Welcome to 2024! I hope everyone had a great Christmas, holiday season, and New Year’s celebration. And here we are in 2024, still in our vibrant, and for now, unseasonably warm and green little O-Town.
This week we can take a break from the very busy arts and culture scene we have been immersed in for quite some time ... but not for long. More fun events are coming down the pike!
Hibernation Arts’ guest artist for the month of January is Renee Van der Putten. Renee comes from a family of Dutch artists. She has lived in Canada for some years and now calls Oro-Medonte home.
She works with acrylics, casein paint, and foil gilding on wood and canvas. She creates art inspired by silence, intended to invoke a state of serenity in the viewer. There is an opening reception in the gallery Saturday, Jan. 6 from noon to 3 p.m.
Peter Street Fine Arts Gallery and Studio, just down the street, has its annual 6x6 show still running throughout the month of January. Pop in and see a variety of little works by many local artists, along with the regular artists and artisans who show in the gallery there.
Looking ahead, the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) Winter Gala is coming up quickly, on Jan. 27. It’s a celebration of Canadian history with guest speaker Mark Bourrie, and takes place at Hawk Ridge.
Dinner is $75 with a complimentary glass of wine. To get your tickets, have fun, and support this important Orillia institution, go here.
OMAH’s current slate of exhibitions is set to close Jan. 6, so if you haven’t seen them yet, hurry in so you don’t miss out. They include Home Sweet Home with art by Jennifer Sardo, 50 years of Mariposa Arts Theatre, and A Close Up on Carmichael.
OMAH’s History Speaker this month is local history author Dave Town, speaking on his book, The Orillia Spirit Is Born. That’s happening Wed. Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Visit www.orilliamuseum.org/1-24 to register for the link.
St. Paul’s Centre presents the iconic musical, The Music Man, Jan. 24-28, with both matinee and evening performances. There are also dinner options being offered.
St. Paul’s musical productions are legendary, and this will be among the legends, for sure. Music Director Blair Bailey and Director Jody Maltby are a magical team who bring out the best of the best, in any production they collaborate on. You can grab your tickets online here. Surprise: there is reserved seating for these shows as well.
If you prefer to get tickets in person, the box office at St. Paul’s Centre is open Tuesday to Thursday mornings, from 9 a.m. to noon, just outside the office window. Cash or credit card only please.
Looking further ahead and speaking of legends, Mariposa in Concert presents An Evening of Blues and Gospel XII on Feb. 3 at the Orillia Opera House. Featuring the legend, Lance Anderson, and his legendary pals, this is always an amazing evening of fantastic performances, just the thing to liven up a cold and dark winter. Don’t miss it! Tickets www.orilliaoperahouse.ca.
And for your mid-February entertainment pleasure, Mariposa Arts Theatre presents The Play That Goes Wrong, Feb. 8 to 18, afternoon and evening performances, in the Lightfoot Auditorium, Orillia Opera House. This play is looking funnier and funnier the more sneak peeks are leaked, and with the list of quality and hilarious actors in it as well. It’s going to be a good cure for the February blahs. Grab your tickets now at www.orilliaoperahouse.ca.
Finally, don’t miss Live from the MET, this Saturday, Jan. 6 at 12:55 p.m., the incredible Verdi Opera, Nabucco, at the Galaxy Theatre. Larger than life, and live from the MET, you really will enjoy this incredible live performance. Tickets available at the door or here.
Have a great first week of January, and if you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.
