There's been quite a bit of news the last few weeks relating to the arts in Niagara, so I thought I would group them all together in today's entry to update you on a number of fronts. If you have any doubts the arts are a force to be reckoned with in Niagara, read on...
As you have no doubt noticed if you have been through downtown St. Catharines lately, work has begun on clearing land on St. Paul Street for the much-anticipated performing arts centre and Brock's School of Performing Arts, which will incorporate the old Canada Hair Cloth building. It is almost eery seeing all that empty space after all these years; even with the hoarding to protect people from mishaps on the site, you can easily see the scope of this project and how it will fundamentally change the cityscape in downtown St. Catharines. Now, the new complex will not be built for a little while yet, but just the fact the old buildings are coming down to make way for the new project to begin shows you this dream will indeed become a reality someday soon. I can hardly wait!
Tied in with that was the news earlier this week a new plan will be launched to boost the local arts industry in Niagara, with the joint initiative led by Carousel Players, the Centre for the Arts, Brock University, and the City of St. Catharines. The plan is receiving a significant financial contribution from the Department of Canadian Heritage's Canada Cultural Investment Fund. At a news conference at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in downtown St. Catharines earlier this week, MP Rick Dykstra announced the government is providing up to $ 102,212.00 through the Strategic Initiatives Component of the Canada Cultural Heritage Fund.
What all this means is the new initiative, Marketing the Arts of St. Catharines-Niagara will, over the lifespan of the plan's 18 months, develop three innovative projects that are designed to strengthen management practices, encourage financial growth, provide professional development, share best practices and raise the profile of arts and cultural organizations in the region. In a nutshell, the three projects are: 1.) CultureinNiagara.com, led by the City of St. Catharines; 2.) Developing our Marketing Expertise, led by the Centre for the Arts, Brock University; and 3.) Inspire! Niagara Arts in Niagara Schools, led by Carousel Players.
The reason for the 18-month lifespan of the initiative is to ensure support for a successful launch of the new performing arts centre in St. Catharines and ultimately benefit arts organizations in Niagara. Essentially the arts organizations will be able to hit the ground running as of April 1st of this year and put the framework in place for the new centre before shovels are in the ground. This is significant, as we have to be prepared for the new centre when it opens, and it is especially important the arts groups who will benefit the most from the centre are all on the same page and ready to go with their strategic initiatives to make the entire project a success.
The new performing arts centre will not only be a bricks and mortar operation, but also a living, breathing part of a vibrant arts community in the heart of Niagara, and we have to develop the game plan now in order to make this whole idea a success and ensure it is successful after the opening. I think this new initiative will go a long way towards achieving that goal. It's in all our best interests this vision for the downtown continues to grow and achieve success.
Two other notes about people in the arts in Niagara are also worth noting this week. Last month, the St. Catharines & Area Arts Council announced the appointment of their new Executive Director, Michelle Sigouin, who comes to the area from Prince Edward Island, where she was Executive Director of the Guild on the island. Beginning her new role in St. Catharines on February 21st, Ms. Sigouin says she is "honoured to belong to a membership that is focused on promoting the value of the arts and culture in Niagara." I have not met the new Executive Director yet, but I am sure that will come soon as the annual general meeting of the Arts Council should be coming up this spring sometime.
As well, the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake announced this week their Artistic Director, Jackie Maxwell, has renewed her contract for another four years. This is especially good news, given the fact the Shaw Festival is embarking this year on its 50th season, which promises to be a rather memorable one if early indications hold true. During the season, Maxwell will direct the Canadian premiere of Lennox Robinson's Drama at Inish - A Comedy and the world premiere of the Jay Turvey/Paul Sportelli musical aria Severa. Oddly, Ms. Maxwell will not be directing anything by the Festival's namesake this year.
Anyway, that gets you up-to-date on the arts news for this week; I will be reporting early in the week on the current Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects' latest production, 39 Steps, which I have heard good things about. A good laugh is always a good thing!
March 19th, 2011.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Theatre in Niagara worth catching this month
This week I'll move away from music for a look at some of the local theatre we can catch this month, including a surprise offering at a place I bet you have not thought of going to for awhile, but you really should.
First, a quick preview of the new production opening tonight at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in downtown St. Catharines. Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects opens their new show, John Buchan's The 39 Steps, which runs through to March 27th. I can't attend the opening tonight due to a prior commitment, but I will be there next Saturday evening to review on the full production. Last week, however, I attended a media preview that included a couple of short scenes and a chance to meet the actors, and from that short experience I think I'm pretty safe in saying this should be a pretty funny show on a winter's night.
Artistic Director Kelly Daniels directs the show, which stars Jason Cadieux of Essential Collective Theatre; Jon Osbaldeston who does a lot of work locally with several groups and has performed in London's West End; and two Shaw Festival members, Lorne Kennedy and Jenny L. Wright. Between them there are about 100 characters portrayed over the course of the play, so count on several lightening fast costume changes between scenes.
I will write more about the show after attending next Saturday's performance, but if you can't wait and want to go sooner, by all means call the Lyndesfarne box office at 905-938-1222 or go online at www.lyndesfarnetheatreprojects.com.
