It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas with that white stuff out there today.
Truthfully, the holiday season has been in full swing here since before the lighting of Fred’s Tree (trunk), and there are still some lovely events to take in this week as we get closer to the big day. Here they are:
Thursday at 7:30 p.m., join the Skydiggers and friends for A Skydiggers Christmas at St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia. This is a lovely night of music both old and new, lots of holiday music and then some Skydiggers fan favourites. The band is amazing, and the songs will have you feeling nostalgic for times gone by. A wonderful event for everyone. Tickets are at insidethemusic.ca, but hurry; I predict it will sell out.
Friday at 7:30 p.m., come enjoy Serena Ryder’s music in her Merry Myths Tour 2023 at the Orillia Opera House. Orillians are big fans of Serena, and this will be a great night of awesome music by this talented artist. Apparently, she will be unpacking the roots of many Christmas myths in this concert full of songs old and new, featuring lots of music from her Christmas Kisses album. Grab your tickets now at orilliaoperahouse.ca.
Also Friday, The Glorious Sons come to Casino Rama. This platinum award-winning Canadian band is a fan favourite, so come out and enjoy. Tickets at casinorama.com.
Saturday, Hibernation Arts at 17 Peter St. S. is having its Holiday Open House from noon to 4 p.m. Fresh art from the Orillia and District Arts Council member wall and gorgeous Couchiching This Morning photos from local artist MJ Pollak will be on display and for sale, as well as beautiful fibre art and lots of other local art for Christmas shopping.
Here is more information about Pollak’s exhibit, from her artist’s statement:
“Whenever possible throughout the year MJ Pollak does a bike ride in the early morning, following the Orillia waterfront on the Lightfoot Trail. Along the way MJ stops to photograph flora and fauna, but mostly the daybreaks over Lake Couchiching.
“MJ has been doing this ever since moving to Orillia in 2018 and falling in love with Lake Couchiching. As a result, MJ has compiled a library of sunrise images, in every kind of weather, spanning the last five years, starting in 2018.
“MJ has selected some favourite images for an exhibition currently showing at Hibernation Arts, through Dec. 31, 2023.”
Come out to Hibernation Arts on Saturday afternoon and enjoy some festive treats and shop from your local artists this year.
Speaking of local artists: Just down the road, at 23 Peter. St. S., Peter Street Fine Arts Gallery and Studio is having its annual 6x6 show. This features original art on 6x6 panels, at the right price for lots of Christmas shopping. Also featured in this show, some different art that is not 6x6.
Also featured is art by several year-round artists at this beautiful gallery of woodworking, painting, photos, and more. Intrigued? Come and check it out, Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is open late this Thursday and next, for your Christmas shopping and not-paying-for-parking pleasure.
There are lots of downtown stores open late this Thursday and next as well, so come check them out, too. For the list of who is open late, go here.
Saturday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., nip on over to Creative Nomad Studios for Merry Streets Alive Christmas, featuring hand-painted ornaments of Fred’s Tree by local artists. This year, in addition to holiday photos by Deb Halbot, you can get a Fred’s Tree ornament of your own in exchange for a donation to the Couchiching Conservancy. Merry Streets Alive Christmas to you.
Saturday at 2 p.m., join Orillia Brassworks and the 4th Street Jazz Project for Silver Bells, a holiday concert in support of the Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal for families in need. The show is at the Salvation Army Citadel. Students from Orillia Secondary School will also be playing. Admission is by donation at the door. Enjoy.
Saturday afternoon, join the Orillia Vocal Ensemble and support The Sharing Place Food Centre at the same time by attending The Wonder of Christmas in Song and Script, at St. Paul’s Centre at 2 p.m. The concert will feature Brother Heinrich’s Christmas, which is a Christmas fable with narrator and choir. Guest performers are the Orillia Community Children’s Choir and Matilda Wilson, solo. This will be a beautiful show, and entrance is by donation, so just show up and enjoy.
Saturday night, Orillia Indian Community and the Orillia Cricket Club present the Annual Event 2023 at ODAS Park. There will be games, amazing food, dinner, dance, DJ, and fun for all ages. It all starts at 5:30 p.m. and it’s going to be wonderful. For tickets, email [email protected].
Finally, a quick look ahead to January. The St. Paul’s Orillia production of The Music Man is running from Jan. 24 to 28, with six shows including two matinees on Saturday and Sunday, at St. Paul’s Centre. Good news: There will be reserved seating for these shows. Also good news: Tickets are available online as well as in person at St. Paul’s. Further good news: Blair Bailey is the music director, so you know this will be a first-class show. For tickets, go here.
Have a great week, enjoy all the holiday feels, take time to have fun, and see you back here next week. If you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.
