More than three years after Gordon Lightfoot's death, his music filled St. Mark's Anglican Church as a sold-out audience gathered to celebrate the Canadian icon through the voices and instruments of musicians who knew him.
More than 40 years after the debut of this British farce on the Shaw Festival stage, "One for the Pot" returns with excellent performances that contain the elements needed to make this for-the-masses comedy a laugh riot, writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
Sal Fasullo, a retail team member at Peller Estates, says he wanted to do something with the corks the winery was throwing away every day. "I started to collect them," he says. "Suddenly, I had more corks than I knew what to do with."
With the trial of her accused abuser behind her, singer-songwriter Catherine Leniarsky is sharing a piece of what she's been through in her new song, "House of Cards."
"Matters of etiquette, rules and styles of play inform. To Wodehouse, the only way to really find a true character is to play golf with him," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
While the first weekend of May at the TASC Tulip Pick Farm saw heavy rain and a traffic jam cause hours of trouble for its staff and visitors, last Sunday brought the tulip fields sunny skies and a peaceful Mother's Day.
"Being seen matters. Belonging matters. Safe spaces and strong mentors matter. That's what Yellow Door creates," said donor Jordie Burton, who spoke about his own experience as a teenager finding joy and purpose in theatre.
Niagara-on-the-Lake artist Kathy Cullis brought her luminous pastel landscapes to life at Queenston Pottery’s "Meet the Artist" event last Saturday, attracting visitors with scenes inspired by the NOTL countryside.
NOTL-based hip-hop duo 80 Empire didn't take home a trophy at Sunday's Niagara Music Awards, but they are still winning fans across the globe with their new album, guided by local collaborations, community engagement and an ethos of uplifting others.
"I believe that being Canadian — part of the mosaic, the many tribes and cultures around — means to share mine with them. To bring another world to their doorstep, to educate, inspire, and also inform," said Baba Williams.
Yellow Door's story began 10 years ago, founded in Niagara-on-the-Lake by Andorlie Hillstrom. The anniversary celebration is happening on April 27 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the NOTL Community Centre: Attendees can watch performances by current and alumni Yellow Door members, plus live music.
Specialists from the Toronto-based auction house will be at the RiverBrink Art Museum on April 25 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., offering verbal appraisals of paintings, prints and sculptures.
Juno-nominated comedian and Just For Laughs alumni Derek Seguin is making a pitstop in Niagara-on-the-Lake next week as part of his country-wide Life of Leisure comedy tour.
Music Niagara, a non-profit known for bringing diverse music to the community, is teaming up with Community Living Grimsby, Lincoln & West Lincoln, an organization that supports people with developmental disabilities.
During these times of swelling national pride, Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate has announced the return of its annual Summer Concert Series and a lineup of returning favourite performers and new artists joining the stage at the Niagara-on-the-Lake winery.
Political undercurrents found their way into the local art gallery on Sunday, as artist Geoff Farnsworth unveiled his newest abstract paintings at the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre while sharing some of his techniques and inspirations.
Musicians Patrick McManus and Beau Dixon are reuniting for a special Mother’s Day gig at Oast House in Niagara-on-the-Lake on May 11: ""Bring your kids, bring your mom, or bring your kid’s mom," says McManus.
Geoff Farnsworth, a St. Catharines-based artist who studied at the Art Students League in New York, has been influenced by past and present painters, abstract expressionism, film and music. The exhibition opens March 26.
Niagara-on-the-Lake’s historic charm and scenic views attract film and television productions, but disorganized regulations and permit hurdles drive companies elsewhere, says location scout and production manager Peter Donato.
With its first stage show of the new year, the production company is also celebrating its 10th anniversary since it opened its door in Niagara-on-the-Lake to aspiring young performing artists.
The project aims to highlight the value of small-town experiences in Canada, offering insights into how senior citizens can rediscover where they reside and rekindle a sense of pride and nostalgia, said one of its producers, a media production student at Toronto Metropolitan University.
“It’s a nice little event to break up the winter blues," says executive producer Jeff Paul. Tickets are on sale now for every show except the sold-out Saturday night show.
“The most implausible stories that happen on the series are things that actually happened. Mark has the receipts," said Nora McLellan, who plays the authoritarian Sister Rose.
"The delight of this production owes much to its buoyant, genuine performances, fine direction, imaginative minimalist staging, creepy sounds and lively puppets," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
The Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre's latest solo exhibition, "About Town: My Impressions of NOTL," is running from Oct. 30 to Nov. 27, and will feature the paintings of longtime artist Rick Cullis, a member of the NOTL Arts Collective.
One of the most influential contemporary Chinese ink artists, an exhibition of ZhengHui Lan's work is running now until Nov. 26 at GOCA space inside Vineridge Academy.
The new program, co-created with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, drew aspiring health-care professionals to NOTL to learn how the arts can help make doctors better at caring for their patients — through human connection.
"This is a cohesive, entertaining, visually and technically superb production directed by Craig Hall, having its world premiere at the Shaw Festival," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson about this year's production of "Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Human Heart."
“She was lying on the couch, recuperating and working from her computer. Her husband put a stack of magazines beside her. And, lo and behold — collage."
