Hi folks and welcome to arts and culture Stage 3 of the current pandemic: the confused edition.
This week, we have a multitude of events, some live, some online, some brand new, some reopening, some cancelled, some modified, some not. I believe the important thing to remember as we reopen, is that this pandemic is still here and waiting, biding its time.
So, we still need to physical distance, wash hands, limit our “bubble” to 10 persons, and wear masks while indoors in public spaces. Let’s keep each other healthy and safe.
I want to give a huge round of applause to our creatives, both locally and around the world, who have been even more creative and never given up during these trying and frightening times. Lots of new ideas, events, and ways of doing things have come out of these amazing minds and that is truly worthy of our admiration. My hat is off to all of you!
This week, we have a few old favourites reopening, among them the Leacock Museum and the downtown Orillia Farmers’ Market.
Leacock opened its doors again July 20 with safety protocols in place. The museum is open for self-guided tours by appointment only, and the gift shop is open with tapless payment options. Visit the website here to book your slot and don’t forget your mask!
The downtown Farmers’ Market has been sorely missed on Saturdays especially since the good weather arrived, so it is exciting to hear that it will be open again starting this Saturday, regular market hours, with safety measures in place.
Physical distancing will be enforced and wearing a mask is recommended. Note there will be no seating, and no public washrooms. Come enjoy fresh local produce and products and support our local farmers and makers.
Also reopening soon? Our beloved Orillia Opera House! Starting Aug. 19 and running until Sept. 4, the Opera House will present the Norm Foster play, On A First Name Basis. Audience numbers will be limited to 50, spaciously distanced in the large Gordon Lightfoot auditorium. For more information and to get tickets, go here.
Speaking of our creatives being…creative…lots of output recently from many of them! Local artists Paul Baxter, Xavier Fernandes and Beth McKean are working with the city on Orillia’s new welcome signs…featuring a giant mask over each sign with the words 'Keep Orillia Safe' on each mask. It’s an awesome message and huge creative project, ably executed by these talented artists. Way to go!
Artist Bones Sucks painted an incredible mural at the Orillia Skatepark which was almost immediately changed up by another local artist…not sure how Bones feels about that, but his mural is colourful and incredible.
Local rapper Jackson James’ 5-song EP, Still Holding On, came out a few weeks ago and is definitely worthy of a listen or several. Jackson who goes by YTJ (Yours Truly Jackson) partnered with WEN in this beautiful album which chronicles his own mental health journey. Take a listen here and enjoy.
YTJ also has a new song out, Locket, penned in collaboration with his cousin. Take a listen to these talented young musicians here.
Beth McKean of Hip Chick Design is hosting her second Night Market on July 23 from 4 to 9 p.m. with special guests Eclectic Café, Ani Whalen-McKean, Muskoka Twig and Jibe Jewellery. The market is in McKean’s spacious backyard at 32 Penetang St. with lots of room for physical distancing.
The deadline for the call for proposals for a piece of original art in Tudhope Park’s butterfly garden has been extended by the city, to July 24 at 4 p.m. We have so many creatives here, I am sure there can be something beautiful made for this special area. There is a decent budget and interested artists should click here for details.
The second Summer Outdoor Artwalk is this Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., to overlap with the downtown street closures and patio extensions. Creative Nomad Studios has also organized a live outdoor painting session, something else to enjoy while you safely stroll the downtown streets. Come enjoy indoor and outdoor art exhibits by all of our local galleries and artists, don’t forget your mask if you are going inside. The streets are closed from 4 to 11 p.m.
Heartworks Children’s Art Studio has pivoted again to offer outdoor art cafes for children. For more information, check out their website.
Pivoting to music, Mariposa Folk Festival’s virtual concert series can be found on the website. If you missed any of the fine programming they have presented so far, check it out today.
The Essential Concert Series is moving to a once-a-month format, as Stage 3 happens and the founders get back to some regular paying gigs. You can keep track of what is going on there through the Facebook page here.
Humdinger Bike Tours has another Far Out Fridays Art Romp via bike, throughout Orillia. Check out the new Streets Alive butterflies as well as other Streets Alive and more art throughout our town. For more information and to register, click here.
Tailwinds Bar and Grill is having live music again, in a safe during-pandemic way. My Missing Piece will be playing live at Tailwinds this Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. with lots of new repertoire, so come check them out; reservations recommended.
Lastly, a huge shout out to one of Orillia’s main maestros of music, Roy Menagh, founder of Orillia’s Pay-It-Forward choir, the Orillia Vocal Ensemble. Roy is now stepping down as music director of this local ensemble.
This choir has raised over $150,000 for local charities since its inception in 2009 when Menagh put it together to add a choir element to the Orillia Wind Ensemble’s Christmas concert that year. Thirty-five singers showed up to the first rehearsal and wouldn’t hear of disbanding after the show, so Orillia’s new choir was born. Congratulations Roy on a wonderful legacy and thanks for all the music!
If you have culture news, email it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included. Stay safe!
