I don't know if it is the result of the uncommonly mild winter we've been experiencing this year, but I am already thinking ahead and anticipating the summer theatre season at both Shaw and Stratford. Both seasons look good, and with the arrival this week of season brochures from both festivals, I was able to dive in and start picking my dates for reviewing shows again this summer, which I believe will be my 30th consecutive year attending both Shaw and Stratford.
The Shaw brochure arrived first, and I was fearful the big blowout for the 50th season last year would result in a scaled-back season this year. Recent news the Shaw Festival ran a deficit last year in spite of record attendance was also cause for concern. The quality was certainly there last year and people showed up to take it all in, with several productions being both box-office and critical successes. The flagship production of My Fair Lady was nearly a sellout all season long and far and away their most successful show ever. But heavy promotion of the season to achieve those attendance records resulted in the shortage at the end of the year.
This year, I'm told, promotion of the season will be scaled back somewhat, but those worrying quality would suffer should have their fears allayed early on with a look at the playbill this season. The big musical and, some would say, the big gamble, is the mounting of Ragtime, which has always proven to be a fascinating vehicle yet difficult to properly stage, it seems. Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell tackles this musical beast at the Festival Theatre, with an all-star cast including Thom Allison, Patty Jamieson and Jay Turvey, among others. The other biggie at the Festival Theatre is Sir Noel Coward's Present Laughter, directed by longtime Shaw actor David Schurmann. This is the sort of thing you would naturally expect former artistic director Christopher Newton to undertake, but he is directing at Stratford this season; more on that later.
Other shows at Shaw this season worth keeping an eye on are His Girl Friday at the Festival Theatre; Shaw's The Millionairess at the Court House Theatre; Ibsen's Hedda Gabler at the Court House; Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti at the Court House Theatre; and Shaw's Misalliance over at the Royal George Theatre.
Much was written last season when the upcoming playbill was announced, as no Bernard Shaw play was to be staged on the Festival stage this year. I understand their concern, yet economics dictate Shaw only warrants a smaller venue in this day and age and his plays will do just fine, thank you very much. For more on the Shaw season and to purchase tickets, call 1-800-511-SHAW or go to www.shawfest.com.
Meantime, The Stratford Shakespeare Festival gears up for their 60th season this year, and they will be pulling out all the stops, much as Shaw did last year, with much to celebrate. The production that will likely get most of the attention this year doesn't even open until August 2nd: Christopher Plummer returns to perform his one-man show A Word or Two, taking the audience on an autobiographical journey of the actor's storied career. Whether or not Plummer wins an Oscar for his performance in Beginnings last year, people will likely pack the Avon Theatre for this show, which only runs to August 26th.
But that's not all at Stratford this year. Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing at the Festival Theatre opens the season May 28th, starring Ben Carlson and Deborah Hay, and directed by that former Shaw Festival artistic director, Christopher Newton. I am really looking forward to this one, seeing what insights Newton brings to the Bard's lighthearted work, assisted by designer Santo Loquasto whose work for the National Ballet of Canada over the years has been amazing.
The big musical coming up will be Warren & Dubin's classic 42nd Street, highlighted by the return of singer/dancer Cynthia Dale after a long hiatus, opening in May at the Festival Theatre as well. But there are three more musical offerings this season, as Gilbert & Sullivan make a welcome return to the Avon stage with a new production of The Pirates of Penzance, starring Sean Arbuckle as the Pirate King and Amy Wallis as Mabel Stanley; and the family offering this year is the musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Avon Theatre, featuring Donna Feore as choreographer and director. The final musical offering is the World Premiere of Wanderlust by Morris Panych with music by Marek Norman, based on the poems of Robert Service. That's another one I am particularly looking forward to.
Other offerings at Stratford this season include: Shakespeare's Cymbeline and Henry V, Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker and Sophokles' Elektra at the Tom Patterson Theatre. It promises to be a season full of surprises, so I would advise booking tickets early this year for some of the more interesting offerings, especially Plummer's A Word or Two. For tickets, call 1-800-567-1600 or go to www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com.
Here's to summer approaching!
February 18th, 2012.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Lots to do on a February weekend in Niagara
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, perhaps you plan to spend some special time with that certain someone this weekend prior to the big day. If that is the case, allow me to make a few suggestions of things you can do this weekend, many of which will help out some very worthwhile causes.
First off, the 6th annual Chorus Niagara Sing-a-Thon is on Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm at the "most famous food court in the world", as they say, at the Seaway Mall in Welland. That, of course, was the scene of their now-famous "flash mob" performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah in November of 2010, the video of which is at about 35-million views on You Tube.
Chorus Niagara, like many other arts organizations in the area, always comes up with inventive ways to fundraise and raise awareness of their cause, and the Sing-a-Thon is a fun and easy way to show your support this weekend. Local celebrity guests will take a turn at the podium directed the choir, with necessary direction from Artistic Director Robert Cooper, of course. You can sponsor a particular chorister, as I have done, or the whole chorus if you wish, for whatever amount you wish, either in person tomorrow or in advance online by going to Canada Helps. There are always surpasses in store at the Sing-a-Thon; last year for example one chorister received a marriage proposal! So who knows what might happen this year.
There are two performances in St. Catharines Saturday evening involving local musicians, either of which are sure to provide you with ample entertainment. The Avanti Chamber Singers, with Lesley Kingham on organ and conducted by Harris Loewen, present Haydn's "Little Organ Mass" at St. Barnabas Church on Queenston Street at 7:30 Saturday evening. The performance, in the Viva Voce Choral Series presented by the Department of Music at Brock University, features the mixed ensemble including several Brock staff and Music alumni.
