The summer may be waning somewhat, but the number of arts-related events continues unabated as we prepare to turn the corner into September in a couple of weeks. I thought this weekend we'd clear up a number of arts-related odds and ends that have crossed my desk the last couple of weeks and clear the decks for the remainder of my Shaw and Stratford reviews to close out the month.
The busker season is upon us, and you might remember the battle that ensued following the first annual Buskerfest in downtown St. Catharines this time last year. Kelly Daniels and Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects, who presented the weekend-long event last year, took a bit of a financial bath on the event, even though critically and popularity-wise, it was a huge success. After going hat in hand to St. Catharines Council earlier this year, they were turned down for a financial bailout, so cancelled the event for this summer. But then, the City of Niagara Falls saw an opportunity to showcase the event in their downtown, so the Niagara Falls Buskerfest was born and comes up Labour Day weekend on Queen Street in downtown Niagara Falls.
That means St. Catharines was free and clear to present their own Buskerfest this weekend, which they have done, presented by a local group, Valuemedia. Called Niagara Buskerfest 2012, it is on now on James Street at King Street in downtown St. Catharines through to Sunday evening. I walked through the event site this morning and while it was well attended and everyone seemed to be having a good time, it is certainly smaller than last year, with only one stage that I could see for buskers compared to about three last year. But it is the first year for the new group, and if things go well they will likely expand the event next year. There is lots of food available on site and other displays and shopping kiosks set up, so there is something for everyone. It looks to be a good time for most downtown this weekend, so if you have some free time you might like to head down and check it out. Just remember driving and parking are both restricted in the area.
Speaking of Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects, they of course moved their theatre operations to downtown Niagara Falls earlier this summer as well, moving into the nicely renovated Seneca Theatre on Queen Street. This week they announced the lineup for season eight, and they include three plays: The Woman in Black by Stephen Mallatratt, directed by Kelly Daniels, and running October 12th to the 28th; It's A Wonderful Life, adapted by Barbara Worthy and Jon Osbaldeston and directed by Barbara Worthy, running November 23rd to December 16th; and Criminal Genius by George F. Walker, directed by Karen Wood and running February 22nd to March 10th. Of course, there will be a couple of preview performances for each of these productions prior to the official opening. I'll be writing more about these shows as the dates draw closer, but for more information go to the Lyndesfarne website at www.lyndesfarnetheatreprojects.com.
To help fund and generate interest in the Niagara Falls Buskerfest, there will be a Busker Blast Charity Gala coming up Thursday, August 30th in Vineland, with a ticket price of $ 125.00. Again, information will be found on the Lyndesfarne website.
This week I attended a media conference at one of my favourite places in all of Niagara, the Mount Carmel Monastery in Niagara Falls, where I have spend many a quiet moment on retreat in the past. They have partnered with Belinda Anderson and Torena Gardner-Durdle and a team of enthusiastic volunteers to organize The Carmel Fine Art and Music Festival, coming up the weekend of September 7th to 9th on the grounds of Mount Carmel. I will be writing more about this event and what you can expect closer to the date, of course, but suffice it to say if you have never visited Mount Carmel you are in for a treat. It is a glorious space overlooking Niagara Falls, and I never fail to have a good feeling whenever I visit. Sadly, the outside labyrinth for walking that was next door on the grounds of the Christian Life Centre is no longer there, but I walk the grounds regularly and find peace not many steps from the tourist area of the Falls. For more information on the festival in the meantime, go to www.carmelfineart.ca.
Speaking of art, remember the Downtown Night of Art in St. Catharines in October each year, organized by the late and lamented St. Catharines & Area Arts Council? The organization may now be long gone and with it the Night of Art in October, but a new initiative known as Niagara Nights of Art will be presenting Art City in St. Catharines September 15th, starting at 12 noon and going well into the night. There will be art-making workshops, street performances, live music, theatre readings and dance, and it is all free. More on this when the date approaches, too, but for now there is a call out for volunteers who want to take part. You can email artcityvolunteer@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out. Just be sure to include your phone number and age.
Finally, Sunday September 16th will see the 10th anniversary of the Willowbank Jazz Festival, although this year the event has been moved off the grounds of the Willowbank Estate and over to Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery in St. Davids, a lovely setting we have enjoyed visiting for dinner and performances in the past. It really is an idyllic setting with rolling vineyards and great scenery to go with the music. Tickets are available by calling Willowbank at 905-262-1239, ext. 21. I will write more about this with the lineup planned closer to the event, but you might want to mark it on your calendars now as it promises to be a big event.
Enjoy your weekend!
August 18th, 2012.
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