Congratulations to the Orillia Concert Band on an exceptional, sold-out show at St. Paul’s Centre this past weekend. Wonderful music, brilliantly played and sung…a real coup, for any musical group, but especially for a band of volunteers. Well done!
And the hits just keep on coming…of course many more events and shows to look forward to, in what we hope is the last month of winter.
The ladies at Three Birds Salon at 7 Peter St. S. must have caught the art bug from being located in the Arts District. The three stylists, Bobbi, Caroline, and Kendra are all creating paintings and will be auctioning them off for charity in an open house and silent auction this Saturday (March 11) from noon to 4 p.m. Proceeds from the silent auction will go to Hospice Orillia, Green Haven, and the Orillia Youth Centre. Come out, check out the salon, and support local charities and these entrepreneurial women.
Don’t miss the Met in HD, March 18, at the Galaxy Cinema Orillia. This special showing of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lohengrin is a must see. Grab your tickets there or online, the show starts at 1 p.m.
On March 9 at 7 p.m., don’t miss author (and city councillor) Jay Fallis’ Book Talk, on his book, Ireland Awakening, A Post-COVID Travel Story, at Hibernation Arts. Admission is $10 and includes light refreshments.
The Orillia Opera House has some great concerts coming up in the next week or so.
Pavlo in Concert: The Santorini Tour will feature Pavlo and his Mediterranean-style guitar at his very best, with a world-class band backing him up. The show is this Saturday (March 11) at 7:30 p.m. and you can get your $57 ticket through the Orillia Opera House box office at www.orilliaoperahouse.ca or by calling 705-326-8011.
JUNO-award winning husband and wife duo, Digging Roots, is next up at the Orillia Opera House (OOH), on March 16 at 7:30 p.m. I last heard these musicians at Roots North, pre-COVID and they definitely blew the audience away. Their music is an awe-inspiring mix of blues, soul, rock and roll, and Indigenous traditions and sounds as well. Definitely get a $48 ticket for this amazing night, through the OOH box office.
On March 17, the OOH present Sean McCann from Great Big Sea, for a St. Paddy’s Day romping show, featuring lots of Great Big Sea favourites…it’s the band’s 30th anniversary this year. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $45 through the box office.
Casino Rama similarly has some fun blasts from the past performing soon. This Saturday at 8 p.m., 54-40 is performing along with the Northern Pikes for all those of us who came of age in the 1980’s. Remember “I Go Blind?” or how about “She Ain’t Pretty”? I think I actually had a cassette tape of the Northern Pikes back in the day. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster here.
And this Friday, March 10, hop on over to the casino for a pre-St. Paddy’s Day night with The Irish Rovers. Now, I wasn’t such a Rovers fan, but they did have a lot of catchy tunes, and they have just released a new album, in 2022, called No End in Sight! So, there you go. Tickets through Ticketmaster.
Don’t forget the Orillia Silver Band show, Marche Joyeuse, on Sunday, March 19 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Centre. Rumour has it there will be an audience singalong with The Saints Go Marching In, so be there or be square. Tickets are $25 through the OOH box office.
Honestly, anyone who loves live music should just move to Orillia, with so much available in such a variety of venues.
In live music at the bars this week, Michael Martyn will be performing solo at Tammie’s Place, now The Sunken Ship Tropical Bar and Tikki Lounge, this Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.
Couchiching Craft Brewery presents Steve Henry featuring Joe Agnello and James Legere this Friday, Joe Garrisi Saturday, and Sunday afternoon, the Will Davis/Chris Robinson Duo. Also, for March 17, Run with the Kittens.
And this Friday, at 8 p.m. come out to The Lone Wolf Café to see Sean Patrick and Benj Rowland, free.
Enjoy your week and if you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.