Tickets are available at the door tomorrow evening, by the way.
Also Saturday evening, The Gallery Players of Niagara have a rather inventive concert planned for the Niagara Artists Centre at 354 St. Paul Street in downtown St. Catharines. Starting at 8 pm, performers Douglas Miller, flute; Eric Mahar, guitar; and Penner MacKay, percussion, present Silence is Golden, a fascinating journey through silent film with accompanying music improvised on the spot. Film will be from the 16mm film archive of the Niagara Artists Centre, including: Le Voyage Dans la Lune (A Trip to the Moon) 1902 by Georges Melies, and La Coquille et le Clergyman (The Seashell and the Clergyman) 1928 by Germaine Dulac. Douglas Miller will round out the evening with a new solo composition featuring his many exotic flutes, titled "Into the Pool".
Again, tickets are available at the door tomorrow evening.
Now, two other items of note prior to Valentine's Day. I would be remiss if I didn't plug my own music website, A Web of Fine Music (www.finemusic.ca) if you are still looking for that perfect musical gift for someone on Valentine's Day; it is too late to order in at this point but I can assure you I have some great gift ideas if that's what you're looking for. Just email me using the order form on the website or directly at music@vaxxine.com
Finally, and I know this is a little off my usual musical plane, but I can't stress how important it is to get this message out this weekend. If you have considered acquiring a cat to add to your family, now is the time to do it. The Lincoln County Humane Society is full to the rafters with lots of loveable "purr pals", and this weekend their shelter on Fourth Avenue is hosting an Adopt-a-Thon from 10 am to 4 pm both Saturday and Sunday to find homes for some of their friendly felines. The price is very attractive, by the way. You can find out more by going to their website or Facebook page.
I personally have three rescue cats here, and although I might not have room for a fourth, I am planning to visit on Saturday to see the activity and visit with some of the kitties. Believe me, you will never find a more loving, beautiful friend for life than a rescue cat, and the LCHS needs your help to adopt as many kitties as possible this weekend. The need is urgent, and your help is very much appreciated.
What a fabulous Valentine's gift for that special someone: the gift of life for a loving, deserving rescue cat!
February 10th, 2012.
First off, the 6th annual Chorus Niagara Sing-a-Thon is on Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm at the "most famous food court in the world", as they say, at the Seaway Mall in Welland. That, of course, was the scene of their now-famous "flash mob" performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah in November of 2010, the video of which is at about 35-million views on You Tube.
Chorus Niagara, like many other arts organizations in the area, always comes up with inventive ways to fundraise and raise awareness of their cause, and the Sing-a-Thon is a fun and easy way to show your support this weekend. Local celebrity guests will take a turn at the podium directed the choir, with necessary direction from Artistic Director Robert Cooper, of course. You can sponsor a particular chorister, as I have done, or the whole chorus if you wish, for whatever amount you wish, either in person tomorrow or in advance online by going to Canada Helps. There are always surpasses in store at the Sing-a-Thon; last year for example one chorister received a marriage proposal! So who knows what might happen this year.
There are two performances in St. Catharines Saturday evening involving local musicians, either of which are sure to provide you with ample entertainment. The Avanti Chamber Singers, with Lesley Kingham on organ and conducted by Harris Loewen, present Haydn's "Little Organ Mass" at St. Barnabas Church on Queenston Street at 7:30 Saturday evening. The performance, in the Viva Voce Choral Series presented by the Department of Music at Brock University, features the mixed ensemble including several Brock staff and Music alumni.
Tickets are available at the door tomorrow evening, by the way.
Also Saturday evening, The Gallery Players of Niagara have a rather inventive concert planned for the Niagara Artists Centre at 354 St. Paul Street in downtown St. Catharines. Starting at 8 pm, performers Douglas Miller, flute; Eric Mahar, guitar; and Penner MacKay, percussion, present Silence is Golden, a fascinating journey through silent film with accompanying music improvised on the spot. Film will be from the 16mm film archive of the Niagara Artists Centre, including: Le Voyage Dans la Lune (A Trip to the Moon) 1902 by Georges Melies, and La Coquille et le Clergyman (The Seashell and the Clergyman) 1928 by Germaine Dulac. Douglas Miller will round out the evening with a new solo composition featuring his many exotic flutes, titled "Into the Pool".
Again, tickets are available at the door tomorrow evening.
Now, two other items of note prior to Valentine's Day. I would be remiss if I didn't plug my own music website, A Web of Fine Music (www.finemusic.ca) if you are still looking for that perfect musical gift for someone on Valentine's Day; it is too late to order in at this point but I can assure you I have some great gift ideas if that's what you're looking for. Just email me using the order form on the website or directly at music@vaxxine.com
Finally, and I know this is a little off my usual musical plane, but I can't stress how important it is to get this message out this weekend. If you have considered acquiring a cat to add to your family, now is the time to do it. The Lincoln County Humane Society is full to the rafters with lots of loveable "purr pals", and this weekend their shelter on Fourth Avenue is hosting an Adopt-a-Thon from 10 am to 4 pm both Saturday and Sunday to find homes for some of their friendly felines. The price is very attractive, by the way. You can find out more by going to their website or Facebook page.
