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COLUMN: Rib fest, powwow among many events this weekend

COLUMN: Rib fest, powwow among many events this weekend

Sun may be setting soon on summer, but this weekend is jam-packed with events for people of all ages and interests, says columnist

And just like that, summer is almost over. If you are like me, you are doing everything summery you possibly can to stop it from slipping away. Luckily, there is still lots of summer activities to do here in our area.

The second-last See You on the Patio night is this Friday, which also means the second-last Art Walk. Stroll the streets of downtown Orillia and enjoy music, shopping, and dining, and take a trip down Peter Street to enjoy all the galleries and art displays and activities Friday from 5 to 11 p.m. (Art Walk until 8:30 p.m.).

The last Orillia Summer Nights in the park event is tonight (Wednesday) at 6:30 p.m., featuring the Old Dancehall Players at Victoria Park. These folks got rained out in their last outing, so fingers crossed this one happens. Should be a fun and funny evening with this talented group.

The last Wednesday Arts in the Summer show at St. James’ Anglican Church is Wednesday, Aug. 31 at noon, featuring singer Autumn Debassige. Bring your lunch and enjoy beautiful music while you eat. Cold drink supplied. Donations are appreciated.

Don’t forget the several lovely summery concerts and shows coming up this weekend. Songs at Sunset, featuring soprano Alexandra Teske and pianist Kyung-A Lee, features songs by Bach, Faure, Handel, Mahler, Sondheim and more, and gets started Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. at St. James’ Anglican Church. Admission is by donation, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Green Haven Shelter for Women.

You have two chances to see Anne Walker in concert at Coulson Church in Oro-Medonte: Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Coulson Church is at 301 Horseshoe Valley Rd., right near Line 6. Tickets are $15 and the money raised is going toward the ongoing maintenance and restoration of the church. To reserve your tickets, call 416-988-2951 or email ridge4@sympatico.ca.

Don’t forget about the Love for Lucas fundraising concert Aug. 28 from 2 to 5 p.m. at ODAS Park. Featuring musicians SAMMY, Ronnie Douglas, and Liz Anderson, this will be a lovely show to benefit young Lucas, who has mounting hospital bills in the United States for cancer treatment. There will also be a silent auction, door prizes and a bake sale. This event has been organized by Lucas’s aunt here in Orillia. Admission is by donation.

Also this weekend, on Saturday, Brighter Days: A Night of Hope is happening at Kelsey’s Party Room. This is a fundraiser for the Sharing Place Food Centre, hosted by Orillia’s own Ralston Harris, and featuring Mel and Dan Bazinet, Brian Adams, Vanessa Wilson, Ian McCrae and more. The fun starts at 7 p.m. and admission is by donation.

Don’t miss the Orillia Rib and Craft Beer Fest, part of the Northern Heat Rib Series, this weekend at Tudhope Park. Lots of music, tons of ribs and beer, and free admission, Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 12 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 7 p.m. Yum!

The Barrie Fair runs this weekend, all weekend long, at the Essa Agriplex. Come and get an early start on your fall fairs. For more information, click here.

And, finally, also this weekend, the Rama Powwow is back, bigger and better than ever. Located at the John Snake Memorial Multi-Purpose Community Grounds, this powwow is one of the biggest and best around. Lots of music, drumming, dancing, feasting, and more. Admission is $10 per day or $15 for the weekend.

There is a sunrise ceremony at 6 a.m. Saturday, and then everything gets started just before noon and runs until 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information and the schedule, click here.

Looking ahead to fall, don’t forget the fundraising concert at St. Paul’s Centre on Sept. 10, featuring Lance Anderson and friends; the Leacock Medal 75th-anniversary weekend Sept. 16 and 17; the Roots North Revisited concert for the Orillia Youth Centre Sept. 17; Autumn Mariposa Oct. 1; and so much more.

Lots to say about those in the coming weeks. For now, enjoy these last fleeting days of summer.

If you have arts news, send it to annaproctor111@gmail.com by Tuesday at noon to be included.

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COLUMN: As summer nears, lots of popular events returning

COLUMN: As summer nears, lots of popular events returning

Art Under the Pavilion, popular spring boat show, Gathering festival in Rama and much more happening this weekend, notes columnist

It’s back. Feels like I might be writing that a lot this summer. This time, I am talking about Art Under the Pavilion, which will be happening as part of the Spring Boat, Cottage and Green Technology Show this weekend at Couchiching Beach Park.

As per COVID-19 usual, both the show and the art show were MIA in 2020 and 2021, and it will be wonderful to see this great kick-off-to-summer event running Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., again.

Art Under the Pavilion will be located in the waterfront pavilion in the park and will feature paintings and artworks by local artists Paul Baxter, Marlene Bulas, David Crighton, Xavier Fernandes, Chris MacDonald, Gayle Schofield and Richard Vandermeer.

Baxter and Fernandes will transform the pavilion into a wonderful outdoor art gallery and the gorgeous works of art by these talented local painters will take the scene to the next level. Come and browse Art Under the Pavilion this weekend, meet these talented folks, and buy some art. It will make your weekend.

