Saturday, April 9, 2011
Arts and tourism centre stage in Niagara this weekend
This is turning out to be a banner weekend in Niagara, with two events in two cities taking centre stage in tourism and the arts, respectively. Let's start with Niagara Falls, which hosted a much-anticipated gala opening of the new Scotiabank Convention Centre on Stanley Avenue this weekend. This is a dream literally years in the making, and it is almost hard to believe the dream is now a reality. City fathers in Niagara Falls have been working on a viable plan for literally decades, in hopes of turning what Mayor Jim Diodati says was once a 100-day industry (tourism) into a year-round industry to help drive the local economy. Attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday afternoon, I noted smiles all around, both from attending dignitaries and the general public, who came out in droves to toast the event, packing the lone parking lot out back long before the event started. As a result I arrived a little late, but soon enough to hear Mayor Diodati list the many people, both past and present, who have worked so hard to make this dream a reality in 2011. Far too many to list here, of course, but suffice it to say, it is a wonder all levels of government and interested business groups all worked together to come up with the $ 105-million cost of the new convention facility. Some nay-sayers may wonder about the cost, but from my vantage point, it will quickly prove to be money well-spent. A medium-market convention facility such as this can do quite well for itself, all the while posing no threat to larger convention markets such as Toronto or Ottawa. The one big advantage this facility will have over similar-sized counterparts, aside from state-of-the-art design and equipment, will be all the city has to offer conventioneers while not attending the convention. Think of all the restaurants, hotels and entertainment options already in place, and you can't help but think this will all come together to fill the yearly calendar for convention dates in the city. In addition to Mayor Diodati, I chatted with former mayor and Tourism Chair Wayne Thompson and Convention Centre President and General Manager Kerry Painter, and both are simply brimming with pride at what they have achieved. Time will tell if the good feelings and wishes are well-placed, but I suspect it won't take all that long for people to see the results of all this hard work in action. Following this event yesterday afternoon, I walked down to the friendly confines of St. Catharines' old courthouse next to the Saturday farmers' market for an announcement at the Sullivan Mahoney Theatre prior to a performance of Peg and the Yeti by Carousel Players. Word came yesterday St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley would be making an annoucement, along with Livia Martin, a volunteer with the Ontario Trillium Foundation, of provincial government support for our local arts community. Hot on the heals of the announcement of federal funding for the Marketing the Arts of St. Catharines last month, which I wrote about in March in this space, the provincial government has announced that Inspire! Niagara Arts in Niagara Schools, part of that marketing initiative outlined in March and involving Carousel Players and the Centre for the Arts, Brock University, would receive a $ 19,500 commitment from the Ministry of Tourism through the Cultural Strategic Investment Fund. But that's not all. Both Mr. Bradley and Ms. Martin also announced an additional $ 45,000 grant from the Foundation to help the Carousel Players purchase a new touring vehicle to transport sets, costumes and equipment to schools throughout the Niagara Region, part of the mandate to bring the arts to the schools of Niagara on a regular basis. Talking to Jane Gardner of Carousel Players after the announcement, she says this is a great example of governments realizing the need and also the opportunity to expose young people to the arts at an early age, and help launch the transition to our own crown jewel still a few years away, the much-anticipated performing arts and school complex in the city core. There will be several performance spaces in the new facility, and Jane expects although the space they will occupy, along with several other smaller groups, will be more expensive to rent than their present facilities, the accessibility advantages and modern facilities will make the extra expense worthwhile. Plus, a larger space than they presently have means a chance to fill more seats on a regular basis as well. I know our own landmark facility hasn't even been designed yet, let alone started construction, but the wheels are certainly in motion, and one only has to travel down that stretch of St. Paul Street in downtown St. Catharines to see the work already done to ready the site for future development. I know supporters of our complex must be looking at Niagara Falls' achievement and looking to the future when they will host dignitaries and the public alike at a shining new complex that will do wonders for our local economy, too. The big difference, aside from the intended use of both facilities, is ours is in the heart of downtown, rather than outside the downtown core as is the case in Niagara Falls. Still, downtown Niagara Falls cannot help but benefit from the economic advantages as well as the facility gets up and running. So what we have here are two facilities in two cities, each with a specific design and use in mind, and each intended to give a shot in the arm to each cities' local economy. That is what several levels of government and private parties working together can achieve: in short, great things. I can hardly wait for the gala opening in downtown St. Catharines not too far in the future! April 9th, 2011.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Niagara Symphony wraps up Masterworks season this weekend