I personally have three rescue cats here, and although I might not have room for a fourth, I am planning to visit on Saturday to see the activity and visit with some of the kitties. Believe me, you will never find a more loving, beautiful friend for life than a rescue cat, and the LCHS needs your help to adopt as many kitties as possible this weekend. The need is urgent, and your help is very much appreciated.
What a fabulous Valentine's gift for that special someone: the gift of life for a loving, deserving rescue cat!
February 10th, 2012.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Where is everyone in downtown Niagara Falls?
I promised at the beginning of the year I would report on my findings once I had spent some time in downtown Niagara Falls to see what has been happening since my last visit some time ago. I have written frequently about the revitalization plans both in downtown St. Catharines and in Niagara Falls; I have written several times in the past months about St. Catharines, so let's look today at Niagara Falls.
A few years ago, the ambitious plans put forth by a downtown Niagara Falls revitalization group saw lots of money being poured into revitalizing buildings on historic Queen Street, which were then leased out to new clients at very attractive introductory rates with, as I understand it, higher rents charged after that initial year once the business is presumably well established. In other words, they would allow you the foot in the door to realize your dream and once you are up and running you are charged the full rent. On paper, it looks like a win-win situation for all concerned: the downtown gets a number of new, vibrant businesses in newly-renovated premises, thus enticing people to come back downtown, and as a result city hall makes money on taxes collected from a number of successful commercial ventures.
But the reality, as I discovered on a stroll up and down Queen Street, now dubbed "The Q" on some signage in the downtown core, is that many of those same promising young businesses have not been able to make a go of it. Two years ago I walked this same area with a number of storefronts fully occupied; today, only a handful of those remain. Let's look at some of the casualties.
An exceptional florist known simply as Fresh, with a spectacular storefront treatment, now gone. Amore Pizza with a beautiful art-deco facade, now closed. True, there is a sign indicating a Pizza Nova franchise is looking to locate there, but when? The Wedding Museum is now empty. So, too is Midi Bistro. Ditto for The Cheese Truckle and Druxy's Famous Deli, sharing space side-by-side and operated by Roger Thompson who moved his cheese operation downtown from a busy location on Drummond Road and added the deli franchise to the downtown location. There are other casualties, but you get the picture.
There is the sad case of the Seneca Theatre, sitting empty after expensive renovations because theatre companies for one reason or another won't or can't use the space. What a rich history this place has! Opened about 1940 it was a movie house in the grand tradition, and even hosted the Canadian premiere of Marilyn Monroe's film Niagara, shot in the Falls, on January 28th of 1953. Now it sits empty, with a marquee displaying the last stage show to play there, oddly enough called Rent.
Now, I'm not suggesting all is gone in downtown Niagara Falls. There are still some going concerns and promising new businesses we can only hope will survive. One of the most exceptional restaurants in the entire Niagara Region, Paris Crepes, is almost always busy and with good reason. The place just oozes character. Unique Florist is open and the displays look very creative. Nearby is the John Newby Art Gallery and Tea Room, which although closed, the sign in the window says, until February 21st, is a place I will return to soon after it reopens to experience what promises to be a most elegant little tea parlour.
Oddly, a number of the businesses that have been there all along have survived and still manage to thrive no matter what: Ragged Glory for CDs and old albums; Moodie's Bakery and of course, My Country Delicatessen. Oh, and of course, an ever-present dollar store. How do they do it, one wonders. I have visited all of those many times over the years and they just seem to fit like a comfortable old pair of jeans you can't discard.
When I talk to people about why downtown Niagara Falls is still not picking up, it appears many just don't think about shopping in downtown Niagara Falls, thinking - erroneously of course - there is nothing down there for them. Of course there is, but it feeds a vicious circle when they don't come down thinking nothing is there and the businesses there wither and die because of it, and then there really is nothing there. I have no idea how to address this problem other than to perhaps change the advertising campaign to get the word out better than it has been lately. But other than than, I am at a loss to explain it.
The problem with many downtowns now is no money is invested into them, so not much happens and people lose interest in favour of big box stores and the shopping malls. But both St. Catharines and Niagara Falls are investing heavily in their downtowns in order to reverse that trend and in Niagara Falls, at least, the people are simply not noticing. It's a shame, really. I have gotten to know some of the business owners both past and present down on "The Q" and they are all local business people who want to serve you and make you feel welcome in your own downtown. What they need now is your patronage on a larger scale than you have shown in the past.
So, here is what I am suggesting. Just once in the coming months, do as I did this past week, and drive down to Queen Street, park the car and take a stroll around. Have lunch or dinner at one of the great restaurants or even just visit a coffee shop to see what's in store. It won't hurt and you might be surprised by what you find. There is a reason to go downtown in Niagara Falls, and I would like more people to just take this advice and see for themselves what is there. And more importantly, what could be. Is that too much to ask?
Happy shopping!
February 4th, 2012.
A few years ago, the ambitious plans put forth by a downtown Niagara Falls revitalization group saw lots of money being poured into revitalizing buildings on historic Queen Street, which were then leased out to new clients at very attractive introductory rates with, as I understand it, higher rents charged after that initial year once the business is presumably well established. In other words, they would allow you the foot in the door to realize your dream and once you are up and running you are charged the full rent. On paper, it looks like a win-win situation for all concerned: the downtown gets a number of new, vibrant businesses in newly-renovated premises, thus enticing people to come back downtown, and as a result city hall makes money on taxes collected from a number of successful commercial ventures.
But the reality, as I discovered on a stroll up and down Queen Street, now dubbed "The Q" on some signage in the downtown core, is that many of those same promising young businesses have not been able to make a go of it. Two years ago I walked this same area with a number of storefronts fully occupied; today, only a handful of those remain. Let's look at some of the casualties.
