Project aims to bolster Muskoka’s creative economy in collaboration with arts groups

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Dec. 16, 2009.)

By Karen Longwell

Students searching for a creative path in Muskoka may have found it.

Creative Paths, a $40,000 provincially funded project, was launched on Nov. 30 at Rene M. Caisse Theatre in Bracebridge.

The event included improv, musical performances and a panel discussion on the arts. It was open to the public and about 40 to 50 people attended.

Creative Paths is collaborating with the Arts Council of Muskoka, Muskoka Lakes Music Festival and Huntsville Festival of the Arts. It aims to educate students from Grades 9 to 12 about the arts as an economic growth sector, said Carolyne Wagland, Creative Paths project co-ordinator. The purpose is to expose Muskoka secondary school students to creative career opportunities, she said.

The one-year pilot project is being developed by a grassroots collection of artists, educators and arts organizations, Wagland said, adding that the project is divided into three main parts: a mentoring program with high school students and artists; creativity workshops; and special programming. Artists of all types are involved, including those in media, visual arts, drama and music.

The creativity workshops at high schools would involve approximately five artists in different mediums talking about their career paths “...just to open their eyes up to the fact that these are viable careers in Muskoka,” said Wagland. “They don’t have to leave Muskoka to be a writer, to be an artist, to be a sculptor, to be a performing artist. There are opportunities here.”

The special programming would involve bringing a business woman into a classroom to talk about social media marketing. The hope is to collaborate with classes to do a special class project involving social media. A media, business or marketing class could be involved with this project, said Wagland.

The programs are scheduled to run from January to June in 2010.

Wagland said Creative Paths is looking to partner with more local businesses and artists to get involved with the project. The not-for-profit organization is also looking for corporate sponsors. Volunteer mentors are needed, including web designers, graphic designers, interior designers, architects or any occupation in the knowledge-based field, she said. TV Cogeco, for example, is offering flip cameras for students to take out to film local events or do artist interviews.

Creative Paths hopes to bring arts volunteer opportunities to local businesses or organizations which, for example, may need help with writing press releases or documenting an event with video. “Basically, we are trying to provide more interesting volunteer opportunities for kids as well, that are going to benefit them,” said Wagland. Anything students do with the Creative Paths project could be counted toward their required 40 volunteer hours.

The program is heavily reliant on partnerships with the arts, corporate and educational communities, including the school boards, businesses, professional artists and others in the burgeoning creative economy.

“Things are changing in Muskoka; it is not so much an industrial-based economy anymore. These kids need to learn new skills and we are trying to engage them in interesting processes with the arts,” said Wagland.

Creative Paths will culminate in symposium in the fall of 2010, called Creative Intelligence for the Creative Economy — Interactive Educa­tional Symposium.

The grant for Creative Paths came from Ontario’s ministry of culture under its Cultural Strategic Investment Fund. Funding was announced in April.

Those interested in more information about Creative Paths should contact Carolyne Wagland at 705-788-7062.

Spring musical Peter Pan is no flight of fancy

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Nov. 25, 2009.)

By Gillian Brunette

Famous U.S. company will train actors and bring in equipment to create illusion of stage flight

Jessie Bacon is flying high these days, having just landed the lead role in the spring musical Peter Pan.

As the protagonist, the HHS Grade 12 student will soon be aspiring to even greater heights — above the Algonquin Theatre stage.

“I’m really excited (about the prospect). This is the first time flying is coming to the Algonquin Theatre and, as I’ve never been scared of heights, I think it will be a lot of fun,” she said.

Bacon (17) is no newcomer to the stage. She played Shprintze in Fiddler on the Roof and Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. She is Wendy Jo in the upcoming HHS production of Footloose and has a part as one of the Silly Girls in next year’s Bracebridge Rotary production of Beauty and the Beast.

When first asked to audition for Peter Pan, Bacon had a hard decision to make. “I have to cut my hair for the part, and I will do so after the Bracebridge show,” she said.

Peter Pan is the much-loved tale of a young boy who wouldn’t grow up. A play, adapted from James M. Barrie’s book, debuted in 1904, but Peter Pan became a household name following the 1954 film starring Mary Martin as Peter.

“The role of Peter Pan has, in the last 100 years, almost always been played by a woman,” said the show’s director Gregg Evans. “It’s what the author wanted for the role, and the music was written for a female voice. Also, in the 1900s, you couldn’t use children in theatre, so they chose women to play young teenage boys.”

Peter Pan will be staged at the Algonquin between April 15 and 24. It will be the second musical production underwritten by the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, in conjunction with the Huntsville Rotary Club and the North Muskoka Players. The first was the Wizard of Oz, which was presented last spring.

SPRIGHTLY, PETER AND SMEE: Ryan Burda, Jessie Bacon and Ryan Robinson-Hatton (from left), are getting ready for the upcoming production of Footloose. By January, they will be in rehearsal for Peter Pan, as Sprightly (right), Peter and Smee (left).

Recently, auditions were held at the theatre, where a cast of 54 players was chosen. “There is only one cast this time. We are not even having understudies at this point. I’m pretty confident with our leads,” noted Evans, adding he will be keeping his fingers crossed that no one gets sick.

The story of Peter Pan revolves around the Darling family. Seasoned actors Aussa Penniall from Bracebridge, and Huntsville’s Scott Roodvoets are Mr. and Mrs. Darling. Emma Gibbs of Bracebridge secured the role of Wendy Darling, and her brother Cole Gibbs plays Jonathon Darling.

The youngest Darling child is Michael, who, like Peter Pan, will be played by a female, said Evans. “Michael is the main character, usually played by a boy of seven or eight. We didn’t know if we could get someone of that age who could do justice to the part, so we went with 12-year-old Ally Renwick. Ally was in Annie and the Wizard of Oz and is a terrific actress and has a lovely singing voice.”

Added Evans: “This is Ally’s first main lead role and that’s what’s nice about this show: all the leads are teenagers, with the exception of Captain Hook.”

The part of Hook has gone to the inimitable Bob Stone, whom many will remember as one of the scarecrows in Oz. “Bob can sing, dance and act and he’s flamboyant and Captain Hook is a flamboyant character,” said Evans.

Hook’s sidekick, Smee, will be played by HHS student Ryan Burda, who was a Cowardly Lion in Oz. Burda has been in amateur theatre for 10 years and will soon be seen as Willard in Footloose. He has also been cast as the beast in Beauty and the Beast.

The show also features myriad actors playing lost children, Indians, pirates and the five animals, including Nana, the Darling family dog (Caroline Heyblom).

“Another teen lead is Tiger Lily, who is the daughter of the Indian chief in Neverland. That role requires a ballet dancer and we have Karena Leffler, who has had ballet training,” said Evans.

Five actors – Peter Pan, the three Darling children and the Darling family maid Liza, (Joann Bennett, who played one of the witches in Oz), have flying parts. To create the illusion of flight requires training of both actors and stage crew, said Evans.

“Rob Saunders (Huntsville Festival of the Arts general manager) has contracted the Foy family from New York. Their grandfather, Peter Foy, was responsible for the stage flight of Mary Martin in the 1954 movie. The family is still involved in specialized stage flight three generations later,” Evans noted. "Experts with the company, Flying by Foy, will come to Huntsville a week before the production opens to set up the rigging and harnesses and to teach the backstage crew how to operate them."

Oz costumier Nicole Pantaleo returns to spearhead the costume department for Peter Pan. Also returning are Sherisse Stevens (musical director), Neil Barlow (orchestra director), and Helena Renwick (set design). Rehearsals for Peter Pan will begin in early January.

Arts-in-education program Creative Paths kicks off Nov. 30 in Bracebridge

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Nov. 18, 2009.)

Public forum to take place at Rene Caisse Theatre

The Arts Council of Muskoka, in partnership with the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, Muskoka Arts and Crafts, and Muskoka Lakes Music Festival, is kicking off a brand new regional creative arts education initiative and discussion about Muskoka’s burgeoning creative economy at the Rene Caisse Theatre on Monday, Nov. 30, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Students, educators, artists, creative professionals and the business and economic development community, as well as community organizations, are invited to attend this forum to learn about the program, how you can get involved and how it can help you.

The event will include a guest speaker, an interactive discussion with a panel of students, educators, creative professionals, business and tourism representatives, as well as performances by local talent.

“There has never been a more exciting time to be an artist in Muskoka,” said Creative Paths coordinator Carolyne Wagland. “The regional arts designation has created momentum for building Muskoka’s creative economy and for positioning Muskoka as an arts and cultural tourist destination.

