There are lots of fun arts and culture events coming up in March, as spring inches ever nearer and the chance of events being cancelled due to a blizzard fade.
Peter Street Fine Arts Gallery at 23 Peter St. S. has a new guest artist for the month of March: Judy McLaughlin. She is a local photographer who enjoys capturing wildlife, landscape and macro photography. She has lots of matted photos on display and for sale at the gallery, which is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by and check out her lovely work.
Hibernation Arts at 17 Peter St. S. has a freestyle stitching workshop this Saturday March 8 from 10 a.m. to noon, taught by Molly Farquharson. Molly said about the event, “March 8 seems appropriate, as stitching in its various forms is associated with women, though stitching is also done by many men. You don't need a studio; stitching can be done sitting in your favourite chair with a good light on your hands as you stitch for creativity and rhythm. I will show you the basics and let you go from there, with additional drop ins welcome if you have questions or just want company while you stitch.”
Cost for the workshop is $50, and you can register by emailing [email protected]. The gallery also has two group shows this month, About Women, and Oh Canada. Very apt for the times! Check them out Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) just across the road at 30 Peter St. S. has several wonderful exhibits ongoing. It’s a great place to go on a drizzly dull March day, to see beautiful things and learn more about art, and about the history of Orillia as well. It’s also open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
One of the exhibitors, Nathalie Bertin, is the OMAH History Speaker this month, March 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. on Zoom, and it’s free. Go here to register to get the Zoom link.
Click here to find out all about OMAH’s current exhibitions. Our Arts District may have lost a cornerstone building to fire, but it is still a lovely place to roam, any time of year!
Lakehead University’s annual Media Arts Showcase is happening Thursday, March 6 at 4 p.m. at Simcoe Hall’s room OA-1022. The showcase features student films and multimedia works from the Media, Film, and Communications program at Lakehead, and it’s free to attend. Come and see what these talented students have been up to during their year.
Don’t forget about Mariposa Arts Theatre’s Film Nights, there are only three left! All We Imagine As Light shows March 19 and you can watch the trailer here. Small Things Like These is April 2, here is the trailer. And the final film is Shepherds and you can see the trailer here.
We are so lucky to have MAT bring us these TIFF films to our own Galaxy Theatre. You can see them for only $10, and each film has two showings, at 4 and 7 p.m. Come out, you will be glad you did!
Next week, the Orillia Public Library has a ton of great programming for March break, including escape rooms, board games, and lots more. Visit the website here to find out all the programming and sign up. Of course, OMAH also has March Break activities as well!
The Orillia Opera House presents Marc Ekins Band live in support of Sickkids Foundation, March 6. The Hip Experience and Peral Jammin’, tribute bands, Friday March 7. You can grab your tickets and see what else is coming up, at www.orilliaoperahouse.ca.
The Orillia Concert Band is having its late winter concert this Saturday March 8 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Centre. Special guest is local singer Christina Bosco and the show is called The Magical World of Music. It will be a great night of beautiful music, beautifully played. You can get tickets here or there might be some left at the door. You can also find out more about the show here. Since it’s about the magical world of music, magical artifacts like pointy hats and wands are encouraged!
There are lots more great events coming up this month, including Mariposa in Concert with School House and Amanda Rheaume, next Saturday, at St. Paul’s Centre ... read all about it and get tickets here.
Also at St. Paul’s Centre, next Sunday, Dmytro Garbovskyi, dubbed Golden Voice of the Ukraine. St. Paul’s Centre is also having another Pub Night, featuring ALEX, March 21 and Fridge-a-Palooza, a fundraiser for the Orillia Community Fridge, March 22.
Also on March 22, the Orillia Silver Band is hosting a fundraising concert to help them get to the North American Brass Band Championship in Indiana! You can get more information about all of these events here.
I had a wonderful time at Arts Orillia’s Black in Canada and Acoustics for Green Haven, last weekend. You never go wrong going to some of the wonderful events that are happening right here in Orillia.
Don’t forget to check out the new location of Brewery Bay, at Couchiching Craft Brewery .... preview photos look lovely. Also, Orillia has two new Shawarma places.
Have a great week and if you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.