An exceptional florist known simply as Fresh, with a spectacular storefront treatment, now gone. Amore Pizza with a beautiful art-deco facade, now closed. True, there is a sign indicating a Pizza Nova franchise is looking to locate there, but when? The Wedding Museum is now empty. So, too is Midi Bistro. Ditto for The Cheese Truckle and Druxy's Famous Deli, sharing space side-by-side and operated by Roger Thompson who moved his cheese operation downtown from a busy location on Drummond Road and added the deli franchise to the downtown location. There are other casualties, but you get the picture.
There is the sad case of the Seneca Theatre, sitting empty after expensive renovations because theatre companies for one reason or another won't or can't use the space. What a rich history this place has! Opened about 1940 it was a movie house in the grand tradition, and even hosted the Canadian premiere of Marilyn Monroe's film Niagara, shot in the Falls, on January 28th of 1953. Now it sits empty, with a marquee displaying the last stage show to play there, oddly enough called Rent.
Now, I'm not suggesting all is gone in downtown Niagara Falls. There are still some going concerns and promising new businesses we can only hope will survive. One of the most exceptional restaurants in the entire Niagara Region, Paris Crepes, is almost always busy and with good reason. The place just oozes character. Unique Florist is open and the displays look very creative. Nearby is the John Newby Art Gallery and Tea Room, which although closed, the sign in the window says, until February 21st, is a place I will return to soon after it reopens to experience what promises to be a most elegant little tea parlour.
Oddly, a number of the businesses that have been there all along have survived and still manage to thrive no matter what: Ragged Glory for CDs and old albums; Moodie's Bakery and of course, My Country Delicatessen. Oh, and of course, an ever-present dollar store. How do they do it, one wonders. I have visited all of those many times over the years and they just seem to fit like a comfortable old pair of jeans you can't discard.
When I talk to people about why downtown Niagara Falls is still not picking up, it appears many just don't think about shopping in downtown Niagara Falls, thinking - erroneously of course - there is nothing down there for them. Of course there is, but it feeds a vicious circle when they don't come down thinking nothing is there and the businesses there wither and die because of it, and then there really is nothing there. I have no idea how to address this problem other than to perhaps change the advertising campaign to get the word out better than it has been lately. But other than than, I am at a loss to explain it.
The problem with many downtowns now is no money is invested into them, so not much happens and people lose interest in favour of big box stores and the shopping malls. But both St. Catharines and Niagara Falls are investing heavily in their downtowns in order to reverse that trend and in Niagara Falls, at least, the people are simply not noticing. It's a shame, really. I have gotten to know some of the business owners both past and present down on "The Q" and they are all local business people who want to serve you and make you feel welcome in your own downtown. What they need now is your patronage on a larger scale than you have shown in the past.
So, here is what I am suggesting. Just once in the coming months, do as I did this past week, and drive down to Queen Street, park the car and take a stroll around. Have lunch or dinner at one of the great restaurants or even just visit a coffee shop to see what's in store. It won't hurt and you might be surprised by what you find. There is a reason to go downtown in Niagara Falls, and I would like more people to just take this advice and see for themselves what is there. And more importantly, what could be. Is that too much to ask?
Happy shopping!
February 4th, 2012.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Niagara Symphony presents a couple of winter bonuses
Here we are in the dead of winter, or what is passing for winter in Niagara this season, and you feel the need to get out of the house and hear some great music, right? Well, the Niagara Symphony has you covered on a couple of fronts in the coming days, so we'll cover both of those this week in the column.
First of all, this Sunday afternoon at 2:30 the Niagara Symphony presents a Bonus Masterworks concert with not one, but two Thachuks on stage. Maestro Bradley conducts, of course, and his twin brother Steven is the guitar soloist on the Guitar Concerto by Antonio Vivaldi. So don't be concerned if you appear to be seeing double on Sunday afternoon. Also on the programme is the Symphony No. 44 by Franz Joseph Haydn, In Memoriam Alberto Guererro by R. Murray Schafer, and one of my all-time favourite works by Tchaikovsky, the lovely Serenade for Strings.
There is also a special price for the concert, since a lot of regular patrons will be down south at this time of year, so the Symphony wisely chose to offer a specially-discounted price to get people through the doors, and hopefully more than a few newcomers as well. Just $ 25 gets you a seat to the concert and even birthday cake afterwards to celebrate the Niagara Symphony's 64th birthday. Not a bad deal when you consider what a trip to Toronto, Buffalo or even Hamilton would cost at this time of year. So save the trip and consider supporting your Niagara Symphony, why don'tcha?
As always, I will be in the lobby before, after and at intermission with lots of great music you might just want to take home with you, so be sure to stop by and take a look and say hello. One of the interesting new items I have with me, by the way, is a fabulous new EMI Classics box set of 50 discs covering 150 ballets, titled oddly enough, A Festival of Ballet. You can grab it now before it shows up on the website in February.
Tickets should still be available for the Sunday concert, so either purchase them at the box office prior to the concert or call the box office in advance at 905-688-5550, ext. 3257.
