News and notes on the arts in Niagara

After a rather busy couple of weeks on various mail routes, my apologies for being absent from this space for a little while.  So to make up for lost time, some accumulated news and notes items from the arts community I wanted to touch on this evening.

I recently wrote about how I am happy to see the activity downtown as a direct result of the new FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine & Performing Arts, as well of course as the Meridian Centre.  I had another first-hand experience on the weekend in that regard I thought I would lead off with.

Saturday afternoon my wife and I decided to walk downtown to catch lunch prior to catching a movie at the Film House at the PAC, part of the Niagara Integrated Film Festival.  We chose Dani's Bistro, one of the several fine dining establishments now strategically located directly across from the PAC.

We have been fans of Dani's since they opened first in the old Cask 22 location and then a few doors down on St. Paul Street near James.  Now under new ownership, the new location on St. Paul across from the PAC is exceptionally appointed, with excellent service and a fine lunch menu.  We'll be sure to check out the dinner menu sometime in the future but for now, be sure to put Dani's on your must-try list the next time you go for a show at the PAC.

As for the Niagara Integrated Film Festival, I have not seen the numbers yet but the third year for the festival seems to have been very successful indeed.  This year it was expanded to nine days and covered two weekends, with most of the performances in the Film House at the PAC as well as some of the larger venues there, along with the Seneca Queen Theatre in Niagara Falls and a few of the area wineries.

The winery screenings were down this year, and in a way I think it is a good thing, really, as it just focuses people's minds on the films in a great location rather than a larger experience with wine and dining at a local winery.

Anyway, we were so busy we just managed to catch one film this year, and it was the Canadian premiere of Baden Baden, directed by Rachel Lang.  The film, a comedy-drama from both France and Belgium, deals with the adventures of 26-year-old Ana, who returns to her hometown of Strasbourg for a summer of miscues, helping her grandmother and sexual encounters with her best friend and her ex.

We liked the film, in spite of the fact it was rather abstract and didn't really keep us riveted to the storyline, such as it was.  But it was cleverly shot and quite interesting to watch.  Although the crowd was appreciative, it was quite small, even in the cosy confines of the Film House.

Incidentally, I love the new Film House at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.  A first-rate film house in the heart of the city where you can order a glass of wine?  What's not to like?!

Also at the PAC this summer is the inaugural Foster Festival, featuring a trio of plays by Canadian playwright Norm Foster, the first of which features the man himself as actor in his own play.

The first play of the season, On a First Name Basis, stars Foster and Foster Festival Artistic Director Patricia Vanstone and opened last week.  It runs through to July 2nd in the Cairns Recital Hall.  The second play of the season is Here on the Flight Path and it opens July 13th and runs to the 30th.  The third and final play of the summer season is a World Premiere,  Halfway to the North Pole, and runs from August 10th to the 27th.

It's no wonder Norm Foster is the most produced playwright in Canada, and has been for about 20 years now.  His plays receive an average of 150 productions annually, usually anchoring summer theatre festivals from one end of the country to the other.

Now, Foster has a festival of his own, celebrating his own plays exclusively for the first few years before they look at promoting the works of other playwrights Foster himself has an interest in.

I have not seen the first production yet, but my wife did on Sunday afternoon and she was very pleased with the show.  We were both in Port Hope last spring when Foster and Vanstone were readying On a First Name Basis for the Capitol Theatre's summer series, and we agreed it would be a great show to see.  Well, she has seen it, and I have to get around to it before the end of the run.  Keeping my fingers crossed I can find the time...

We ran in to Norm actually when we were downtown Saturday afternoon, as we exited the PAC after buying our film festival tickets at the box-office.  It seemed almost comical I was crossing the street chatting with the most produced playwright our country has itself produced over the years!  A nice man and I hope he enjoys his summer in downtown St. Catharines as much as we enjoy having him here.

Finally, there is an event coming up this week downtown I wanted to highlight as it is an important fundraiser for my friends at ECT, Essential Collective Theatre.  Called Welcome to the Boom Boom Room, the event features finger foods, drinks, music, interactive theatre and even a sultry burlesque performance, all in support of Niagara's ECT.

The sexy and sultry aspect is being highlighted, so that leaves me out...but the 70s-era wardrobe probably covers much of what you'd find in my closet these days, so I have that covered, at least.  But hey, if you have a polyester leisure suit hanging around with a white belt and loafers, you're in.  Wait a minute, that WAS one of my 70s-era outfits back then!

All kidding aside, ECT does such great and creative work in Niagara, presenting plays and other interactive events several times a year, it is easy to recommend them as a going concern worth supporting, and I hope you will.

The event takes place this Friday night starting at 7 and running to 11 at the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre in Robby Hall at 85 Church Street,  Admission is only $25 in advance or $30 at the door, and there is even a Real Big Spender ticket for $45 which entitles you to a $20 tax receipt.

So if you don't have any plans this Friday night, why not make plans to join us and have some fun?  We'll see you there!

Have a great week.

June 20th, 2016.