This Week In Arts:Early Edition
By John Swartz
A couple bits of info came in after last week’s column was up and they can’t wait until this week’s is up.
Sustainable Orillia had a call out for contributions to be included in their 2024 calendar. They are announcing the chosen works of art at Creative Nomad Studios Friday, June 23 at 5 p.m.
Each artist whose work is chosen for the calendar gets a $50 prize. There are also a grand ($300), 2nd ($200) and 3rd ($100) place prizes.
Mariposa & Gord
Just added to the concert line up this week is a slot Sunday evening with Gord’s band; Rick Haynes, Barry Keane, Carter Lancaster and Mike Heffernan, on the main stage. There is no indication who will do the singing and MFF president Pam Carter said they’re keeping that secret. I got the impression there might be more than one person joining the band to sing.
Also it’s advisable to get there before the 5 p.m. main stage start on Friday instead of straggling in because the first set is The Way We Feel: A Lightfoot Celebration. Normally the folks at Mariposa pull some late nights coming up with the titles for the daytime side stage performances, but this time they just used the one Jory Nash, David Newland and Aengus Finnan used for their 15 year Hugh’s Room annual event.
Jory put the band together featuring Burke Carroll, Jason Fowler, Anne Lindsay, David Matheson & David Woodhead. The roster of people joining to do the singing includes Matthew Barber, Lori Cullen, Dala, The Good Brothers, Meredith Moon, and Kevin Fox. David Newland will be the MC of the set.
There are two other opportunities to enjoy musicians doing Gord’s tunes. On Saturday at 5 p.m. on the Village Stage Steve Porter, Scott Thomas, Michael Martyn will lead a sing-a-long, and Sunday Steve Porter, Scott Thomas, Geoff Booth will do a repeat set at the same time and stage.
Also the festival got word they got a grant from Canadian Heritage (Feds). The ministry hasn’t made an official announcement, so Pam Carter thought she’d wait to say how much, but it’s at least 5 figures.
The full lineup for all stages all weekend was also published this week and you can find it here.
Gigs
Couchiching Craft Brewing has Kalyna Rakel and Dan Gurman in to play June 23; Valerie Burns and Dave Chun are in June 24… Quayle’s Brewery has Patti and Mick in to play June 23; Kevin California plays June 24 And Chris Lemay is in June 25… the Offcuts play the Sunken Shipp June 24… Cards and Coasters (55 Mississaga Streete) has Geek Love, a drag show by House of Stitches, happening June 23; get tickets online.
Sherry Allen won the tickets we were giving away for the Brass Transit concert June 24 at the Opera House. Congratulations. The answers to the questions are 1) The song title 25 or 6 to 4 is reference to the time, 2) There are 8 members in Brass Transit, and 3) The first song on side one of Chicago’s first album is called Introduction. There are still some tickets left to see the show.
And hey, It’s Christmas!
In June, Saturday at the Port of Orillia. I had a laugh at myself earlier in the week. I was looking at the calendar hanging in the wall, which is last year’s, still up and showing December. I’ve been looking at this thing for 6 months and having to remind myself the tiny replacement is on my desk (lazy, long story) – but, I saw the dates then line up with the dates this month. So I was right and wrong at the same time.
The docks will be open, but only from 1 to 5 p.m. There is a
Christmas Market from noon to 7 p.m. and there will be live music. Don’t tell
the kids, but Santa is going to make a visit to judge the best decorated boat contest
and he’ll be there at about 3 p.m. just so the little boaters can get a pic
with him.
(Photos by Swartz – SUNonline/Orillia and Images Supplied)
