Margaret Lindsay Holton named an Alumni of Influence by U of T.

News 100 yellowBy Staff

May 22, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Margaret Lindsay Holton got a notice. She has been named as an ‘Alumni of Influence’ Award by the University of Toronto

Super nice was the way Holton described the nomination that was made anonymously.

Holton H&S

Alumni of Influence – Margaret Lindsay Holton

Ceremony is in November. Holton said that “So often artists work away (because we MUST) with little thought of recognition or even sales. When it all comes together – when others recognize the effort, large and small – it’s an unexpected THRILL!

She adds that the anonymity is heart-warming: it will pleasantly plague me for the rest of my life!

Well deserved.

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Walk N Roll - Saturday - a Community Living initiative.

eventsorange 100x100By Staff

May 22nd, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It is a service that has been around for a long time. Its Mission Statement is to enrich the quality of life and to promote full and meaningful inclusion in our community of individuals who have a developmental disability.

Their annual Walk’n Roll takes place on Saturday – this will be the 38th time the event has taken place.

Walk N Roll picture

It will be a walk around the Pier.

Registration opens at 9:30; 11:00am Official start of 1KM & 2KM routes begin at 11:00 and lunch for all the participants at noon.

Walk N Roll graphicIt’s a fund raising event with a gal of $40,000

Slip over to the web site and sign up.

https://www.clburlington.ca

You Email friends with your page link, share your page on social media to spread the word!
The walks are around Burlington Pier

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Small Town Justice - a sneak peak at the Sound of Music and a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Burlington Mall.

News 100 blueBy Staff

May 18th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Burlington Mall, currently undergoing a $60 million upgrade, hosted a sneak peak of the 2018 sound of Music as part of the 50th anniversary of the mall.

Female at Mall

Stefanie Ledroit on the keybaard

The year long celebration, which started last night featured Small Town Justice in a pop-up concert held in partnership with the Sound of Music Festival. The Hamilton-band played three sets for a crowd of mall shoppers and will be part of the 2018 Sound of Music Festival that kicks off on Father’s Day June 7th.

SoM at Mall Band part

Small Town Justice at the Burlington Mall

Many have been looking forward to the day when some of the SoM performances might take place away from the downtown core. With the planned development of high rise towers in the core of the city different locations might be very welcome.

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, owners and operators of the Burlington Mall, are focusing the re-development on the attraction of space for major retailers and national restaurant chains. New additions to the mall include local grocery store, Denninger’s, and Indigo which both opened this spring. Other openings will take place throughout the summer and into the fall.

Heide McGaw, General Manager of the Burlington Mall said “the Mall property has held a special place in the community for 50 years. With the first phase of renovations complete and some exciting new retailers in the fold, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the changes that have taken place, as we gear up for a grand opening in the fall,” said Heidi McGaw, General Manager, Burlington Mall.

“The Sound of Music Festival is one of those quintessentially Burlington institutions and we are proud to be partnering with them this year on several initiatives,” adds McGaw.

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Herd will recognize a much missed local ballplayer - donating funds to the Terry Fox Run

News 100 blueBy Staff

May 18th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

The Herd is going to recognize a guy who wore the number 19 on his baseball uniform.

He isn’t with us anymore.

Strikeout cancer logoOn Saturday, May 19th the Burlington Herb is going to give a portion of ticket sales to the Terry Fox Run – their way of honouring a great friend of the Burlington Herd, Casey Cosgrove.

Casey who lost his battle with lung cancer last summer was a major supporter of the Terry Fox Foundation who the Herd have chosen to benefit from this amazing event!

$1 from each ticket sold will go directly to the Terry Fox Foundation. The Herd will also hold a special silent auction with all proceeds to go to the foundation.

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Performing Arts Centre lays out its 2018-19 program offering - exceptionally diverse.

News 100 redBy Staff

May 18th, 2019

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Burlington Performing Arts Centre Executive Director Tammy Fox let theatre goers see what they can expect during the 2018/19 season.

This will be the Centre’s eighth year of operation.

Fox lauded the exceptional diversity the season has to offer the community “I’m incredibly proud of the collection of performances I have curated for our 18/19 Season. It’s our most diverse and inclusive season to date.” BPAC’s commitment to learn about other cultures while being wildly entertained will be on full display at the inaugural Cultural Diversity Festival, September 29-30. Included in a series of free and ticketed events will be Ali Hassan’s Muslim Interrupted, and a cast of new Canadians in Enana Dance Theatre’s Julia Domna.

Hot Honey Brown

Hot Brown Honey

BPAC welcomes the deaf community to experience the beauty of live music when Raine Hamilton presents her concert with live ASL interpretation and Ahuri Theatre’s This is the Point will challenge audiences to change their perception of people with disabilities. International Women’s Day will be celebrated with Evalyn Parry’s SPIN, a captivating play with music inspired by the bicycle’s role in women’s emancipation, and the smash-hit Hot Brown Honey – a tour-de-force celebration of woman fighting the power. “It’s the most high-energy, empowering evening you can imagine!” says Fox.

Canada’s most celebrated musicians take center stage for a line-up of incredible concerts including; The Jim Cuddy Band, Whiskey Jack presents The Stories & Songs of Stompin’ Tom, MAGIC!, Cowboy Junkies, Jane Bunnett & Maqueque, Royal Wood, I Mother Earth & Finger 11, Gowan, Holly Cole, Jesse Cook and Moon vs Sun – a new venture with powerhouse couple Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida.

One thing leads to another

One thing leads to another.

Audiences will find continuity with past programming with the Family Series, Classical Matinees, Holiday programming and the ever-popular Classic Albums Live concerts. Families will be enthralled with Carousel Players’ Peter Pan, and the immensely popular One Thing Leads to Another, a play for babies. Michael Kim, Art of Time Ensemble, Gryphon Trio and Anagnoson & Kinton celebrate the majestic piano in BPAC’s The Art of The Piano Series. Enduring classics ring in the Holiday season with John McDermott, A Next Generation Leahy Christmas and The Nutcracker ballet from The State Ballet Theatre of Russia.