On another front, In This Life - Chantal Kreviazuk makes its broadcast debut on HBO Canada and The Movie Network this coming Monday evening, January 30th at 6:45 pm. It will also air on HBOC HD at 6:45 pm and HBOC 2 HD at 8:45 pm. The one-hour documentary runs throughout the week and celebrates the life and career of renowned singer Chantal Kreviazuk, including footage of her exclusive engagement last summer with the Niagara Symphony, performing at the outdoor theatre at Jackson-Triggs Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. I remember when this concert was announced and it garnered a lot of attention at the time, so this promises to be an interesting look at one very special artist as she connects with her audience on many levels.
The Niagara Symphony is at the half-way mark of what is shaping up to be a reasonably well-attended season, so that is good news. One of the mandates of Maestro Thachuk was to grow the audience, and perhaps we are starting to see those efforts begin to bear fruit.
See you at the Symphony!
January 28th, 2012.
First of all, this Sunday afternoon at 2:30 the Niagara Symphony presents a Bonus Masterworks concert with not one, but two Thachuks on stage. Maestro Bradley conducts, of course, and his twin brother Steven is the guitar soloist on the Guitar Concerto by Antonio Vivaldi. So don't be concerned if you appear to be seeing double on Sunday afternoon. Also on the programme is the Symphony No. 44 by Franz Joseph Haydn, In Memoriam Alberto Guererro by R. Murray Schafer, and one of my all-time favourite works by Tchaikovsky, the lovely Serenade for Strings.
There is also a special price for the concert, since a lot of regular patrons will be down south at this time of year, so the Symphony wisely chose to offer a specially-discounted price to get people through the doors, and hopefully more than a few newcomers as well. Just $ 25 gets you a seat to the concert and even birthday cake afterwards to celebrate the Niagara Symphony's 64th birthday. Not a bad deal when you consider what a trip to Toronto, Buffalo or even Hamilton would cost at this time of year. So save the trip and consider supporting your Niagara Symphony, why don'tcha?
As always, I will be in the lobby before, after and at intermission with lots of great music you might just want to take home with you, so be sure to stop by and take a look and say hello. One of the interesting new items I have with me, by the way, is a fabulous new EMI Classics box set of 50 discs covering 150 ballets, titled oddly enough, A Festival of Ballet. You can grab it now before it shows up on the website in February.
Tickets should still be available for the Sunday concert, so either purchase them at the box office prior to the concert or call the box office in advance at 905-688-5550, ext. 3257.
On another front, In This Life - Chantal Kreviazuk makes its broadcast debut on HBO Canada and The Movie Network this coming Monday evening, January 30th at 6:45 pm. It will also air on HBOC HD at 6:45 pm and HBOC 2 HD at 8:45 pm. The one-hour documentary runs throughout the week and celebrates the life and career of renowned singer Chantal Kreviazuk, including footage of her exclusive engagement last summer with the Niagara Symphony, performing at the outdoor theatre at Jackson-Triggs Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. I remember when this concert was announced and it garnered a lot of attention at the time, so this promises to be an interesting look at one very special artist as she connects with her audience on many levels.
The Niagara Symphony is at the half-way mark of what is shaping up to be a reasonably well-attended season, so that is good news. One of the mandates of Maestro Thachuk was to grow the audience, and perhaps we are starting to see those efforts begin to bear fruit.
See you at the Symphony!
January 28th, 2012.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Coffee, Tea or Bach?
This weekend, a most interesting concert will be taking place at St. Barnabas Church on Queenston Street in St. Catharines, Sunday afternoon at 3 pm. Primavera Concerts, one of the more creative local musical presenters, are presenting The St. Catharines Chamber Music Society in a concert titled simply, "Coffee!"
Now, I am not a coffee drinker. I have always been an avowed tea drinker, save for my first few years in the radio business almost 40 years ago when everyone around me drank coffee, so I did, too. Yes, the ubiquitous "double-double" was my drink back then, which I believe was a quarter a cup at the local greasy-spoon next door to the radio station in Toronto back then. One day, I thought about it and decided I really preferred tea to coffee, so why drink coffee just because everyone else does. I have been something of a lone wolf ever since then, even forsaking more convenient tea bags for traditional loose-leaf tea I feel gives me a better cup of tea. I even use an automatic tea-making machine every morning at the radio station made for awhile by TriniTea in the United States. I love the fact it brews the tea and keeps it warm in the pot on it's own hot plate element, so throughout the morning I have a hot cup of tea waiting for me. I know, I am more of a tea aficionado than most, but I can't sacrifice quality for convenience, even when it comes to tea.
But I digress. Even though the concert is titled "Coffee!", I won't feel left out Sunday afternoon, since the concert is being presented in a coffee-house setting with coffee and cake being served. Next to tea, cake is very near and dear to my heart. That explains why I am a regular at the 'Y', by the way...anyway, what more could you want than great music, the drink of your choice and...cake? Sounds like a deal, right?
The centre-piece of the concert, of course, is the secular cantata # 211, known as the "Coffee Cantata" by J.S. Bach. This is about as close as Bach ever came to musical comedy; he was a notoriously serious musician who laboured long and hard in churches creating some of the greatest sacred music ever written. But even Bach knew people had a weakness for coffee, so when he wanted to write a lighthearted piece, coffee was an easy choice for the subject matter.
In Bach's time, coffee was still rather new to Europe and a bit of a novelty. But there was no denying the drawing power of the beverage, and in fact coffee houses soon sprang up throughout Germany at the time where people would gather, drink, and discuss the news of the day. It was a much earlier version of our modern-day Tim Hortons, if you will. The Coffee Cantata, in fact, premiered at Zimmerman's Coffee House in Leipzig and was presumably a big hit. The cantata tells the tale of a father who takes away his daughter's privileges, one after the other, unless she stops drinking coffee. The daughter is not swayed and continues drinking coffee until her father threatens to prevent her from getting married. However, the daughter outsmarts dear ol' Dad by making a secret deal with the groom whereby the groom must allow her to drink coffee even after they are married. History does not seem to record if the groom liked coffee as well, although I would imagine he would.
