November 19th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 Festival of Lights sponsored by Burlington Hydro will be in place on This holiday season, Burlington is set to dazzle with a lineup of festive events, headlined by the annual Festival of Lights. Starting on November 29, the Festival of Lights will illuminate Spencer Smith Park along Burlington’s scenic waterfront. This cherished event features a variety of themed light displays, transforming the park into a winter wonderland for families and visitors alike through January 8, 2025.
 Trees sponsored by local business people and organizations will decorate the lobby and mezzanines spaces at the Performing Arts Centre. Additional holiday festivities include the Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s 8th Annual Festival of Trees, running from November 20 to December 12. The Centre’s lobby will showcase creatively decorated trees, adding a touch of festive spirit to the downtown area. Burlington’s holiday events also include markets, visits with Santa, and cultural performances, offering a variety of ways to celebrate the season in the heart of the city.
And then the Santa Clause parade on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 2:00 pm.
 Burlington Teen Tour Band colour party kept the flags flying as they escorted Santa and his sleight through the streets of the city in 2019.
 By Pepper Parr
November 8th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Civic Chorale will be performing at St. Christophers Anglican Church on November 23rd.
The Chorale was founded in 1994 through the collaboration of Dr. Gary Fisher and Mary Jane Price, former organist and director at St Christopher’s Anglican Church, Burlington Ontario, the Burlington Civic Chorale (BCC) has brought outstanding choral music to Burlington, Hamilton and surrounding areas for over 25 years.
The BCC was honoured to commission for their twenty-fifth anniversary concert, 17 November 2018, Faith in Peace, a work by Canadian composer, Mark Sirett with lyrics woven from the texts of former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson’s 1957 Nobel Peace prize speech.
 Part of the Civic Chorale in practice Through its performances the BCC delights audiences with powerful choral music experiences with repertoire encompassing classical music from the 16th century to the present; folksongs; opera choruses and vocal jazz.
Their mission is to contribute to the cultural life of Burlington, Hamilton and surrounding areas through regular, high calibre performances of a broad repertoire of choral music
To be a choral representative for the city of Burlington
To provide the highest level of choral experience to our membership
To stimulate an appreciation for the finest in choral music from all periods of music history
What is it like to sing with them? Let the singers tell you!
“The BCC Singers have been part of my life for nearly 30 years. I have found new friendships and gained a greater love and appreciation for music. During times in life when one needs mental and moral support, singing takes me to a higher place.”
“The Burlington Civic Chorale is an amateur chamber choir of adults from Burlington and neighbouring communities. We come from various walks of life, but have found one another through our shared love of music. We are proud to have sung for our audiences for over 25 years!”
I’ve had the pleasure and good fortune to attend two of their events. Try and add this to the events you want to attend.
Do you have a good voice? The Chorale welcomes new members. Click HERE if you think this might be something for you
 By Staff
November 7th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Step back in time and celebrate the holidays during “A Night At Ireland House.”
 All the food was made on the premises using recipes from the period of time the Ireland Farm house was built. Guests will spend the evening sampling traditional Victorian foods served from the hearth and woodstove while touring the historic house. There will also be the opportunity to sip local wine and craft beer along the way while listening to carolers and roasting chestnuts on an open fire.
There are two time slots available to book, 6pm & 7:30pm. Tickets are $57/person ($54/members) and must be purchased in advance. Please dress for the weather as a portion of your experience will take place outdoors. Ticket includes wine and beer sampling, food sampling, and historic home tour. This is a 19+ event.
Get tickets HERE
Space is limited – so get your order in before they fill up – which they usually do.
By Staff
October26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s a little early. I thought promoting Christmas events didn’t begin until Halloween was behind us.
The folks at Port Nelson United Church see it differently.
 By Staff
October 14th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Don’t miss the October 19th Take Action Day.
Join BurlingtonGreen and our event partners at the Burlington Centre (mall) on Saturday, October 19th from 10 am to 4 pm for this FREE event featuring a variety of opportunities to take ACTION for the environment.