Another event that is back, post-COVID-19, this weekend is Gathering: Festival of First Nations Stories. This is a wonderful, free event featuring many First Nations authors and storytellers, produced jointly by Rama First Nation and the Orillia Centre for Arts and Culture.

Featured authors include Drew Hayden Taylor, Brenda Wastasecoot, Sherry Lawson and Waubgeshig Rice, along with musicians Ronnie Douglas and Ritchie Benson, as well as many others. Gathering events are happening at the Rama Community Hall from June 9 to 11. All events are free, but you are asked to register here.

Both the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) and the Orillia and District Arts Council (ODAC) have annual general meetings coming up, OMAH’s is June 16 via Zoom, and ODAC’s is June 15 at 5 p.m. at Creative Nomad Studios. For more information and to register for OMAH’s, click here.

Speaking of OMAH, the annual silent auction fundraiser, Pachter Panorama, is coming up June 18, featuring works by good friend of OMAH Charles Pachter. There will be an in-person garden party event at Pachterplex, 54 Western Ave., June 18 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The online silent auction preview begins June 13, and the bidding runs from June 16 to 18. For lots more information, and to bid, click here. This is an important fundraiser for OMAH’s Endowment Fund, so please support.

The Orillia Youth Centre and its executive director, force-to-be-reckoned-with Kevin Gangloff, are raising funds for the Nelson Bell/Jake Beers bursaries and mental health and creative fund, via a couple of concerts coming up at the end of the month:

  • June 30 at Eclectic Café by Melanie Robinson Catering with Roger Harvey and SAMMY live for dinner and a show.

  • July 1 at Brightview Farms for FarmFest in Sebright with Roger Harvey, Kayla Elizabeth, and ALEX the Band.

These will be first-rate shows, food, and entertainment, as well as for a great cause. Get your tickets today. For the ticket link and more information, click here.

Brass Transit is coming to the Orillia Opera House June 15. Always fun when a critically acclaimed group like this one comes to O-Town. For tickets, go here.

And, the Will Davis Trio is playing at Couchiching Craft Brewing Co. June 12 from 1 to 4 p.m., and throughout the summer. Grab a brew and enjoy the show.

Don’t forget the Orillia Secondary School production of Guys and Dolls runs June 8 to 11, the Mariposa Arts Theatre production of The Gin Game runs June 9 to 19, and the premiere of Sunshine City is June 10 at Creative Nomad Studios.

Have a great weekend and go see art — under the pavilion.

If you have arts news, send it to annaproctor111@gmail.com by Tuesday at noon to be included.

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COLUMN: Easter gives rise to return of special events in Orillia, area

COLUMN: Easter gives rise to return of special events in Orillia, area

After two years of cancellations, Chappell Farms and Hewitts will be hosting Easter-themed events and welcoming kids of all ages this spring

We are coming up to the end of March, March break is over, and spring is in the air. Can Easter be far behind?

Easter this year sees the return of two special events in our area: The Hewitts and Chappell Farms’ spring festivals. So much fun (and candy, of course) for the littles in your lives, and a dose of something normal after two very abnormal years. In my mind, this counts as arts and culture!

Chappell Farms’ Spring Festival runs April 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The candy hunts occur at the top of the hour, and you must book your tickets ahead of time here. Tickets are $14 each, kiddos 23 months and under are free, and it’s a BYOB (bring your own basket) affair.

In addition to the candy hunt, there are lots of animals for petting and fun outdoor activities to enjoy. Chappell Farms is located at 617 Penetanguishene Rd., just north of Barrie.

Hewitts Fun Farm’s Easter Event is running April 15, 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 plus HST when purchased online ahead of time. If purchased at the front gate, tickets are $14 per person. Anyone over 24 months old requires a ticket. Online tickets can be found here.

Admission includes an Easter egg hunt, wagon ride, visit with the Easter bunny, animal visits, and playing in the fun farm. Every child can hunt for hidden eggs, which will be redeemed for a candy loot bag. Hewitt’s is located at 3331 Town Line, just outside of Orillia on the way to Coldwater.

The Orillia Scottish Festival has been planning its return in July 2022 all year and, to that end, has hosted a couple of events, as possible with COVID-19 restrictions. The latest event, on Tartan Day, April 6, looks like a lot of fun.

It’s an evening at Quayle’s Brewery, with awesome beer, food, trivia, and entertainment by Sean Patrick. Tickets are already more than 60 per cent sold, so better grab yours today here.

Of course, this is a fundraiser for the main event in July, so, even more reason to come out.

I have saved the big April event for last. Some folks at St. Paul’s United Church decided they needed to help the humanitarian crisis in the Ukraine, and they have organized a fundraising concert for April 3 at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter St. N.

All money raised will be going to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal fund.

The performers are all Orillia-based musicians, including Zachary Lucky, who is of Ukrainian heritage, Julia Johnson’s Sing It! Choir, Blair Bailey and friends, and lots more. Tickets are $25 and $15 for youth ages 16 and under, and can be bought at the door or at St. Paul’s next week during the mornings. Ticket sales are cash or cheque only.

If you are looking for a wonderful afternoon of music and a chance to make a difference, this is where you need to be April 3. See you there!

Have a great week and weekend.

If you have arts news, send it to annaproctor111@gmail.com by Tuesday at noon to be included.