Chatham-Kent local who voices Paw Patrol among a dozen honoured in Heroes Wall of Fame | CBC News
[ad_1]
From Paw Patrol to PJ Masks, the talents of Ron Pardo have been entertaining children across the continent for decades.
The voice actor, comic impressionist and comedian has performed in nearly 100 animated series — and can even be heard on the big screen this fall, voicing Cap’n Turbot and Mayor Humdinger in PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.
But Pardo had another honour this week: joining a dozen new inductees into Chatham-Kent’s Arts and Culture Heroes Wall of Fame.
From musicians to painters to pow-wow dancers and poets, a dozen people with roots in Chatham-Kent were among those honoured for their work in arts and culture at an event the evening of Oct. 11 at the Chatham Armoury.
This marks the second year since the Chatham Kent Arts and Culture Network launched the honour, adding new plaques at the Chatham Cultural Centre to recognize locals in visual arts, performing arts, dance, literary arts and cultural builders.
Born and raised in Chatham-Kent, Pardo’s roots in the region run deep. His family farm dates back to 1838, and there’s even a hamlet, Pardoville, named after them where his great great grandfather owned a saw mill, he said.
“We learned the value of responsibility and hard work, and also my parents were big on performance too,” Pardo said.
He first remembers doing impressions to the Roadrunner watching Bugs Bunny on television, later imitating popular comedians in the 60s and 70s.
When he got the news of the arts and culture award, he was speechless, he said.
“I was just stunned,” Pardo said. “I’m truly, truly honoured and humbled by it at the same time.
“I’m in debt to all the talented people who create the cartoons and write the scripts in the first place. Without them, there’s no voice to audition for.”
LISTEN: Hear Ron Pardo’s impressions on CBC Afternoon Drive
Afternoon Drive8:06Chatham-Kent local who voices on Paw Patrol honoured in Heroes Wall of Fame
Featured VideoBorn and raised in Chatham-Kent, Ron Pardo went on to perform as a voice actor in nearly one hundred animated shows. Tonight, he’s being honoured for his contribution to the arts with an induction to the “Heroes Wall of Fame,” along with twelve others in the community. Pardo speaks with guest host Colin Butler.
Lisa Lester was inducted into the Heroes Wall of Fame for her entrepreneurial work in dance. She pioneered competitive dance in the region, opening up a jazz dance company 25 years ago, and now runs the Chatham armoury, she said.
The Chatham Kent Arts and Culture Network came together during the pandemic looking for ways to honour people who’ve made a difference in arts and culture in the area, Lester said. They display a plaque at the Chatham Cultural Centre in honour of each inductee.
This is the second year of the awards.
“It’s just amazing how arts and culture can just bring a community together,” Lester said. “It is a huge honour. I feel so grateful.”
The 2023 Class of Inductees are:
Visual Arts
- Alexander M. Fleming: Painter (Chatham)
- Larry Towell: Photographer and Photojournalist (Wallaceburg)
Performing Arts
- Ron Pardo: Comic-Impressionist and Voice Actor (Pardoville)
- David Farquhar: Audio Producer and Entrepreneur (Chatham)
Music
- Michelle Wright: Singer and Songwriter (Merlin)
- Chatham Concert Band: Orchestra (Chatham-Kent)
Dance
- Lisa Lester: Dancer, Choreographer and Cultural Entrepreneur (Chatham)
- Eelünaapéewi Lahkéewiit: Indigenous Dance (Delaware on the Thames First Nation at Moraviantown)
Literary Arts
- Archibald Lampman: Poet (Morpeth)
- Lori Lansens: Author and Screenwriter (Chatham)
Cultural Builders
- John Beardall: Broadcaster and Entrepreneur (Chatham)
- Kiwanis Music Festival: Youth Music Development (Chatham-Kent)
[ad_2]
