.”
He’ll be volunteering his time to assist the staff in keeping the diverse kinds of programming.
The night finished off with Mayor Allan Dowhan sharing a few words and giving Guillas a certificate from the City of Dauphin.
