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From classical music to costume parades ... this weekend is for you!

Our arts and entertainment columnist has everything you need to know to get ready for a jam-packed few days of events and activities
Mitchell Pady credit Mitchell Pady
The Cellar Singers director Mitchell Pady will be waving the baton this Saturday at 3 p.m. at St. James’ Anglican Church. Contributed photo

I hope you all took advantage of the fantastic music all over town last weekend at the Orillia Jazz Festival. I was blown away by the talent of our high school students at the showcase Friday night, and have heard nothing but compliments about all the great jazz musicians the festival brought to us.

It’s another busy October weekend here in O-Town. Two of our Orillia Performing Arts Forum member groups have concerts this weekend.

The Cellar Singers present Haydn’s The Creation on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 3 p.m., at St. James’ Anglican Church at 58 Peter St. N. This oratorio is considered by many to be one of Haydn’s masterpieces.

Depicting the creation of the world, as described in the Book of Genesis, this masterpiece runs 1 hour and 45 minutes, and features soprano, tenor and bass soloists. Bair Bailey, Cellar Singers accompanist, will ably reproduce the orchestra and Mitchell Pady will direct. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for the under-30 crowd and can be purchased here. Tickets are also available at the door.

Orillia Silver Band has its annual fundraising concert for Hillcrest Lodge Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Orillia Opera House. Hillcrest Lodge is a non-profit, rent geared-to-income building with thirty-one apartments, providing a secure and healthy environment for low income and vulnerable seniors. The OSB has been doing fundraising concerts for Hillcrest for several years now, and always puts on an entertaining and high-quality show.

Featured pieces this Sunday include Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s The Light Fantastic, and Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812’ Overture, complete with cannons, bells and other special effects. OSB soloists will be featured in several pieces, including Randy Hoover on cornet and Rita Arendz on tenor horn. A concert not to be missed! Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students/children and are available at the door or here.

Speaking of the Orillia Opera House (OOH), comedienne extraordinaire Anne Marie Scheffler’s show MILF Life Crisis is there tomorrow night at 8 p.m. Scheffler is known for her hit comedy show Suddenly Mommy, and this new show takes a look at life after divorce and all that entails. Tickets for MILF Life Crisis are $35 and available at the door or here.

Also at the Opera House, local musician Zachary Lucky is having an album release there, in the Studio Theatre, Friday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Lucky’s new album, Midwestern, muses on his new life as a dad living in Orillia. Two-time Mariposa Folk Festival alumnus Lucky is originally from Saskatchewan and Midwestern harkens back to his midwestern roots and looks at where he is now. Tickets are $20 and can be found here.

Speaking of Mariposa, check out the Echoes of Mariposa concert on Saturday, Oct. 26 at St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter St. N. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., the concert starts at 8, and features Mariposa favourites The Doozies, Rick Fines, and James Grey.

The cool thing about this show is it is a Mariposa workshop-style concert, meaning there will be lots of opportunities for these fine musicians to collaborate, and lots of impromptu jamming. This will be a really fun evening out. Tickets are $35 at the door or $30 in advance here.

On Thursday, Hibernation Arts at 7 Peter St. S. is having another gallery concert, featuring Buck and a Half, a drum and ukulele duo who are lots of fun. From their Facebook page: “Mick Bennett and S.C. Pinney are long-time friends and musical journeymen creating spontaneous driving minimal folk blues fit for dance hall and campfire.”

Tickets are $20 at the door, and include light refreshment. Go early, it’s a small space. Show starts at 7 p.m.

Of course, Halloween is next week, so there are a few opportunities this weekend to get dressed up and get your Halloween on. Friday at 8 p.m. at the Geneva Event Centre, 16 West St. S., there is an 80’s-themed Halloween Party featuring The Polyester Slackers and DJ Rudy. Come dressed in your favourite 80’s costume. I’m sure you still have those shoulder pads somewhere. Tickets are just $10 at the door or at Gilbert’s Guitars.

Also for grownups, get dressed in your jammies and come out to After Hours Stories for Grownups at the Orillia Public Library Friday at 7:30 p.m. Listen to some stories you can’t tell your kids, have an adult beverage (cash bar) and a snack and enjoy this unusual event. To register, click here. Must be 19 and over to attend.

For kids, Downtown Orillia is putting on a fun Halloween costume parade Saturday starting at noon at Studabaker’s Beachside. Kids parade up the main street, collecting treats along the way, and wind up at the library courtyard where there will be a prize for best costume. Kids also get a passport which can be stamped for more prizes and fun.

Also for kids, Saturday at 1 p.m., Graveyard ExtravaGOONza is happening at the Leacock Museum. Entry is by donation and there will be crafts, games, pumpkin carving, treats and more. Come in costume!

AND also for kids, the Orillia Public Library is doing its annual Family Pumpkin Decorating Contest, on Saturday, at 1:30 p.m. BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin) and decorate it there to win prizes. Pumpkins will be on display to the public as well. To register, click here

And Halloween fun for all ages? Friday, ODAS Park is having an 80’s roller skating party starting at 7 p.m. DJ Mark Earl will be spinning 80’s tunes, there will be costumes, and the 80’s admission price is only 3 bucks.

The Orillia Museum of Art & History at 30 Peter St. S. is hosting Storytelling Orillia’s monthly story circle with special guest teller Angelica Ottewill who will accompany her spooky stories on harp. Hear the story which inspired the classic tune, Ghostriders in the Sky. Stories get started at 2 p.m. Sun. Oct. 27.

Next Friday and Saturday, Orillia Centre for Arts and Culture presents two incredible shows: Jane Bunnett and Maqueque on Friday, Nov. 1, and KUNE on Saturday, Nov. 2, both at St. Paul’s Centre at 8 p.m.

Tickets for each show are $30, or two shows for $50, and available here.

The KUNE show comes with the option of an international dinner as well as the show, for $50, dinner starting at 6 p.m. Email [email protected] to register for the dinner and show package.

For lots more information about both of these incredible performing arts shows, check out the OCAC social media channels or their website.

Next week, we will touch on lots more at the Orillia Museum of Art & History as well as Sustainable Orillia month, Mariposa Arts Theatre and the list goes on.

Music at the bars? Of course. At the Brownstone Café, Friday Tech Nite, Saturday Nate Yell CD release. At the Hog ‘n’ Penny, Friday Darrin Davis, Saturday The Hillbirds. At Fionn MacCool’s, Friday Richard Henderson, Saturday Josh and Amanda. At the casino, Friday Kenny G, Saturday. Daughtry.

And music NOT in the bars? Revelation Revival is playing at Westmount Congregation at the Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. featuring bluegrass and gospel music, Sean Patrick on banjo, Heather McBride, Meredith Warboys, Shelley Davis on vocals and more.

Arts news, send to [email protected] by Tuesdays at noon. Have a great week!


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