Now, last evening, we attended the World Premiere musical On The Radio at the Oh Canada Eh? dinner theatre on Lundy's Lane in Niagara Falls. The show opened February 17th and runs right through to April 2nd., so given the fact the run is half-way through already, the well-attended show last evening suggests word is getting around this is one fun musical to catch this winter.
Written and directed by Lee Siegel, who is now preparing for roles in a couple of Stratford Festival musicals this season, the show is a two-hour long, fast-paced review of popular music from the 40s right through to the current day. I must say, though, older people in the audience such as myself identified with the first half music more than the second half, generally speaking, and the younger people in the audience must be wondering what we were doing in the 70s and 80s with some of the outfits worn during the show!
Almost all the music is readily identifiable, from Glenn Miller's In the Mood to Bobby Vinton's Blue Velvet; from Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance with Somebody to My Heart Will Go On from the film "Titanic". There are some I might question including in the show that might be lost on some audience members, but overall, the music is solid and fun to listen to again. Some, even painful, in a nice reflective way!
The cast of six young singers is amazing. I could never remember the lyrics to 100 songs as well as dance steps and song introductions; these six young performers make it look easy. The six cast members, all of whom have performed at Oh Canada, Eh! on numerous occasions, know their stuff and avoided making the music sound too bland; they all get their solo spots and make the most of them. The six, Melissa Penner, Meaghan Chapin, Kelly Holiff, Craig Maguire, Jean-Francois Grenier and Patrick Whalen, have fun with the music and that fun transfers beyond the stage to the audience as well.
A word about the food before I finish. I have been to dinner shows before and even some restaurants that can't serve up a dinner as quickly and efficiently as this group did at Oh Canada, Eh. From the moment we sat down at our table and introduced ourselves to our fellow table guests shortly after 6 pm, the different courses were presented quickly but never in a rushed fashion. In fact, dinner was completed in plenty of time to chat with your neighbours for a good 20 minutes or more before the show started. Our particular server, Meaghan, had to excuse herself early to get ready for the show; now that is a busy evening, serving tables and then appearing in the show!
The food, by the way, was exceptional given the size of the crowd and the time constraints they have to work under. All the food was beautifully presented, served piping hot and delicious. Even my far better half Sophie, who is now vegetarian, was impressed with the accomodations made for her menu selections.
Great job all round, and well worth your time before the show closes on April 2nd. For tickets, call 905-374-1995 or go online to ohcanadaeh.com.
March 12th, 2011.
First, a quick preview of the new production opening tonight at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in downtown St. Catharines. Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects opens their new show, John Buchan's The 39 Steps, which runs through to March 27th. I can't attend the opening tonight due to a prior commitment, but I will be there next Saturday evening to review on the full production. Last week, however, I attended a media preview that included a couple of short scenes and a chance to meet the actors, and from that short experience I think I'm pretty safe in saying this should be a pretty funny show on a winter's night.
Artistic Director Kelly Daniels directs the show, which stars Jason Cadieux of Essential Collective Theatre; Jon Osbaldeston who does a lot of work locally with several groups and has performed in London's West End; and two Shaw Festival members, Lorne Kennedy and Jenny L. Wright. Between them there are about 100 characters portrayed over the course of the play, so count on several lightening fast costume changes between scenes.
I will write more about the show after attending next Saturday's performance, but if you can't wait and want to go sooner, by all means call the Lyndesfarne box office at 905-938-1222 or go online at www.lyndesfarnetheatreprojects.com.
Now, last evening, we attended the World Premiere musical On The Radio at the Oh Canada Eh? dinner theatre on Lundy's Lane in Niagara Falls. The show opened February 17th and runs right through to April 2nd., so given the fact the run is half-way through already, the well-attended show last evening suggests word is getting around this is one fun musical to catch this winter.
Written and directed by Lee Siegel, who is now preparing for roles in a couple of Stratford Festival musicals this season, the show is a two-hour long, fast-paced review of popular music from the 40s right through to the current day. I must say, though, older people in the audience such as myself identified with the first half music more than the second half, generally speaking, and the younger people in the audience must be wondering what we were doing in the 70s and 80s with some of the outfits worn during the show!
Almost all the music is readily identifiable, from Glenn Miller's In the Mood to Bobby Vinton's Blue Velvet; from Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance with Somebody to My Heart Will Go On from the film "Titanic". There are some I might question including in the show that might be lost on some audience members, but overall, the music is solid and fun to listen to again. Some, even painful, in a nice reflective way!
The cast of six young singers is amazing. I could never remember the lyrics to 100 songs as well as dance steps and song introductions; these six young performers make it look easy. The six cast members, all of whom have performed at Oh Canada, Eh! on numerous occasions, know their stuff and avoided making the music sound too bland; they all get their solo spots and make the most of them. The six, Melissa Penner, Meaghan Chapin, Kelly Holiff, Craig Maguire, Jean-Francois Grenier and Patrick Whalen, have fun with the music and that fun transfers beyond the stage to the audience as well.
A word about the food before I finish. I have been to dinner shows before and even some restaurants that can't serve up a dinner as quickly and efficiently as this group did at Oh Canada, Eh. From the moment we sat down at our table and introduced ourselves to our fellow table guests shortly after 6 pm, the different courses were presented quickly but never in a rushed fashion. In fact, dinner was completed in plenty of time to chat with your neighbours for a good 20 minutes or more before the show started. Our particular server, Meaghan, had to excuse herself early to get ready for the show; now that is a busy evening, serving tables and then appearing in the show!