“We have a new arts and culture website, the Arts Directory of Muskoka, which is a vibrant online vehicle to promote Muskoka’s creative community,” said Wagland, adding that Creative Paths, a program made possible through a grant from the province of Ontario’s Cultural Strategic Investment Fund, promises to benefit the creative community, its high school students, and its corporate partners.

Creative Paths links secondary school students to creative career opportunities in Muskoka through mentoring programs, creativity workshops and other special programs beginning this January. The program will enable students to fulfill their community volunteer hour requirements, while also honing their skills and building their portfolios for their future careers.

Students will also participate by creating an awareness campaign for the project, using exciting social media marketing techniques. The project will culminate in the fall of 2010 with an interactive educational symposium focusing on creativity and innovation, while featuring high profile keynote speakers, workshops and student presentations of exemplary projects.

“We encourage you to engage in Muskoka’s creative revolution,” Wagland added. “Learn from experienced creative professionals. Share your knowledge. Create Muskoka’s future. Connect with your community. Change your world.”

Creative Paths is a not-for-profit project, and relies heavily on volunteers for its successful operation of programs. To see how Creative Paths programming can benefit your organization and to learn more about corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact Carolyne Wagland at 788-7062, at info@artscouncil.com or cwagland@cogeco.ca.

Arts Council of Muskoka is a non-profit organization whose vision is to enrich Muskoka through the arts, and whose mission is to identify, unite, support, promote and facilitate artists and artistic activity in Muskoka.

To learn more about the Creative Paths project and the project partners visit: www.artsdirectoryofmuskoka.com.

Those unable to attend the forum will be able to download video highlights of the event at www.artsdirectoryofmuskoka.com.

Group of Seven Nutcracker here Nov. 21-22

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Nov. 18, 2009.)

Don’t miss The Group of Seven Nutcracker ballet at the Algonquin Theatre on Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.

Canada’s newest full-length ballet, created by acclaimed choreographer Bengt Jörgen to Tchaikovsky’s well-loved score, reworks this timeless classic and is destined to become a national treasure that will warm the hearts of young and old alike.

With over 100 costumes in rich fabrics, The Group of Seven Nutcracker features backdrops from Canada’s 20th Century landscape artists. The ballet’s second act is remembered for its celebration of dances and The Group of Seven Nutcracker follows this tradition with woodland creatures dancing in Ontario’s Algonquin Park.

The Group of Seven Nutcracker will have a cast of over 30, including Ballet Jörgen Canada members and two Mentorship Program dancers. For the past two months, members of the Huntsville School of Ballet, under the direction of owner Brenda Cunningham with guidance from Ballet Jörgen dance masters, have been rehearsing weekly and will join the professional dancers to help interpret the score. Funding for this outreach part of the program is provided by the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, which is also presenting the concert.

Ballet Jörgen was last in Huntsville in 2006 and, while there has been another dance company presenting a Nutcracker ballet the past two years, they are excited about being able to return with their new work.

The performance is being jointly sponsored by Huntsville Hometown Drugs and Rexall Drugs. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth 18 and under. There is also a family pass available for $70.

Tickets are available at the Main Street box office by calling 789-4975 or online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

To learn more about the Ballet Jörgen company, visit www.balletjorgen.ca.

Group of Seven Nutcracker ballet premieres in Huntsville for special Christmas show

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Nov. 11, 2009.)

One of Canada’s finest classical dance companies is returning to Huntsville to present a traditional Christmas classic in a new setting.

BALLET AT ITS BEST: Don’t miss The Group of Seven Nutcracker coming to the Algonquin Theatre on Nov. 21 and 22.

Ballet Jörgen Canada premiered The Group of Seven Nutcracker last season to enthusiastic reviews. This delightful re-working of the timeless classic is born from collaboration with Kleinburg’s world-renowned McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Choreographed by Bengt Jörgen to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s well-loved score, The Group of Seven Nutcracker features as a backdrop Canada’s 20th century landscape artists Franklin Carmichael’s Church and Houses at Bisset (1931), Tom Thomson’s Snow in the Woods (1916) and L.L. FitzGerald’s Trees and Wildflowers (1922). These large interpretations on canvas will act as backdrops during the various scenes.

The ballet’s second act will be placed in a Canadian summer setting with trillium flowers, loons and other distinct representations replacing the traditional Nutcracker dances. The Group of Seven Nutcracker will be a quintessential northern Canadian work with an early 20th century rural Ontario setting. The award-winning set and costume designer Sue LePage will take audiences on a grand journey through northern landscapes filled with snowflakes, dragonflies, beavers, birches, squirrels and other creatures of the woods.

The Group of Seven Nutcracker will have a cast of over 30 including Ballet Jörgen Canada members and two Mentorship Program dancers. For the past two months members of the Huntsville School of Ballet, under the direction of owner Brenda Cunningham with guidance from Ballet Jörgen dance masters, have been rehearsing weekly and will join the professional dancers to help interpret the score.

Funding for this outreach part of the program is provided by the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, which is also presenting the concert.

The Group of Seven Nutcracker will become a national treasure destined to warm the hearts of young and old alike. Ballet Jörgen was last in Huntsville in 2006, and while there has been another dance company presenting a Nutcracker ballet the past two years, they are excited about being able to return with their new work.

The concert is being jointly sponsored by Huntsville Hometown Drugs and Rexall Drugs. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth 18 and under. There is also a family pass available for $70. Tickets are available at the Main Street box office by calling 789-4975 or online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca. To learn more about the Ballet Jörgen company, visit www.balletjorgen.ca.

Empire Hotel benefit strikes a chord with community, raises $31,000 for fire victims

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Nov. 11, 2009.)

By Brent Cooper

“Smoke at a fire benefit concert? Whose idea was that?”

This innocent remark by co-emcee Doug Banwell produced one of the many laughs from the audience during the The Empire Strikes A Chord benefit concert last Thursday evening. He shared the evening's emcee duties with Jenny Cressman.

The Algonquin Theatre was nearly packed with people who put their hearts on their sleeves and their hands in their pocketbooks to try to assist those who were made homeless when an Oct. 8 blaze damaged the venerable building.

However, few were giggling at the comment less than 30 minutes into the performance when the theatre’s fire alarm went off, sending the audience into the street while members of the Huntsville Fire Department arrived on scene to investigate. It is believed a sensor in the downstairs part of the theatre caused the alarm.

The situation was resolved about 20 minutes later and the audience returned to their seats to be entertained by local talent the rest of the evening, leading organizers to joke about the “unscheduled intermission.”

IN THIS TOGETHER: An appreciative crowd at the Algonquin Theatre gives a round of applause to the performers at last Thursday’s The Empire Strikes A Chord benefit concert. More than $31,000 was raised by the performance, radio-thon and silent auction to assist families without insurance who lost their belongings in the Oct. 8 blaze that damaged the Empire Hotel. [Photo by Brent Cooper]

The Empire Strikes a Chord was originated by Cressman, a member of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts board, and was organized by board members and other volunteers, such as Banwell, Linda McLean, Eric Johnson and Tina Turley.

While the concert was the centrepiece of the fundraiser, it was by no means the only part. A pledge-a-thon was hosted on Moose FM radio Thursday morning as musicians performing at the evening concert dropped in during the telecast, and Empire residents shared their stories as well.

A silent auction was held throughout the day on Wednesday and Thursday in Partners Hall with members of the Huntsville Art Society displaying dozens of donated works of art there. Also donated to the cause were pottery from Eric Lindgren, coffee from Seven Main, a gift bag from Survivorman Les Stroud and Ballet Jorgen Nutcracker tickets.

Festival general manager Rob Saunders said the event was an unparalleled success. “The radio show raised $13,000 and then there was about $4,100 that came in through other donations. We sold $8,300 in ticket sales for the concert and we had about $5,000 from the silent auction. We also had about $600 in coffee sales that Seven Main Café gave us for the night. So, it is a little over $31,000.”

Saunders said the cause was aided by the donations of all of the items, theatre rental and other services. The music at the evening show was representative of the many styles that were showcased in the Empire over the years, whether at the Hideaway Pub or going back a few years the former JT’s Tavern.

However, this fundraiser was indeed unique. There was an underlying feeling of camaraderie between audience and performers, as they had come together to help alleviate the problems of some unfortunate people.

Acts such as Cabin Fever, Tobin Spring and Friends, Turley and others provided a collection of songs ranging from light rock to jazz and folk that had people clapping along all evening long. When they weren’t clapping, they were doubling over in laughter at the antics of the The Woodshed Improv Collective, a team of area performers who wowed the audience in the first half by developing their act based on a word from the crowd while singing A Do Run Run Run.

