It was a little chaotic – many people weren’t sure what was going on but when Mark Oldershaw finally got to the stage to light the cauldron with the flame of the Pan Am torch he was carrying, people knew that the Pan Am Games were not far off and that for Burlington the flame was bright and alive.
Mark Oldershaw, an Olympic paddler gets ready to be lit up by Ashley Worobec as he prepares to take the Pan Am flame to the Sound of Music stage.
Burlington’s Ashley Worobec handed over the flame to Oldershaw at a point on the Naval Promenade – it was tough to see the two – there were almost more police than spectators. Those police officers must have thought they were protecting some world leader.
Worobec looked a little lost in the crowd of people – and the uniform they gave her to run in certainly lacked for any style.
The Burlington Teen Tour Band Den Mother helps a band member get the uniform put together.
But the Torch did arrive – ushered in by the Burlington Teen Tour Band who did themselves and the city proud.
I don’t how much money the city spends on the Band but whatever it is – we are getting our money’s worth.
For those who knew what was going on – there was a level of expectation. I suspect many thought that Ashley Worobec was going to take the flame up onto the stage.
Mark Oldershaw uses the Pan Am flame to light the cauldron on the Sound of Music stage. The games begin next week.
Mark Oldershaw certainly has a bigger public profile and he is an Olympian but the people of Burlington chose Ashley Worobec – didn’t they?
The Olympian got to take the torch to the Sound of Music stage. The Gazette may have been the only media to capture that moment on video –click to see the event.
A path was created for Oldershaw to run through while the crowd cheered him on.
When he got to the stage the emcee wanted to create some drama and excitement and asked Oldershaw to give him one word that described his feelings for the games that were going to soon begin.
Oldershaw paused, looked reflective and said – he really had two words that would be separated with a hyphen and then in a decent yell – shouted.
Kick Ass!
The audience went for that one
There is never any doubt where this band comes from – our very own.
The politicians of course spoke, the sponsors found a way to deliver their message and then the Teen Tour Band took everyone through the singing of O’Canada.
Police security was so heavy it was difficult to see the torch bearers. In this picture there are at least five police officers – was this necessary?
It was a fitting way to close an event that was fun, if a little chaotic – but why all those police officers.
Did someone at police headquarters really think we were at risk.
The city decided to spend some of our tax money on gussying up parts of the city. Norton Park had a lovely stretch of wall that was just dying for the hand of an artist.
Through its public art program, the city selected artist collective, PA System (Patrick Thompson and Alexa Hatanaka), to install the mural in Norton Community Park.
“The mural will provide a sense of community pride in Alton,” said Scott Stewart, general manager of development and infrastructure. “We look forward to seeing the mural..” he said.
Art outdoors on a lovely late Spring day spells photo op – and sure enough the city’s media managers scheduled such an event.
The is the eastern side of the wall. while we were photographing this collection of high school students from Hayden High happened along and we knew instantly that we had a real photo opportunity.
The Gazette frowns on photo ops just for the sake of getting your picture in the paper – but we thought the art was worth sharing with a wider public. So we travelled up to Dundas to see how the northern half of Burlington lives and walked through the park to see what had been done.
You don’t have to walk very far to get the gist of the mural – colour – it just screams of colour on a wall that is easily 20 feet long and 10 feet high – with two sides to put paint on.
Artists were asked to consider student involvement, community diversity and the wide range of uses for the site in their concept development and installation process. The city’s public art program steering committee received 23 mural applications and shortlisted three artists: Charles Johnston, Lesia Mokrycke and PA System (Alexa Hatanaka and Patrick Thompson).
“Resident-submitted comments guided the jury’s selection and were considered in addition to artistic merit, technical considerations and student engagement around each finalist’s work,” said Angela Paparizo, the City of Burlington’s manager of arts and culture.
Burlington residents were able to view and comment on the proposals during Culture Days in September, at Haber Recreational Centre, and online. The community jury reviewed the feedback, including 340 comments, along with the artistic and technical merits of each proposal to make their selection.
“PA System’s past experience working with community members to create unique and inspiring murals is impressive,” said the jury’s statement. “The use of bold colours and patterns will create a year-round focal point for the park and the abstract nature of the design allows for a broad range of interpretations, allowing each viewer to connect to the work in their own way.”