The food, by the way, was exceptional given the size of the crowd and the time constraints they have to work under. All the food was beautifully presented, served piping hot and delicious. Even my far better half Sophie, who is now vegetarian, was impressed with the accomodations made for her menu selections.
Great job all round, and well worth your time before the show closes on April 2nd. For tickets, call 905-374-1995 or go online to ohcanadaeh.com.
March 12th, 2011.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Lots to do this weekend in Niagara!
Even though the weather doesn't hold out much promise other than the fact we'll likely lose most or all of our remaining snow over the weekend, we have lots of entertainment to take in as we celebrate the great indoors in Niagara!
First off, tomorrow morning (Saturday), Primavera Concerts celebrates the International Women's Day Centenary at St. Barnabas Church in St. Catharines, with three short concerts celebrating the achievements of women in the arts: music, painting, sculpture and cuisine. Concerts are by Musathena, featuring baroque and renaissance music and a specially-commissioned setting by Elizabeth Raum of a poem celebrating Queen Elizabeth I; the Oriana Women's Choir will be heard in a programme of works by contemporary Canadian composers such as Ruth Watson Henderson and Eleanor Daley; and finally, soprano Agnes Zsigovics, accompanied by flute and piano, will perform music by Hildegard von Bingen, Handel and Vivaldi.
Lunch will be available, along with a brief talk about women and music by professor Karin de Bella of Brock University's music department. The event kicks off at 10:30 in the morning and runs to 3 in the afternoon. Tickets should still be available at the door at St. Barnabas prior to the start of the first concert in the morning.
Speaking of Womens' Day Concerts, Broadband's 19th annual celebration of women in music takes place Sunday afternoon at 4 at the Ukrainian Black Sea Hall at 455 Welland Avenue in St. Catharines, with Laura Thomas and friends entertaining for the afternoon. Proceeds go to Hospice Niagara and tickets are on a pay-what-you can basis, with the suggested price being $ 20 a ticket. Tickets should be available at the door, or in advance at Ryson's Music downtown and The Peanut Mill on Welland Avenue.
Saturday evening, the next concert by Chorus Niagara takes place at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria at Church and Lyman Streets downtown. Titled "Sounds of Light", the concert, featuring the chorus along with members of the Niagara Symphony conducted by Artistic Director Robert Cooper, will feature visual projections selected by film and culture historian Joan Nicks, and inspired by the textures and themes of light expressed in the music to be performed at the concert.
Speaking of music, the concert features choral works from Canada, the United States, Latvia, New Zealand and Russia, with the centerpiece being the lovely Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen. Also featured will be music by the American composer Eric Whitacre, whose music is featured on the newest Naxos release by the Elora Festival Singers, conducted by Noel Edison. The disc, nominated this year for a Grammy award, is available through my website, www.finemusic.ca, and is well worth having in your collection if you love great contemporary choral music.
Tickets should be available at the door, or in advance through the Brock box office at 905-688-5550, ext. 3257.
Finally, although the opening is still a week away, I wanted to get the interest going early for the latest production by Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects, who peform at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in downtown St. Catharines. I was down there this morning for a media preview of the new play, John Buchan's The 39 Steps, and from what little I saw rehearsed today, we're in for a fun evening's entertainment starting next Saturday evening. Basically it is Monty Python meets Alfred Hitchcock, so that should give you an idea how far-ranging the play is. The cast of four, featuring jason Cadieux from Essential Collective Theatre, Jon Osbaldeston, and Lorne Kennedy and Jenny L. Wright from the Shaw Festival, runs through to March 27th.
I'll write more about this show once I attend a performance later this month, but if you are already interested and want tickets, call the Lyndesfarne box office at 905-938-1222.
So you see, lots to see and do in Niagara to kick off the month of March!
March 4th, 2011.
First off, tomorrow morning (Saturday), Primavera Concerts celebrates the International Women's Day Centenary at St. Barnabas Church in St. Catharines, with three short concerts celebrating the achievements of women in the arts: music, painting, sculpture and cuisine. Concerts are by Musathena, featuring baroque and renaissance music and a specially-commissioned setting by Elizabeth Raum of a poem celebrating Queen Elizabeth I; the Oriana Women's Choir will be heard in a programme of works by contemporary Canadian composers such as Ruth Watson Henderson and Eleanor Daley; and finally, soprano Agnes Zsigovics, accompanied by flute and piano, will perform music by Hildegard von Bingen, Handel and Vivaldi.
Lunch will be available, along with a brief talk about women and music by professor Karin de Bella of Brock University's music department. The event kicks off at 10:30 in the morning and runs to 3 in the afternoon. Tickets should still be available at the door at St. Barnabas prior to the start of the first concert in the morning.
Speaking of Womens' Day Concerts, Broadband's 19th annual celebration of women in music takes place Sunday afternoon at 4 at the Ukrainian Black Sea Hall at 455 Welland Avenue in St. Catharines, with Laura Thomas and friends entertaining for the afternoon. Proceeds go to Hospice Niagara and tickets are on a pay-what-you can basis, with the suggested price being $ 20 a ticket. Tickets should be available at the door, or in advance at Ryson's Music downtown and The Peanut Mill on Welland Avenue.