“I thought it was a really great evening. The heading on the flyer stated The Community of Huntsville Presents The Empire Strikes a Chord. It wasn’t any one group that made this happen,” Saunders said. The money will be divided equally between about residents who did not have contents insurance and lost everything.

Empire Hotel fundraiser tomorrow, Nov. 5

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Nov. 4, 2009.)

A fundraising concert to assist the displaced residents from the recent fire at the Empire Hotel will take place this Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Algonquin Theatre starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20, tax included, and a large crowd is expected to show support for this worthy cause.

Besides the actual show, there will be a number of opportunities for the community to give, including a radio pledge-a-thon and silent auction. The pledge-a-thon will begin at 6 a.m. on Thursday morning and go until noon on 105.5 Moose FM. Musicians performing at the evening concert will be dropping in throughout the morning to share their music, and Empire residents will share some of their stories as well. Call 789-4461 and make a donation.

During the morning, two exciting donations will be raffled off. The first is a Muskoka Getaway Weekend at Delta Grandview Resort, valued at $600. The package includes two nights’ accommodation in a luxury one-bedroom suite and use of the pool, hot tub and recreation facilities as well as seasonal activities. The second donation is a gourmet dinner for four, cooked in your home and generously donated by Chef Mackenzie Taylor from My Chef In Muskoka. This private dining experience is valued at $400 and is sure to create a night to remember.

The silent auction portion of the event will take place in Partners Hall throughout the day Wednesday and Thursday. Members of the Huntsville Art Society will be displaying dozens of donated works of art there. From original paintings to cards and prints, there will be something for every taste, and it will all be offered in silent auction format. Even if you can’t attend the show, drop in and place a bid. Final bidding will be done at the intermission of the show, with winners announced shortly thereafter. What a great way to purchase a unique Christmas gift while supporting this worthy cause. The artists have donated their work, so it is up to you to turn it into cash for the Empire residents.

LET THE BIDS START: Seen above are samples of artwork supplied by members of the Huntsville Art Society and available for bidding by silent auction in the Partners Hall of the Algonquin Theatre today and tomorrow, Nov. 4 and 5.

Also donated has been pottery from Eric Lindgren, coffee from Seven Main, a gift bag from Survivorman Les Stroud and Ballet Jorgen Nutcracker tickets.

The music at the evening show will be representative of the many styles that were showcased in the Empire over the years, whether most recently at the Hideaway Pub or going back a few years at JT’s Tavern.

In recent years, singer/songwriter Linda McLean and her husband Andy had been developing a strong following with their Muskoka Song Night series, featuring talented local performers and seasoned stars from out of town. Likewise, Doug Banwell, who was also a resident of the Empire, led the Muskoka Jazz Guys in a jazz jam every Thursday night at the Hideaway.

Both these performers feature prominently in Thursday’s program and have helped plan the evening. Joining Linda and Andy for the songwriters’ set will be Jeff Nicholson and Wyatt Williamson, local muralist-come-crooner Gerry Lantaigne and Ruth Cassie. The Muskoka Jazz Guys, featuring Banwell on sax, Jamie Bestwick on bass, Tim Sullivan on piano and Richard Jackson on drums, will provide a four-song mini set. Opening both halves of the concert will be the Woodshed Improv Collective, who performed regularly at the Hideaway.

The second half of the show will feature some of the area’s finest musicians, Bill Stewart and Jo-Ann Robert, followed by local band Cabin Fever, which will perform some songs and then act as backup for Tina Turley and Tobin Spring. There will also be a grand finale number in which a number of the artists will join in on an audience favourite.

TV Cogeco will be broadcasting the concert live, but don’t let that stop you from dropping in and enjoying the concert in person.

While the day and evening promise to provide a lot of great moments, we should not forget the reason for the concert in the first place, and the ongoing need that has been created by this unfortunate disaster. Once again, the people of Huntsville have an opportunity to show what a caring group they are.

Empire Strikes a Chord benefit set for Nov. 5

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Oct. 28, 2009.)

By Jenny Cressman

Eclectic roster of musicians have all played at Hideway or former Jay T’s

"He was sitting in the lounge of the Empire Hotel

He was drinking for diversion

He was thinking for himself

A little money riding on the Maple Leafs...."

When Joni Mitchell wrote the classic song Raised on Robbery, some say she was referring to Huntsville’s Empire Hotel, which was ravaged by fire on Oct. 8.

Lyrical links aside, the local building, built in 1947, is a classic. Owner Dave Keay’s patient and passionate work to restore the Empire block in recent years has been a wonderful inspiration to many in the community. At the time of the fire, the historic structure was home to about 75 people, over half a dozen businesses and a long-time entertainment venue that featured many diverse musicians and musical genres, as well as a variety of literary events and improv performances.

The plight of the Empire and its occupants has struck a chord in the hearts of Huntsville residents. The community has rallied in numerous ways, from donating clothing, food and funds to organizing a benefit concert at the Algonquin Theatre. Set for Thursday, Nov. 5, the event will feature performers who’ve played at the Hideaway, or Jay T’s, as the bar was known in a previous incarnation.

TRAGIC EVENT: The Empire Hotel fire on Oct. 8 left many of the building’s residents looking for a place to live with scarce, if any, personal belongings.

Entitled The Empire Strikes a Chord, the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. and tickets will be $20. Patrons will also be given the opportunity to purchase a ticket for an Empire resident, for which they will receive a tax receipt from the Huntsville Festival of the Arts. Tickets will be available through the Algonquin Theatre box office: 789-4975 or www.algonquintheatre.ca. Organizers of the event encourage those who can afford it to buy extra tickets to cover the cost of seats being set aside for the Empire residents, who will be guests for the evening.

Cash donations can also be made at the theatre on Nov. 5 and all proceeds will go into a trust fund that has been set up at the local CIBC branch; these will be disbursed among Empire residents who did not have fire insurance.

Those wishing to donate online can do so via PayPal by visiting www.empirefire.ca. Huntsville radio station Moose FM will also be running a Pledge-A-Thon on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 6 a.m. until noon. There will be comments from residents and artists participating in the evening concert, and an opportunity for people to phone in pledges.

Cogeco TV has offered to telecast the concert and there will also be opportunities to phone in pledges during the concert.

The Huntsville Art Society (HAS) will be hosting a silent art auction in Partners Hall, in conjunction with The Empire Strikes a Chord stage show. Proceeds from this event will go into the trust fund as well. HAS members will be generously donating their artwork for this purpose, just as the on-stage performers will be providing their time and talent free of charge and the Town of Huntsville is covering the theatre cost. Auction items will be on display Wednesday, and bidding will be possible on Wednesday and Thursday for those unable to attend the concert.

So far, the evening’s highly entertaining line-up includes (alphabetically): Doug Banwell and the Muskoka Jazz Guys, Cabin Fever, Ruth Cassie, Jamie Hassard, Linda and Andy McLean, Jeff Nicholson, Tobin Spring, Bill Stewart, Tina Turley, Wyatt Williamson, the Woodshed Improv Collective and, possibly, James Gordon, a folk musician who wrote a song about another historic Huntsville fire. He performed recently at the Hideaway during one of Linda McLean’s monthly Muskoka Song Nights.

The eclectic roster of musicians set to perform as part of The Empire Strikes a Chord is indicative of the Hideaway’s evolution over the past decade. In addition to the building’s rich heritage, the Empire was home to a third-generation barber named Wayne Baker, who amassed a phenomenal collection of historic photos. Some of these will be displayed during the upcoming Algonquin Theatre event.

Besides photography, art and music, there will be an opportunity to participate in a raffle during the Nov. 5 show. Following intermission, tickets will be drawn for prizes such as a Les Stroud (Survivorman) gift bag valued at $100 and a pair of tickets for any show in the upcoming season of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts.

The Empire Strikes a Chord is being presented by the HFA, organized by board members and other volunteers – Doug Banwell, Linda McLean, Eric Johnson and Tina Turley. This is truly a community event, with costs being graciously donated from start to finish. For more information, please contact Rob Saunders, HFA general manager: 788-2787 or info@huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

Even if Joni Mitchell isn’t truly part of local Empire Hotel legacy and has never graced the local stage, organizers say they will waive that self-imposed criteria, if she wishes to perform in Huntsville Nov. 5 on behalf of the fire victims.

Concert will help Empire Hotel fire victims

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Oct. 21, 2009.)

A benefit concert is being planned to assist those impacted by the Thanksgiving fire at the Empire Hotel.