It's hard to believe, but this weekend we are already at the final Masterworks concert of the current Niagara Symphony season. It seems hardly possible we're so many months removed now from that gala opening to the season back in October, when Music Director Designate Bradley Thachuk took to the podium for the first time after winning the competition almost a year ago. Bradley is still only with the orchestra part-time, of course; next season he will spend much more time with the Symphony, although even then, according to the new season brochure, he won't be conducting all the performances. Still, his presence is being felt as the orchestra appears to be responding to his conducting style already this season. Reading some of the FaceBook posts from members of the Niagara Symphony earlier today, I can see there is much anticipation of this Sunday's concert, as those who posted comments genuinely appreciate the talents of Conductor Laureate Uri Mayer. With good reason, too. A couple of seasons back when the Niagara Symphony was scrambling to fill the post on a concert-to-concert basis following the untimely departure of former Music Director Daniel Swift, Mayer stepped in and conducted a solid, more-than-respectable concert that clearly reminded both orchestra and audience members alike what a fine conductor he is. This time out, I think both sides are anticipating the return visit from Mr. Mayer as a very special homecoming to an orchestra he led so many years ago. The programme includes the lovely and too-rarely heard Danse Villageoise by French-Canadian composer Claude Champagne. It was recorded several times many years ago on LP, but I have not seen a recent recording of it for some time now. It is a joyful, rustic dance full of colour and spirit. The concert concludes with the equally evocative Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 56 by Felix Mendelssohn, the one known as the "Scottish" Symphony. I don't even remember the last time the Niagara Symphony tackled a Mendelssohn work at all, let alone one of his symphonies, so this will be a treat. In the middle, featuring Niagara pianist Blair Salter, will be the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467. This is a wonderful concerto in and of itself, not even taking into consideration the so-called "notoriety" of the famous Adagio movement. If you have not seen the movie Elvira Madigan, which came out about 1968 and used this movement in a pivotal scene in the movie, well, you'll just be enjoying the music on its own considerable merit. I recall at the time both the movie and this particular movement stirred up quite a bit of interest, and ever since the Piano Concerto has been tagged "Elvira Madigan," at least unofficially. There is no shortage of recordings of the concerto around today, with the most famous of all being the actual recording used in the film, released by DGG with pianist Geza Anda. It is still in the classical catalogue after all these years, and in fact I will have that recording along with several others for sale at the concert on Sunday afternoon at the Sean O'Sullivan Theatre at the Centre for the Arts, Brock University. Of course, I'll have the Mendelssohn Scottish Symphony, too, along with a host of other great recordings for you to buy. Just look for my table in the lobby both before and after the concert, as well as at intermission. Can't make it to the concert but want the music anyway? Drop me an email either through the website (www.finemusic.ca) or directly at music@vaxxine.com and and I will be sure to reserve a copy of either work for you. Tickets are still available for the concert on Sunday afternoon, although the latest word from the Niagara Symphony is paid attendance is at more than 87% of capacity this season, and that is music to the ears of everyone connected with the Symphony after several lean years as management went through several upheavals. But that is all behind us now, the orchestra is sounding good, and there is a new-found optimism amongst its members that they have finally turned the corner. Subscriptions for the next season are already available, of course, but if you only need tickets for the remainder of this season at the moment, call the Brock box office at 905-688-5550, ext. 3257 and book your tickets for Sunday afternoon. or the final Pops! concerts in early May. See you at the Symphony on Sunday! April 1st, 2011.
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects scores another winner!
I promised I would do a mid-week entry on the latest Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects production of John Buchan's The 39 Steps, which opened March 12th at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in downtown St. Catharines. I was unable to attend the opening, so we went this past Saturday evening, March 19th, and joined an almost capacity-crowd audience for the show.
If you love farce, or even just a great, rollicking comedy, this production will be right up your alley. Oh sure, it bears only a passing resemblance to the Alfred Hitchcock film, also based on Buchan's novel of many years ago in terms of structure, but the story remains relatively intact and this stage adaptation by Patrick Barlow is a heck of a lot more fun to watch. The two-time Tony award-winning play sees four performers spinning through over 150 characters in about two hours of fast-paced comedy that director Kelly Daniels calls a "theatrical fest of sight and sound."
The story, such as it is, revolves around Richard Hannay, trying to bust out of a bit of a funk by going to a live theatre show featuring a magical man with an amazing memory for facts. From there, Hannay is joined by a mysterious woman on the run who asks to stay at his apartment for a bit. She doesn't last long, of course, taking the secret she holds with her. It's up to Hannay to solve the mystery while being pursued by seedy types as well as the authorities regarding the death of a woman in his London flat. I can't give away any more than that, but suffice it to say the numerous twists and turns in the story make for much discussion at intermission, and laughter during the course of the show.