All of which brings us to Sunday afternoon's concert at St. Barnabas, featuring musicians from the St. Catharines Chamber Music Society, including Jonathon Dick, baritone; Charlotte Knight, soprano; Paul Williamson, tenor; as well as musicians Charlene Nagel and Xiaoling Li, violins; Andree Simard, viola; Gordon Cleland, cello; and Karin Di Bella, keyboard. It promises to be a fun afternoon of music and food and of course, drink. In addition to the Coffee Cantata by Bach, other caffeine-related music by the likes of Satie, Weill, Bolcom and others will also be featured, I'm told.
If, after you attend the concert, you decide you need a copy of Bach's Coffee Cantata for your personal collection, I am featuring a fine recording of both Cantatas 210 and 211 in my Fine Music Newsletter this month, out this past week, and will be featured on the website in the Mike's Picks section starting this week. The performance includes soloists along with the Bach Collegium, Japan, conducted by Masaaki Suzuki on the Bis label. Just go to www.finemusic.ca and click on the Mike's Picks page this week to find out more.
For tickets to the concert tomorrow, you can book in advance at www.primaveraconcerts.ca or pick them up at the door.
See you at the concert tomorrow, oh, and save some tea for me, will you?
January 21st, 2012.
Now, I am not a coffee drinker. I have always been an avowed tea drinker, save for my first few years in the radio business almost 40 years ago when everyone around me drank coffee, so I did, too. Yes, the ubiquitous "double-double" was my drink back then, which I believe was a quarter a cup at the local greasy-spoon next door to the radio station in Toronto back then. One day, I thought about it and decided I really preferred tea to coffee, so why drink coffee just because everyone else does. I have been something of a lone wolf ever since then, even forsaking more convenient tea bags for traditional loose-leaf tea I feel gives me a better cup of tea. I even use an automatic tea-making machine every morning at the radio station made for awhile by TriniTea in the United States. I love the fact it brews the tea and keeps it warm in the pot on it's own hot plate element, so throughout the morning I have a hot cup of tea waiting for me. I know, I am more of a tea aficionado than most, but I can't sacrifice quality for convenience, even when it comes to tea.
But I digress. Even though the concert is titled "Coffee!", I won't feel left out Sunday afternoon, since the concert is being presented in a coffee-house setting with coffee and cake being served. Next to tea, cake is very near and dear to my heart. That explains why I am a regular at the 'Y', by the way...anyway, what more could you want than great music, the drink of your choice and...cake? Sounds like a deal, right?
The centre-piece of the concert, of course, is the secular cantata # 211, known as the "Coffee Cantata" by J.S. Bach. This is about as close as Bach ever came to musical comedy; he was a notoriously serious musician who laboured long and hard in churches creating some of the greatest sacred music ever written. But even Bach knew people had a weakness for coffee, so when he wanted to write a lighthearted piece, coffee was an easy choice for the subject matter.
In Bach's time, coffee was still rather new to Europe and a bit of a novelty. But there was no denying the drawing power of the beverage, and in fact coffee houses soon sprang up throughout Germany at the time where people would gather, drink, and discuss the news of the day. It was a much earlier version of our modern-day Tim Hortons, if you will. The Coffee Cantata, in fact, premiered at Zimmerman's Coffee House in Leipzig and was presumably a big hit. The cantata tells the tale of a father who takes away his daughter's privileges, one after the other, unless she stops drinking coffee. The daughter is not swayed and continues drinking coffee until her father threatens to prevent her from getting married. However, the daughter outsmarts dear ol' Dad by making a secret deal with the groom whereby the groom must allow her to drink coffee even after they are married. History does not seem to record if the groom liked coffee as well, although I would imagine he would.
All of which brings us to Sunday afternoon's concert at St. Barnabas, featuring musicians from the St. Catharines Chamber Music Society, including Jonathon Dick, baritone; Charlotte Knight, soprano; Paul Williamson, tenor; as well as musicians Charlene Nagel and Xiaoling Li, violins; Andree Simard, viola; Gordon Cleland, cello; and Karin Di Bella, keyboard. It promises to be a fun afternoon of music and food and of course, drink. In addition to the Coffee Cantata by Bach, other caffeine-related music by the likes of Satie, Weill, Bolcom and others will also be featured, I'm told.
If, after you attend the concert, you decide you need a copy of Bach's Coffee Cantata for your personal collection, I am featuring a fine recording of both Cantatas 210 and 211 in my Fine Music Newsletter this month, out this past week, and will be featured on the website in the Mike's Picks section starting this week. The performance includes soloists along with the Bach Collegium, Japan, conducted by Masaaki Suzuki on the Bis label. Just go to www.finemusic.ca and click on the Mike's Picks page this week to find out more.
For tickets to the concert tomorrow, you can book in advance at www.primaveraconcerts.ca or pick them up at the door.
See you at the concert tomorrow, oh, and save some tea for me, will you?
January 21st, 2012.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects suffers a setback this season
I have often written about Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects in St. Catharines, the little upstart theatre company that was founded by Kelly Daniels and husband Ric Reid about seven years ago. I find their productions are of a consistently high quality and the programming is always inventive. They do, however, suffer the problems that often befall smaller theatre companies without the financial resources to keep a stable of regular actors and other technical staff on hand to fill in when needed.