The Empire Strikes a Chord concert will be held on Nov. 5 or 6 (date to be confirmed) at the Algonquin Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts has put together an organizing committee with members of the local musical community who have ties to the Empire building and its owner, Dave Keay.

In addition to a musical extravaganza, the day will feature a silent art auction in Partners Hall, hosted by the Huntsville Arts Society. Proceeds of both the auction and the concert will be directed to a trust fund that has been established for the fire victims.

Although the roster is still being finalized, the organizers plan to primarily feature performers who have played at the Hideaway, as the Empire’s music venue has been most recently known. So far, the lineup of confirmed guests includes, in alphabetical order: Doug Banwell, Cabin Fever (Eric Johnson, Doug Veitch and Dave Hilton), Ruth Cassie, James Gordon, Linda and Andy McLean, Bill Stewart, Tina Turley and the Woodshed Improv Collective. Other musicians who have appeared at the Hideaway are also being contacted.

Tickets for The Empire Strikes a Chord will be $20. They will be available later this week through the Algonquin Theatre box office: 789-4975 or www.algonquintheatre.ca.

For more information, please contact Rob Saunders, Huntsville Festival of the Arts general manager: 788-2787 or info@huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

Calling on all area talent for Peter Pan

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Oct. 14, 2009.)

On the weekend of Oct. 24 and 25 there will be a casting call for aspiring actors who would like to participate in an upcoming production of Peter Pan.

Following the success of The Wizard of Oz, the inaugural co-presentation between the Huntsville Festival of the Arts and The Rotary Club of Huntsville, the two groups have decided to undertake another major production in the spring of 2010.

The chosen play will be Peter Pan, which will appeal to everyone from ages 2 to 92, just as The Wizard of Oz did. Both are magical stories with terrific sound scores that are guaranteed to draw large audiences. Everyone knows the story and many of the songs, from the original 1951 film starring Mary Martin as Peter Pan.

The element of stage flight in Peter Pan will also be a first for the Algonquin Theatre. The play will run over eight performances between April 15 and April 25 next year.

Like The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan has a large ensemble cast of over 50 actors. This gives more local thespians an opportunity to land a lead role or be a member of the chorus.

The casting committee is looking for up to 10 teenagers from ages 12 to 18 to be cast as the Lost Children in Never, Never Land. The successful actors must have strong singing voices and will be expected to learn simple dance routines.

They are also looking for five very strong teenage actors with a lot of stage confidence, excellent singing voices and a desire to fly on the Algonquin stage to play the young leads: Peter Pan, Wendy, Jonathon and Michael Darling and Tiger Lily.

Unfortunately, auditions will not be available for actors under the age of 12 for this show.

Also required are several seasoned adult male and female actors with excellent singing skills to play the adult leads: Mr. and Mrs. Darling, the Darlings’ maid, Captain Hook, Smee and Tiger Lily’s parents. Additionally, there are two animal roles to cast: the crocodile and Nana the dog.

These great parts will require an exceptional athletic ability. Finally, there is a need for 20-plus adult male and female actors in the chorus. Many will have small speaking and solo parts as Pirates or Indians. There will be one cast for all the shows, although the five teenage leads will have understudies who will also be cast as Lost Children in Never, Never Land.

Signing up for auditions will take place between 1 and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, in Partners Hall of the Algonquin Theatre. Between 2 and 4 p.m. that afternoon, all prospective cast members will be introduced to the various roles and their requirements. At the end of that session, applicants will choose what roles they wish to audition for and will be advised of a time, between 1 and 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, when they will be auditioning. It is likely that all candidates will be asked to sing a song as well as do readings from the script.

In the words of director Gregg Evans, “Most importantly, we are looking for 50 actors who want to have fun and share a great theatrical experience with their community!”

Seeking film funding for summit project

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Oct. 7, 2009.)

By Carli Whitwell

There are 18,000 reasons for the filmmakers of Hello World, This Is Huntsville to produce their G8 documentary: one for each of the residents who will be affected by the international forum next summer.

“This film is important for the community to have,” said Huntsville mayor Claude Doughty at a Huntsville economic development committee meeting last week. “We’ll have this documentary in 20 and 30 years (to show what Huntsville experienced).”

The economic development committee has supported the project in principle, putting aside $8,000 in its 2010 draft budget for the film, a small portion of the shoestring budget film company VQ Productions is hoping to raise.

VQ Productions consists of University of Toronto graduate and Huntsville native Kate Heming; long-time area cottager and former manager of the Canadian Film Festival Brenda Darling; and screenwriter/producer Tanya Campolin. The three women are working in conjunction with the Huntsville Festival of the Arts and, along with the support from the town, are seeking government or private funding to make up the rest of an operating budget of $140,000.

The documentary, they believe, is important not only for Huntsville, but also for the world.

“It’s a snapshot of Huntsville in 2010,” said Rob Saunders, general manager of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, a not-for-profit arts festival. “With a documentary like this, people a world away can get a sense of what it’s like (to experience a G8).”

The filmmakers plan to shadow a handful of residents in the leadup to and aftermath of the consecutive G8 and G20 Summits in the area. These leads, who could be anyone from senior citizens to religious leaders, haven’t yet been picked and likely won’t be filmed until the new year, said Saunders. He was quick to caution that there won’t be open auditions or casting calls; rather, the real-life leads will eventually reveal themselves.

Success for the partners will be reflected in increased tourism and film production in the area and having their documentary aired in major film festivals and on television. But, they’ll also measure it by what they leave behind for Huntsville students.

Saunders said they plan to allow aspiring student filmmakers help film the documentary. Also, any equipment purchased for the documentary — such as cameras, processing equipment and more — may also be lent out to Huntsville High School students.

While VQ Productions has filmed a town hall meeting and interviewed the mayor, major filming can’t take place until funding is in place, said Saunders.

Freddy Vette is back by popular demand

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Sept. 23, 2009.)

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts (HFA Productions) is bringing back the dynamic Freddy Vette and the Flames to the Algonquin Theatre on Friday, Oct. 2, beginning at 8 p.m.

So, how does a guy born in 1972 end up as the real-deal front man for a ‘50s rock ‘n roll show? That seems to be the most-asked question when it comes to Vette.

“Good music is good music, no matter what kind it is or when it was made. You don’t have to be from the 1700s to play Mozart, you don’t have to be from the ‘30s or ‘40s to play jazz, and you sure don’t have to be from the ‘50s to play rock ‘n roll,” Vette says in reply.

“There’s such a huge audience out there who are hungry for this music and aren’t able to see it performed live. We continue to discover them, and they continue to discover us. It’s a great relationship that keeps rock ‘n roll alive.”

It also doesn’t hurt that Vette came from a musical family. His mother and father had a country music band, so there were always instruments around the house. The first thing Vette tackled was the drums, then guitar, and piano along the way.

[Photo from HFA website.]

The three ladies who share the stage with Vette perform all the great ‘girl’ hits from the rock ‘n roll era including songs from Leslie Gore, the Shirelles, the Shangri-Las and Patsy Cline. Four outstanding musicians round out this high-energy, exciting eight-piece act.

Tickets for Freddy Vette and the Flames are $28 for adults and $15 for youth under 18, plus GST and are available at the Algonquin Theatre box office on Main Street, by dialling 789-4975, or online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

The festival blog at www.trumpeterhfa.blogspot.com also features past festival stories and photos.

Auditions for Nutcracker ballet on Sept. 26

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Sept. 9, 2009.)

Young dancers will want to mark Sept. 26 on their calendars.

That’s when Ballet Jörgen Canada will be holding auditions for the 2009-2010 winter tour of the Group of Seven Nutcracker. Young dancers aged 8 to 18 are invited to open auditions to either earn a role in their local performances or to join the youth touring cast.

Continuing in the well-established tradition of education and outreach, Ballet Jörgen Canada’s Group of Seven Nutcracker Youth Outreach Program gives young aspiring dancers the opportunity to participate on stage with a professional dance company. The cast members interact with and learn from professional dance artists while gaining invaluable performance experience in the production. Last year, 142 youth participated in the program. Touring cast roles include Klara, the Nutcracker Prince and community children, while the local roles are for chipmunks, squirrels, dragonflies, beavers, white-tailed deer, frogs, a sock bunny and a bear cub.

[Photo from HFA website.]

Auditions for the Huntsville performances will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Algonquin Theatre. The Huntsville Festival of the Arts will be bringing this special holiday ballet to the local stage on Nov. 21 and 22.

