This Sunday marks the beginning of March and hopefully the beginning of the end of our winter weather. I am going with the groundhog that said six more weeks of winter way back when, so let’s cross our fingers and get on with spring!
Before we get to spring though, it’s the 2020 Ontario Winter Games in Orillia this weekend and The Free Label will be kicking things off at the opening ceremony, Thursday. The Free Label features local keyboard sensation Cole Mendez and I promise you will love them. The event begins at 7 p.m. at Couchiching Beach Park.
Now, let’s move on to spring, and what better way to do it then with a couple of great concerts this weekend from Orillia Performing Arts Forum members, The Cellar Singers and the Orillia Vocal Ensemble.
First up, The Cellar Singers will be performing Bach’s St. John Passion this Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at St. James’ Anglican Church, 58 Peter St. N. This stunning work features soloists as well as a choir, while pianist Blair Bailey will be joined by a 13-piece orchestra. This will be a wonderful evening of choral music, do check it out by grabbing a ticket online here. You can also get tickets at the door.
On Sunday, March 1 at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter St. N., the Orillia Vocal Ensemble (OVE) will present All Through the Night, a concert supporting Mariposa House Hospice.
The OVE gives all the proceeds of concerts to charities, and this concert is no exception. Admission is by freewill donation, and monies collected will go to Mariposa House Hospice. Thanks for coming out, enjoying great choral music and supporting a great cause, all in one afternoon.
Speaking of the Orillia Performing Art Forum groups (this is an umbrella group of large performing arts groups in the area), the Orillia Concert Band winter concert, Music in the Movies, is next Saturday March 7 at 7:30 p.m., at St. Paul’s Centre. Special guest is local singer/songwriter Cassie Dasilva, come out and hear your favourite movie themes. Tickets at the door.
Tomorrow (Feb. 27) at 7 p.m., Hibernation Arts gallery concert features Nate Yell, aka Nathan Robertson. Come out and hear this local musician in the intimate setting of a small gallery. Tickets are $20 at the door includes light refreshments.
Don’t miss Orillia Secondary School’s spring musical, High School Musical…how appropriate! Cast and crew have been working hard on this first musical in the new school, grab a $10 ticket at the school office and come out for a great night of music, March 4 to 7.
Mariposa Arts Theatre’s next film night is Wednesday, March 4 with shows at 4 and 7 p.m. and the film is…Parasite. It sounds amazing. Tickets are $10 cash at the Galaxy Theatre and just come out…you will be glad you did.
Just a reminder, Ashley MacIsaac is coming to St. Paul’s Centre for a St. Paddy’s day Party! March 17, doors open at 7 and show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are available online here.
You should grab them fast, this will be a popular show!
Lots more March cultural events to come, check in next week for more information.
Music in the bars this weekend? Yes indeed. At the Brownstone Café, Sat. Andrew Sherriff. At the Hog ‘n’ Penny, Fri. Darrin Davis, Sat. Mark Thackway. At Fionn MacCool’s, Fri. HOBO Jam. At the Geneva Event Centre, it’s the Geneva’s Leap Year Party! Feb. 29, doors at 9:30 p.m., $5 cover, must be 19 plus. At
Simcoe Yard House live, Fri. and Sat. Charlotte and The Dirty Cowboys. At the casino, Fri. Honeymoon Suite and Prism, Sat. Champions of Magic.
Have a great week and don’t forget to send me your arts news by Tuesday at noon, to [email protected].