It was built as a wall to shelter people from the wind and turned out to be a great place for a mural. This is the inside of the wall
About the Artists
PA System, which is comprised of artists Alexa Hatanaka and Patrick Thompson, have a broad background in community-based art projects, youth projects and mentorship. For the past 10 years, Hatanaka and Thompson have worked on a range of visual arts projects in the arctic. They have created numerous murals in the hamlets of Cape Dorset, Igloolik, Iqaluit and Hall Beach as well as in the Northern Quebec towns of Kangiqsujuaq and Kuujjuaq, and have facilitated youth projects at York University, the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, and the National Gallery.
Hatanaka and Thompson exhibit and paint murals across Canada and around the world. Their work can be seen in the Royal Ontario Museum, the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona and the Guanlan International Printmaking Base.
The high school students who posed for our photo op thought it was great work and pulled out their cell phone and asked that we take pictures of them with the art work.
Real photo ops.
The Nelson Wading Pool and Splash Pads are open, weather dependent, Saturday, June 13 to Monday, Sept. 7.
The pool was scheduled to open for the 2015 summer season. As part of preparing for the summer opening, city staff conducted a pool inspection after the winter season. The pool structure has been deemed unsafe for public use by a structural engineer. Attempts were made to see if any short term solutions could be found for this summer season however, repairs measures are too extensive. As a result, Nelson Pool will not open for the summer 2015 season.
The Tim Hortons free swims scheduled for July 6 and Aug. 9 at Nelson Pool will be relocated to Centennial Pool, 5151 New St.
The July 6 swim will run from 1:30 to 4 p.m. and the Aug. 9 swim will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Burlington Sound of Music Kick-Off came alive at the Waterfront. It could not have been a more perfect weekend. The hot Saturday sun beat down on the Burlington Sound of Music Festival while the beat of the concert music played to a high energy crowd.
Head banging with style – or the photo op of the day. Whichever – the sound drove the crowds wild at the Saturday SoM Kick Off.
The crowds of adoring fans arrived in droves to watch their favourite bands. The food trucks lined up along the boardwalk. The Waterfront was busy with boats anchored to listen to the music. Everyone showed up to enjoy this event; families, dog lovers, teens, people of all ages came out to support the Burlington Sound of Music Festival Kick Off.
As I walked through the main gate I could see the teams of volunteers attending to everything from ticket scanners to assisting people and answering questions. I ran into Ted Mills, ‘really I had to move to avoid being run over by him’ Ted wore a bright yellow t-shirt with the words “Event Control”.
I asked him if he had a few minutes to chat with me. I asked him how long he had been a volunteer with the event. He smiled and said “14 years’. Ted told me he was very proud of the event and felt this was a great event for Burlington to host. Ted loves what he does and this is his way to give back to the Burlington Community.
I also had a chance to chat very briefly with the Ticket Scanner volunteer. She smiled and told me this event was great. She explained the ticket scanning was a great idea; and a great way to keep the line ups moving quickly so everyone could get to their concerts. .
I was excited to be joining the other photographers and journalists who were taking photos of Burlington’s own Finger Eleven as they performed. We all gathered by the front gate waiting to be escorted by the media coordinator to the media pit. We hung
our cameras over our shoulders and got “ready to aim snap and capture” the band Finger Eleven in concert.
Fingers 11 – working that instrument at the Sound of Music Kick Off on Saturday.
Finger Eleven was introduced to the excited fans by the Host of CHCH news anchor Nick Dixon. The band was formed in 1989. The first guitarist came out whaling his electric guitar joining the drummer and base guitarist. Then we all got a real treat, a ‘head banging” show from the guitarist.
As he began to play his guitar he was hidden behind his long long black hair. His hair flew in the air as he dropped his head back and forth to the sound of his guitar. Throughout each song he bounced across the stage with such energy; the loud applause and cheers could be heard for miles. Finger Eleven was one of many concerts during the Burlington Sound of Music Kick Off this past weekend.
There were fans standing inside the media ‘Pit’ as well. Concert go-ers wishing to get real close to their favourite band; could do so by purchasing a $60.00 ticket plus another $25.00 which gave them access to the ‘Pit’. “Yes you could stand inches from the stage.”
This apparently is the first time the Sound of Music has asked for payment to gather at favoured spots right up close to the stage – where we were told when we could click our cameras and when we couldn’t.
Historically the Sound of Music has been a free event – is there a change in policy in the works? Could we see the Sound of Music as a fully ticketed event in the future?
Kristin and Justin Butler; owners of the Chimneys food truck doing their first SoM event.
