Welcome to another edition of arts, culture and entertainment news in Orillia and area.
Once again, lots going on. I hope you made it out to some of the events I mentioned last week, and put some future ones in your calendar, or even jumped online and bought tickets. We have been spoiled with our ability to get tickets at the door for many shows here, but I predict those times are running out. Events are going to start selling out in advance, mark my words, so plan ahead.
This week is a big one for lovers of the written word in O-Town, with Drunk Poet’s Society (DPS) celebrating its third birthday at the Brownstone on Thursday night, and Hibernation Arts starting a new Wordsmith Series on January 20.
DPS is an informal open mic for poets or writers of all sorts, and things get underway at the Brownstone on Thursday after 8 p.m. Come out to listen, or share your own writings.
The Wordsmith Series kicks off at Hibernation Arts at 7 Peter St. S. from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday with special guests, writers Bruce Meyer, Dave Armishaw and Jaina Kelly.
Meyer has published 63 books of poetry, short fiction, non-fiction, literary journalism, criticism, and portrait photography. Kelly’s poetry covers topics like self-love, reproductive rights, indigenous oppression and street harassment. Come out to hear these fine wordsmiths, admission is $10 at the door, and includes light refreshments.
Speaking of Hibernation Arts, this space will be home to the juried art exhibition, What Is Love? from Feb. 2 to 28 and curator Molly Farquharson is looking for original art or photography for that exhibit. Artists are invited to submit their work, no larger than 24 inches by 24 inches, with the $15 submission fee, by Jan. 25 by email to Molly at [email protected]. There will be an opening reception on Feb. 2 from 1 to 3 p.m.
In more fine arts (and history) news, the Orillia Museum of Art and History is turning 20 years young, and is celebrating with an opening reception for the new exhibit, OMAH@20. The party will get started Sat. Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. and yes, in addition to viewing the new show, dedicated to all things OMAH, there will be birthday cake.
Under what the heck are they up to now, the Old Dance Hall Players present a winter show, Tongues Stuck to Metal Poles on Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. at the Geneva Event Centre at 16 West. St. S. These improv guys are so funny, their shows usually do sell out, so reserve your $15 ticket now by emailing [email protected]. If there are tickets left, they will be $20 at the door. This show will definitely be a cure for the winter blahs.
Jan. 25 is also Rabbie Burns day for those Scottish folks among us, or anyone who enjoys things Scottish.
The Gravenhurst Opera House is feting Rabbie the bard with Old Man Flanagan’s Ghost, a lively Celtic band who has been entertaining Ontario audiences for years. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., one day late on Jan. 26 and you can grab tickets here Be warned, this evening does include a Scotch nosing.
If you want to celebrate Rabbie a little closer to home, and without the nosing, St. Paul’s Centre is hosting The Celts, a, you guessed it, Celtic band with a Rabbie Burns show, at 8 p.m. on Jan. 25, right on the day. Tickets for this Scottish/Celtic show of music and stories can be found here.
If you want to stay as far away from the whole Scottish-themed evening as possible, classical and jazz guitarist Paul Brooks is playing at the Hog ‘n’ Penny, starting at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 25.
If you are not too hungover or exhausted from all the Scottish frivolity, St. Paul’s Centre is hosting a Reconciliation Art Project Workshop on Jan. 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Gshkoziwin Collective is dedicated to providing programs that awaken the imagination and engage the creativity in groups of all ages on behalf of Truth and Reconciliation and they will be facilitating this workshop.
Engage with your creativity and explore your story of reconciliation and share it with others. Participants will be inspired by the Call #83 Art Exhibit in Macdonald Hall in St. Paul’s Centre, and then make their own works of art to share with others. Registration is $50 and $30 for seniors and students, email [email protected] to register or go tot he website for more information.
Finally, under coming soon, mark your calendars, buy your tickets, and save the date:
Cottagers and Indians, the Drew Hayden Taylor play, is coming to St. Paul’s Centre on Feb. 1 and tickets can be found here. This is the Tarragon Theatre production, don’t miss it.
The Vagina Monologues is coming back to Orillia on Feb. 22 at the Orillia Opera House, tickets are $35 on their website. Proceeds will go to Green Haven Shelter for Women.
Lance Anderson’s An Evening of Blues and Gospel VIII is at St. Paul’s Centre Feb. 9, for tickets, click here.
Local artist Patti Agapi is hosting an Abstract Painting Workshop on Feb. 24, email [email protected] to register.
Don’t forget to send me your news and information, [email protected].
