Welcome to 2025!
I hope everyone had a good and safe New Year’s Eve, and is eager to embrace fun, excitement, and lots of great arts and culture events in 2025.
Before we look ahead, I just want to take a minute to acknowledge just a couple of those we left behind in 2024, who made a huge difference in arts and culture in Orillia and will be missed so much.
Suds Sutherland’s impact on arts and culture in Orillia can’t be denied. He taught generations of kids and influenced their love of music. He co-wrote original musicals with fellow music teacher Dave Austen. He played in and founded numerous bands. He will be missed!
Albert Greer was another huge influencer, in the classical music world. Music at St. James' was incredible because of him, and his gorgeous tenor voice will not soon be forgotten. His leadership of The Cellar Singers moulded that choir into the quality group it is today.
John Jefferies threw himself whole heartedly into everything he was involved in, and that included the music scene in Orillia. Whether he was organizing fundraising concerts for Ukrainian relief, singing in musicals with Mariposa Arts Theatre, or in the choir at St. Paul’s or The Cellar Singers, he brought so much.
Bob Burns was another lovely man who was a huge influence on so many, and who brought much to Mariposa Arts Theatre, especially through his stage manager roles through the years. His calm, quiet voice surely still resonates in many ears to this day! He got a lot of joy out of performing in a barbershop quartet for years as well. A kind, sweet man who is missed.
One by one, we are losing a pivotal generation. One that shaped our world and protected and taught us, the next generation beneath them. I hope we can do them proud.
There are already so many events to look forward to, in 2025! Here are just a few:
The Brownstone is Closed! This event looks like a fun throwback to the wonderful open mic nights at our beloved Brownstone, in the before-pandemic times. Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. at The Lone Wolf. I bet it will be packed. Kudos to Rabbits and others who are organizing!
The Thanksgiving Play by Mariposa Arts Theatre is happening in February in the Studio Theatre at the Orillia Opera House. From what I have heard, this looks to be another winner ... here is an excerpt from an OrilliaMatters piece about it:
“This contemporary play is the creative brainchild of Larissa FastHorse, the first known female Native American playwright to be produced on Broadway. Since its Broadway debut in 2023, The Thanksgiving Play is now one of the top 10 most produced plays across North America, and premiered in Canada with Mirvish Productions in Toronto this past fall.
“The show follows four well-meaning but misguided white theatre and education professionals as they set out to create a Thanksgiving pageant for an elementary school that somehow manages to succinctly summarize, and celebrate, the first Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Month — without ruffling any feathers. This sharp comedy spotlights the contradictions of “woke” culture, dishing up the hypocrisies of North America and performative activism with a generous side of satire.”
So, funny, clever, unique, entertaining. Time to buy a ticket: www.orilliaoperahouse.ca.
Also in February, Lance Anderson’s Night of Blues and Gospel XIII. This is a Mariposa-in-Concert show with Lance and lots of his extremely talented friends. This night is always a hot night in a cold month, and really you don’t want to be lame and miss it. Feb. 22 at the Orillia Opera House. Tickets www.orilliaoperahouse.ca.
Finally, Anne of Green Gables: The Musical is coming to St. Paul’s Centre, courtesy of Blair Bailey and Jody Maltby. This duo always produces a high-quality show, and Anne is beloved for a reason. Lovely story, great music, and Blair will have wonderful singers for sure.
The show is only running Thursday to Sunday, April 3 to 6, so get your tickets now at www.stpaulscentre.ca.
There is lots more coming down the pipe in 2025, and I can’t wait to check it all out. Hope you will be right there with me. Happy New Year and here’s to lots of fun in 2025.
If you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.