Such is the case with Lyndesfarne at the moment. Just after announcing their winter production of John Murrell's Memoir would be moved from Grace United Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake to the beautifully renovated Seneca Theatre in downtown Niagara Falls, they have had to cancel the production entirely.
The show, which was scheduled to open at The Seneca February 2nd and run to the 12, has been cancelled due to ill health on the part of Shaw Festival actor Lorne Kennedy, who was to appear in the show. The specifics of the illness has not been specified, nor should they be, but it is a terrible blow to the company that boldly decided to take advantage of the available theatre space in Niagara Falls at a time of year that part of the city could desperately use the added evening traffic downtown.
The show, according to a press release issued by the theatre company this week, has been postponed indefinitely. That leaves open a couple of options for those who have already bought tickets to the production or hold season passes to Lyndesfarne. You can either donate the price of the ticket to Lyndesfarne and they will issue a charitable tax receipt for the amount, or they will issue a refund of the ticket price if that is your preference. Either way, they are asking patrons to call or write to them with your preference for the outstanding amount.
There is still one more production to go this current season, Thornton Wilder's Our Town, opening at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in downtown St. Catharines from April 10th to the 21st. The production, performed by the Young Company ensemble of emerging artists, has an admission charge of only $ 10, and tickets are available by calling the box office at 905-938-1222, or going online to www.lyndesfarnetheatreprojects.com.
I was very much looking forward to attending Memoir, especially since it was moving to The Seneca in downtown Niagara Falls. The theatre, renovated a few years ago at considerable cost, has stood empty for much of that time, as theatre companies struggle to meet budgets with audiences reluctant for one reason or another to venture downtown after all the work done in recent years. I have heard it is now an absolute jewel of a theatre, but it might just remain one of Niagara's best-kept secrets unless someone manages to make a go of it in the near future.
This raises concerns over a larger problem in downtown Niagara Falls, which has had trouble keeping shops open along historic Queen Street the last while due to lack of people coming into the core. I plan to write more about this in a future column after I have some time to visit the area again and talk to some people, but for now, Lyndesfarne pulling out of The Seneca is yet another blow to an area of Niagara that deserves a much better fate.
Why do people still avoid the area? We'll investigate and report back soon. As for Lorne Kennedy, a man whose work I have long admired at Shaw for many years? Get well, sir, your considerable talents are missed more than you will ever know!
January 14th, 2012.
Such is the case with Lyndesfarne at the moment. Just after announcing their winter production of John Murrell's Memoir would be moved from Grace United Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake to the beautifully renovated Seneca Theatre in downtown Niagara Falls, they have had to cancel the production entirely.
The show, which was scheduled to open at The Seneca February 2nd and run to the 12, has been cancelled due to ill health on the part of Shaw Festival actor Lorne Kennedy, who was to appear in the show. The specifics of the illness has not been specified, nor should they be, but it is a terrible blow to the company that boldly decided to take advantage of the available theatre space in Niagara Falls at a time of year that part of the city could desperately use the added evening traffic downtown.
The show, according to a press release issued by the theatre company this week, has been postponed indefinitely. That leaves open a couple of options for those who have already bought tickets to the production or hold season passes to Lyndesfarne. You can either donate the price of the ticket to Lyndesfarne and they will issue a charitable tax receipt for the amount, or they will issue a refund of the ticket price if that is your preference. Either way, they are asking patrons to call or write to them with your preference for the outstanding amount.
There is still one more production to go this current season, Thornton Wilder's Our Town, opening at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in downtown St. Catharines from April 10th to the 21st. The production, performed by the Young Company ensemble of emerging artists, has an admission charge of only $ 10, and tickets are available by calling the box office at 905-938-1222, or going online to www.lyndesfarnetheatreprojects.com.
I was very much looking forward to attending Memoir, especially since it was moving to The Seneca in downtown Niagara Falls. The theatre, renovated a few years ago at considerable cost, has stood empty for much of that time, as theatre companies struggle to meet budgets with audiences reluctant for one reason or another to venture downtown after all the work done in recent years. I have heard it is now an absolute jewel of a theatre, but it might just remain one of Niagara's best-kept secrets unless someone manages to make a go of it in the near future.
This raises concerns over a larger problem in downtown Niagara Falls, which has had trouble keeping shops open along historic Queen Street the last while due to lack of people coming into the core. I plan to write more about this in a future column after I have some time to visit the area again and talk to some people, but for now, Lyndesfarne pulling out of The Seneca is yet another blow to an area of Niagara that deserves a much better fate.
Why do people still avoid the area? We'll investigate and report back soon. As for Lorne Kennedy, a man whose work I have long admired at Shaw for many years? Get well, sir, your considerable talents are missed more than you will ever know!
January 14th, 2012.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
New Year's Levee tradition continues in Niagara
A few years ago I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to attend a New Year's Levee here in Niagara, usually held on New Year's Day, of course. I have not missed this annual event since, as it is a perfect way to welcome in the New Year. This year we had not one but two on the same day, and one more to go next weekend.
There was a time in St. Catharines when the Mayor and Council held a levee separate from the traditional military levee held at the Lake Street Armouries with the Lincoln & Welland Regiment. But a few years back they decided to combine the two events into one, and it proved to be a popular decision. That's probably about the time I started to attend, in fact. So every New Year's Day from 11 to 1, people gather at the Armoury to welcome in the New Year, talk, snack, and imbibe if so inclined. There is the now legendary drink I believe is referred to as Bull's Milk which is a rather potent brew, I'm told, offered to a select few in the know as it were. But for most of us, the punch bowl is the place to be for some liquid refreshment to start the year.
