Well folks, it’s almost Halloween. Which means it’s almost November. Which means there are going to be more and more events as we ramp up into the holiday season. So, hold onto your hats, things are just getting started!
This weekend it is all about Halloween. Trunk or Treat is on Saturday afternoon at ODAS Park, with a rain date Sunday. Word is there are 1,000 kids signed up to trick or treat from the car trunks of local business owners and others.
The Rotary Club of Orillia is having a Halloween dance this weekend, and it is sold out, too. The downtown Orillia Farmers’ Market is also doing a trick or treating event, so bring the kiddos in costume and come on down Saturday morning to check it out.
Speaking of Wildlife has brought back its popular Hoot ‘n Howl, now that COVID-19 is settling down. Saturday and Sunday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., you can register and come out to a somewhat spooky but mostly fun tour of all the awesome wildlife there…hear Maverick the wolf howl at the moon, and several species of owls have a hooting good time, and pick up a treat bag, too! This event is pay what you can, and you can find out more here. You can also email [email protected]
Off the Halloween topic (as far as I know), from Oct. 29 to Nov. 7, Cloud Gallery continues its series of guest artists shows with Sarah Carlson’s beautiful show, Forest Bath. Featuring 12 brand new paintings, you won’t want to miss Carlson’s evocative landscapes. If you would like to attend the opening of the show Oct. 29 from 6 to 9 p.m., click here to register.
Coming up on Nov. 5, a fundraising event by the Orillia District Arts Council (ODAC) that you won’t want to miss. Leslie Fournier, the founder of Streets Alive Productions, and the organizer behind the incredible street art we are lucky to have in Orillia each year, is the main speaker in this dynamic and fun evening out.
Leslie will share secrets and stories of past Streets Alive happenings, the winners of the 2021 Hippie Vans series will be there, there will be a door prize…AND you will get to find out all about the plans for holiday season décor downtown this year. The talk is at Creative Nomad Studios Nov. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m., and you can get tickets here.
Fournier is an entertaining and enjoyable speaker, and the $30 ticket is good value for a fun evening out, and a chance to raise money for ODAC, which organized lots of Culture Days events this year, and is one of the groups behind the annual Orillia Regional Arts and Heritage Awards (ORAHA).
Speaking of ORAHA, the list of nominees will be released this week! And save the date for the gala awards night, Wednesday Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter St. N.
There will be a red carpet event starting at 6 p.m. with our own local paparazzi, so put on your fancy clothes and come out to celebrate all the nominees in our area. This is a free event, and you must have proof of vaccination to attend. More details, including that list of nominees, coming very soon!
Lots more things happening, including:
- Many, many workshops at Creative Nomad Studios
- Open mic night with Timmay Kehoe at Kensington’s Burger Bar, every Tuesday at 8 p.m.
- Many, many craft and holiday shows throughout November…more information coming soon
- Carmichael lecture at Orillia Museum of Art and History, save the date, Nov. 17
- Love, Loss and What I Wore, Mariposa Arts Theatre’s November production, starting Nov. 4.
Enjoy this last weekend of October and strap on your seatbelts for a busy time leading into December.
If you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.