Contemporary and traditional dance is well represented with Dreamwalker Dance Co: Memory is the History of Forgetting with Andrea Nann and Andy Maize from The Skydiggers, Toronto’s acclaimed Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, Irish dance spectacular Murphy’s Celtic Legacy, Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba: Made in Cuba, and The State Ballet Theatre of Russia’s Sleeping Beauty.

New for this season are film screenings with live musical accompaniment. Alicia Svigals plays the klezmer violin to the silent film The Yellow Ticket and Antonio Sánchez drums up his Grammy-winning percussion score to the Academy Award Winning film BiRDMAN in BiRDMAN LiVE.

How do I love thee

How do I love thee.

Fox is also introducing a play reading series with Canadian Rep Theatre and its Artistic Director Ken Gass. “It’s a fantastic way to bring Canadian Theatre to audiences who may be unfamiliar with the work. You get lost in the story and imagine the sets and costumes for yourself- it’s addictive!” Garage Sale and How Do I Love Thee will begin what will become a staple series at BPAC.

“It’s so important to not take ourselves too seriously!” Fox notes and comedy in different forms proves that. Thank You For Being a Friend – The Ultimate Golden Girls Experience is a hilarious live action puppet show featuring Miami’s most famous senior citizens. Bringing the house down with their famous improv comedy is the Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company and BPAC will get the best of The Toronto Sketch Fest featuring Gavin Crawford and Bruce McCulloch, and stand-up comedian Jeremy Hotz.

Rounding out the season are evening appointments with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, The Guess Who’s Carl Dixon, and famous showman Tony Danza with his song and dance act.

BPAC stageBPAC has reintroduced its Member program for the 2018/2019 Season, sponsored by Lexus of Oakville, offering patrons discounts, access to the Discovery Ford Members ‘ Lounge and exclusive insider benefits.

Fox adds that “Our patrons have been essential to all we have accomplished so far, and to all that is still possible. I look forward – with great anticipation – to experiencing together our 2018/2019 Season and beyond.”

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Port Nelson United Church presents spring choral concert May 27th

eventsorange 100x100By Staff

May 18th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Port Nelson United Church choir will present its spring concert on Sunday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m.

The concert, entitled Healey Willan Remembered, features stories and performances by the Port Nelson United Church Choir under the direction of Stillman Matheson.

Willan, who lived from 1880 to 1968, was an Anglo-Canadian organist and composer. He wrote more than 800 works, and is best known for his sacred choral and organ compositions.

Choir of Port Nelson United Church

Choir of Port Nelson United Church

“Our spring concert gives us an opportunity to highlight the talents of our choir, which rehearses weekly throughout the year, as well as our special guest musicians,” said Matheson, director of music at Port Nelson United Church. “Healey Willan’s exceptional compositions with their rich harmonic palettes and soaring melodies are sure to please our concert audience.”

Musical guests include organist Andrew Adair and the Brassdale Quartet.

Adair studied at the University of Toronto with university organist John Tuttle. He is the director of music at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Toronto, where Willan was organist and choirmaster for 47 years. Adair is a regular performer appearing on the recital programs of many Toronto area churches.

The Brassdale Quartet is an accomplished brass ensemble based in Toronto.

Admission is by a free will offering. All proceeds benefit the ministry of music at Port Nelson United Church.

Port Nelson United Church is located at 3132 South Dr. in Burlington in the heart of the Roseland community.

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MacRae: “I do what I do because of the students - the ongoing question for me is - Is this good for the students?

News 100 blueBy Pepper Parr

May 16th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

When the Gazette covered the Halton Music showcase with over 600 students and their instruments in almost every nook and cranny at the Seniors’ Centre then reviewed the very large display of student art at Gary Alan high school and then learned of a dance competition, we found ourselves asking – Who organizes all these events and what part do the arts play in the education children are getting.

Turns out that Rebecca MacRae, lead arts coordinator with the Halton District School Board keeps all the parts moving.

Getting the instrument ready

Getting it just right – the first time.

The Board has over 200 music teachers at the elementary and secondary levels.

Dancer in wire

This is the work of an elementary school student.

MacRae wasn’t able to tell us how any students she interacts with on a weekly basis but did say later that “It’s more than I realized.” Her student contact is spent observing their workshops, and helping with the logistics of large events and rehearsals.

Rebecca MacRae

Rebecca MacRae

MacRae is in place to oversee the arts offerings in the schools, a job she has been doing since September. She has been with the Board of Education for 18 years always in music and drama. She studied at McMaster University, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and Mohawk College.

Sculpture - curvy

From the hands of an elementary student.

The world of music for MacRae began when she saw a piano with her grandmother and knew then that she “wanted to play one of those.”

Jazz and classical are her preferences; she has written some music but is reluctant to call herself a composer

Her job is that of an administrator where time management is her biggest challenge. “I do what I do because of the students and the ongoing question for me is ‘Is this good for the students’”. And to reports to Superintendent Julie Hunt Gibbons .

Girl with trombone

Listening attentively.

A large part of the job is ensuring that there’s a real world connection to what is being taught in the classroom where the students learn from each other.

Circuit city

An artistic interpretation of a circuit board.

Students get to see that music, art, drama and dance are crafts and one of the ways they can earn their livings
Asked what difference she is going to make she says it is important for her to understand what’s going on and realizing that there’s not just one way to do things.

“I am in place to build relationships and to do right by the students”, said MacRae. “These students are the future leaders.”

