Classical piano leads off this week at the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, with renowned pianist Peter Longworth performing tonight, Wednesday, at 8 p.m.
Longworth will present Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and will be joined by soprano Melanie Conly for the first half of the recital.
On Thursday, comedy is the name of the game as the comedy troupe The Gents comes to the Algonquin Theatre. The Gents are an uber-funny new sketch ensemble featuring Patrick McKenna, Matt Baram [replaced by Paul Bates for the July 17 show], Bruce Pirrie, Bob Bainborough and Doug Morency. Each one of these fine fellows is a Second City veteran who’s jumped at the chance to return to live comedy after years on television and in film.
FUNNY FELLOWS: The Huntsville Festival of the Arts brought The Gents to the Algonquin Theatre stage on July 17. This photo was taken by HFA photographer Jon Snelson during that show. From the left are: Bruce Pirrie, Doug Morency, Patrick McKenna, Paul Bates and Bob Bainborough.
Also on The Red Green Show were Bainborough, presenting the character of Dalton Humphrey. Pirrie was the senior writer and talent director for the show.
Each of The Gents have numerous other credits to their name, but it was the linkage through the Second City comedy network that was the common thread to them forming the comedy team.
On Friday, July 18, brass returns to the theatre with the presentation of the Hannaford Street Silver Band. Canada’s leading brass band returns to the festival and promises a program that will be enjoyed by all brass enthusiasts.
Formed in 1983, the Hannaford ensemble has played around the world and received two lieutenant governor’s awards for the arts. The last time the band played at the festival, it paid tribute to the Anglo Canadian Leather Band, a fixture on the Huntsville and Canadian musical scene in the early 1900s, and it is expected that there will be a similar tribute this time around. Other numbers include music from Morley Calvert, Bach’s beautiful Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Alford, Gershwin, Louis Prima and Chuck Mangione.
Closing out the week will be Survivorman. Les Stroud will be bringing the world premiere of his audio and visual review to the Algonquin Theatre stage. Further information is available in an accompanying article.
Tickets for all performances are available through the Algonquin Theatre box office, by calling 789-4975, or by visiting the festival website at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.
