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 [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.