The four performers are all first rate, beginning with Jason Cadieux, no stranger to the Lyndesfarne stage, as Richard Hannay, who sports dashing good looks and very precise comic timing. The ladies he finds himself associated with at various times in the play, all portrayed by the Shaw Festival's Jenny L. Wright, are just over-the-top enough to add that extra comic dimension to the mix. But it is the second half of the cast, known in the programme simply as "Clown 1" and "Clown 2", who really make the play take flight. Playing about 100 or so characters between them, Jon Osbaldeston and Lorne Kennedy from the Shaw Festival both execute their myriad of character and costume changes with razor-thin precision. How they manage to keep it all together for the entire show is almost too much to fathom, but they do, and it makes for wonderful comic moments throughout the show.
The 39 Steps manages to break lots of social and theatrical rules with wild abandon, beginning with Lorne and Jon appearing in some scenes with black tie and tails, which anyone who watches old Fred Astaire movies knows is a definite no-no. White tie with tails, of course, but these two provincial dolts portrayed by Jon and Lorne obviously don't know any better. But they know how to get a laugh.
Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects' production of The 39 Steps continues through to this weekend at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre, and good seats should still be available. For tickets, call the box office at 905-938-1222, or go to www.lyndesfarnetheatreprojects.com to book online.
After the show, incidentally, we walked down James Street to St. Paul and stopped in to the newly-opened Dani's Bistro, where the old Cask 22 wine bar used to be, for an after-theatre meal, and were very impressed. The food is very well-priced, well presented, and the service and decor are both first-rate. I would recommend Dani's Bistro either before or after the show this weekend!
March 23rd, 2011.
If you love farce, or even just a great, rollicking comedy, this production will be right up your alley. Oh sure, it bears only a passing resemblance to the Alfred Hitchcock film, also based on Buchan's novel of many years ago in terms of structure, but the story remains relatively intact and this stage adaptation by Patrick Barlow is a heck of a lot more fun to watch. The two-time Tony award-winning play sees four performers spinning through over 150 characters in about two hours of fast-paced comedy that director Kelly Daniels calls a "theatrical fest of sight and sound."
The story, such as it is, revolves around Richard Hannay, trying to bust out of a bit of a funk by going to a live theatre show featuring a magical man with an amazing memory for facts. From there, Hannay is joined by a mysterious woman on the run who asks to stay at his apartment for a bit. She doesn't last long, of course, taking the secret she holds with her. It's up to Hannay to solve the mystery while being pursued by seedy types as well as the authorities regarding the death of a woman in his London flat. I can't give away any more than that, but suffice it to say the numerous twists and turns in the story make for much discussion at intermission, and laughter during the course of the show.
The four performers are all first rate, beginning with Jason Cadieux, no stranger to the Lyndesfarne stage, as Richard Hannay, who sports dashing good looks and very precise comic timing. The ladies he finds himself associated with at various times in the play, all portrayed by the Shaw Festival's Jenny L. Wright, are just over-the-top enough to add that extra comic dimension to the mix. But it is the second half of the cast, known in the programme simply as "Clown 1" and "Clown 2", who really make the play take flight. Playing about 100 or so characters between them, Jon Osbaldeston and Lorne Kennedy from the Shaw Festival both execute their myriad of character and costume changes with razor-thin precision. How they manage to keep it all together for the entire show is almost too much to fathom, but they do, and it makes for wonderful comic moments throughout the show.
The 39 Steps manages to break lots of social and theatrical rules with wild abandon, beginning with Lorne and Jon appearing in some scenes with black tie and tails, which anyone who watches old Fred Astaire movies knows is a definite no-no. White tie with tails, of course, but these two provincial dolts portrayed by Jon and Lorne obviously don't know any better. But they know how to get a laugh.
Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects' production of The 39 Steps continues through to this weekend at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre, and good seats should still be available. For tickets, call the box office at 905-938-1222, or go to www.lyndesfarnetheatreprojects.com to book online.
After the show, incidentally, we walked down James Street to St. Paul and stopped in to the newly-opened Dani's Bistro, where the old Cask 22 wine bar used to be, for an after-theatre meal, and were very impressed. The food is very well-priced, well presented, and the service and decor are both first-rate. I would recommend Dani's Bistro either before or after the show this weekend!
March 23rd, 2011.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Arts update in Niagara for March
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.
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 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.
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