Saturday evening, the next concert by Chorus Niagara takes place at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria at Church and Lyman Streets downtown. Titled "Sounds of Light", the concert, featuring the chorus along with members of the Niagara Symphony conducted by Artistic Director Robert Cooper, will feature visual projections selected by film and culture historian Joan Nicks, and inspired by the textures and themes of light expressed in the music to be performed at the concert.
Speaking of music, the concert features choral works from Canada, the United States, Latvia, New Zealand and Russia, with the centerpiece being the lovely Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen. Also featured will be music by the American composer Eric Whitacre, whose music is featured on the newest Naxos release by the Elora Festival Singers, conducted by Noel Edison. The disc, nominated this year for a Grammy award, is available through my website, www.finemusic.ca, and is well worth having in your collection if you love great contemporary choral music.
Tickets should be available at the door, or in advance through the Brock box office at 905-688-5550, ext. 3257.
Finally, although the opening is still a week away, I wanted to get the interest going early for the latest production by Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects, who peform at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in downtown St. Catharines. I was down there this morning for a media preview of the new play, John Buchan's The 39 Steps, and from what little I saw rehearsed today, we're in for a fun evening's entertainment starting next Saturday evening. Basically it is Monty Python meets Alfred Hitchcock, so that should give you an idea how far-ranging the play is. The cast of four, featuring jason Cadieux from Essential Collective Theatre, Jon Osbaldeston, and Lorne Kennedy and Jenny L. Wright from the Shaw Festival, runs through to March 27th.
I'll write more about this show once I attend a performance later this month, but if you are already interested and want tickets, call the Lyndesfarne box office at 905-938-1222.
So you see, lots to see and do in Niagara to kick off the month of March!
March 4th, 2011.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Niagara Symphony pulls out all the stops with Pops! 3 this weekend!
Even though we are still in the depths of winter, shovelling out yet again here in Niagara, a wonderful diversion will be offered this weekend with the Niagara Symphony's presentation of their Pops! 3 concerts Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Titled "Hey Niagara, You've Got Talent!", Associate Conductor Laura Thomas leads the orchestra and a bevy of guest artists through an eclectic mix of music both well-known and unfamiliar.
Over the course of several months, Maestro Thomas auditioned a number of aspiring artists, all hoping to show what they can do onstage this weekend with the Niagara Symphony. The results will be showcased in a diverse programme featuring music by such composers as Offenbach, Bernstein, Berlin and Copeland, as well as the rarely-heard Piano Concerto by Leroy Anderson. Also on the programme are a comic duet from Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute" and a so-called "Fiddle Summit" finale bringing together five Celtic fiddlers plus the full symphony orchestra. The fiddlers include Brennan and Conner Doherty, Amanda Botts, and several members of the Symphony's violin section: Gail Poulsen, Michael van Dongen and Mary Beth Doherty. Other guest artists include pianist Brian Barber; baritone Jonathon Dick; Jocelyn Fralick, soprano; as well as recording artist Tara Hart and local jazz guitar legend Warren Stirtzinger. All in all, it sounds like a great programme!
On Sunday afternoon, local lawyer and businessman Patrick Little gets his wish to conduct the Symphony himself in a performance of the familiar "Can-Can" from Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffmann." Back in November, you may remember, the Symphony held their annual silent auction in the lobby, and one of the hotly-contested auction items that day was the opportunity to be a Maestro for a Moment, and conduct the Niagara Symphony. I considered bidding on that prize myself, but thought better of it before actually signing on the dotted line. I think this will be much more relaxing, watching Mr. Little do his thing while I sit in the audience! Good luck, Patrick!
As always, I will be in the lobby before, at intermission and after the show both this evening and Sunday afternoon with a table laden full of great musical treasures just looking for a new home. In addition, I'll have copies of the Simple Gifts CD Gail Poulsen recorded with musical friends at Christ Church McNabb a few years ago, with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity Niagara. It is a wonderful disc, and if you don't have one yet, I'll have lots on display for you to purchase this weekend.
The Niagara Symphony has been having fun lately, now the pressure of auditioning new Music Directors is over and done with, so this should be a great musical party this weekend. If you don't have your tickets yet, you can get yours either at the door or through the Brock box office at 905-688-5550, ext. 3257. Best choice of seats I would imagine will be Saturday evening, but you can try your luck on Sunday afternoon if that works out better for you.
See you at the Symphony!
February 26th, 2011.
Over the course of several months, Maestro Thomas auditioned a number of aspiring artists, all hoping to show what they can do onstage this weekend with the Niagara Symphony. The results will be showcased in a diverse programme featuring music by such composers as Offenbach, Bernstein, Berlin and Copeland, as well as the rarely-heard Piano Concerto by Leroy Anderson. Also on the programme are a comic duet from Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute" and a so-called "Fiddle Summit" finale bringing together five Celtic fiddlers plus the full symphony orchestra. The fiddlers include Brennan and Conner Doherty, Amanda Botts, and several members of the Symphony's violin section: Gail Poulsen, Michael van Dongen and Mary Beth Doherty. Other guest artists include pianist Brian Barber; baritone Jonathon Dick; Jocelyn Fralick, soprano; as well as recording artist Tara Hart and local jazz guitar legend Warren Stirtzinger. All in all, it sounds like a great programme!
