Saturday, March 26, 2011

Arts events this weekend to keep you busy in Niagara

As usual, we have another busy weekend in Niagara for those interested in the arts; two events I will write about this weekend that might interest you, and the best part is, you can do both if you want to!

First, we have what are billed as the 45th annual Big Time World Theatre Awards scheduled for this evening at the Robertson Hall, behind the Folk Arts Centre on Church Street in downtown St. Catharines. This is the fifth annual fundraiser for Suitcase in Point Theatre of St. Catharines, with lots planned for those attending this evening.

This is a decidedly tongue-in-cheek send-up of awards shows, and each year they pick a year to highlight, with fashions and more reflecting that year. This year, the highlighted year is 1957, and all proceeds raised from the evening go towards their newest show, apparently dealing with the daredevils of Niagara Falls.

The evening gets underway at 7 with the Red Carpet, Silent Auction Reception, followed by the actual ceremony at 8 and an after-party Sock Hop sponsored by the Centre for the Arts, Brock University, at 9:30. Food and drink are being generously provided by The Merchant Ale House, Great Lakes Brewery, Creekside Wines, The Office Tap & Grill, City Lights, Rise Above Bakery, and others.

What's all this revelry cost you? Only $ 20.00 at the door if you have not already purchased your tickets, or $ 15.00 for students and artists, starving or otherwise. If you need more information call 289-477-1025, or just show up at the door tonight in your best 50s garb and have a great time. It's for a great cause, and why not support the arts in a fun and creative way?

Meantime, at the other end of the arts spectrum, we have the annual spring concerts for Choralis Camerata this weekend, taking place this evening in Port Colborne and tomorrow afternoon in St. Catharines. Artistic Director and conductor Laura Thomas has titled the concert "A Love Triangle", focusing on the relationship between Robert and Clara Schumann and that other giant of the Romantic era, Johannes Brahms. Specifically, the concert will concentrate on the period after Brahms moved into the Schumann family home in 1853.

There is no evidence to suggest, of course, Brahms and Clara had an affair after Robert was admitted to an asylum; their letters to each other hinted at the fact, though. We do know, however, Brahms took over the family home to help Clara with her family following Robert's departure, so the prospects of something more there will always be open to speculation.

The story is told through music, of course, with the bulk of the concert featuring the two sets of Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 52 and Op. 65 by Brahms. The choir is joined by four hands piano accompaniment, with the pianists Lynne Honsberger and Edward Moroney. The music is essentially a collection of love songs, waltzes written for four voices and piano duet, inspired by Viennese traditional music. These classics of the Romantic repertoire run the whole gamut of love, and are truly a joy to listen to.

This evening, the choir performs at 7:30 at Central United Church at 39 Delhi Street in Port Colborne, and tomorrow afternoon at Grantham United Church at 415 Linwell Road in north St. Catharines. For tickets, call 905-646-9225 or 905-354-4348, or just pick them up at the door.

By the way, I will be at both concerts this weekend, Port Colborne and St. Catharines, with lots of great music to purchase through my website, A Web of Fine Music. If you can't make it to the concerts but there is something you're looking for, send me an email at music@vaxxine.com or through the website, at www.finemusic.ca, and I will do my best to get what it is you're looking for.

Enjoy the weekend!

March 26th, 2011.

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