I have never attended one of these events and not run into several people I know either personally or professionally or both. It is certainly encouraging to see so many people come out after a rather late night the night before welcoming in the New Year. It is just one of those feel-good events you shouldn't miss.
This year, however, there was stiff competition from 1 to 4 in the afternoon at Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where Ontario's Lt. Governor, David Onley, hosted a levee to kick off the 1812 Bicentennial events in Ontario. The coming couple of years will be full of special events to commemorate the many historic events that occurred between Canada and the United States from 1812 to 1814; this will prove to be one of the major commemorations anywhere and a lot of it originally happened right here in Niagara, of course.
So Mr. Onley decided it was a good time to move the traditional levee he would hold on New Year's Day out of Toronto to where the famous battle began, and it too proved to be a tremendously successful event.
We arrived about 2:30 and the old fort was packed with people on a windy, wet day. There was mud - oh there was mud! - but everyone managed to get around the grounds with little trouble. The estimates beforehand were for 500 to 1,000 people attending, but the final tally was at least twice that, so obviously people around Niagara are in the mood to recognize the Bicentennial in the coming years.
We missed the reception line for meeting the Lt. Governor altogether, unfortunately, and by the time we made it to the tent where the speeches were to take place, all the food was gone and although there was wine, there were no more wine glasses! So we had to participate with the various toasts with something resembling an "air glass." No matter; it was a wonderful day and a nice kick off to the year 2012.
I had the pleasure of talking to the Lt. Governor by phone this week and he was astounded by the turnout and thrilled with the enthusiasm shown by all who attended; no doubt he will be back in Niagara several times more in the coming years as the commemorations continue. He is a delight to talk to and I hope some day to actually, finally, meet him in person. But for now, the celebrations are underway and everyone seems ready to participate.
There is another levee planned for the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls next Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon, I'm told, also tied into the Bicentennial celebrations. The Mayor and Council in Niagara Falls will be in attendance along with other dignitaries, and everyone is invited to attend. I hope to make it out on Saturday myself and finally see this new facility everyone in Niagara has been talking about. It will be just one of many such celebrations coming up throughout Niagara, so keep an eye out for others along the way.
Let's make this special year even more so by taking part in as many events as possible; many are free to attend, and why shouldn't we celebrate our glorious past right here in Niagara!
January 7th, 2012.
There was a time in St. Catharines when the Mayor and Council held a levee separate from the traditional military levee held at the Lake Street Armouries with the Lincoln & Welland Regiment. But a few years back they decided to combine the two events into one, and it proved to be a popular decision. That's probably about the time I started to attend, in fact. So every New Year's Day from 11 to 1, people gather at the Armoury to welcome in the New Year, talk, snack, and imbibe if so inclined. There is the now legendary drink I believe is referred to as Bull's Milk which is a rather potent brew, I'm told, offered to a select few in the know as it were. But for most of us, the punch bowl is the place to be for some liquid refreshment to start the year.
I have never attended one of these events and not run into several people I know either personally or professionally or both. It is certainly encouraging to see so many people come out after a rather late night the night before welcoming in the New Year. It is just one of those feel-good events you shouldn't miss.
This year, however, there was stiff competition from 1 to 4 in the afternoon at Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where Ontario's Lt. Governor, David Onley, hosted a levee to kick off the 1812 Bicentennial events in Ontario. The coming couple of years will be full of special events to commemorate the many historic events that occurred between Canada and the United States from 1812 to 1814; this will prove to be one of the major commemorations anywhere and a lot of it originally happened right here in Niagara, of course.
So Mr. Onley decided it was a good time to move the traditional levee he would hold on New Year's Day out of Toronto to where the famous battle began, and it too proved to be a tremendously successful event.
We arrived about 2:30 and the old fort was packed with people on a windy, wet day. There was mud - oh there was mud! - but everyone managed to get around the grounds with little trouble. The estimates beforehand were for 500 to 1,000 people attending, but the final tally was at least twice that, so obviously people around Niagara are in the mood to recognize the Bicentennial in the coming years.
We missed the reception line for meeting the Lt. Governor altogether, unfortunately, and by the time we made it to the tent where the speeches were to take place, all the food was gone and although there was wine, there were no more wine glasses! So we had to participate with the various toasts with something resembling an "air glass." No matter; it was a wonderful day and a nice kick off to the year 2012.
I had the pleasure of talking to the Lt. Governor by phone this week and he was astounded by the turnout and thrilled with the enthusiasm shown by all who attended; no doubt he will be back in Niagara several times more in the coming years as the commemorations continue. He is a delight to talk to and I hope some day to actually, finally, meet him in person. But for now, the celebrations are underway and everyone seems ready to participate.
There is another levee planned for the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls next Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon, I'm told, also tied into the Bicentennial celebrations. The Mayor and Council in Niagara Falls will be in attendance along with other dignitaries, and everyone is invited to attend. I hope to make it out on Saturday myself and finally see this new facility everyone in Niagara has been talking about. It will be just one of many such celebrations coming up throughout Niagara, so keep an eye out for others along the way.
Let's make this special year even more so by taking part in as many events as possible; many are free to attend, and why shouldn't we celebrate our glorious past right here in Niagara!
January 7th, 2012.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