It is essential that interested participants register to audition. Applications are available online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca and should be forwarded to the festival office via e-mail. Applicants chosen to participate in the November production will be required to attend further rehearsals on the weekend of Sept. 26 and 27, and five subsequent rehearsals in October and November. Rehearsals will be held at the Huntsville School of Ballet on Centre Street in Huntsville.

Ballet Jörgen Canada premiered the Group of Seven Nutcracker, a new Canadian version of the holiday classic, in the 2008-2009 season to overwhelming public praise and critical acclaim. The Group of Seven Nutcracker is a quintessential Canadian work, a national treasure that will warm the hearts of young and old alike. Born from collaboration with Kleinburg’s world-renowned McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the production features backdrops from Canadian 20th Century landscape artists Franklin Carmichael, Tom Thomson and L.L. FitzGerald. From a wintery schoolhouse in Bisset, Ontario, in 1912 to the lush summer wetlands of Ontario’s Algonquin Park, audiences are taken on a grand journey with Klara as she experiences for the first time Canadian landscapes filled with snowflakes, Mounties, and charming woodland creatures.

[Additional information from the HFA website:]

Group of Seven Nutcracker

Canada's newest full-length ballet, created by acclaimed choreographer Bengt Jorgen to Tchaikovsky's well loved score, reworks this timeless classic and is destined to become a national treasure that will warm the hearts of young and old alike.

With over 100 costumes in richly covered fabrics, the Group of Seven Nutcracker features backdrops from Canada's 20th Century landscape artists. The ballet’s second act is remembered for its celebration of dances and the Group of Seven Nutcracker follows this tradition with woodland creatures dancing in their likeness in Ontario's Algonquin Park.

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts will be presenting two performances:
Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 22, 2 p.m.
The Algonquin Theatre
Tickets: Adults $25 - Youth (18 & under) $15 - Family $70 + GST

Karl Mohr and guests at Algonquin Aug. 21

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Aug. 19, 2009.)

Three young, dynamic, local musicians will be onstage at the Algonquin Theatre on Friday, Aug. 21, for what will undoubtedly be an eclectic evening of music. Headlining the show will be Karl Mohr, who, along with Eric Reid, opened for Hawksley Workman during his 2008 summer show.

Mohr grew up in Chisholm, a small town located north of Huntsville, and attended Almaguin Highlands Secondary School before heading off to Queen’s University. He later worked as a sound editor in Vienna, lived in Huntsville from 2005 to 2008, and is now working as a film sound editor in Toronto. His love of music, both playing and creating, has resulted in the creation of his band The Fallen Angels.

“We are self-proclaimed dark wave or goth rock,” says Mohr, adding that the band’s music has evolved from industrial sounds to be more intelligent, searching and creative. “It’s heavy and moody and explores different areas. It wants to know and asks questions like, ‘Are you aware? Are you sexual? Are you happy with your life?’ It’s one hour of very intense music.” He says his music hopes to explore new territory and is not easily relegated into slots.

Joining Mohr and the Angels on drums for this show will be another well-known Huntsville artist, Jeremy Munce. Opening for The Fallen Angels will be Huntsville songstress Ruth Cassie and her band Ivan Blackbird.

Cassie has toured with Hawksley Workman and created a lot of buzz on her own with her powerhouse ethereal vocals, plunky percussive and delicate piano playing, as well as poetically crafted lyrics. In addition to performing at venues throughout the area and in Toronto, Cassie has been involved in a number of smaller, intimate house concerts at private residences throughout Huntsville. Although, at times, her music is at a polar opposite to Mohr’s darker techno beats, the two have collaborated on a number of CDs and recordings.

Kicking off the evening will be another local boy, Eric Reid, and his musical muse, Laugh Out Loud, which can include up to six musicians. The group’s music is indie pop, with catchy beats and both insightful and irreverent lyrics. His listing on MySpace suggests he writes songs about “goats and parchment and oil on ducks,” so it’s apparent that Reid does not take himself too seriously. His music, however, has a growing following and wide appeal.

A presentation of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, the evening may seem like quite a break from their more conventional offerings. General manager Rob Saunders acknowledges this but adds, “We often talk about encouraging young artists, to both give them a voice and to encourage new patrons for both the theatre and the festival. However, in practice our focus is normally on more conventional artistic streams, such as through the high school music department or the local music and dance organizations. These three artists all have local ties and deserve a chance to perform in their home theatre. I think it will be a unique evening of excellent music and I challenge the 18 to 35-year-olds who have never been in the theatre to come out to the show. We would love a full house.”

Tickets are available at the Main Street box office, by calling 789-4975 or online at www.algonquintheatre.ca.

Dylan Tree performance celebrates words and music of acclaimed songwriter Bob Dylan

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Aug. 12, 2009.)

By Gillian Brunette

“Great show,” “Terrific band,” “Wonderful music,” and “You must bring them back.”

Those were just some of the words heard from departing patrons following the Dylan Tree concert at the Algonquin Theatre in January.

That was the first time the group had performed here and few people knew what to expect. By intermission, the audience not only knew, they were impressed. By concert’s end, they were standing up and shouting for more.

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts has listened to the demand for more Dylan Tree and is bringing the band back this Friday, Aug. 14, as part of its summer lineup. Dylan Tree is a celebration of the words and music of one of the world’s greatest songwriters, Bob Dylan, said guitarist and band founder Richard Kahl. “We are not a tribute band. We prefer to call our show a celebration of the Bob Dylan songbook.”

ROOTS MUSIC: Drummer Doug Inglis, left, and Dylan Tree founder and guitarist Richard Kahl stop for a photo in the upstairs lobby of the Algonquin Theatre. The five-piece band takes to the stage Friday, Aug. 14, at 8 p.m.

The Dylan Tree, featuring five well-known Toronto musicians, has put together its own retrospective of the Bob Dylan catalogue. The show features material spanning Dylan’s career from the 1960s to the present. Some of the songs are presented in the style of the popular original recordings (Like a Rolling Stone, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door), others in the style of well-known covers, such as Tambourine Man, All Along the Watch Tower, Blowin’ in the Wind, Simple Twist of Fate and The Mighty Quinn.

“Each of the players share lead and background vocals and the emphasis is always on letting the songs speak for themselves, not on a Bob Dylan impersonator,” said Kahl, whose idea it was to form the band. The Dylan Tree consists of Matt Greenwood, who has played with Murray McLaughlin and Shania Twain; Martin Aucoin, who has performed with Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson and George Straight; Doug Inglis, who plays with Classic Albums Live; and Paul Martin, who has toured with Bo Diddley, and Kahl, also a regular musician with Classic Albums Live.

With a large screen and video backdrop, creative lighting and risers, which form a second tier on the stage, the visuals are impressive and create a 3D effect. “The show within a show within a show was basically the effect we tried to achieve when we designed it,” said Kahl. “In a theatre setting (as opposed to a dance club or bar), you have to have the visuals, because five guys playing tunes after 20 minutes can get boring.”

While the show may look the same, some of the content has changed since the January performance. “It won’t be a carbon of that show,” Kahl said.

The Dylan Tree’s first official gig was in Toronto in 2006 on May 24, Dylan’s birthday. Since that time the band has played in and around the Toronto area and, since coming here, has performed in Markham, which was filmed as a one-hour special for the Sun TV network, and at a couple of blues festivals in southern Ontario.

“We have also produced a DVD/CD package of our full concert we did in Muskoka, which will be released in mid-September,” said Inglis. “The proceeds of that are going to the Wounded Warriors, a charity that takes care of the troops when they come home, whatever shape they are in.” Through the association with the charity and its founder Canadian Forces’ Capt. Wayne Johnston, the band is hoping to go to Afghanistan in the near future to entertain the troops.

It would seem the Dylan Tree is headed toward success. Even those who don’t particularly like Dylan as a singer love his songs, said Inglis, who has watched the beat poet perform at least a dozen times.

With some of the best songs of all time performed by a talented band, Dylan Tree provides a great evening of entertainment. Tickets for the show are $30 for adults and $20 for youth under 18, and are available at the theatre box office on Main Street, by calling 789-4975, or online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

Enjoy a memorable evening of classic music

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Aug. 12, 2009.)

A very special tribute evening is planned for Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Algonquin Theatre in memory of one of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts co-founders.

The world-famous ensemble the Alcan String Quartet will be performing as part of the Huntsville festival’s 17th season. The quartet has developed a reputation for excellence throughout Canada and internationally since its formation over 16 years ago. The quartet’s originality, ­contagious enthusiasm, unique sonority and remarkable cohesion have all contributed to its long-term ­success. Critics agree that, both on stage and in the recording studio, the Alcan Quartet possesses the qualities that characterize the best ensembles of its kind: a recognizable personality, homogeneous sound and elegant style.

