We are at the halfway point of February! Can spring be far behind? Well, yes ... but hopefully not. Here’s to a break from the shovelling and an opportunity to get out and about to scheduled events, without them being cancelled!
This Saturday night is the long-awaited Evening of Blues and Gospel XIII, a Mariposa in Concert extravaganza led by Lance Anderson and featuring many of his wildly talented friends. Unusually for this amazing event, there are some tickets left, including lots in the balcony, so if you have been sitting on the fence and watching the weather, grab your tickets and commit. It will definitely be a great night. You can get tickets here.
In fact, the Orillia Opera House has a lineup of great events, this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Thursday, the popular band, Dwayne Gretzky, takes the stage, playing all the hits you love.
And Friday, Mudmen in Concert promises another rock ‘n roll Celtic evening of fantastic entertainment. Tickets for both these shows available through the Orillia Opera House website at www.orilliaoperahouse.ca.
While you’re at the Opera House for one or more of these fantastic shows, take a moment to enjoy the Orillia Landscapes art exhibit in the Green Room, brought to you by the City of Orillia Public Art Committee. I had a chance to see this exhibit last week, and it really is lovely. Enjoy!
Speaking of last week, I finally got to see The Thanksgiving Play by Mariposa Arts Theatre (MAT), on Wednesday (rescheduled from the Friday before). It was fantastic and everything MAT had promised it would be: hilarious, cringe-worthy, talented and more. As I keep saying, MAT keeps getting better and better. So, put its next production, the classic A Streetcar Named Desire, coming in April, on your must-see list today.
Don’t forget MAT’s film nights as well, a great opportunity to support MAT and enjoy TIFF films right here in our own Galaxy Cinema. The next film is Wednesday Feb. 26 at 4 and 7 p.m., Good One, and you can take a look at the trailer here.
There are only four movies left in MAT’s series this year, so make it a point to check out some or all of them. You can view the full list and dates here.
Don’t miss the Mariposa Grandmothers’ Book and Puzzle Exchange, this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Paul’s Centre. Bring up to six gently-used books and/or jigsaw puzzles to exchange for new-to-you ones. There will be a storyteller for all ages at 10:30, as well as a donated jewelry sale.
Admission is free, but donations are encouraged and appreciated. All money raised goes to support the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign helping African grandmothers raising their orphaned grandchildren.
Friday night at St. Paul’s Centre, the ever-popular Pub Night is back with wonderful singer Samantha Windover to entertain you. Bring cash for $10 cover as well as drinks and pub food, and enjoy this very talented musician. The fun starts at 6 p.m.
Arts Orillia’s Black in Canada is coming up fast, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Orillia Opera House. This is a world-class dance experience, with the added bonus of spoken word by Ty the Poetess ... and no, you really don’t want to miss it. Tickets are limited, so do grab yours today! For the full details on the show, and to get tickets, go here.
Coming up in March, lots of great musical events, including shows by The Cellar Singers March 1, Orillia Concert Band March 8, Mariposa in Concert March 15, Old Dance Hall Players March 21, Orillia Silver Band March 22, and Orillia Concert Association March 23. More on these, next week.
Stay warm, watch your shovelling back and arms, and have a great week. If you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.