On Sunday afternoon, local lawyer and businessman Patrick Little gets his wish to conduct the Symphony himself in a performance of the familiar "Can-Can" from Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffmann." Back in November, you may remember, the Symphony held their annual silent auction in the lobby, and one of the hotly-contested auction items that day was the opportunity to be a Maestro for a Moment, and conduct the Niagara Symphony. I considered bidding on that prize myself, but thought better of it before actually signing on the dotted line. I think this will be much more relaxing, watching Mr. Little do his thing while I sit in the audience! Good luck, Patrick!
As always, I will be in the lobby before, at intermission and after the show both this evening and Sunday afternoon with a table laden full of great musical treasures just looking for a new home. In addition, I'll have copies of the Simple Gifts CD Gail Poulsen recorded with musical friends at Christ Church McNabb a few years ago, with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity Niagara. It is a wonderful disc, and if you don't have one yet, I'll have lots on display for you to purchase this weekend.
The Niagara Symphony has been having fun lately, now the pressure of auditioning new Music Directors is over and done with, so this should be a great musical party this weekend. If you don't have your tickets yet, you can get yours either at the door or through the Brock box office at 905-688-5550, ext. 3257. Best choice of seats I would imagine will be Saturday evening, but you can try your luck on Sunday afternoon if that works out better for you.
See you at the Symphony!
February 26th, 2011.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Remembrances and looking ahead musically this week
Although I am a little late getting my blog entry out this weekend, I have a lot of ground to cover as many thoughts are swimming around in my head, so bear with me. There is a connection to all the thoughts, I can assure you!
The community lost two individuals in the past week or so that bear mention in this space. The first, of course, is the passing of Henry Burgoyne, the last of the family dynasty to head up the St. Catharines Standard before selling the company to Southam in 1996. Henry had been publisher since 1975, when he was all of 26 years of age and groomed for the position for several years. I never new Henry; however I did know another member of the Burgoyne family, Mary, who ran the radio station I work at, CKTB RADIO. In fact, I was the last hire for the Burgoyne family at the station before ownership changed hands in 1982. I didn't get much of a chance to get to know Mary back in those days, but it was interesting being part of a family tradition going back decades in the community.
Henry passed away earlier this month from cancer at the age of 61 - far too young for a man with so much more to do with his life. The visitation was Friday, which I attended in the evening at Hulse & English Funeral Home, in the same two rooms I stood in almost two years ago when my father passed away. I didn't know many in the room that evening, but I did know Janet & Peter Partridge, both of whom have been long-time clients of mine with my music business, A Web of Fine Music (www.finemusic.ca). Janet was also a Burgoyne before marrying Peter; in my early years at CKTB RADIO both Janet and Peter would be in the station in the evening preparing to record the classical-music show they hosted on our FM sister station back then.
The memorial service for Henry was Saturday morning at 11 at the Ridley College Chapel, where Henry had a long association both in his early student years as well as much later on in his life. I unfortunately could not attend, as I was at another funeral service for the second individual I want to write about today: The Reverend Canon David Vincent Blackwood, who passed away earlier this month in Hamilton, where he lived out his final years after leaving St. Catharines. In fact, David and his second wife Lorraine lived just a few doors down from us here in the city, and we got to know them quite well over the years.
The first time I met them was before I moved to my present house; I happened to be walking down their street on a cold but sunny February day, and noticed a very vocal cat stuck on their roof. Ringing their doorbell and informing them of the fact, it discovered I had been about the tenth or so person to do so that day! I presume the cat finally made it down at some point, but for me, I was welcomed into their home for tea and spent a goodly part of the afternoon getting to know the Blackwoods. I always remember that day!
Reverend Blackwood spent many years in retirement at St. Barnabas Church on Queenston Street, another of my favourite houses of worship in the city. He is perhaps best known for sewing the elaborate vestments the ministers wear; his talent was truly exceptional and in fact, received coverage in The Standard a few years ago. David's funeral was also Saturday morning at 11 am, and St. Barnabas was packed to the rafters with people from all walks of life, all touched by his gentle manner and humility. I, along with many more, were relegated to the church hall to watch the service on the big screen set up. It was clearly the largest turnout for a funeral at St. Barnabas anyone could remember for a long, long time. Certainly a fitting tribute to a man who touched so many lives during his.
So, how do I connect all these in some way? Perhaps not totally, but I will say the music at St. Barnabas is very much in the Anglican tradition, which means absolutely glorious, and that also describes the acoustics at the church as well. Music also plays into my association with the Partridges as well, beyond the fact they are long-time clients of mine. Peter has been orchestrating an organ recital this coming Tuesday evening at another downtown church I have long admired, St. Thomas, featuring the acclaimed organist James O'Donnell. Mr. O'Donnell last appeared at St. Thomas for a recital in October of 2008 and literally brought the house down with his peformance. This coming Tuesday evening, history will likely repeat itself with a varied programme of music both familiar and unfamiliar played on the organ at St. Thomas' Church. Mr. O'Donnell is Master of the Music at Westminster Abbey and Cathedral in London, so will be deeply involved in planning for the upcoming nuptuals of Prince William and Kate Middleton. It promises to be a full house on Tuesday evening, so I suggest you get there early to get a good seat. If all goes according to plan, I hope to be there as well, with a number of recordings by James O'Donnell to sell.
