Popular Music at Noon series will last three weeks
During the month of July, the Huntsville Festival of the Arts presents events throughout the community geared to satisfy all tastes. For the most part, they are offered at no cost to the patron. Next week’s lineup is a great example of this fringe program.
Kicking off a great week of family entertainment, the annual Art Splash takes place on Sunday, July 5 at the Huntsville town dock. Running from noon to 3 p.m. and hosted by the staff of Camp Tawingo, Art Splash promises a fun-filled afternoon of interactive arts and crafts for kids of all ages.
On Monday, July 6, Music at Noon – a series of half-hour, mid-day free musical offerings at Trinity United Church – begins with The Larks, an a cappella female choir directed by Sherisse Stevens.
Also on July 6, the first of two movie offerings will be screened at the Capitol Theatre, beginning at 4 p.m. Titled Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould, Francis Girard’s compelling film is a visual and aural feast. Colm Feore, in the lead role as the pianist, captures the theatricality, puckishness, loneliness and determination that defined Gould’s persona. Cost is $8.
The second movie presentation, Live Music/Classic Films, will be screened at the Algonquin Theatre on Monday, July 13, at 8 p.m. Celebrated composer Robert Bruce recreates the golden days of silent film by performing live original scores on the Algonquin Theatre’s grand piano to accompany classic 1920s films. The focus will be on Buster Keaton and include one of his funniest works, The Cameraman.
Music at Noon continues on Tuesday, July 7, with the handbell duo Lynne Godfrey and Verna Stephenson.
On Wednesday, July 8, the mid-day treat features gospel/bluegrass music from the Olde Tyme Gospel Band. Then, on Thursday, July 9, Trinity United Church’s musical director John Langille takes a seat at the organ, accompanied by Bob Atfield on piano. The week wraps up with the Muskoka Community Band, directed by Jordan Riley, on Friday, July 10.
Also on July 10 and 11, the second annual Edge of the Woods Theatre Festival arrives in town. This outdoor theatre extravaganza is a one-of-a kind event that will feature giant puppets, stilt walkers, acrobats, modern dancers and much more. The event begins at 6 p.m. with free arts activities for youth, followed by the feature performance at 7 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, sit back and be entertained in Huntsville’s beautiful waterfront park. Admission is by donation.
Continuing throughout the month are many other fringe events, such as two dock concerts with the Muskoka Concert Band, one in Dwight and one in Port Sydney, on July 14 and 16 respectively, the eighth annual Muskoka Novel Marathon, taking place at the Muskoka Literacy Council from July 17 to 20 and the Writers' Cafe at the Hideaway Pub, beginning at 7 p.m. on July 21. The popular Arts Walk returns on July 26 at the new River Mill Park, from noon to 3 p.m.
Two new endeavours will also take place this month. "Threshold" is a public art installation that will be found at three locations: the Trinity United Church grounds, the Hunters Bay Trail and Main Street. Art will be created live on Main Street on July 30, beginning at 11 a.m. This will be followed by a charity art auction at 3 p.m.
For more on this year’s festival lineup, pick up a brochure around town or visit www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.