The evening is being dedicated to the memory of festival co-founder Susan Alberghini, who died earlier this year. Alberghini’s vision and dedication to the nurturing and development of the arts was instrumental in ensuring the success of the festival in its early years. With the addition of a general manager position in 1996, Alberghini continued to provide programming, media and sponsorship advice to the board and was a frequent visitor to the area to enjoy performances during the summer months.

In earlier years, Alberghini ­studied and worked at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, on a Fulbright Scholarship from Syracuse University. Alberghini’s uncommon appreciation of art and music led her to open a consulting practice in arts administration that she ran successfully for many years. For the last several years, Alberghini had been the executive director of the Guild of Canadian Film Composers. She was a long-time protégé of Dr. Kenneth G. Mills and, at the time of her death, was the president of the Kenneth G. Mills Foundation.

While in Italy, Alberghini met her husband Pier Paolo Alberghini, who survives her, and has joined with the Mills Foundation to ­co-sponsor the evening’s performance. As a special request, the Alcan Quartet will be performing Borodin’s String Quartet #2 in D major, a piece of music that was played at Alberghini’s wedding.

In addition to this piece, the quartet will perform works from Mozart, Evangelista and Annunziata in what promises to be a great evening of classical excellence. The ensemble’s list of accomplishments is impressive: close to 1,000 concerts; over 100 live radio broadcasts (Radio Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, National Public Radio in the USA, and Radio France); numerous television appearances; tours throughout North America, Europe, Asia and a number of commissioned pieces and first performances.

In addition to its performing career, the quartet is regularly invited to give master classes at universities, conservatories and summer chamber music institutes. The Alcan Quartet is based in Chicoutimi, Québec, where it receives the unconditional support of the Orchestre Symphonique du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. The quartet takes its name from its principal patron, the multinational aluminum company Alcan. The quartet also receives support from the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Tickets for the performance are available at the box office by calling 789-4975 or online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

Hearn pays tribute to town with new song

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Aug. 5, 2009.)

By Laura MacLean

Kevin Hearn can’t wait to play in Huntsville.

The keyboardist for Canadian band Barenaked Ladies spent his childhood summers at the family cottage near Novar. He is teaming up with Huntsville’s own Hawksley Workman for a show at the Algonquin Theatre on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Hearn, who has just released his fifth solo album, Havana Winter, has paid tribute to Huntsville with a new song titled Huntsville.ca. Hearn told the Forester he is looking forward to his upcoming show with Workman, as it is bringing the two talented musicians back to their roots. “Hawksley and I are old pals,” says Hearn. “We used to fight over the last cups of worms at the Novar store.”

While Hawksley will be showcasing tunes from his recent CD Between the Beautifuls, Hearn will be performing with his band Thinbuckle. Hearn says, when Hawksley offered him the chance to join forces and do a show together, he jumped at the opportunity. “About four years ago, I played at the Algonquin Theatre with the Rheo Statics,” he says. “I’ve been going (to Huntsville) so long I remember it before there was an Algonquin Theatre and Main Street was the main street and that was it. My family always had a cottage there so, as soon as I had money, I bought my own. I even spend some time up there in the winter.”

Hearn’s appreciation for peace and quiet, not to mention the beauty that surrounds his Muskoka cottage, was the inspiration behind him writing Huntsville.ca, a song featured on his new album. To pay homage to a town he loves, he will be performing the song at the theatre on Aug. 12.

“I wasn’t going to call it Huntsville.ca because I didn’t feel it needed to be a certain place, but then I thought why not,” explains Hearn. “Anyone who lives in Huntsville knows it’s a different place in the winter than it is in the summer. I started the song based on the perspective of someone who lives there and sees the town change drastically from season to season. The third verse is about fair-weather friends when the weather is sunny and bright.”

Hearn has been part of the Barenaked Ladies since they formed 14 years ago. Over the years, he has also played on albums by CanRock royalty such as The Tragically Hip, Broken Social Scene and Ron Sexsmith. His solo CD has been defined as having the innocence of '60s pop and the wry wit of Randy Newman.

“I’m thrilled and very excited,” Hearn says of his upcoming show. “I really enjoy working with Hawksley and I’m grateful to him for extending an invitation to share the stage with him. Maybe now I’ll get recognized in Huntsville at last.”

Folk duo Dala return to the Algonquin Theatre, followed by taiko drummers

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Aug. 5, 2009.)

Japanese taiko drums, tenor John McDermott round out week of entertainment.

Having performed on Huntsville’s Algonquin Theatre stage with Jim Cuddy, Stuart McLean and as part of the Neil Young: Borrowed Tunes tribute concert, the rapidly rising acoustic pop duo Dala returns Thursday, Aug. 6, as part of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts’ August lineup.

Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine of Dala (the name was formed by combining the two last letters of each artist’s name), have come a long way in a short time. The two best friends, who met in their high school music class and wrote their first song together in 2002, have since performed at Toronto’s legendary Massey Hall a total of six times. Darlings of the Canadian music scene, Dala are now poised to bring their fresh brand of acoustic pop music to the world.

Drawing upon influences such as the Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, Dala write songs that are both catchy and insightful. Walther’s ethereal soprano voice blends seamlessly with Carabine’s velvety alto, creating the lush harmonies that have become their trademark. The sheer joy with which they perform is infectious, turning first-time listeners into instant fans.

Dala have toured across Canada six times, opening for artists such as Jann Arden, Tom Cochrane, and Matthew Good. No strangers to the festival scene, they have also performed at the Edmonton Folk Festival, Mariposa and the Ottawa Folk Festival, among others. Most recently, they performed at the Newport Folk Fest, the only Canadian group invited, sharing the bill with Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.

Dala’s last two albums Angels and Thieves (2006) and Who Do You Think You Are (2007) earned them a total of four Canadian Folk Music Award nominations. Dala’s new album Everyone Is Someone is a wonderful journey for the listener, bringing together all the elements that set this talented duo apart.

On Friday night, the mesmerizing sound of Japanese drums will reverberate through the theatre as world-renowned percussionist Kiyoshi Nagata returns to Huntsville with his group Nagata Shachu. The group (formerly Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble) has enthralled audiences with its captivating and heart-pounding performances of the Japanese drum (taiko) since its formation in 1998. The ensemble has toured widely throughout Canada, the U.S. and Italy performing in theatres, concert halls and at major music festivals.

While rooted in the folk drumming traditions of Japan, the group’s principal aim is to rejuvenate this ancient art form by producing innovative and exciting music that seeks to create a new voice for the taiko. Taking its name from founder Kiyoshi Nagata and shachu (an old term for a performing troupe), Nagata Shachu has become renowned for its exacting, straightforward yet physically demanding performances as well as for its diverse repertoire.

Combining thunderous, primal drumbeats with subtle, intricate rhythms, the ensemble is able to produce a wide spectrum of sound. Featuring a vast array of Japanese taiko (including the massive O-Daiko), gongs, bells, wooden clappers, shakers and bamboo flutes, Nagata Shachu will provide an unforgettable experience that is both powerful in expression and heartfelt in its sincerity.

Also this year, dancers from the Muskoka Dance Academy will dance to a couple of the group’s pieces. The concert is a fitting opening night to the annual Dragonboat races being held on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Avery Beach Park.

Closing out the weekend, on Aug. 8, is festival favourite John McDermott. McDermott has performed at the festival for the past five seasons and his concerts regularly sell out. Although tickets for this evening were still available at press time, concert-goers are encouraged to act fast so as not to be disappointed.

All the above shows are at the Algonquin Theatre commencing at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the Main Street box office, by calling 789-4975, or online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

Viewpoint: Jazz in the park was a real treat

(The following letter originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Aug. 5, 2009.)

What a treat to sit on the grass at River Mill Park on Saturday afternoon and enjoy excellent jazz entertainment under the new bandshell.

Then there was the last-minute addition of bass player Jamie Bestwick to the Herbie Koffman group, and you can add delight and pride in our home-grown talent to the experience. We were only disappointed in not being able to take in the many other excellent groups, something we hope to rectify next year.

Many thanks to everyone involved in creating and maintaining our beautiful new park; a special note of gratitude to the tireless members of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts and their sponsors, who continue to expand the venues of entertainment for the benefit of all.

George and Sheila Hoo
Huntsville

Jazz festival offers great lineup of talented musicians on Algonquin Theatre stage

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 29, 2009.)

The third annual Huntsville Jazz Festival starts tomorrow, July 30, and runs until Saturday, Aug. 1.

