Well folks, another busy weekend here in Orillia ... or should we just call it holiday town?
This is definitely the place to be to get a big old dose of that Christmas cheer! Let’s dive right in:
This Friday (Dec. 1) at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Centre, Dress for Success Orillia Barrie brings us its second iteration of A Reading of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. I went to this last year and it was utterly magical. The perfect intro to December and the magic of the holiday season.
This year, Mayor MacIsaac, Simcoe North MP Adam Chambers and Krista Holmes Storey are reprising their reading roles ... and they were wonderful, getting right into the fun of it all.
This year, they are joined by readers Raquel Ness, a local lawyer and businesswoman, and Carey Moran, from Pure Country 106. Also in the mix is local musician Sean Patrick, who will be directing the musical portion of the evening, and will be joined by some other stellar musicians.
All in all, it’s just a lovely lovely evening of Christmas thoughts and music. Tickets are only $25, $15 for youth 13 to 18, and proceeds are split between Dress for Success Orillia Barrie and Green Haven Shelter. So, you get to give while you get. Just perfect. Get your tickets here.
This Saturday (Dec. 2), at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., musical powerhouse Orillia Concert Band returns with its double-barrelled day of Christmas concerts. At 3:30 p.m., it's the shorter family-oriented Christmas show with special guests Twin Lakes Secondary School Choir. And at 7:30 p.m., the longer Christmas Prelude, more suitable for an adult audience. If you have littles, the afternoon concert is the perfect place to go to introduce them to special live Christmas music. They will love it!
Tickets for the afternoon show can be found here and they do have a special family rate of $20 for two adults and two kids. Tickets for the evening show are here. At $20 for adults and $15 for seniors, it’s the best value and best money you will spend this holiday season!
For those who would prefer a more interactive holiday experience, while still helping others, The Big Event’s Back to the 90s Video Dance Party is back! This iteration is collecting money for Christmas toy drives. The fun happens at ODAS Park Saturday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. Costumes from the 90’s are encouraged but not mandatory. There will be a cash bar, munchies, lots of great music and videos on three giant 15-foot screens, and just a whole lot of fun.
This is a licensed 19-plus event. For tickets, go here.
There are also several holiday markets this weekend, at Couchiching Craft Brewery on Sunday, and Rama Community Hall Friday and Saturday.
Monday, Dec. 4 and Wednesday, Dec. 6 any and all thespians wanted for auditions for Mariposa Arts Theatre’s production of I’ll Be Back Before Midnight, which will run April 11 to 21 at the Orillia Opera House. Auditions will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at the MAT Warehouse at 12 Brammer Dr. For more information, reach out to MAT at [email protected].
Looking ahead to next week, St. Paul’s Centre continues to be Christmas Central with a Country Christmas with the Scott Woods Band next Friday night at 7 p.m. Enjoy fiddling rollicking Christmas tunes in this fun all ages concert. Tickets www.scottwoods.ca.
Next Saturday night, join local Indigenous storytellers and the spirit of their ancestors for Aadsooke at St. Paul’s Centre from 7 to 9 p.m. Storytellers featured include Jeff Monague, John Rice, and Ronnie Douglas, among others. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Come and enjoy this special holiday celebrations.
Also next Saturday, St. James’ gets in on the fun with a Swingin’ Christmas, featuring the Orillia Big Band, in the Maple Leaf Auditorium. Have fun dancing the night away, enjoy the cash bar and sandwiches, and know you are helping St. James’ food programs as well. Tickets are $30 and you can get them from Randy at [email protected].
Don’t forget to support all your local shops as you get into your holiday spending. The arts district has lots of options of all shapes and sizes, and over 30 of your local downtown businesses and art galleries have banded together to be open later on Thursday nights.
Nip downtown at 5 p.m., don’t pay for parking, enjoy some lovely shopping in our beautiful downtown, and then finish the night with a lovely dinner at one of our wonderful downtown restaurants. Sounds perfect, and a great way to take all the stress out of this time of year.
Have a great week and if you have arts news send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.