There are not many organ recordings available now, but plenty of discs featuring him as Master of Music and/or conducting the choirs at both the Abbey and the Cathedral, so I will do my best to cover all the bases on Tuesday evening. If you attend, be sure to stop by my table and say hello!
February 20th, 2011.
The community lost two individuals in the past week or so that bear mention in this space. The first, of course, is the passing of Henry Burgoyne, the last of the family dynasty to head up the St. Catharines Standard before selling the company to Southam in 1996. Henry had been publisher since 1975, when he was all of 26 years of age and groomed for the position for several years. I never new Henry; however I did know another member of the Burgoyne family, Mary, who ran the radio station I work at, CKTB RADIO. In fact, I was the last hire for the Burgoyne family at the station before ownership changed hands in 1982. I didn't get much of a chance to get to know Mary back in those days, but it was interesting being part of a family tradition going back decades in the community.
Henry passed away earlier this month from cancer at the age of 61 - far too young for a man with so much more to do with his life. The visitation was Friday, which I attended in the evening at Hulse & English Funeral Home, in the same two rooms I stood in almost two years ago when my father passed away. I didn't know many in the room that evening, but I did know Janet & Peter Partridge, both of whom have been long-time clients of mine with my music business, A Web of Fine Music (www.finemusic.ca). Janet was also a Burgoyne before marrying Peter; in my early years at CKTB RADIO both Janet and Peter would be in the station in the evening preparing to record the classical-music show they hosted on our FM sister station back then.
The memorial service for Henry was Saturday morning at 11 at the Ridley College Chapel, where Henry had a long association both in his early student years as well as much later on in his life. I unfortunately could not attend, as I was at another funeral service for the second individual I want to write about today: The Reverend Canon David Vincent Blackwood, who passed away earlier this month in Hamilton, where he lived out his final years after leaving St. Catharines. In fact, David and his second wife Lorraine lived just a few doors down from us here in the city, and we got to know them quite well over the years.
The first time I met them was before I moved to my present house; I happened to be walking down their street on a cold but sunny February day, and noticed a very vocal cat stuck on their roof. Ringing their doorbell and informing them of the fact, it discovered I had been about the tenth or so person to do so that day! I presume the cat finally made it down at some point, but for me, I was welcomed into their home for tea and spent a goodly part of the afternoon getting to know the Blackwoods. I always remember that day!
Reverend Blackwood spent many years in retirement at St. Barnabas Church on Queenston Street, another of my favourite houses of worship in the city. He is perhaps best known for sewing the elaborate vestments the ministers wear; his talent was truly exceptional and in fact, received coverage in The Standard a few years ago. David's funeral was also Saturday morning at 11 am, and St. Barnabas was packed to the rafters with people from all walks of life, all touched by his gentle manner and humility. I, along with many more, were relegated to the church hall to watch the service on the big screen set up. It was clearly the largest turnout for a funeral at St. Barnabas anyone could remember for a long, long time. Certainly a fitting tribute to a man who touched so many lives during his.
So, how do I connect all these in some way? Perhaps not totally, but I will say the music at St. Barnabas is very much in the Anglican tradition, which means absolutely glorious, and that also describes the acoustics at the church as well. Music also plays into my association with the Partridges as well, beyond the fact they are long-time clients of mine. Peter has been orchestrating an organ recital this coming Tuesday evening at another downtown church I have long admired, St. Thomas, featuring the acclaimed organist James O'Donnell. Mr. O'Donnell last appeared at St. Thomas for a recital in October of 2008 and literally brought the house down with his peformance. This coming Tuesday evening, history will likely repeat itself with a varied programme of music both familiar and unfamiliar played on the organ at St. Thomas' Church. Mr. O'Donnell is Master of the Music at Westminster Abbey and Cathedral in London, so will be deeply involved in planning for the upcoming nuptuals of Prince William and Kate Middleton. It promises to be a full house on Tuesday evening, so I suggest you get there early to get a good seat. If all goes according to plan, I hope to be there as well, with a number of recordings by James O'Donnell to sell.
There are not many organ recordings available now, but plenty of discs featuring him as Master of Music and/or conducting the choirs at both the Abbey and the Cathedral, so I will do my best to cover all the bases on Tuesday evening. If you attend, be sure to stop by my table and say hello!
February 20th, 2011.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Some 'other' ideas for Valentine's gifts this year
My apologies for not writing my weekend blog entry sooner, but my main computer has decided to cause major headaches again, so I am using a secondary computer for the time being, which delayed my writing today until now. That being said, so what are you planning to do for Valentine's Day this year?
Most people think of the obvious things, of course, such as chocolates or roses, or maybe even sexy lingerie. I heard one suggestion on the radio today for 'sexy ladies' to wrap their gift for their lucky man in sexy lingerie, which is an interesting concept I had best leave up to your imagination at the moment. But anyway, if you have not made any specific plans yet for a gift of some sort, may I make a few interesting suggestions?