 By Staff
October 9th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
A simple one name word – Downie tells what the event is about
 Gord Downie on stage An event at the Performing Arts Centre on Thursday, October 17, 2024 – 8:00 PM to celebrate the work that Gord Downie in his final days, shining a light on reconciliation with Canada’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.
Performing their own versions of your favourite Gord Downie and Tragically Hip songs as well as their own original music, these artists will join in our collective reconciliation journey to promote awareness, education, and thoughtful action.
THE POETS: The Poets are a Tragically Hip tribute band that is based in Moose Factory / Moosonee in northern Ontario.
The Poets are joined by Walking Through the Fire, a group that brings the magic of collaboration to the stage, with award-winning First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists from across Turtle Island joined by Billboard charting/6x CFMA winners Sultans of String!
The event is a concert in support of the Downie-Wenjack Fun
Buy Tickets HERE
 By Pepper Parr
October 1st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It was early evening. The weather was great.
 The crowd grey to about 100 people. Around 100 people had gathered at the Pavilion in Spencer Smith Park to take part in a Truth and Reconciliation Day event.
The majority wore the Orange T-shirts that had the Every Child Matters in bold letters on the front.
A few Indigenous women spoke – some drumming took place there was some singing before the group headed to the Beachway in a parade along the Promenade.
 An Indigenous woman sing and drumming during the ceremonial parts of the event. I was expecting more. There were no male speakers. The women told of their experiences with Residential schools. Is there a single person who is not by now fully aware of what was done to these people?
And are there very many people fully aware of what we are still doing to these people ?
 Lydia – one of the few young people at the event. Literally no Indigenous people that I could see at the event.  Lydia – getting restless. The chemicals that were dumped in the Grassy Narrows waters; the hundreds of communities that still do not have potable water – what they drink has to be transported into their communities.
How many thousands of people have to live in sub-standard housing where mould is a constant problem ?
They call themselves First Nation people and they are – but we don’t even treat them as citizens.
I expected more of what took place at Spencer Smith Park on a pleasant evening.
I wasn’t quite sure what it was we were celebrating.
 Indigenous art was displayed throughout Spencer Smith Park.
 By Staff
September 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Every year, our local artist and community groups come together for Culture Days without fail. To celebrate the amazing talent of local artists, the public art program has commissioned 20 Burlington writers and artists to showcase their work at The Beachway. Residents will be able to enjoy these pieces during the Culture Days celebration from Sept. 20 to Oct. 13, 2024 along the Beachway path. The City of Burlington is proud to be a part of this initiative that aims to raise awareness, provide accessibility and encourage participation in the arts and cultural life of Burlington.
Participating Artists:
-
 Short descriptions of work done by local artists spread out along the Beachway. Alexandra Basekic
- Amal Ahmed Albaz
- Angelica Lamoureux
- Brunna Fanticelli de Moura
- Candice Sheehan
- Craig Brown
- Danielle Izzard
- Elena Espinoza
- Elizabeth Walker
- Frank Myers
- Hayley Verrall
- Mary Lynn Futers
- Nikki Rottenberg
- Nitin Narula
- Pei Yuan Li
- Rebecca Remme
- Samantha Le Grand
- Stephie Leitch
- Teresa Seaton
- Vanessa Cress Lokos
The Performing Arts Centre is offering a full day of free and accessible community programming.
Saturday – the 28th from noon to 4:00 pm
The public is invited to enjoy free coffee and tea while discussing what Burlington Arts Organizations have to offer. Organizations we have on site are:
 Burlington Symphony will be playing for part of the afternoon. Burlington Student Theatre
Burlington Symphony Orchestra (BSO)
Burlington New Millenium Orchestra (BNMO)
Burlington Footnotes
Southern Ontario Lyric Opera (SOLO)
Mattson & Company Dancers
Halton Black History Awareness Society (HBHAS)
Redleaf Cultural Integration (RCI)
ONE Burlington
Tyrsa Ukranian Dance School
Backstage tours available every 30 minutes starting at noon.
 By Pepper Parr
September 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The weather was as good as it was going to get. The breeze off the lake made it rather pleasant.
There were hundreds, hundreds of people milling about and getting read to do their 5k walks or runs.
The day went off without a hitch – no one that I was aware of needed medical help.
