The Artists' Village's residences for actors and other peformers with the Shaw Festival opened in February. The apartments have been nearly full since April.
A fascination that likely began when humans first created shadow images on caves in ancient times, puppets have survived millenniums as a storytelling device popular around the world, writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
The Shaw Festival is celebrating the opening of a campus that will house dozens of performers who put on the theatre company's productions, plus education and outreach programs.
Comedian Eric Johnston is set to stop in NOTL this Thursday as part of his "Son of a Bull" comedy tour, which sees him getting candid about addiction in the family, mental health and being the son of a professional wrestler.
"She sought unusual locations where ordinary people built empires against the odds and where strong, smart women overcame gender, convention and adversity," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
The garden party will once again be held at one of NOTL's most distinctive heritage homes — the Georgian-style residence at 83 Gage St., owned by Peter Howe and Judy McLeod.
Jessica Sevier is set to open for Tenille Townes at the Jackson-Triggs Amphitheatre for this year's Summer Concert Series, on Aug. 21. "It's going to be a very fun, high-energy acoustic," she says.
Yellow Door's theatre director hopes audiences will embrace a little “hakuna matata” when his cast of young performers takes the stage in "The Lion King" on July 19.
The Rotary Club hopes guests will don their best cocktail attire and enjoy an evening of live music, dancing, and what it calls “Niagara’s finest food and wine.”
The company has launched a second climate-controlled Freedom Jet vessel, five years after introducing the first, giving more guests a choice: Stay dry inside a glass-enclosed dome or get drenched up front in the open-air seats.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is set to celebrate Canada’s 158th birthday in style this Tuesday, with a full day of festivities ranging from fireworks to fine art and free museum access.
"'Tons of Money' has a strong farcical plot, fine performances by a talented cast, stunning set and 1920s costume designs ... It simply needs to more cohesively come together," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
The Laura Secord choir is recognized nationally through MusicFest Canada and the CBC Canadian Music Class Challenge, but choir leader Katryna Sacco said getting to perform for the community is a uniquely special experience: "It’s really nice to extend our reach throughout the community."
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church is ready to ring in the start of summer with the return of its annual Strawberry Festival, which will see an estimated 5,500 people come out to the church on June 21 to enjoy tasty strawberry goods — a tradition four decades in the making.
Summer's almost here in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and in a couple of weeks, residents can expect the town's public pools to open for another season of fun under the sun.
"In our current period of uncertainty, not entirely dissimilar from the 1930s, this timely Shaw production of 'Anything Goes' has audiences erupting in a catharsis of cheers, whoops and whistles of appreciation," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
The fair included several outdoor activities for kids, including face painting, mini-games and bounce houses. But the most exciting part was Crossroads principal Kate Fish in the dunk tank, as seen by the line of students waiting for their turn to make the perfect shot.
On June 13, NOTL comedian Joe Pillitteri will take the stage for a comedy night in support of Red Roof Retreat, running from will run from 7 to 10 p.m. at Pillitteri Estates Winery.
Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Joe Pillitteri is back to emcee a night at the seventh annual Garden City Comedy Festival, taking place next weekend in downtown St. Catharines, on May 24.
Thousands are expected to come out to the Virgil Sports Park from May 17 to 19. New this year, to help those driving to the Stampede, organizers and volunteers are introducing a free parking shuttle service, running only on Monday.
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.
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.
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.
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 church is hosting a Christmas concert Dec. 22, called "A Christmas Homecoming: A Festive Celebration of Story and Song." The goal is to invoke a feeling of being at home for the holidays.
"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.