This ‘festival within a festival’ focuses on the genre of jazz and, as in previous years, a great lineup of talented musicians has been confirmed.

On Thursday evening, the big sound of the Toronto All Star Big Band takes the Algonquin Theatre stage. Described by the National Post as “a great swing band,” this group of young, very accomplished musicians will energetically interpret the great music of the '30s and '40s, including the works of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey.

Armed with brilliant programming, slick choreography and witty cultural nostalgia, this vibrant cast of young talent has earned its position at the top of the list of presenters throughout Ontario and in the U.S.

At the heart of the musical matter, the Toronto All-Star Big Band provides one of the most intense and stimulating youth music programs in Canada. Behind their extraordinary entertainment, they engage cream-of-the-crop young musicians from across the GTA in a rigorous regime of rehearsals, workshops and rich skill-building performance experiences with international stars. They have also worked with talented Canadians such as Peter Appleyard, Tommy Ambrose, Phil Nimmons, Oliver Jones, Ranee Lee and the great Jackie Richardson.

On Friday night, crooner Michael Danso and the celebrated jazz trio Kollage will present an evening of great jazz music. Kollage is led by acclaimed drummer Archie Alleyne, who was nominated at the 2007 National Jazz Awards for Drummer of the Year, Musician of the Year, and Instrumentalist of the Year. Alleyne has accompanied a who’s who of great jazz performers from Billie Holliday to Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones to Big Joe Turner, as well as producing a couple of CDs with Danso.

Singing with symphony orchestras and jazz groups, Danso has travelled from Toronto to China and back. He has toured extensively as a singer and dancer with Riverdance, has acted in dramatic roles on television and the stage, and has appeared in hit musicals across North America.

Originally from Scotland, Danso first appeared on stage at the age of five. Ella Fitzgerald spotted him at the age of 10 and wanted to take him to the U.S. but his grandmother vetoed the idea. Danso spent the next nine years continuing to hone his talents in Scotland. He finally came to North America at the age of 19, performing in the hit musical Hair.

Danso spent three years in Los Angeles, then three more touring Japan and the Far East. He finally settled in Canada, where he immediately became a favourite of audiences and media alike. He has performed in top jazz rooms, festivals and nightclubs all across Canada and the U.S.

Just added to the program is a guest vocalist, the aforementioned Jackie Richardson. Known as the queen of gospel and soul, she achieved theatrical acclaim for her award-winning work on Cookin’ at the Cookery and Raisin in the Sun.

On Saturday night, the jazz festival closes with the legendary Peter Appleyard. A versatile studio percussionist and nightclub/television personality in Toronto, he moved to Canada in 1951 as a drummer and soon turned to the vibraphone.

LEGENDARY VIBRAPHONIST: The jazz festival closes on Saturday with legendary percussionist Peter Appleyard, who will be joined on stage by jazz vocalist Carol McCartney.

Appleyard’s television shows include the CBC’s Mallets and Brass (1969), with flugelhornist Guido Basso, and the syndicated Peter Appleyard Presents (1977-80). Appleyard, who has conducted his Canadian career with a keen instinct for popular tastes, has recorded several light-instrumental albums, including Swing Fever (1982), as well as the jazz CDs Barbados Hot and Barbados Cool (1990). His version of the Lincolnshire Poacher was a pop hit in the early 1970s.

Appleyard has worked abroad with Benny Goodman, Dick Hyman, Mel Tormé, Bob Wilber and other noted U.S. jazz musicians.

He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1992. Joining Appleyard on the evening’s program will be vocalist Carol McCartney, well known on the Toronto jazz scene.

Tickets for all shows are available at the Algonquin Theatre box office, by calling 789-4975, or online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

All-day jazz featured at River Mill Park

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 29, 2009.)

Local groups and guest artists will delight audience for hours

This Saturday, Aug. 1, will be the first all-day jazz festival in River Mill Park, running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The afternoon of music, a new component of the Huntsville Jazz Festival, will feature a combination of local groups and guest artists.

The day will kick off at 11 a.m. with the music of the Muskoka Big Band, under the direction of Neil Barlow. This band of local musicians performs regularly throughout the community and always provides a rollicking good program. Vocalist Sherisse Stevens will accompany the band on a few numbers and the program will include a bevy of audience favourites.

Next up, at noon, the Muskoka Jazz Guys will perform. One of the busiest groups in the Muskoka area, saxophonist Doug Banwell, keyboard wiz Tim Sullivan and bass player Jamie Bestwick can play all types of jazz music and often look for requests from the audience to set their program. Known for their virtuosic solo work the group returns at 5 p.m. for a second set.

Marguerite and Bill Urban lead the Trillium Dixie Jazz Band onto the stage at 1:15 p.m. This six-piece ensemble is the perfect group for an outdoor concert, with lots of energy, toe tapping tunes and music we have all grown to love. Mixing Dixieland swing with well-known classics, the Trillium Dixie group has a large local following.

At 2:15 p.m. Laganza, better known for their pop/rock performances, take the stage. Led by the versatile Tobin Spring, the group will do a set of reggae and jazz-inspired tunes, showcasing Spring’s guitar wizardry and group vocals.

Special guest musicians, the Herbie Koffman Quintet, perform a set of jazz standards at 3:30 p.m. Koffman, a master on the trumpet, and his son are joined by a rhythm section and well-known jazz guitarist Rob Piltch.

Following the Koffman set, the Muskoka Jazz Guys and the Trillium Dixie band return for second sets at 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. respectively. In between artists, masters of ceremonies Doug Banwell and Ken Cole’s comedy troupe the Woodshed Collective will keep those in attendance occupied and entertained.

There is no charge for this event and the Huntsville Festival of the Arts invites you to bring your lawn chair, sit back and enjoy some great music. The performers will be set up on a professional stage and under a stage cover purchased by the festival through an Ontario government Celebrate Ontario grant. These facilities will be used in the future by various community organizations both in River Mill Park and at various outside venues.

A masterpiece in the making, in the open air

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 22, 2009.)

By Gillian Brunette

Huntsville’s downtown will take on the air of Quebec City’s Old Quebec Lane, when 25 artists (plus some artists-in-training) set up their easels on July 30, to paint whatever tickles their fancy.

The finished masterpieces will then be auctioned off from the town hall steps at 3 p.m. that afternoon. Sponsored by Kelly Holinshead, the Shutterbug Gallery and the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, en Plein Air painting and auction is a new, totally unique idea to raise money for an art bursary(ies) for local students pursuing a fine arts post-secondary education.

GREAT PAINTS: Some of the artists participating in en Plein Air on July 30 gather on the steps of town hall. From left, front, Gerry Lantaigne, Sharon Stock Feren and Jennifer Pimentel. At back, from left, Kelly Holinshead, Johanne Stewart, Huntsville mayor Claude Doughty and Catherine O'Mara.

The participating artists will set up their easels at 10 a.m. on Main Street or in River Mill Park, having been supplied with a stretched 16 x 20-inch canvas and a box of acrylic paints in red, blue, yellow, black and white. They will then use their imagination and talent to produce a completed painting by 2 p.m.

“They can paint whatever they want, a self portrait, from a photograph, from memory or what they see around them,” Holinshead said.

Once finished, the paintings will be displayed on the town hall steps for the public to view prior to the auction. To entertain the prospective buyers, music will be provided by guitarists/vocalists David Crombie, Luc Pattison and Luke Pombiere.

Promptly at 3 p.m., arts patrons, the public at large and anyone looking for an original piece to hang on their walls, will have an opportunity to bid and possibly obtain the painting of their choice. With actor/comedian James Carroll conducting the proceedings, the auction promises to be a lively and entertaining affair.

Some of the artists who are taking part are Wendy Moses, Catherine O’Mara, Sara Hall, Helena Renwick, Johanne Stewart, Sharon Stock Feren and muralist Gerry Lantaigne. Artists-in-training include mayor Claude Doughty and councillors Fran Coleman and Mary Jane Fletcher.

Doughty, a former dentist, is not much known for his artistic endeavours, although he does confess to having an architectural eye. “When I was eight, I was given a Jon Nagy learn-to-draw kit and I had it licked by noon. That was the last time I did anything that wasn’t a building,” he said. “Then, when I was 16, I didn’t know if I was going to be a dentist or an architect. The guy next door was a dentist and had a nice car and that cemented my decision.”

Lantaigne has been busy of late with Group of Seven mural renderings but said he will probably choose a building to paint, such as the Shutterbug Gallery, which is one of his favourite buildings in town. “When I paint, I’m usually done in two hours but, with four hours, I can really spend some time on it.”