 Hundreds head west to the canal – carrying their thoughts with them. There was plenty of flavoured and fruit and snacks for those that needed an energy boost.
There was energy bursting out all over the place.
 The “warm up ladies kept things moving at a healthy pace. Two women, I call them the “warm up” ladies. They shared the microphone and kept people informed and at the same time kept things moving.
People registered and took their turns when the kind of walk or run they were doing was going to take place was up.
The walk was from the rear of the Waterfront Hotel westward to the canal and back to the hotel.
From there people went to the picture stand where groups got to make up their sign: Team MVP or whatever the group was. Numerous families were out as Teams.
 Jeanette is the Run house photographer Then the group picture was taken.
Each Team had sponsors who paid an amount for every km walked.
Some of the Teams were walking months before the actual Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research – for make no mistake about it – this event was to raise funds for cancer research and for individuals and families to remember people they had lost.
No word yet on exactly how many people ran or walked – we don’t know yet how much was raised.
The group that made the event happen is large – we will pull together a follow up report later in the month.
For today – enjoy the pictures of those that took part.
One gentleman was in the walk for the 44th time – he has run every race since that first in 1980.
The “warm up ladies” made numerous mentions of next year being the 45th. Expect the crowds to be as good.
Imagine what Burlington will do on the 50th anniversary and wonder about how close we might be to actually curing cancer.
 Dr. John Goffin; Associate Professor, Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences. We know now that if caught early enough cancer can be beaten. Much of the credit goes to the medical practitioners and the scientists who do the research that has gotten us to where we are; additional funds were raised today to pay for more research.
 Dozens and dozens of young people worked at different tasks. This young man handed out fruit and snacks to people. The Run has always been a family event; from those in strollers to those old enough to take on some of the work that has to be done.
The Run isn’t just an occasion to raise funds. For many it is an opportunity to pause and take the time to remember those who were lost. There is a Remembrance board that people write a note on and a sticker that is given to people who want to name the person they lost and put it on their T shirt or on a stroller.
There will be more tomorrow morning.
Related news story:
We remember Terry Fox and work to reach the goal he was unable to reach
By Staff
September 14th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The weather looks like it is going to hold.
The city’s Food for Feedback event takes place today – there will be five Food Trucks in place and about 35 different stations where you can talk to staff from different departments about your concerns; ask questions and satisfy yourself that you have a clear understanding of what is happening.
This is your opportunity to talk to the people that write the reports and provide the options to council on the choices they have on the different decisions and developments before them.
It’s your government – you are paying the people that will be at Central Park: Noon to 4:00 pm. Mayor Meed Ward will be on hand – and some of the Council members.
Related news story:
Food for Feedback gets a bumpy ride
By Pepper Parr
September 12th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
As long as there is a Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research there should be a Team Casey taking part.
And there will be this year – with a bit of a difference.
 You had to know him – you had to spend time with him – and you were always better for it. A true champion – taken from us far too early. Bryna, pictured below, is doing what he would have wished – take care of others. Theirs was a shared love that could be appreciated and envied. In previous years, it was family and friends getting together to do the run in support of the Terry Fox Foundation, of which Team Casey was a major part. Every year Casey would be there with his daughter on his shoulders and wife Bryna alongside wearing the Team T-shirt.
 There will still be a Team Casey but under the new formal name of Team Casey Support Network, which is the name of a not-for-profit that Bryna Casey created to support families dealing with critical illness.
The children have grown up and have lives of their own. Mom will be running – and hopefully the kids will be there with her.
 Casey Cosgrove often had a couple of hundred people walking with him. In this photograph his daughter is at his side with his niece on his shoulders.  Bryna Cosgrove. There is something incredible about the human spirit. To deal with the loss, the personal grief and getting your kids through it – and in time being able to help others deal with what you had to deal with.
We salute people like that – and be grateful that they are among us.
By Staff
September 7th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 On September 14, Cineplex invites families across Canada to the 12th annual Cineplex Community Day in support of BGC Canada. Enjoy free Cineplex screenings of family-friendly films, discounted concessions, free gaming at the Rec Room and Playdium, and for the first time, free XSCAPE arcade gaming in select theatres!