When MacRae gets going she will tell you that “A complete education includes the arts where students get to understand their own personalities and get to do drama, dance and music with other students. There is a level of creativity that isn’t as evident in some other subjects. Students get to explore, use their imaginations and develop ideas. The arts bring emotions to the surface giving students a chance to reflect on their feelings and experience the joy of producing something that gets shared with others. We want children to feel what they are doing.”

Music for MacRae is personal. She doesn’t play professionally – and wishes there was more time to play at home.

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City to recognize Olympic athletes at a reception May 22nd

News 100 blueBy Staff

May 16th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The City of Burlington is hosting a night of recognition for the Burlington athletes who competed in the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.

renata-fast

Renata Fast

Renata Fast, who won a silver medal in PyeongChang as part of the Canadian women’s national ice hockey team, will be at City Hall on May 22. Everyone is invited to have refreshments and meet Ms. Fast.

Event takes place in the city hall atrium at 6:00 pm

Kerri Morrison - speed skater

Kerri Morrison – speed skater

The city will also recognize Jesse Lumsden of the bobsleigh team and speedskater Keri Morrison.

The city welcomed snowboarder Darren Gardner on April 23.

Lumsden

Jessie Lumsden is in there somewhere.

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Whiskey/wine tasting at Ireland House - premium brands and a tax receipt as well.

eventsblue 100x100By Pepper Parr

May 15th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

This is a little different for a museum – a wine/whiskey tasting event where you can wet your lips and walk away with a tax receipt.

Museums of Burlington is hosting a whisky and wine tasting event on Friday, June 8, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. You’ll enjoy an evening of tutored tastings and food sampling. Tickets include a welcome cocktail along with hors d’oeuvres, a choice of scotch OR wine tasting, and coffee/dessert bar. Parking is free.

Cutty Sark labelTickets are $75. Purchasers will receive a $30 tax receipt for each ticket. Funds raised support the Museums of Burlington in continuing to offer year round programming for all ages that enrich our community both culturally and educationally.

Glenroths labelThe scotch tasting will be led by Cameron Millar, Eastern Canada Ambassador for the Edrington portfolio, which includes such award winnings spirits as The Macallan, Highland Park, The Glenrothes, The Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark and Brugal Rum. Participants will be introduced to the intricacies of nosing, chewing and drinking scotch.

Those are premium brands.

The wine session will be led by Holly Veitch of Kacaba Vineyards & Winery where she will lead participants in a tasting of award winning wines.

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An urgent Friends of Freeman Station call for volunteers - and they show up.

News 100 yellowBy Staff

May 15th, 2108

BURLINGTON, ON

There are times when everything goes just right

The people restoring the Freeman Railway Station to its original staTe – and then some got an offer they didn’t want to refuse.

But there were conditions:

Basement - towards the entrance - before diorama

Lower level will now be properly insulated.

Bob Jarvis Insulation had generously donated foamed in place insulation for the basement. They advised the Friends of Freeman Station yesterday that the work could be done today.

That meant removing the Tyvek air barrier from the walls, and moving some construction materials to the centre of the room.

Ron Danielson FoFs

Ron Danielson sent out the urgent call for help.

Ron Danielson explained that “If we could not do this, the date would be lost resulting in an indefinite delay in the project.”

The call went out yesterday for volunteers for a work party at 6:00 PM

Brian Aasgaard, John Mellow, Barb Plander, Joe Wyle, David Vollick and Ralph Malstrom all dropped whatever they were doing, changed their plans and rushed to the station.

The work was done and Jarvis Insulation is in the station doing the insulation right now.

Heartfelt thanks to these fine, dedicated and caring volunteers from all the Friends of Freeman Station for this great work – beyond the call of duty.

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Pool schedules and fees - useful just as soon as summer arrives

News 100 yellowBy Staff

May 15th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The summer months are nearing, or so they say, and with them, comes the opening of spray pads on Saturday, May 19 and some pools on Friday, June 29; and all will be open June 30.

Mountainside-271x138

Mountainside pool

The Nelson and Mountainside Outdoor Pool and Splash Parks, are set up so that residents can bring a lunch and Play and Stay for the Day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Splash parks have more elaborate play features, are paired with outdoor pools and have an admission fee to enter.

Spray pads are free to use and not associated with outdoor pools.

Outdoor Pool and Splash Park changes for 2018:

Nelson-271x138

Nelson pool

Nelson Outdoor Pool and Splash Park will open for pre-season from June 2 to 29

• Nelson Outdoor Pool will be closed for a sporting event on June 17 and July 7 and 8. On July 7 & 8 there will be free swimming at Centennial pool.

• Nelson and Mountainside Outdoor Pools and Splash Parks

Daily unlimited access to recreational swimming from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
 Super Value for Summer Seasonal Memberships are on sale for $32.40 plus tax
A Day Pass is $4.40 plus tax
Twilight rate is in effect after 5 p.m. $3.05 plus tax

• Outdoor Early Bird Lap Swims at Mountainside Pool on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m.

• Outdoor Evening Lap Swims at Nelson on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 7 to 8 p.m.

Full schedules for all spray pads, pools and splash parks can be found at Burlington.ca/dropintoplay.Splash pad LaSalle - swimming

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Sport Field Status - Clay Diamonds closed at Nelson, Millcroft and Ireland

notices100x100By Staff

May 15th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

The following Clay diamonds are closed Monday May 15th due to wet conditions:

Nelson D1

Millcroft D1 & D2

Ireland D1, D2, D3 & D4

baseball_in_rain_large

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Pop up band to entertain at the Burlington Mall on Thursday; part of their 50th anniversary celebration

eventsblue 100x100By Pepper Parr

May 15th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

They are working their way north.

The Sound of Music has often been criticized for being just a downtown event.

Small Town Justice - band

Small Town Justice will be “popping up” out side the new Denninger’s location at the Burlington Mall.

A change is taking place – the first peek the public will get of that change will be this Thursday, the 7th when Small Town Justice, will be playing mini sessions from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and will be back on May 24th for additional mini shows.