With the other participants still mulling over their options, Doughty said he has to first get the hang of mixing paints. “Can we have a Coles' Notes colour chart?” he asked of Holinshead.

Patsy Cline comes to life on stage, July 25

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 22, 2009.)

By Gillian Brunette

Leisa Way is returning to the town where, three years ago, she debuted her Patsy Cline tribute show.

Sweet Dreams – A Tribute to Patsy Cline takes the Algonquin Theatre stage this Saturday, July 25, at 8 p.m.

“Huntsville and the Algonquin Theatre were the start of what has become an amazing tour,” said Way, who also portrayed Cline in the stage musical A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline.

WAY TO GO: Leisa Way takes time out for a photo with Tom Thomson outside the Algonquin Theatre earlier this month. Way brings Sweet Dreams: A Tribute to Patsy Cline to Huntsville this Saturday, July 25.

The perky, petite blonde, becomes Patsy Cline in an instant when kitted out in black wigs, cowboy hat, boots and adopting the singer’s trademark deep voice. Quite the change for the soprano who once played Peter Pan and Anne in Anne of Green Gables for the Charlottetown Festival.

Way was born in Kitchener, raised in Sudbury and has deep northern Ontario roots. Her mother hailed from Callander and her father from Powassan. From a musical background with family gatherings full of music and laughter, she says of the three children in her family she was the lucky one who got all the musical talent.

Way loves the Huntsville area, and she and her husband, actor David Nairn, who is also the artistic director of Theatre Orangeville, often vacation at the Nor’Loch Lodge in Dwight. “We were just there a few weeks ago. Our tax guy is in Huntsville,” Way said, with a tinkly laugh.

It was at the Banff School of Fine Arts that Way developed a love of musical theatre, starring over the years in shows such as Crazy For You, Showboat, The Sound of Music and Grease. During that time, Way found her ‘musical belt,’ which allowed her to hit the back wall of a theatre when she sang in a lower vocal range. That opened up a whole new world for the soprano.

“A lot of people don’t have a great belt voice. Barbra Streisand is one and Patsy Cline another, ” she said.

The show Way is bringing to Huntsville differs from the last in that there are more songs and less dialogue, Way said. “I told so many stories about Patsy Cline last time; I could talk all day about her there are so many funny stories, but I’ve honed it, so there is more music - 29 songs in total.”

Included in that number are several songs that Cline only ever sang live and were never recorded. There are a couple of songs, which are lovely, that people will not know Patsy did unless they were at one of her shows, Way explained.

Way has just completed a 22-concert tour playing to sold-out audiences everywhere. “In one theatre in Morrisburg, we did several shows and close to 5,000 people came to see us,” she said.

After three years, Way still enjoys portraying her alter ego. “She was so loving, so giving, so full of life. It’s a joy to embody someone who was so well loved.” Patsy Cline was killed in an air crash at the age of 30, but lives on in the hearts of many of her fans. This is one show that is sure to sell out, organizers say.

Tickets are $35 and $20 for youth under 18 and available at the Algonquin Theatre box office, 789-4975 or online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

Multi-sensory show brings Paris life to Huntsville stage, thanks to HHS grads

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 22, 2009.)

By Gillian Brunette

Busking with her violin on the streets of Paris was an exciting and rewarding experience for 28-year-old Nisha Coleman.

“I busked on the streets for three years and it worked well. I made more money busking in Paris than I would have in any other job anywhere,” she said.

While busking is officially illegal in Paris, so are many other things but that doesn’t stop the French, Coleman said. “The police don’t bother you unless they receive a complaint. I had a few encounters with the police, but nothing too serious. One time, a lady complained, saying she didn’t like the violin. The police came and questioned me, checked my passport, and that did make me feel a bit uncomfortable.”

There are some areas to be avoided, such as the Champs Elysees, where busking is strictly forbidden. Conversely, there is a designated area for artists and musicians, but it was too busy, Coleman said. “I went to non-designated places, under bridges and archways, where sound can resonate a bit more, which is better for the violin.”

While in Paris, Coleman re-connected with former fellow Huntsville High School student Brigitte Reid, who made a 17-minute documentary about her busking experiences. “That inspired both of us to complement the film with other multi-media to capture the essence of Paris,” said Coleman.

The result can be seen tomorrow night, July 23, at the Algonquin Theatre, when the Huntsville Festival of the Arts presents Une Soiree Parisienne. The show will begin with the documentary,
followed by a text, written and related by Coleman, that will take the audience through a day in Paris, as seen through the eyes of all who encompass the city: children, homeless people, Parisiennes on their way to work, even the pigeons, said Coleman.

“I begin with the day at 6 a.m. through to 10 a.m. Then the theatre will go dark and there will be a two-minute electro-acoustic recording of Paris sounds – the cacophony of traffic, the birds, the metro.” The evening will continue with more text, music and a couple of short films accompanied by Coleman and Reid on violin and piano.

“There will be lots of little surprises throughout the evening. We want to bring four of the five senses to the experience, and make it a holistic revisitation of the city,” Coleman said. One of those senses, taste, will be introduced to patrons during the intermission with offerings of French wine, cheese and baguette.

Recently returned from her sojourn in France, Coleman is settling down in Montreal with her boyfriend, whom she met in Paris. Reid is living in Mexico City with her husband, teaching English and French, filming and working on various other projects. The couple is expecting their first child soon.

Tickets for what promises to be a delightfully different evening are $15 and available at the Algonquin Theatre box office, 789-4975 or online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

PLAYING IN PARIS: There is nothing like the sound of Bach to soothe the soul on a sunny afternoon in Paris. Passer-by Herve Blandin caught former Huntsville High School student Nisha Coleman busking not far from the Palais-Royal and posted it on the web. Coleman and fellow alumna Brigitte Reid bring Une Soiree Parisienne to the Algonquin on July 23.

Festival warms up with hot country trio Doc Walker, followed by tenor Mitch Seekins

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 15, 2009.)

By Gillian Brunette

One of North America’s hottest country acts, Doc Walker, comes to the Algonquin Theatre tomorrow night at 8 p.m.

Combining the free-spirited country-rock style of the Eagles with the blended vocal bliss of bands such as Alabama and America, this trio, with its trademark country-rock sound and pitch-perfect, high-flying harmonies, is sure to fire up all country music fans. Doc Walker band members Chris Thorsteinson, Dave Wasyliw and Murray Pulver are three childhood friends from small-town Manitoba who managed to stick it out for the long haul – through school band practices, tour after tour, marriage, children and through the good and the bad,

Three albums into their career, Doc Walker released Beautiful Life, an album that won the band a 2009 Juno Award for Country Recording of the Year, six Canadian Country Music Awards in 2008 (including Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Fan’s Choice Award) and three top-10 country singles.

On Aug. 25, Doc Walker will release their fifth, hotly anticipated, full-length album, tentatively entitled Go. The album echoes the multi-award winning Beautiful Life in a number of ways. The three band members co-wrote the majority of the album and worked with acclaimed Nashville songwriters Bruce Wallace and fellow Canadian Victoria Banks.

With a busy set of summer festival dates, a major fall tour and a brand new album, Doc Walker will drive their dream further than they imagined when they were 14 years old and just fooling around with guitars in a tiny Manitoba town.

On Saturday, July 18, the celebrated tenor Mitch Seekins brings the popular music of Michael Bublé and Andrea Bocelli to the Algonquin stage. This show makes for a wonderful evening full of energy, humour and class all at the same time with songs such as Home, Fever, Time to Say Goodbye, The Prayer, as well as hits with Tony Bennett and Josh Groban.

Mitch Seekins has, for more than 20 years, been performing pop, rock and R&B in nightclubs from coast to coast in Canada. In 1996, he was encouraged to make a crossover into classical music and has since performed in operas by Puccini, Mozart and many others.

Performing the music of Andrea Bocelli was a perfect marriage of both the pop and opera genres, showcasing Seekins’ abilities. The idea of Bublé to Bocelli was really in response to the demands of audiences wanting to hear the old standards with Bublé’s new, lively arrangements, but also with the great renditions of Andrea Bocelli’s music.

One interesting piece of trivia: Seekins is also the founder of his own vocal school, where he has instructed internationally known artists, including Huntsville’s own two-time Juno award winner Hawksley Workman.

Tickets for all festival shows are available at the Algonquin Theatre box office on Main Street, by dialing 789-4975, or online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

TRAIL BLAZERS: One of the hottest country acts
in North America, Doc Walker takes the Algonquin
stage on Thursday, July 16, at 8 p.m.