Event Details:
- When: Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Where: Participating Cineplex Theatres, XSCAPE arcades, The Rec Room, and Playdium locations across Canada.
- What: Free movies, gaming and discounted concessions across participating locations.
- Tickets are also available in-theatre beginning September 4.
For fulsome details and timing, please see a FAQ document here and press release linked here. Looking forward to hearing from you.
 By Staff
August 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
September 15, 2024 marks the 79th anniversary of Battle of Britain Day and to commemorate this historic day, author Ted Barris returns to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum for a presentation on his latest book, Battle of Britain: Canadian Airmen In Their Finest Hour.
 “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,” are Churchill’s words that set the 113 days of the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940 apart from all others, as the greatest aerial battle in history. As the German Luftwaffe sought to destroy the Royal Air Force, gain air superiority, and invade the British Isles, Commonwealth fighter pilots scrambled from UK airfields day after day and flew Hurricane and Spitfire fighter aircraft to thwart Hitler’s plan.
They won, but paid dearly.
In his 22nd book of non-fiction, Ted Barris has assembled unknown stories of Canadian airmen, ground crew, as well as engineers, aeronautical designers, medical officers and civilians, who answered the call and turned back the very real threat of Nazi invasion. You know the outcome of the Battle of Britain, but now you’ll meet the Canadians who helped secure victory in the first last-stand of World War II.
September 15, 2024 – Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum – Time: 1:00 pm
Admission: Presentation is FREE with admission. Regular admission rates are Adult (18 – 64) $16, Senior (65+) $14, Student (13 – 17) $14, Youth (6 – 12) $11. Free admission for museum members and children 5 & under.
After Ted’s presentation, he will be available for a meet-and-greet. Books will be available for sale.
To purchase book in advance:
By Staff
August 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Attracting people to your cultural event is not easy.
Social media is great – providing you know how to use it to your advantage.
There are people who can help.
 Registration link is show below. Culture Days Ontario wants you to take part in their Culture Days event. Tune in on Thursday, August 29th, at 2pm ET. And learn the marketing and media tips you need to get your audiences to take notice and action during Culture Days.
Media expert Mercedes Blackwood will share practical tips on planning and running marketing campaigns. As well as how to work with the Media to help gain widespread reach for your arts and culture events.
We will also be joined by Ontario Culture Days’ Partnerships & Programs Manager, Kaitlyn Patience. She will share tips on connecting with and involving your local community, partners, and collaborators in your event promotion efforts!
 Join us to learn more about how to use the free Culture Days marketing tools, templates and resources available to help you:
- Increase attendance to your events.
- Increase awareness of your organization, group, business, or artistic practice.
- Create lasting audience connections and build year-round engagement.
This session will be presented in English with English captions available. A recording with French captions will be available shortly after the event. If you have specific questions or requests you would like addressed, please email us at info@culturedays.ca
Be the first to know; stay connected with your regional offices for updates, opportunities, and all-things Culture Days:
Register
By Staff
May 16th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Art Gallery staff probably does not encourage climbing all over this piece of art – wonder if those children were told why the beams are where they are? City Hall might be closed; you are going to have to pay to park your vehicle in the Beachway and at Lowville Par on the Victoria Day Weekend – BUT the AGB is open Monday, May 20 from 10 am – 5:00 pm and will host some fun family programming.
We hope to see you there, and wish everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend.
 By Staff
May 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 Become a member – the place becomes a second home. If you are a member of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre – you will know about the kick off the season event that is taking place.
This is the occasion when they do their reveal- and showcase the events planned for the next season.
 Rainer Noack Rainer Noack will lead the audience as the 24/25 season – he is at times a very funny man.
The evening will also include award presentations for the 2024 Hall of Fame inductee, surprise guests and musical performances.
Members receive advance ticket buying access and can purchase tickets on the night of the launch, and for two weeks prior to public on-sale on June 14, 2024.
If this is something you want in on – become a member. Click HERE
By Staff
May 14th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Sound of Music is not that far away.
 Huge crowds for the music which is always great.