The Burlington Mall is celebrating its 50th anniversary and has joined forces with the Sound of Music people to mark the progress of the major renovation and upgrade.

The pop-up concert is being held in the new wing of the mall in front of Denninger’s which opened their new Burlington location recently.

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Ireland House - one of the best museums in the Region - admission free on Friday.

eventsgreen 100x100By Staff

May 15th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Ireland House freeFriday is International Museum Day.

Ireland House is going to be admission FREE for the day from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.

It is a superb little museum with excellent programs. If you’re looking for something to take the kids to – this is well worth the time.

The gift store focuses on all things local from small batch honey to custom tea blends and kettle cooked popcorn.

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Two well known entertainment headliners and what could well be the sleeper event at the Lowville Festival in June.

News 100 yellowBy Pepper Parr

May 14th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

In less than a month; the fourth Lowville Festival will welcome Sarah Harmer home for what will surely be a sold out concert that will take place at St. Georges Anglican Church on the north side of Dundas that  is normally seen as Lowville.

Two well-known headliners will draw well – the final event: Truth and Illusion is the sleeper. June Cupido, who describes herself as a coach, dramaturge and director who takes each member of a cast through an intense creative process to come up with a heartfelt monologue.

The performances are not the equivalent of that great American musical Oklahoma. Cupido describes then as “deep, dark and delicious” and adds that “I have always been intrigued by the idea of personal stories and storytelling as a means of developing a script. I want to take an audience on a thought-provoking journey and explore the stories we tell each other and how they connect us.”

June Cupido: coach, dramaturge and director

June Cupido:

She titles her monologue-based production Truth and Illusion because it examines how our lives can be guided by two separate forces – what lies in our heart and soul (the truth) and what we project to the outside world (the illusion). “It is this process of delving into our own psyche to reveal the truth behind the illusion that will result in a monologue for each performer” – deep, dark and delicious indeed.

Each Truth and Illusion production is not the same. Cupido first presented in Oakville where the theme was Separation, which she wrote and performed as her own monologue; the second was on the theme of Creative Fires; Cupido was the creative director and performer; and the third, Dream Narratives, dealt with dreams, dreaming and dream narratives, where she was the dramatist and creative director.

Lowville sign - orange aThe Lowville Festival production of Truth and Illusion will bring together six performers whose stories will uncover a personal journey. All actors will be on stage at the same time, with each taking their turn in the spotlight as they address the audience. Each monologue reveals personal transformation as the actors explore a part of their life that isn’t necessarily what it appears to be.

The members of the creative team come from diverse backgrounds, yet each offers a story that speaks to society as a whole. Bringing together their tales communicates larger stories to a broad audience. The monologues will transcend cultural boundaries.

This is drama at its best and deepest – think in terms of Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author.

Cupido has taken the Lowville Festival production a step further; collaborating with Michael Mulroony, who has developed a set of musical motives and backgrounds based on the ideas, emotions and themes to support the monologues. “Think of what Michael is doing as a Greek Chorus that supports what is taking place on the stage:, said Cupido.

The audience will be engaged in a Q&A panel discussion with the cast and creative team after the performance about the process. If theatre is your passion – this is something you will want to see and be part of.

The Lowville Festival team are to be congratulated for bringing a performance like this to their event.

Sarah_Harmer mature

Sarah Harmer

Event dates are:
Sarah Harmer in Concert, Friday June 8th, 7:30 pm – St. George’s Hall – 7051 Guelph Line (north of Derry Road) Tickets $50 advance/ $60 from June 1st

Ben Heppner 1

Ben Heppner

Ben Heppner in Concert: with the Lowville Festival Choir, Saturday June 9th, 7:30 pm. St. George’s Hall

Truth and Illusion: Two Forces present in every moment: Sunday June 10th, 7:00 pm – Lowville United Church

Tickets will go on sale on the Festival Website:  

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Herd takes a second trouncing in what has to be a tough way to start a season

sportsred 100x100By Staff

May 13th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

Herd May 13

The Barrie Baycats, winners of the InterCounty Baseball League trophy in 2017, whipped the Burlington Herd Sunday afternoon at Coates Stadium in a 15-1 win.

Jackson also singled as part of the Baycats’ 18-hit attack. Kevin Atkinson went 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs, Kyle DeGrace singled and doubled and had two RBI and two runs, Ryan Spataro went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a single and four runs, Jordan Castaldo singled twice, scored twice and drove in a run, Branfy Infante and Steve Lewis each had two hits and two RBI, and Jeff Cowan drove in a run and scored twice.

Emilis Guerrero (2-0) benefitted from the offence, going five scoreless innings and scattering four hits with a walk and five strikeouts.

Daniel Ohorodnyk had two hits and an RBI for the Herd. Jensen Park singled twice.

Rich Corrente (0-1) took the loss, giving up four runs on eight hits over five innings with three walks.

It has been a tough weekend start for the Herd; they were up against the two top teams.

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Copp to approach Macbeth as a Conspiracy theory. August performance dates.

eventsblue 100x100By Staff

May 13, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Summer hasn’t favoured us with much in the way of warm weather so thinking about outdoor theatre in the evenings might not be top of mind – but the RBG summer Shakespearean theatre Trevor Copp has put on for the past three years will be part of the summer season – August 13-17, 20-24, 27-31.

The offering this year: Macbeth: Conspiracy Theory

Copp explains what he is doing this way: “Shakespeare’s classic story of fate and vengeance is re-imagined as a conspiracy story thriller.

Merchant - Trevor - thought

Trevor Copp

“Macbeth’s pact with unseen forces to become a tyrant King unfold with consequences beyond his darkest imaginings. This highly physical interpretation is performed outdoors at the stunning grounds of RBG’s Rock Garden and features outstanding emerging talent.

Note the day when you plan your summer – and if you have guests visiting – include this event in your plans.

