Free Music at Noon concerts run for two weeks at Trinity Church, beginning July 7

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 2, 2008.)

The most popular of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts fringe events are the Music at Noon concerts, co-ordinated by Marion Haggart.

These concerts take place at Trinity United Church, Monday through Friday, from July 7 to July 18, and they're free.

The concerts, which feature some of Muskoka’s finest vocalists and musicians, begin at 12:15 p.m. each day and run for approximately half an hour.

KEY PLAYER: Marion Haggart, organizer of the Music at Noon concert series, invites all music lovers to refresh body and spirit with the free mid-day musical offerings at Trinity United Church.

The schedule of the first week is as follows:

July 7: New Moon Saxophone Ensemble.

July 8: Jack Hutton.

July 9: Huntsville Community Band with director Jordan Riley.

July 10: Victoria Thompson (soprano) and Ruthellen Shapero (piano).

July 11: Reconnaissance a capella choir.

The schedule of the second week is as follows:

July 14: Bob Plunkett and Friends.

July 15: Merry Winds clarinet quartet; leader Kathy Kilbourne.

July 16: Bob Attfield, piano.

July 17: Carol Hardy (flute) and Marion Haggart (piano).

July 18: Just 8, jazz vocals with director George Kadwell.

After the concerts why not take time to visit the "Festival Image Makers" exhibit in Trinity Hall, which runs from July 14 to 19? The exhibit features works by a dozen Huntsville Festival of the Arts brochure cover artists and the festival's official photographer, Jon Snelson.

Jazz and the music of Mozart are featured during the arts festival opening weekend

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 2, 2008.)

Long-time leader of the Huntsville festival orchestra Kerry Stratton provides one of the highlights for the Huntsville Festival of the Arts’ opening weekend of entertainment.

Stratton’s program, taking the Algonquin Theatre stage on Sunday, July 6, will focus on the music of Mozart. The concert starts at 4 p.m. and will run for approximately 90 minutes.

This is not standard concert fare. Stratton, a master of the patter that adds so much to the musical interpretation, will be reading from Mozart’s personal letters throughout the afternoon. These readings place the master composer’s music in a context not normally experienced by concert goers and are sure to enhance the experience.

Mozart’s letters show a high-spirited boyish impression of his journeys, his great love and reverence for his father in conflict with his natural instinct for independence, his first love affairs, his tragic wrestlings with poverty, his hatred of his hometown and the tyrannical archbishop, and his true love for Constance Weber.

Mozart’s Mail will show a young man who managed to combine realism and tenderness in his personal relations. A growing sense of power as a composer is revealed through a character which emerges showing a vital and joyous nature.

There is no better interpreter of these readings than Stratton, an experienced radio personality and international performer. His personal knowledge of the works he is dealing with, combined with his natural affinity to engage his audience, will result in a great afternoon of music.

LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR: Maestro Kerry Stratton, seen here conduction his orchestra at the festival's Last Night at the Proms, brings Mozart's Mail to the Algonquin stage July 6.

International jazz star Sophie Milman will light up the Algonquin stage on the preceding night, Saturday, July 5, at 8 p.m.

Barely 24 years old, Milman has already seen and done more than many people twice her age. Her self-titled debut CD was released in 2004 and has sold almost 100,000 copies worldwide. It hit the Billboard Top 5 in Canada and the Top 15 in the United States, and topped the iTunes jazz charts in five different territories.

Meanwhile, Milman has maintained a rigorous touring schedule, headlining sold-out shows in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Japan and throughout Europe, and continues to balance her burgeoning music career with her commerce studies at the University of Toronto.

Milman’s story continues to inspire. After emigrating from Russia to Israel with her family at the tender age of seven, then moving again at 16 to seek a new life with them in Canada, her transition from bookish teenager to glamorous jazz ingénue was perhaps unlikely.

However, before long, Milman had earned a 2006 Juno Award nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album and was appearing on stage with international musical superstars such as Aaron Neville and the Neville Brothers, Chick Corea and Jesse Cook.

Two and a half years of touring the world have deepened and strengthened the collaboration between Milman and her band, led by multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger Cameron Wallis, and featuring Paul Shrofel on piano, John Fraboni on drums and newest member Kieran Overs on bass.

The opportunity to build a relationship with her bandmates and collaborators has cultivated an atmosphere of comfort and creativity where Milman can express who and where she truly is today in her career, her life and her music.

Tickets for both shows are $35 ,or $15 for youth under 18, and are available at the Algonquin Theatre Box office, by calling 789-4975 or online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

Bring kids to Sunday Art Splash at the docks

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 2, 2008.)

Kids Art Splash begins at noon on the town dock on Sunday, July 6

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts is not just geared to adults.

Not to be forgotten on the opening weekend of the festival’s summer season is the family favourite, Art Splash. It’s fun for all ages and is offered free as part of the festival’s youth programming.

Running from noon to 3 p.m. at the town dock park, adjacent to Pizza Pizza, the Art Splash is an interactive afternoon of arts and crafts.

Organized by Tia Pearse and her volunteer crew from Tawingo College, the afternoon offers lots of fun and educational activities.

So, come down to the dock this Sunday afternoon and paint a picture, get a tattoo or make a craft. It’s a great way to while away a couple of hours.

Exhibit at Hawksley’s Schoolhouse July 4-6

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on June 25, 2008.)

Shanti Subedar, the talented Winnipeg artists who shot a series of nature photographs for Hawksley Workman’s latest album Between The Beautifuls, will be coming to Huntsville.

Her work will be on display at Hawksley’s Schoolhouse on July 4, 5 and 6 with an opening reception being held on July 4 between 2 and 5 p.m., the same day Workman is scheduled to perform at the Algonquin Theatre.

Sudebar’s The Wild Horses of Alberta, A Collection Of Lost Pieces reveals the extraordinary in the ordinary, explained local artist and the host of the exhibit, Beverley Hawksley.

“The stunning nature photography that appeared in Hawksley Workman’s Between The Beautifuls invited us to view another layer of our surroundings.

Shanti’s heartfelt approach to her subject matter draws the viewer in and creates an opportunity for an imaginative experience,” she explained.

Directions to Hawkley’s Schoolhouse are as follows: from Hwy 11 North take exit 221 at Huntsville. Continue on Muskoka Rd 2 North (Ravenscliffe) for 20 km. Muskoka Rd 2 ends with a sharp right hand curve and becomes Stisted Rd. Continue on Stisted Rd. for 4 km to #3665.

For more information go to www.beverleyhawksley.com.

Huntsville Festival of the Arts opens exciting 16th season, offering a very eclectic roster

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on June 25, 2008.)

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.

Maestro Kerry Stratton, a familiar fixture of the festival since its earliest days, pays tribute to the music of Mozart on Sunday, July 6, at 4 p.m. By interpreting letters written by Mozart at various stages of his life, Stratton will open a window through which his music will be reviewed and enjoyed through a slightly different lens.

“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.