I noticed long line ups at the food trucks. So, I took a few minutes to chat with Kristin and Justin Butler; owners of the Chimneys food truck. This was their first time at the Burlington Sound of Music Kick-Off and found the energy invigorating.
I was able to chat with David Miller, Executive Director of the Burlington Sound of Music. He was a very busy man this weekend. According to David, there were a few unexpected glitches; this only meant they will look closely at how to avoid future issues. Concentrating on making it even a better experience. He is very proud of the event which he has been heading up for nine years.
This was the Fourth year of the Burlington Sound of Music Kick-Off. I asked David who was the brainchild behind the idea for a Ticketed Event. He told me it was a ‘collaborative effort’.
He explained how the Burlington community and others have been asking for a bigger and better concert line-up. David was able to fill that request by adding bands such as: Our Lady Peace, Finger Eleven, Collective Soul and David Wilcox, to name a few. He also mentioned that the ‘Free’ weekend at the Burlington Sound of Music has also been a success.
During the ‘Free’ weekend there were a few options: the Front Row Concert Tickets cost $25.00; the Sweet VIP Concert Tickets cost $100; this includes a drink and a meal.
Every year the money raised goes to a different recipient. This year the recipient is the Joseph Brant Hospital, Music Therapy.
The Art Gallery of Burlington auction pulled in $60,000 during its recent Art Auction – the Bateman went for $6,000 and Reid Flock’s piece “Basking Denim Noise Paint” went for $1,000.
Newly minted AGB President Robert Steven has had a good first month – $60,000 ahead of the game. Hopefully it is still uphill from here.
Art collectors are known for the attention they pay to the Burlington auction because they know there is usually a Bateman included – and they make a point of taking a look and then usually bidding by telephone.
Robert Bateman’s piece “Kestral and Balsam Poplar” went for $6,000 which is a little on the low side for Bateman’s work.
The 200 different pieces of art that sold for $200 each was a popular choice for many that were just getting into art collecting.
The 200 for $200 seemed to be a very popular event – it was limited to local artists who had a chance to get there work in front of a wide, informed audience. The proof in that pudding will be next year – let’s see if the event makes the cut – it should.
Burlington has a number of high priced, high end galas – the AGB appears to have an opportunity to hold an event that could focus on the arts – no one else occupies that space. Creating a theme for the evening seemed to please most people – what will the creative minds of Johnathan Smith and Denis Longchamps come up with for next year?
Even though the city isn’t taking any official part in the Pan Am Games the residents of the city are being given an opportunity to ignite their Pan Am spirit and celebrate the Pan Am Games on Pan Am/Parapan Am Day in Canada on June 13 in LaSalle Park.
Competitors are showered with colour powders as they participate in the Color Run. There will be different locations where coloured powders are thrown over the runners.
Burlington is going to do its best to get into the Pan Am Games spirit by hosting a fun-filled day for families to experience Pan Am inspired sports from local partners and take place in a Pan Am inspired Colour Run.”
The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features:
• Kids Pan/Parapan Am inspired sports • Inflatables • Colour Run at noon • A 52-foot (16-metre) long Slip and Slide • Food vendors • Free admission to LaSalle Wading Pool
The Colour Run is an accessible one-kilometre route in LaSalle Park. Participants are encouraged to wear a white T-shirt they would like ‘coloured’ with the safe, non-toxic powder that participants will be coated in as they complete the course.
Those wishing to visit the LaSalle Wading Pool after the Colour Run will be required to rinse off in the Slip and Slide before entering the pool enclosure.
Will Torch bearer Ashley Worobec take part in the colour run at LaSalle |Park on Saturday the 13th?
The question the Gazette has is – will Torch carrier Ashley Worobec be doing the colour run the week before she runs through Spencer Smith Park with the Torch?
Limited parking is available at LaSalle Park with additional parking available at Aldershot Pool, 50 Fairwood Place W.
The Conservation Authority sent out water level warnings for the creeks that run into the city from the Escarpment.
The city decided that all clay diamonds and select soccer fields are to be closed to due water Tuesday, June 9, 2015
All clay diamonds are closed the evening of Tuesday, June 9:
Ireland Park: D1, D2, D3, D4 Millcroft Park: D1 and D2 Nelson Park: D1 Other diamonds are “as is” condition as there may be some puddles on the infields
The following rectangular fields are closed the evening of Tuesday, June 9: Maple Park Tansley Woods Park Sherwood Forest Park: F5 Central Park: F1
Less laundry for the parents if the playing fields are closed – what to do with the kids? The parents will figure that out.