Tix will be available next week through rbg.ca/shakespeare.

More on this as the summer approaches…..

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Jim Young once again lectures city council about a $4 million spend.

background 100By Pepper Parr

May 11th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Jim Young was doing it again.

Making statements that made people uncomfortable. His kind of truth is a little difficult to take. At time people want to suggest to Jim that he “lighten up”.

He was delegating Thursday afternoon on the matter of the LaSalle Park Marina and the need for a spend of $4 million to keep the place open past April of 2019.

Jim Young said:
“My delegation on behalf of Engaged Citizens of Burlington today is a plea for common sense. A plea for fiscal responsibility and a request to consider more appropriate ways to allocate funding so that the community benefit of that spending is more evenly spread and put to better uses.

Jim Young with Kell in background

Jim Young

“ECoB worries that $4 million is a lot of money to spend to help protect the private property of a small group of citizens who are surely among the most able to provide that protection and insurance for themselves.

“We worry that our city may invest this $4 million only to find that the property at La Salle Park reverts to the City of Hamilton in a few years.

“In a city where last fall we had to provide emergency funding to keep our transit system operating legally, might better use be made of that $4 million by our transit system?

“In a ward that has no community centre for seniors, children or adult recreation, might $4 million be better directed towards their needs?

“In city with another 2 wards which similarly have no community centre, might we better serve more of our citizens by allocating this money to that end?

“In a city committed to intensification with so far no supporting Transit Infrastructure in place or planned, that money would allow an 8% increase in the Transit Operating Budget for each of the next 5 years to help achieve those intensification plans. Might this be a better investment?

“In a city committed to increasing and improving cycling with a plan to provide a safe North / South Highway and Railroad Crossing might $ 4 million go a long way to building that?

“Can a city that rejected a $100,000 annual expenditure to provide free off peak transit to around 35,000 poor and isolated seniors, in all conscience, justify $4 million dollars to provide docking improvements for a few hundred fairly wealthy boaters?

“That money would provide free transit for seniors for the next 40 years.

“The people of Burlington are engaged and paying attention to city affairs like never in recent history.

The option the LaSalle PArk MArina Association hopes is chosen through the Environmental Assessment due MArch 2013.

The option the LaSalle Park Marina Association hopes is chosen through the Environmental Assessment due March 2013.

“By adopting Option A and removing yourselves from the Marina Business you can demonstrate that you are sensitive to and attuned to the needs and wishes of ordinary Burlingtonians for whom a boat is a luxury while Transit, Community Centres and Cycling are real and widespread needs.

“At the end of the day La Salle Park Marina is not the city’s business to be involved in. It belongs to an incorporated body, La Salle Park Marina Association on land that belongs to the City of Hamilton and which may very soon revert to that city.”

The members of the Burlington Boating and Sailing Club and the LaSalle Park Marina take exception to being referred to as “rich people” who are being given a benefit that others don’t get.

Membership in the Marina is $9200 – up front. $5200 of that is an initiation fee and $4000 is part of the annual fee structure that has a declining balance approach. The two clubs don’t talk all that much about fees and what it costs to be a member.

They tend to dwell on the benefits the city gets and wonder aloud why a city on the edge of one of the largest lakes in the country should not have a marina.

To their credit the Marina has entered into joint ventures with the city for more than 35 years and has never defaulted or even been late with a payment. They want recognition for what they have done.

The issue gets complex with a deadline for the new breakwater the sailors must have and what that will do to the formation of ice in the winter and what that will do to the Trumpeter swans that have taken up residence in the same location as the marina.

Trumpeter swan - magnificent creatures that many think need the marina space at LaSalle Park to survive the winters. Nonsense according the Marina Association.

Trumpeter swan – magnificent creatures that many think need the marina space at LaSalle Park to survive the winters. Nonsense according the Marina Association.

What the boaters face are overfed swans that should not be fed by the public who love the birds.

The swan people would like to see the boats somewhere else – the sailors feel the same way about the swans.

Meanwhile Burlington is unable to come to terms with the city of Hamilton on a price for the water lots that Hamilton owns.

It is messy – and the leadership needed isn’t coming out of city hall.

$4 million is a lot of money – but the LaSalle Park Marina has always met their obligations under the Joint Venture agreements they signed with the city.

Which is more than the Trumpeter Swan people can say when it comes to educating the public about not feeding the swans and then doing something to actually prevent that – maybe having one of their group on hand every weekend telling people not to feed the swans?

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Richly deserved award given to Friends of Freeman Station

News 100 yellowBy Pepper Parr

May 11th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

FoFS names

A richly deserved recognition – Friends of Freeman Station named Burlington’s BEST for heritage.

It is one of the few occasions when this crowd wore suits.

But there they were on the stage accepting the recognition long deserved for saving the Freeman Station.

In the acceptance speech Ron Danielson said:
“It is my great pleasure to accept the Burlington Best Heritage Award on behalf of the Friends of Freeman Station. This award is a fitting tribute to the many volunteers who have put their hearts, souls and labour into restoring Burlington’s historic 1906 Grand Trunk Railway station, known as Freeman Station.”

They had every reason to be smiling. Councillors Meed Ward and Lancaster pose with five members of the Friends of Freeman Station after the Council meeting that approved the entering into of a Joint Venture that would have the Friends moving the station and taking on the task of renovating the building.

They had every reason to be smiling. Councillors Meed Ward and Lancaster pose with five members of the Friends of Freeman Station after the Council meeting that approved the entering into of a Joint Venture that would have the Friends moving the station and taking on the task of renovating the building.

It was the intervention of Councillors Meed Ward and Lancaster who held off the rest of Council and gave the Friends of Freeman the time they needed to find a place to put the station that was in pretty rough shape but salvageable despite the comments made by a city engineer.

When they found a home – the task was to get the building moved and begin the renovation.
It was a labour of love and a process of continually begging.

