Hello and welcome to the middle of January, where the sun comes to die. At least we have the month half beat, and luckily there are lots of great things to do here in O-Town to get us through those January blahs.
The Orillia Opera House (OOH) has Simcoe Contemporary Dancers (SCD) in for a wonderful evening of dance in Confluence: 10th anniversary tour, on Friday. The program features new contemporary dance works by Sarah Lochhead, Jaqui Brown, Jewell Cormier, and Nicole Becher along with repertoire from SCD's first 10 years.
In addition, SCD is offering two free dance workshops for kids, starting at 3 p.m. on Friday. For more information and to register for the workshops, click here. For your $20 plus fees tickets to Confluence, go to the OOH box office here. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Continuing with the January dance theme, the OOH also presents a Winter Dance Gala on Sun. Jan. 19 at 2 p.m., featuring Highland Dancer Cole Leslie, reigning Ontario, Canadian, and 4th place World Champion; Highland highlights and Simcoe Dance Festival award winning performances.
This is a fundraiser supporting the OOH and $20 (plus fees) tickets can be bought here. Come out, enjoy an afternoon of dance, and support our beloved Opera House! It’s a win/win/win.
Another pillar of our arts community here in town, the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH), has a new exhibit opening Jan. 25, entitled She Shoots! She Scores! This show will feature stories, equipment, and photographs from the past 100 plus years of women's hockey. The opening reception is Saturday, Jan. 25 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Also at OMAH, special 10% off rates for all March break and summer camps, until Jan. 19. Don’t wait to book your kids in for some fun, save some bucks by planning early! For more information and to register, go here.
Also upcoming at OMAH, a Wine and Paint Night with Tanya Cunnington, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m., and Lunch n Learn on Feb. 5, Watercolour with Hilary Slater. For more information on these and other informative activities and events at OMAH, click here.
Mariposa Arts Theatre (MAT) has been in town a long time, providing quality theatre and bringing wonderful film programming to Orillia, too. MAT’s 2020 film nights begin next Wednesday, Jan. 22 with Judy, the Judy Garland story starring Renee Zellweger. Two shows, at 4 and 7 p.m., and tickets are $10 each, cash only. Get to the Galaxy Theatre early to grab a seat!
MAT is holding an information evening for auditions for its next play, The Gin Game, this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in auditioning for this classic play, you are strongly encouraged to attend this information session with director James Fairbairn at the MAT Centre (12 Brammer Drive, Orillia).
Orillia is a community with a lot of heart, and nowhere is it more evident than in our support for our neighbours and our musical and artistic community. Over Christmas time, our community tragically lost another talented member, Jesse Parkes, son of Steve Parkes of Jack’s Music Hall.
A benefit/memorial/fundraising event is being held this Sunday, Jan. 19 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Geneva Event Centre on West Street South. There will be music, refreshments, a cash bar, silent auction and a chance to get together and support the family in this difficult time. There is also a Go Fund Me to help the family financially, you can donate here. Sympathy goes to the family on this tragic loss.
I wanted to give a shout out to Heartworks Children’s Studio at 471 Laclie St. here in town. Lindsey Toutant runs this inclusive welcoming space with lots of programming for kids, youth and families. Examples of programs include an art program for neurodiverse youth called Spectrum Arts, a Baby and Me Sensory Playgroup, a Little Artists playgroup for ages 2 to 5 years and an evening Makers program for youth 6 to 12 years.
Heartworks will also be hosting additional family programs on weekends and will be offering birthday party packages and take-home process art kits for children. For more information, don’t hesitate to reach out to Lindsey through her website.
Lots of music coming up, starting on Thursday with Hibernation Arts Gallery concert featuring Laurie Zwarych, from 7 to 9 p.m. $20 cash at the door. At the Brownstone café, Friday James Grey and Deeps, Saturday Mountain Head with F. Scott and the Nighthawks. At the Hog ‘n’ Penny at 8:30 p.m., Friday Olivia Duck, Saturday The Station. At Fionn’s, Friday at 7 p.m. Richard Henderson. At Casino Rama Yardhouse Live at 9:15 p.m., Friday Rob Watts, Saturday Charlotte and the Dirty Cowboys. At Casino Rama, Friday and Saturday Chris D’Elia.
Thanks for reading and send me your news by Tuesdays at noon, to [email protected].
