What a fun weekend of events we had last week in Orillia. The jazz festival shows last Saturday afternoon and evening were amazing. Once again, Arts Orillia has brought incredible, diverse talent to this area that we simply wouldn’t be seeing otherwise.
It was disappointing to see a smaller house for those shows. Sometimes we Orillians don’t take advantage of new or different shows that come to our area, and we should. I have never been disappointed by an Arts Orillia show. They are always extremely high-calibre performances and showcase innovative and talented creatives. Next time you see something new or different come to town, buy a ticket and check it out.
I was also lucky enough to attend the Cellar Singers concert last Friday night, which was superb. Orillian Lillian Brooks was the soloist in The Armed Man: Mass for Peace, and she was truly outstanding. What a beautiful voice and flawless performance. Lovely evening. Keep an eye out for Messiah on Nov. 30 with the Cellar Singers.
As we roll on toward the end of October, there are lots of Halloween events on tap this weekend. There are Halloween dances both Friday and Saturday nights. Friday at 8 p.m., join DJ Rudy and the Polyester Slackers at the Quality Inn and Conference Centre for a fun Halloween-themed dance with live music, a DJ, and prizes for best costume. Admission is $5 at the door.
Saturday, there’s a Halloween dance at the Royal Canadian Legion, starting at 7 p.m. There will be prizes, and music by Mil and the Thrills, and Jorden Mathias. Admission is $10.
Saturday at 9 p.m. is the annual ODAS Park Halloween dance with DJ Scott Stanton. Tickets are $20 in advance, and are limited, so get yours here soon.
If you’re not into Halloween dances, there are plenty of other events to keep you occupied. The Offcuts are playing a special Halloween bash Saturday night at Couchiching Craft Brewing Co., with costumes, door prizes, and lots of other fun.
The Leacock Museum is hosting its ever-popular Ghost Walks this Friday and Saturday, at 6 and 8 p.m. These are spooky, scary and super fun. Get your tickets here.
Couchiching Craft Brewing Co. is hosting a Witches Night Out and Mystic Market on Friday night, with lots of amazing vendors, including My Moon Collective. There will be fortune telling and other witchy activities, and, yes, prizes for best costume, so get your witch on and come join the fun. It runs from 7 to 10 p.m.
The Downtown Orillia BIA is hosting a trick-or-treat and Monster March Costume Parade for the kids and young at heart this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The costume parade starts at Municipal Parking Lot 5 (beside Plum Loco) on Mississaga Street East in downtown Orillia at 11 a.m. sharp. The parade will go west until it reaches the courtyard by Era 67 Restaurant. All ages, individuals, teams, families, groups and organizations are welcome.
At 11:30 a.m., all kids will be invited to trick-or-treat at downtown businesses showing the poster in the front window, until 1:30 p.m. Treats are while supplies last. Enjoy.
There are also lots of non-Halloween events happening this weekend.
This Friday, the Orillia Opera House presents The ABBA Experience, a family-friendly experience like no other. There will be great music, lighting, costumes, and a chance to celebrate all things ABBA during this enjoyable evening. Tickets at orilliaoperahouse.ca.
Saturday, the Orillia Opera House presents a Johnny Cash tribute band, We Walk the Line. The show is a fun trip down memory lane that incorporates historical accounts and personal anecdotes about Cash as well. Tickets orilliaoperahouse.ca.
Saturday is the Ramara Craft Show, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ramara Centre. Lots of wonderful items for sale, including holiday items, wood decor, homemade preserves, soap, gnomes, greeting cards, cuddly stuffies, homemade jams, knit scarves, themed tumblers and more. Free swag bags, too.
Sunday at 2:30 p.m., come out to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church for the Orillia Concert Association’s first show of the season, the Toronto Concert Orchestra Stratton Soloists. This group can play it all, and they do — Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, The Beatles, Elton John, and more. Tickets are at orilliaconcertassociation.com.
The Orillia Museum of Art & History’s fall exhibit series opening reception is happening this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Teachers and Their Enduring Impact, the Legacy of José Salas reception is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Remarks are at 11:30. It’s a group show about an incredible teacher who made a huge impact on artists while at Park Street Collegiate Institute.
Tradition Transformed, the annual landscape show, Gillian Lowry, a solo show, and Orillia Then and Now, a historical show with a publication, are the same day from 1 to 3 p.m. Remarks are at 1:30 p.m.
These shows are incredible. Come and check them out.
St. Paul’s Centre is hosting another fantastic Pub Night, this Saturday, with ALEX, from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door, and pub food and drinks will be available, cash only. It’s always a convivial atmosphere at the St. Paul’s Pub Night. Come check it out.
Also Saturday night at St. Paul’s, Vitalogy, Canada’s premier Pearl Jam tribute band, is performing. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the band plays at 8. Get your tickets here.
The always hilarious Ron James is coming to the Orillia Opera House Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Don’t miss this laugh-filled evening of entertainment. Get your tickets at orilliaoperahouse.ca.
Looking ahead to November, the Orillia Silver Band’s Theatre Treats show is Nov. 2 at St. Paul’s. The wonderful soprano vocal soloist, Alexandra Teske, will be joining the band for some terrific musical selections from Broadway, both classic and modern. Get your tickets at orilliasilverband.com.
Lightfoot Days is coming up, Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, and the kick-off is a fantastic concert by the Lightfoot Band at the Orillia Opera House on Oct. 31. Get your tickets at orilliaoperahouse.ca.
Peter Street Fine Arts Gallery is getting ready for its annual 6x6 show, which runs Dec. 1 to Jan. 31. Artists are invited to purchase two boards for $20 and every additional board is only $5. Paint them up, do your thing, and get them to Brian before Dec. 1 to be showcased and offered for sale at the gallery. Thanks for your creativity.
Next week, we’ll detail lots of amazing events happening in November. Stay tuned.
If you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.