Their success is one of the best stores this city has to tell about itself. The politicians will swoop in and take the credit – and to their credit they did come up with funds, albeit late in the game.

This is a citizen success story – and Wednesday night at the Performing Arts Centre a bunch of guys who were pretty good with a hammer and a paint brush were recognized for the heroes they are.

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$50,000 to the arts - who got the goodies!

artsblue 100x100By Staff

May 10th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Burlington Arts and Culture Fund (BACF) grant program award funding support to 20 arts and cultural projects.

The BACF received 25 grant applications that were reviewed by a jury of peers and city staff. Decisions were based on artistic merit, program merit, strategic initiative, and city, community and economic impact.
$50,000 in funding will support 20 arts and cultural projects across Burlington to foster creativity and enhances opportunities for Burlington residents to experience and engage with arts and culture.

The grant program was approved by City Council in September 2017 as part of the Cultural Action Plan.

The BACF is facilitated to nurture the quality and capacity of the arts and culture sector in Burlington. The program is administered by the City of Burlington’s Arts and Culture Section and applications are reviewed in part by a peer assessment jury. City funding provided under this program must be used to further an applicant’s not-for-profit activities. Funding will not be provided for major capital projects including but not limited to the purchase of land, equipment, fixtures or physical facilities. Applicants that have received any form of city funding in the same calendar year, are not eligible for BACF funding.

Project Name: A Lyrical Affair to Remember
Applicant: Daniela Carnevale and Alanna Smith
Funding: $710

A Lyrical Affair to Remember will host its10th Anniversary Cabaret evening at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre studio theatre in February 2019. This event will feature Lyrical Affair in collaboration with guest performers from the past nine seasons. The project will provide learning and training opportunities for emerging artists and technicians alongside the professional theatre technicians at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. “The mission is to create these shows to share our talents and expertise with the community while at the same time providing opportunities for additional singers of all cultural backgrounds to join us. Lyrical Affair is unique to Burlington because it provides cabaret performances with a focus on a variety of musical styles including Broadway, jazz, pop and rock to name a few.”

Project Name: Art in Action Studio Tour
Applicant: Art in Action
Funding: $2,300

Art in Action assists artists in becoming self-sustaining entrepreneurs and encourages a social community for artists in Burlington and surrounding areas. For the past 15 years it has successfully provided opportunities for artists to engage the community by demonstrating their skills and providing a venue to highlight their talent. The Art in Action Burlington Studio Tour is free to the public and the only one of its kind in Burlington. Art in Action functions due to financial support and sponsorship from its members and local businesses. This allows Art in Action to sustain itself while providing an ongoing scholarship to any Halton Region graduating student pursuing further education in the arts. Art in Action is proud to say that, to date, it has offered six such scholarships. The successful student also receives free membership and a guest spot on the tour. This exposure has proved to be invaluable to the student and showcases Art in Action as a progressive, inclusive, organization.

Project Name: A Song for Peace
Applicant: Burlington Civic Chorale
Funding: $2,000

The Burlington Civic Chorale (BCC) is planning a three-part project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War and highlight Canada’s role in worldwide peacemaking. The concert is part of the chorale’s three-concert season providing choral music to the Halton region. Elements include: Commissioning and performing a choral work by an Ontario composer; The text, created by a Burlington writer, which is based on excerpts from the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech and lecture of Canadian diplomat and eventual Prime Minister, Lester B. Pearson; Seeking publication of the commissioned work, so that it is accessible to choirs and audiences across Canada and around the world; Boosting the reach of their premiere performance and promoting other performances of the work through a professional video of 12 to15 minutes that includes behind-the-scenes footage, brief interviews, and the complete performance, to be shared and promoted via social media.

Project Name: Authors in Your Neighbourhood
Applicant: Sylvia McNicoll
Funding: $2,825

Authors in your neighborhood want elementary students to have a positive interaction with a local writer to foster the love of reading and writing. The project will provide two elementary schools in each of the six wards with a free presentation between September 2018 and March 2019 and each school will be provided with an autographed set of the books that either Jennifer Maruno or Sylvia McNicoll will be speaking on. Following a discussion on the origins, characters, setting of the stories, the students will be inspired to read the work and it will be available for them to read. Approximately 1,200 students will learn more about the author’s writing process, as well as cover design, editing and other publishing process which will increase the depth of their reading enjoyment and encourage them to read the author’s work. Over 40 teachers, librarian-techs, and other teaching assistants will pick up pointers on inspiring proficient writing.

Project Name: Burlington – A City Through the Seasons
Applicant: Robert Todd
Funding: $3,010

The goal of this project is to capture seasonal images of the Burlington’s best sites and use the photographs as part of a touring exhibition. The project will incorporate 16 to 20 of the best images in this exhibition and promote Burlington’s public spaces that are free for everyone to access. The sites will be described in terms of their suitability for those with mobility limitations and will focus on walkable, bike-able and/or transit-friendly locations. The exhibition will be promoted through 8 x 10 photographs in various public locations throughout Burlington to showcase the beauty of its natural environment, architecture, heritage and culture. A guide of these locations will be completed and handed out during the exhibition itself. Both residents and tourists will be able to use this guide on their own to gain access to their favourite locations, based on the compiled images.

Project Name: Burlington Fine Arts Association Annual Juried Exhibition
Applicant: Burlington Fine Arts Association
Funding: $4,104

This project is the first step in building a relationship between the Burlington Fine Arts Association and the Burlington Mall, to bring original art out of the gallery and into a more accessible community venue and consumer space. The Annual Juried Exhibition will be hosted by the BFAA at the Burlington Mall in their new community room. Juried shows are beneficial for the artists because they will receive recognition for their work, have a chance to win a monetary prize, gain exposure and credibility, and learn from the experience of having their work judged by a knowledgeable juror. The community will see the best works that the BFAA has to offer as well as the vast diversity of artists and artistic styles showcased in Burlington. Throughout the exhibition, participating BFAA artists will interact with visitors on site, give live demonstrations and talk about their work and process. The community will learn about creative opportunities available at BFAA and will be able to view original, unique local art.

