I don’t know about you, but I had a fun weekend last week with Pub Night at St. Paul’s Friday night and the Lance Anderson Night of Blues and Gospel Saturday night.
Samantha Windover was the guest musician at the Pub Night and that lady is soaring! She has always had an incredible voice, from the age of 12, when she used to belt out Patsy Cline songs from the main stage at Mariposa Folk Festival. She still has it ... and more!
She plays a great guitar now as well, and is apparently learning keys. She has a confident, relaxed stage presence that really draws the audience in, and she is writing her own songs, and very ably, too.
She also really knows what to do with her voice ... there is a confidence there that comes with maturity and lots of performing, and you can see and hear it in her performances. I have been a fan since the beginning, and I am telling you, you need to be, too. Keep an eye on this lady, she is going places.
Of course, the Lance Anderson and friends show Saturday at the Orillia Opera House was fantastic as well. Lance always brings the talent with him, and this year was no exception. If you weren’t there, you should have been. There were so many memorable moments in this evening.
So yes, a wonderful weekend for me and hopefully for you, too!
This weekend is equally full of opportunities to get out and enjoy some incredible entertainment in Orillia.
Friday night, Arts Orillia presents Black in Canada, and this show has been gaining lots of traction on social media and in the box office the last couple of weeks. Lots of people in town are going, which means there aren’t lots of tickets left. It’s in the Studio Theatre at the Orillia Opera House.
Black in Canada features incredible dancers and singers from Shameka Blake's critically acclaimed, spectacular Artists in Motion. The evening also includes words from Ty the Poetess, all of which will tell us about Black history and the Black experience in Canada. It’s going to be a very special evening and a fitting way to end Black History month this year.
Tickets are only $35 and you should be paying twice that for a performance of this calibre. Tickets are moving fast at this point, so you should grab yours now, so you don’t miss out! You can find out more about the show and get those tickets, here. Then, let me know at the show how much you loved it!
Saturday night is also an amazing show, but it has been sold out for months, with a long waiting list. Acoustics for Green Haven is a fundraiser for Green Haven Women’s Shelter, put on by some local caring musicians, at Couchiching Craft Brewery.
This year, they managed to snag Bleeker as headliners, helping to sell it out in mere hours. It’s going to be a great evening. I’m not even going to tell you to get on a waiting list, because that is very long as well. Will let you know all about it, next week.
Saturday afternoon, The Cellar Singers present their winter concert. It’s a lovely offering of two well-known and beloved requiems, presented in honour of and celebrating two of their leading lights, with this special concert of remembrance.
Dr. William Monk and Albert Greer were the choir’s first two Artistic Directors and definitely have left their legacy and their mark in this esteemed choir. The Cellar Singers will perform two requiems, Faure’s Requiem, and John Rutter’s Requiem, Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. at St. James’ Anglican Church, in honour of these very special men.
Tickets are $30 at the door or through the website at www.thecellarsingers.com. It will be a beautiful afternoon of music.
Next Thursday, March 6 (hooray, March already!) The Marc Ekins Band is doing a fundraiser for Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, here at the Orillia Opera House.
Ekins is a roots-style singer-songwriter with a diverse musical palette that weaves through genres with an authentic and captivating touch. Known for his fun and energetic performances, Marc’s music is a family-friendly journey through folk, rock, Celtic, blues, reggae, and country influences. Sounds perfect for a whole family fun night of music for Sick Kids!
You can get $30 tickets here.
Have a fun week and weekend. If you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.