This first one will likely be a little last minute, as it actually happens on Sunday rather than Monday, but Primavera Concerts are holding a concert Sunday afternoon titlted "Follow the Chocolate Road", featuring a group known as Folia. Made up of Linda Melsted on baroque violin, Terry McKenna on baroque guitar and lute, Justin Haynes on viola da gamba and Borys Medicky on harpsichord, Folia will be accompanied by Tamara Bernstein as narrator, providing colourful readings from period diaries, letters and even recipes. The concert celebrates chocolate's glorious conquest of Baroque Europe, with stops in Spain, Italy, France, and finally to the coffee houses of England. The concert begins at 3 pm at the acoustically lovely St. Barnabas Church on Queenston Street in St. Catharines, and tickets should still be available at the door. In the evening, incidentally, there will be a Valentine's Eve Dinner featuring a three-course dinner, flowers and more chocolates. If you're interested, I would suggest calling ahead to see if there is room available at the dinner; call 905-934-9285. Even if there is no space left for the dinner, the concert itself will be a wonderful prelude to the day on Monday.
The second idea has nothing whatsoever to do with music, but everything to do with showing you care. I was over to the Lincoln County Humane Society today to learn more about their RescueMe campaign, which is designed to raise much-needed funds to help equip the new spay and neuter clinic presently under construction at the Fourth Avenue site. For a donation to the campaign in your sweetie's name, your sweetheart will know you care about the pets still residing at the Humane Society and how you can help towards reducing the overpopulation of cats and dogs in Niagara at the present time. I plan to take advantage of this unique fundraising effort myself on Monday, and hope you will give it your consideration, too.
A tasty idea for a quick and easy dinner for Monday, and a way to show your support for a downtown business as well: how about ordering a heart-shaped pizza from Bella Noella Pizza on Summer Street just off James Street? I was in to see owner Steve Turcin this week, and he says the biggest challenge to getting people to venture to his shop is simply knowing where Summer Street is, so if you head down James Street just past King Street, you turn right on a small sidestreet that is in fact Summer Street, and right up at the top of the street is a small stand-alone building housing Bella Noella Pizza. It is worth the trip, too. Steve makes a great pizza, with a creative flair you simply don't find in run-of-the-mill establishments. Vegan pizzas, vegetarian pizzas and gluten-free pizzas are all part of a day's work for Steve and his crew, so there is simply no excuse to say no to a heart-shaped pizza this Valentine's Day. You'll find them listed in the Yellow Pages or simply Google Bella Noella in St. Catharines.
Finally, I would be remiss if I were not to plug my own web-based music business, especially around this particular day, since music is always a romantic part of any Valentine's Day. Although it is too late to special order your request, you still have a wide array of choices for music I might just have stock on. One example you might want to consider is a brand-new CD from EMI Classics featuring Placido Domingo. The title of the CD says it all, really: Passion - The Love Album. This two-disc set features the great tenor in a variety of musical styles ranging from romantic ballads to latin-tinged numbers such as Granada and Perfidia. All for only $ 25.00 for the two-disc set! Email me at music@vaxxine.com if you're interested, or order through the website, at www.finemusic.ca. Of course, the Mike's Picks page on the website has a great variety of musical options perfect for any special occasion you might have coming up.
So there you go: everything from music to dinner for that romantic day. What more could you possibly want? Happy Valentine's Day!
Most people think of the obvious things, of course, such as chocolates or roses, or maybe even sexy lingerie. I heard one suggestion on the radio today for 'sexy ladies' to wrap their gift for their lucky man in sexy lingerie, which is an interesting concept I had best leave up to your imagination at the moment. But anyway, if you have not made any specific plans yet for a gift of some sort, may I make a few interesting suggestions?
This first one will likely be a little last minute, as it actually happens on Sunday rather than Monday, but Primavera Concerts are holding a concert Sunday afternoon titlted "Follow the Chocolate Road", featuring a group known as Folia. Made up of Linda Melsted on baroque violin, Terry McKenna on baroque guitar and lute, Justin Haynes on viola da gamba and Borys Medicky on harpsichord, Folia will be accompanied by Tamara Bernstein as narrator, providing colourful readings from period diaries, letters and even recipes. The concert celebrates chocolate's glorious conquest of Baroque Europe, with stops in Spain, Italy, France, and finally to the coffee houses of England. The concert begins at 3 pm at the acoustically lovely St. Barnabas Church on Queenston Street in St. Catharines, and tickets should still be available at the door. In the evening, incidentally, there will be a Valentine's Eve Dinner featuring a three-course dinner, flowers and more chocolates. If you're interested, I would suggest calling ahead to see if there is room available at the dinner; call 905-934-9285. Even if there is no space left for the dinner, the concert itself will be a wonderful prelude to the day on Monday.
The second idea has nothing whatsoever to do with music, but everything to do with showing you care. I was over to the Lincoln County Humane Society today to learn more about their RescueMe campaign, which is designed to raise much-needed funds to help equip the new spay and neuter clinic presently under construction at the Fourth Avenue site. For a donation to the campaign in your sweetie's name, your sweetheart will know you care about the pets still residing at the Humane Society and how you can help towards reducing the overpopulation of cats and dogs in Niagara at the present time. I plan to take advantage of this unique fundraising effort myself on Monday, and hope you will give it your consideration, too.