Project Name: Burlington’s Stars of Tomorrow
Applicant: Symphony on the Bay
Funding: $2,970

As part of its mission to demystify classical music and make it accessible to a broader audience, Symphony on the Bay has a keen interest in providing engaging opportunities for youth and young artists to access resources and performances. Burlington’s Stars of Tomorrow focuses specifically on the needs of two on-going initiatives – A Young Artists Competition and Youth Outreach Program. The Young Artists Competition (YAC) showcases talented youth musicians as featured soloists with the orchestra in a mainstage concert during Symphony on the Bay’s regular season. Symphony on the Bay has conducted this competition annually since 1991. “For the coming season, we plan to broaden the scope of performers to include a category of non-western music. This provides an engaging, culturally diverse musical experience for both performers and the audience. But more importantly, it exposes Burlington’s youth to the rich musical traditions of non-western cultures.”

Project Name: Burlington Welsh Ladies Chorus Concert
Applicant: Burlington Welsh Ladies Chorus
Funding: $500

The Burlington Welsh Ladies Chorus (BWLC) aims to foster creativity, stimulate culture and encourage social cohesion by involving the community in learning songs and singing in different languages without songbooks (as in the Welsh tradition) to entertain the public. “To succeed in our vision of creating an atmosphere of collaboration we look forward to connecting with other musical groups to promote cultural diversity.” The chorus is unique to the area in terms of its composition and delivery. The chorus aims to encourage women in Burlington to join the troupe in learning the esthetics of singing, how to sing in a different language in order to perform and socialize each other.

Project Name: Christmas Collage Ice Show
Applicant: Christmas Collage Fundraising Foundation
Funding: $2,000

Christmas Collage is a celebration of local talent performing in a choreographed ice show that combines all forms of movement on ice, as well as off-ice entertainment by various artists. This show is a collection of artistry and athletics through the movement of figure skating, hockey, synchronized skating, ringette, speed skating, sledge hockey and curling. The event includes over 100 on and off-ice performers including those of all ages, abilities, genders and cultures. Christmas Collage brings together all forms of movement on ice and fosters collaboration between community organizations such as the Burlington Skating Centre, Burlington Barracudas, Burlington Blast, Burlington Eagles, the youth curling program at Burlington Golf and Country Club and local Burlington speed skaters and sledge hockey players. In addition to the on-ice performances, the show features many off-ice entertainers from the local community including Burlington Student Theatre and the Burlington Footnotes, and other local musicians. The show provides an opportunity for many diverse members of the community to perform together and showcase Burlington’s talent in a unique celebration of the holiday season.

Project Name: Emerging Artists Series
Applicant: Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore
Funding: $2,600

Canada’s Largest Ribfest Emerging Artists Series is a showcase of local Burlington talent. The program aims to grant emerging artists the best opportunity to launch their career on a featured space at a professional-level. Three of the city’s most up-and-coming artists will be invited to showcase their talent. Canada’s Largest Ribfest Emerging Artists Series offers exposure to new and diverse audiences, networking and connection opportunities, artist relations, hospitality, stage management experience and knowledge to support the career development of the city’s emerging artists. Through the Emerging Artist Series, Canada’s Largest Ribfest will foster the career development of three of Burlington’s emerging artists, providing them with the opportunity to receive a total of six hours of featured space, professional-level airtime.

Project Name: Halton Freedom Celebration
Applicant: Halton Black History Awareness Society
Funding: $5,000

The multicultural 2018 Halton Freedom Festival incorporates a Freedom Celebration Festival at Spencer Smith Park on Saturday, August 4, 2018, a HBHAS Black History Speakers’ Forum on August 2 and an HBHAS Emancipation Art Exhibition from July 10 to September 1 at the Helson Gallery, Halton Hills Cultural Centre. The second annual Halton Freedom Celebration Festival is a free festival open to the public and will include musical and dance acts, youth and children’s events and artistic/musical and historical forums, an extensive marketplace of cultural cuisine, community and cultural association partners, genealogists, historians/authors and cultural/community contributors.

Project Name: The Healing Portraits Project
Applicant: Meraki Arts Collective
Funding: $3,500

The Healing Portraits Project will make an open call to the Burlington arts community, and match three artists with a different set of newcomers to Burlington (individual or group, with or without a translator) in particular, people who have come to the city displaced by violence in other parts of the world. The artists will create an artwork inspired by their story. The collective will capture the story of three artworks that inspire healing, meaning, beauty, and memory in the form of a video. The video itself will be an artwork for both participants and the public to reflect on how art inspires, reflects, connects, teaches, and heals. The Healing Portraits Project seeks to bring together local artists, refugee or newcomer families and connect with the community at large. The final product includes any 3 pieces of art (i.e. painting, sculpture, photography, etc.) that will be based on the stories, feelings, and images that come out of the meeting mediated by an art therapist between the artists and the newcomers. The project will capture the creative process on video to produce a short-film that tells the story of how these pieces of art came about. This short video will be presented together with the artworks themselves.

Project Name: Meet Me at the Brant Inn
Applicant: KooGle Theatre Company
Funding: $2,000

Meet Me at the Brant Inn is a multi-year project to create a musical production about the historical Brant Inn. The Brant Inn located on Burlington lakeshore became one of North America’s most noted and successful nightspots. Some of the biggest names in show business graced the stage at the Brant Inn during the great depression, during the second world war and into the 50’s – where thousands, from all over North America would attend on a nightly basis. Lena Horne, Andy Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, Liberace, Tommy Dorsey, Lawrence Welk, Louis Armstrong, Guy Lombardo, Johnny Mathis, and Duke Ellington to name a few – were headliners. Many local and Canadian bands were also showcased at the Brant Inn.