A lot of people are using the event as an occasion to meet with colleagues, business partners; using it as an occasion to reward those employees who make you the success you are.
Reserve your places for:
VIP Lounge Day Pass
Platinum VIP Lounge Day Pass
Sound of Music Festival VIP Lounge Weekend Pass:
Sound of Music Festival Platinum VIP Lounge Weekend Pass
Click here
 By Staff
March 2nd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Canada’s greatest plastic scale model contest and sale.
Contest categories include Aircraft, Armour, Automotive, Ships, Figures, Space, Collections as well as Intermediate, Junior and Bantam entries.
The registration process for model entry closes March 19 at 11:59 pm.
No registrations will be accepted beyond this period or at the door.
Vendor tables – SOLD OUT.
Registration forms HERE
Check out the website
 Students love the place – a location that every student should get to at least once.
 By Staff
February 7th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Wed Feb 14, 2024 at 8pm
VALENTINE’S DAY!
The Dreamboats are bringing back good ol’ rock n’ roll! With a sound that is equal parts Chuck Berry & The Wonders, this quartet of Canadian boys delivers a high energy show that has audiences dancing the night away!
After international tours in both Europe and California, the young and energetic Dreamboats are ready to tear up the stage with their award-winning music inspired by the 50s & 60s sound that they adore.
 This is a Fabulous Group- great energy and tunes you will be singing to yourself on the way home. Main Theatre Regular: $49.50 – $69.50 (All-in). Member: $44.50 – $64.50 (All-in)
 By Staff
January 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Getting to the point where a performing artist stands in the middle of a big stage with hundreds, sometimes thousands of people in the audience takes time and a lot of hard, hard work.
Tammy Fox, the Executive Director of the Performing Arts centre, has worked both sides of the business: she marketed talent and grew performers from promising beginners to the point where they were the main attraction.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre (‘BPAC’) is invested in nurturing and supporting emerging artists in our community through our artist development initiatives. BPAC’s ‘Live & Local’ Artist Development Initiative supports the development of local artists by providing them with professional support and performance opportunities in our world-class venue, while also offering mentorship by connecting them with established industry professionals.
 Emm Gryner part of the Live and Local program at the Performing Arts Centre Emm Gryner appears at the Community Theatre on January 26th, is part of the ‘Live & Local’ Artist Development Initiative that Fox has made part of the operation saying: “BPAC is committed to taking the lead in supporting the growth of local artists and arts organizations as part of our mandate. Many of these groups are unable to afford the high costs of facility rentals and their attendant production costs, so a more flexible and creative partnership is necessary to support this critical type of community cultural development.
She adds: “BPAC plays a major role in supporting the development of local performing arts organizations and artists. By providing a state-of-the-art facility, superior customer service, organizational infrastructure and technical expertise, we provide an opportunity for Burlington’s arts organizations to grow artistically and to develop audiences. BPAC also takes an active role in supporting local organizations by offering marketing support as well as more targeted artistic development initiatives.
“BPAC has had a profound impact on the artistic growth and development of our local performing arts community. BPAC’s LIVE & LOCAL series allows local performers to increase their creative capacity, reach new heights of artistic excellence, deliver richer and more diverse performances and ultimately grow their audience.
Gryner will be on stage in the Community Studio Theatre on Friday Jan 26, 2024 at 7:30pm. Ticket Prices:Regular: $39.50(All-in); Member: $34.50(All-in)
As part of BPAC’s mission to nurture and support local arts producers we have launched an Artist Development Initiative which will provide performance opportunities for local artists and arts organizations to showcase their talents to BPAC’s established and growing audience base by including them in our Presents Series programming under the ‘Live & Local’ banner.
Many local emerging professional and non-professional arts organizations are looking for opportunities to perform at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, but cannot afford the rent and production costs, and may not attract an audience large enough to financially sustain a performance in the theatre. The creation of alternative performing spaces such as the Community Stage in the Lobby, and use of the outdoor plaza for programming opportunities, enhances the experience of audiences and provides increased exposure for local artists.
BPAC’s 23/24 Live & Local Series is sponsored by Daniel Durst of Desjardins Insurance.
|
|