A tasty idea for a quick and easy dinner for Monday, and a way to show your support for a downtown business as well: how about ordering a heart-shaped pizza from Bella Noella Pizza on Summer Street just off James Street? I was in to see owner Steve Turcin this week, and he says the biggest challenge to getting people to venture to his shop is simply knowing where Summer Street is, so if you head down James Street just past King Street, you turn right on a small sidestreet that is in fact Summer Street, and right up at the top of the street is a small stand-alone building housing Bella Noella Pizza. It is worth the trip, too. Steve makes a great pizza, with a creative flair you simply don't find in run-of-the-mill establishments. Vegan pizzas, vegetarian pizzas and gluten-free pizzas are all part of a day's work for Steve and his crew, so there is simply no excuse to say no to a heart-shaped pizza this Valentine's Day. You'll find them listed in the Yellow Pages or simply Google Bella Noella in St. Catharines.
Finally, I would be remiss if I were not to plug my own web-based music business, especially around this particular day, since music is always a romantic part of any Valentine's Day. Although it is too late to special order your request, you still have a wide array of choices for music I might just have stock on. One example you might want to consider is a brand-new CD from EMI Classics featuring Placido Domingo. The title of the CD says it all, really: Passion - The Love Album. This two-disc set features the great tenor in a variety of musical styles ranging from romantic ballads to latin-tinged numbers such as Granada and Perfidia. All for only $ 25.00 for the two-disc set! Email me at music@vaxxine.com if you're interested, or order through the website, at www.finemusic.ca. Of course, the Mike's Picks page on the website has a great variety of musical options perfect for any special occasion you might have coming up.
So there you go: everything from music to dinner for that romantic day. What more could you possibly want? Happy Valentine's Day!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Dance the weekend away in Niagara
I have not written much about dance the last little while, which is strange, really, as I have always loved dance - especially ballet. Back in the late 70s I began attending performances of the National Ballet of Canada in Toronto and fell in love with classical ballet the moment I first saw it. I went to everything - full-length classical ballets to shorter, more contemporary offerings. I always found the language of body movement to be very descriptive and, well, frankly sexual at times. The saying that all guys who dance ballet must be effeminate, which I regularly heard in those less-enlightened times, would certainly be put to rest the moment you got past your preconceived notions and actually watched them dance. These people (both male and female, incidentally) are true athletes who prepare for a dance programme just as hard as a football player, for example, prepares for the next big game.
I had a long association with the National Ballet that lasted well into this century (boy, that makes me feel old!) as well as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and various and sundry other companies from around the world who would visit the Toronto area. Alas, I have not been in several years, and I do miss it. The ballet for me is simply the perfect blending of brain and brawn; the intellectual and the sexual. One of these days I will have to go again and enjoy the experience all over again.
This weekend, in fact, you and I can enjoy two superb Canadian solo dancers come together for a shared programme of contemporary dance and music. From different generations and different training backgrounds, Peggy Baker and Nova Bhattacharya explore the intersections of east and west in "Whole Wide World", a world premiere from Peggy Baker Dance Projects and Ipsita Nova Dance Projects.
On the programme, Baker will present her 2006 choreography "Krishna's Mouth", set to a haunting cello score by the noted Japanese-American composer Karen Tanaka, and "Strand", performed to music for piano written by Canadian composer Ann Southam. Bhattacharya, meantime, will present "Map of the Known World", choreographed for her by Peggy Baker, as well as her latest work, "Unspoken", both featuring original music from Toronto tabla virtuoso Ed Hanley. The programme will conclude with both performers in the world premiere of "Aleatoric Solo Duet."
There are two performances this weekend at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in downtown St. Catharines: Saturday evening at 7:30 and Sunday afternoon at 2:30. Anyone who has attended a performance at the Courthouse Theatre knows it is an intimate space, so as such it will be limited seating this weekend. You can try at the door, but it might be best to call the Brock box office for tickets to either performance: 905-688-5550, ext. 3257, or order online at www.arts.brocku.ca/performances.
Enjoy the weekend!
February 5th, 2011.
I had a long association with the National Ballet that lasted well into this century (boy, that makes me feel old!) as well as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and various and sundry other companies from around the world who would visit the Toronto area. Alas, I have not been in several years, and I do miss it. The ballet for me is simply the perfect blending of brain and brawn; the intellectual and the sexual. One of these days I will have to go again and enjoy the experience all over again.
This weekend, in fact, you and I can enjoy two superb Canadian solo dancers come together for a shared programme of contemporary dance and music. From different generations and different training backgrounds, Peggy Baker and Nova Bhattacharya explore the intersections of east and west in "Whole Wide World", a world premiere from Peggy Baker Dance Projects and Ipsita Nova Dance Projects.
On the programme, Baker will present her 2006 choreography "Krishna's Mouth", set to a haunting cello score by the noted Japanese-American composer Karen Tanaka, and "Strand", performed to music for piano written by Canadian composer Ann Southam. Bhattacharya, meantime, will present "Map of the Known World", choreographed for her by Peggy Baker, as well as her latest work, "Unspoken", both featuring original music from Toronto tabla virtuoso Ed Hanley. The programme will conclude with both performers in the world premiere of "Aleatoric Solo Duet."
There are two performances this weekend at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in downtown St. Catharines: Saturday evening at 7:30 and Sunday afternoon at 2:30. Anyone who has attended a performance at the Courthouse Theatre knows it is an intimate space, so as such it will be limited seating this weekend. You can try at the door, but it might be best to call the Brock box office for tickets to either performance: 905-688-5550, ext. 3257, or order online at www.arts.brocku.ca/performances.
Enjoy the weekend!
February 5th, 2011.
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