The story of The Brant Inn, which is a huge part of Burlington’s fabric, will be built by gathering stories from those who were fortunate enough to experience it. “The first year we will be meeting with as many people to hear their stories and work directly alongside a videographer who will record their stories with permission. These stories will potentially be used on stage throughout the musical via video projection of actual interviews that we have recorded with Burlington residents. These true stories will also help shape the storyline of the musical allowing Burlington residents to be directly involved in its creation.”

Project Name: One Burlington Festival 2018
Applicant: Roderick Nisan
Funding: $5,000

The One Burlington Festival will consist of different local exhibitors of different faiths and community organizations having cultural booths and different stage productions of songs and dance produced by the local participating cultural organizations. The festival will create concrete opportunities for positive interaction among the participating communities by supporting inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue and understanding in a friendly, family-oriented environment. The festival provides attendees an enjoyable, informal experience of learning about local cultural and religious communities and the uniqueness of their neighbours. “It is in the discovery of the uniqueness of our cultural neighbours that we realize and come to understand the similarities of the values that we share.”

Project Name: Orchestra BST40 by STARS
Applicant: Student Theatre Active Representatives Society
Funding: $1,000

The Student Theatre Active Representatives Society (STARS) is a volunteer-run organization and registered charity that supports local youth arts organizations and initiatives by providing funding and volunteers to help foster the arts in Burlington. STARS supports youth arts productions in Burlington and youth participation in arts events in the Burlington area. This includes supporting arts festivals in Burlington, such as Beyond the Flounder; supporting arts productions in Burlington, such as those staged by Burlington Student Theatre; supporting youth participation in arts events such as the Rotary Music Festival; and, supporting youth participation in educational activities such as theatrical skills development workshops. The Orchestra BST40 by STARS project will support professional and semi-professional musicians and technicians to support a musical theatre production performed by Burlington youth at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.

Project Name: PROSPECTS: An Evening of Dance and Discussion
Applicant: Form CDT
Funding: $2,000

PROSPECTS: An Evening of Dance and Discussion is a series of three dance performances. The performances are a mixed program comprised of five pieces of choreography around the same theme. There will be one longer work by Form CDT, a shorter work by Form CDT and then three guest choreographers. PROSPECTS creates the opportunity for local guest choreographers to present their choreography around a specific theme and invites the audience to give their feedback. All of the choreographers will talk about their choreography with the audience and participate in a post-performance social gathering and talk back.

Project Name: Redleaf Choir Project
Applicant: Redleaf Cultural Integration
Funding: $2,600

Redleaf Choir Project (RCP) promotes art and culture by providing individuals with a learning opportunity to practice and improve their singing skills. The program welcomes people from diverse backgrounds, especially newcomers and seniors. The project will take place at the Burlington Senior Centre and run from April 2018 through March 2019. The instructor and choir members will meet every second week to teach and learn new songs including basic singing skills. This project provides a life-long learning opportunity for people continuing to learn as they age and promotes a healthy lifestyle. It is also an effective way to build connections through the learning process. Redleaf Cultural Integration is also planning to reach out to other performing groups from diverse cultural backgrounds, to exchange experiences, and collaborate with them to perform together to promote multiculturalism.

Project Name: Rhythm ‘n’ Art Truck
Applicant: Kinga Zak
Funding: $ 2,400

This project that will foster creativity in Burlington through an engaging, novel approach to arts and culture. The first phase occurs in September 2018 and the second phase will be ongoing throughout the remainder of the year. In September, surprise, live dance performances will be presented in busy, public spaces by a group of hired professional, multicultural dancers. Led by a main facilitator, these dancers will be united in rhythm and unique in movement. Dancers will be wearing colourful hand painted costumes inspired by diverse cultures. This visual extravaganza will highlight diverse identities, perspectives, languages, cultures and artistic practices. The main facilitator will educate participants and invite the public to participate, dancing together to celebrate their uniqueness. The pop-up aspect of this project will take place from July through September 2018. These collaborative performances will be held in six highly-populated public locations – one in each ward.

Project Name: The Tragical Comedy of Mr. Punch
Applicant: Tottering Biped Theatre
Funding: $1,500

The Tragical Comedy of Mr. Punch is a graphic novel penned by one of the world’s foremost English fantasy/sci-fi writers, Neil Gaiman, with images by Dave McKean. In receiving permission to adapt this piece through Gaiman/McKean’s agent, the perfect opportunity to undertake a collaboration project between Tottering Biped Theatre (TBT) and Theatre Beyond Words (TBW) arose. This is a layered, complex novel that suggests mask work, puppetry, and shadow theatre in its form: allowing the transmission of decades of physical theatre knowledge to pass from a company that has represented Canadian physical theatre internationally for decades (TBW) to a young and keen professional physical theatre group (TBT) in the process of adapting the work. It is a legacy project with the potential to deepen Canadian physical theatre while at the same time developing a piece with the potential to tour.

Project Name: With Glowing Hearts
Applicant: Burlington New Millennium Orchestra
Funding: $2,000

A celebratory yet poignant concert presentation in honour of Canada’s heritage and the War Veterans who make Canada proud. This concert will feature some of Canada’s most talented performing artists including Mark Masri, Simone Caruso, Sarena Paton, Gavin Hope, Sarah Campbell Mills, the McMaster University Choir – a fitting tribute to the True North Strong and Free. Attendees will hear songs and narrative with respect to Canada’s contribution to world peace and free society. Some of the narrative will be presented with choral and orchestral. The mission of the Burlington New Millennium Orchestra is to present unique high caliber concerts to the people of Burlington featuring gifted performing artists from the local, national and international arts communities. BNMO will foster collaborations with other local arts groups and engage younger audiences through selective outreach programming.

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