By Gillian Brunette
More than 20 shows have been booked at the Algonquin Theatre over the coming months, providing an entertaining mix that is sure to please.
Kicking off the new year on Friday, Jan. 18, is an Eagles tribute show, New Kid in Town. The group skillfully reproduces monster hits from The Eagles, as well as the solo careers of Don Henley, Glen Frye and Joe Walsh.
After two packed shows last year, Algonquin Outfitters is once again bringing the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour to the Algonquin Theatre for two nights on Jan. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. Each evening will feature a different selection of films. This year’s tour features a collection of the most inspiring and thought-provoking action, environmental and adventure mountain films.
On Saturday, Feb. 9, the Huntsville Festival of the Arts presents Classic Albums Live: Dark Side of the Moon at 8 p.m. Pink Floyd’s classic album is played track by track, sound by sound, note for note, live and in its entirety by top professional musicians. This is not a tribute band, but one amazing musical experience. The second half of the show features the Best of Floyd in an all-out jam!
From Feb. 13 to 16, Huntsville High School presents the musical Grease at 7:30 p.m.
On Feb. 20 at 2:30 p.m. Smile Theatre returns with the Great Farini. This is the extraordinary story of William Leonard Hunt and his numerous and unusual worldly adventures. He was a sensation in the late 1860s as the leader of the Flying Farinis and the showman-mastermind behind the first human cannonball act.
Of Mice and Men opens on Feb. 21 for four performances. Presented by the North Muskoka Players and directed by Gregg Evans, the story, based on John Steinbeck’s novel, tells of drifters George and Lennie and their dream of a place to call their own. But, after they come to work on a California ranch, their hopes – like the “best laid schemes of mice and men” – begin to go awry.
The Huntsville Festival of the Arts presents Black Umfolosi on March 1. Black Umfolosi is an internationally acclaimed harmonic a cappella singing and traditional African dance group, based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Cape Breton native and songwriting lynchpin of the Rankin Family, Jimmy Rankin, tours his 2007 CD Edge of Day and appears at the Algonquin Theatre on March 7 at 8 p.m.
An eclectic evening of local performance art celebrating International Women’s Day titled New Day, New Way, takes the stage at 8 p.m. on March 8.
On Friday, March 14, the Celtic Fury Irish Dance Company presents Irish Fire for two performances at 2 and 8 p.m. Far from traditional, Irish Fire is a show that can be compared to hits like Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.
March closes with comedy in the form of Ron James, who presents Full Tilt for two shows, on March 29 and 30.
Smile Theatre returns on April 2 with Fever, followed by We Shout for Joy with the Huntsville Community Choir on April 4.
The long-awaited Two for the Road production of Annie opens April 9-12, then again from April 16-19. The musical is inspired by Harold Gray’s Little Orphan Annie comic strip, which opened in New York in the spring of 1977.
On Sunday, April 20, the Muskoka Concert Band presents Black Fly Music Fest at 2 p.m., which is followed by more local performers in Northern Blues Review on April 25.
The Huntsville Festival of the Arts brings back the popular folk singer Valdy on April 26 at 8 p.m. Valdy has been part of the fabric of Canadian pop and folk music for years. He’s a folk singer who catches the small but telling moments that make up life.
Another Huntsville Festival of the Arts presentation is Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers on May 3, returning to Huntsville with their own unique brand of Newfoundland humour. This trio performs exceptional music on the guitar, fiddle, mandolin and accordion, and presents an evening of laughs like no other.
Smile Theatre brings its last show in the current season on May 7. Twilight Cabaret begins at 2:30 p.m.
Temple Knights Productions and the National Martial Arts Theatre present an action-adventure-musical by John Oliver Peel for three performances on May 23 to 25. Three young martial artists compete for a place in a secret knighthood and embark on a mystical journey of intrigue, treachery and romance. Temple Knights introduces 16 original new songs in a tale of adventure and beauty, punctuated by spectacular martial arts action to the heart- pounding beat of live drummers.
For a complete rundown of all shows, pick up a brochure at outlets across town, or log on to the Algonquin website at algonquintheatre@ huntsville.ca.
