Summer keeps on ticking by, and great cultural and artsy events are still happening every week in this fair city of ours.
The Orillia Opera House opens its third and final play of the summer today and runs it until Aug. 30. Those Movies is a new Norm Foster play, and from all accounts, it will become a Norm Foster classic, with poignancy and laughs in equal measure. Here’s the synopsis:
“When Harry asks his pal Patrick to accompany his coworker Millie and her visiting cousin Chelsea for a blind date, Patrick reluctantly agrees. But as the night unfolds, wires get crossed and false assumptions between Patrick and Chelsea spiral into a comical miscue. And the comedy rolls out from there. Those Movies affectionately spoofs and celebrates the tried-and-true romantic comedy formula that movie fans know so well, as the story zigs and zags its way through a maze of mix-ups, mayhem, and misunderstandings.”
I am checking out the play tomorrow, so will let you know how this production is, next week, but I have no doubt with Jesse Collins directing, and some fine young actors in the mix, it’s going to be a good one. Tickets are limited, so don’t wait for my say-so, get yours here at www.orilliaoperahouse.ca.
Duck Soup Productions’ production of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory has one final show, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. Bring the kiddos and enjoy an excellent evening of musical theatre by this outstanding group of young people. Tickets www.orilliaoperahouse.ca.
This Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m., as part of the Port of Orillia’s Music at the Port, it’s the Between Sets Summer Special. This is a fundraiser for The Sharing Place and features artists Katherine Chabot, Rick Groves, Ronnie Douglas, Moon Raccoon with Alyssa Wright, Geoff Booth, Eric Kidd, and Bella Francis and Mickey Cardoni. Rogers TV will be out to tape the show, so bring your family and non-perishable or cash donations and enjoy the music.
The Sunday evening band concert this week features the Markham Concert Band at the Rotary Aqua Theatre, and the show gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and some toonies for the collection bucket. The snack bar should be open, so you can get your dinner there. Just two more concerts left this season, so go!
The Book Re-View up on West Street is having another author signing this Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Author Jason McGray will be on hand to talk about his book on paranormal activities, Stories from Beyond the Unknown. Come, buy a copy, and get it signed on Saturday.
Singer songwriter Rory Taillon is releasing his new album Now It's Quiet on Aug. 20, but before that he is doing a special vinyl pre-release on Aug. 17. To celebrate the vinyl pre-release, Taillon is coming to the stage at Alleycats Music & Art in Orillia on Monday, Aug. 19 at 3 p.m. This is an all-ages show, doors are at 2:30 p.m., and tickets are available at the door.
St. James’ Anglican Church Summer Recital Series just has two shows left. Wed. Aug. 21 at noon, enjoy pianist Brent Mayhew and mezzo-soprano Anna Trubashnik; and Aug. 28 at noon, enjoy the series finale with Wilhelmina Tiemersma, organist, and long-standing participant of this series.
All concerts are free, with freewill donations gratefully accepted. You can bring your brown bag lunch; cold drinks are provided. Mark your calendars and come out to these very fine recitals.
Similarly, the Orillia Museum of Art and History’s historic summer walking tour, Gangs, Guns, and Grog, only has a couple of tours left before summer’s end. These tours are Wednesdays at 7 p.m. They explore all the seedy underbellies of Orillia’s past, and conclude at the Couchiching Brewery, where you get a free drink! For tickets, go here. Hurry! The last tour is Aug. 28.
The Orillia Public Library is hosting a fun movie night for teens on August 22 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes", is being shown, interactive-style! If you find it hard to sit still at the movies, this is the one for you, as there will be call-outs and activities throughout this free program. Dinner is also included. Please register here.
Starry Night is happening this year, and it is coming up fast. Saturday, Aug. 24 downtown streets are closed all day for the Classic Car Show. Then, they are closed for Summer Saturday nights, the patio program; and continue to be closed for Starry Night, the annual art and gallery tour, from 7 to 10 p.m.
This year for Starry Night, there are 20 locations participating, showing art and featuring artists all throughout the downtown. Peter Street South, Orillia’s arts district, will have special street décor as well, courtesy of Streets Alive Productions and artist Paul Baxter. Come out, bring your cash and support these amazing artists. You will be glad to go home with a piece of unique art for your home, or as a gift.
For the map to all of the venues, click here. See you at Starry Night, Aug. 24 from 7 to 10 p.m., throughout downtown Orillia.
Next week, I will delve into some of the fun shows and festivals coming our way in September ... there is no slow month for arts and culture in our area!
Live music this week? Darrin Cranney with Jason MacNeill Friday night, Catfish Gumbo Saturday night, Chris Lemay Sunday afternoon, all at Couchiching Craft Brewery.
If you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.
