The Huntsville Festival of the Arts kicks off its 16th season on Thursday, July 3.
That evening, the Algonquin Theatre will come alive with the festival’s first show, the Blues Brothers’ Revival, the hippest, most authentic Blues Brothers show around.
Blues Brothers’ Revival ran through the spring and summer of 2004 at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts. The music captured the spirit of the original Blues Brothers movie and paid homage to Chicago’s rich history of blues, gospel and traditional soul music, while throwing Jake and Elwood Blues into the mix.
That’s where it all started, where the Blues Brothers began and this all-new, estate-sanctioned revival show took on a life of its own.
“Over the years, the Blues Brothers have proven that music is fun. This show is sure to leave you smiling and comes with a festival satisfaction guarantee,” said Rob Saunders, festival general manager.
On Friday, July 4, Hawksley Workman returns to the Algonquin stage for another sold-out performance. He brings new energy with his just-released CD Between the Beautifuls. Opening for Workman will be Port Sydney native Eric Reid, an up-and-coming singer/songwriter.
Saturday night, July 5, will offer a taste of the great jazz offerings this summer. Sultry chanteuse Sophie Milman will bring her unique song stylings to the stage. Whether performing jazz standards or her own material, Milman is the real deal and a rising international star. Backed by a quartet of some of Canada’s finest musicians this promises to be a memorable evening of jazz.
SULTRY CHANTEUSE: Sophie Milman brought her unique song stylings to the Algonquin Theatre stage on July 5. This photo was taken at that concert by Jon Snelson, the Huntsville Festival of the Arts official photographer.
“We will see his high-spirited boyish impression of his journeys, his great love and reverence for his father, his first love affairs and his tragic wrestlings with poverty. Mozart’s Mail will show a young man who managed to combine realism and tenderness in his personal relations,” Saunders said.
In addition to leading the 24-piece professional orchestra, Stratton will bring his charismatic persona to the fore, engaging the audience as much as the music and making the overall experience very enjoyable.
Prior to the Mozart concert on Sunday, from noon to 3 p.m., is the annual Art Splash. Each year, it keeps getting bigger and offers a fun afternoon for the whole family. At the town dock, adjacent to the swing bridge, young and old alike can paint a picture, make a craft, even get a tattoo.
“Stroll through, stay for half an hour or for the whole afternoon. Best of all, it’s free,” said Saunders.
On Monday, July 7, the festival offers two great choices. Jim Cuddy, lead singer for Blue Rodeo and a star in his own right, will open with his first of two shows. Added due to the sellout of his July 8 date, Cuddy proved last year he delivers the goods. Cuddy is backed by a great band, including fiddle star Anne Lindsay and bassist Basil Donovan, also of Blue Rodeo.
Also on July 7 will be the first Monday at the Movies featuring Honeydripper, a John Sayles film focusing on the music world in 1950s rural Alabama.
Second week performers include hip-hop/rhythm and blues/soul artist Jully Black (July 9) of Seven Day Fool fame, blues greats Downchild Blues Band (July 10), the very talented Marc Jordan performing with Dawn Langstroth, daughter of Anne Murray (July 12), and the return of Unforgettable: Brothers of Song, a toe-tapping tribute to the music of Motown (July 11).
The first five Music at Noon concerts begins July 7, commencing at 12:15 at Trinity United Church. Once again, the concerts will be offered free.
Information on all of these events and the rest of the program is available in the festival brochure, or by visiting the website at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca. Tickets for all shows are also available online, by calling the Algonquin Theatre box office at 789-4975, or visiting the theatre located on Main Street.