It takes place in two cities – Burlington is one of them,
The site covers several thousand acres – 2700 to be exact.
The event will take place on three different days
It has the rather pedestrian name of Panorama – however it can turn out to be quite an experience.
Called the Panorama Adventure Challenge Sport it is a run that cover either a 3 km or 5 km distance designed to teach team building and problem solving.
It is intended for any age and can be done at any pace.
Opera and the Sound of Music? It’s going to happen – not out in Spencer Smith Park but inside the Knox Presbyterian Church, 461 Elizabeth St.
The Magic Flute was performed by the Canadian Children Opera Company. Burlington will hear a cabaret of their work June 13th
The performance is being put on by the Canadian Children’s Opera Company, (CCOC) an opera company for young people, unique in North America, dedicated to the training of young singers with an annual commissioned opera for young people from ages 5 – 20.
The CCOC’s youth chorus will present Opera Cabaret at Knox Presbyterian on June 13th conducted by two of Canada’s most treasured music educators, Ann Cooper Gay and composer, Errol Gay. CCOC members are regularly seen on stage at COC productions and is supported by various organizations including the Ontario Arts Council.
The 30 voice strong, Youth Chorus performs Opera Cabaret which marks the first performance of the CCOC in Burlington and will feature excerpts from Alice in Wonderland.
WHY IS THIS SO SPECIAL?
The CCOC is a major training ground for Canada’s future opera singers. And one of them is year is Burlington’s Lori Lewis, currently a student at Aldershot High School, a brilliant young talent whose musical roots are right here in our city and who will join an opera training programme this summer in Italy before he returns to this final year with the CCOC.
The Hobbit – a Canadian Children’s Opera Company production.
Having spent over 30 years as a singer and conductor, it was a rare treat to hear and see this young man in Alice. The voice is a tenor’s treat, warm and rich with high notes beyond what one might expect for a tenor this young. But today’s opera and music theatre world demands more than a voice and Lori Lewis has the timing of a comic, the awareness of an actor and the gift of moving his audiences. As the Mad Hatter in Alice, Lori’s performance still lingers in my memory.
This year’s sell-out event was a Canadian composed, written and staged opera, Alice in Wonderland that premiered at the Enwave Theatre at Harbour Front in Toronto to 12, sold-out, standing ovation audiences.
More details at www.canadianchildrensopera.com
Please forward this email to anyone you think would enjoy a taste of tomorrow’s Canadian musical stars.
The lobby of the Performing Arts Centre was abuzz with people last Thursday evening enjoying a complimentary glass of champagne.
Brian McCurdy, the Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre sat in a comfortable chair on stage beside Commie Smith and talked about the line-up for 2015- 2016. Connie chatted away in that “golly, gee-whiz” style that is all her own while McCurdy provided what he called the “colour commentary”
It was impressive.
McCurdy brought years of entertainment industry experience to his job – it shows – and announced a program of which he has every reason to be very proud.
The season consists of 68 artists and companies – the biggest the Centre has ever put on in this its 5th year of operation. Some of the city’s favourites – Alex Cuba and Matt Anderson will be on the stage during the season along with some delightful surprises as well – Colm Wilkinson of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera fame will be doing Broadway, Christmas and Beyond, an intimate and personal side of a performer not seen before.
The offerings are very strong – what makes it all work is the way McCurdy has broken the program into units that appeal to different audiences.
The Entertainer’s series Jose Feleciano and Pavlo; October 22 – 8 pm Jully Black and Jarvis Church – October 30th – 8 pm Art of Time Ensemble – Beattles Project – November 4th – 8 pm The Celtic Tenors: December 20th – 2 pm Bruce Cockburn: February 18th – 8 pm
The Blues and Rock series Lighthouse: September 26th – 8pm Pink Floyd: The Wall: February 6th – 8 pm Darlene Love: November 29th – 7:30 pm Matt Andersen: March 4th – 8pm Ruthie Foster & Harrison Kennedy: April 20th – 8 pm
The Traditional Series Irish Rovers: November 20th – 8 pm Men of the Deep: April 13th – 8 pm John McDermott: December 13th – 2:00 pm
The Dance Series Canada’s Ballet Jorge – Sleeping Beauty: October 2nd – 8 pm Proartedenza: November 11th – 8 pm Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet: February 4th – 8 pm Peggy Baker Dance Projects; Armour & Coalesce – 8 pm Hong Kong Ballet: March 8th – 8 pm
The Family Series Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny: November 22nd – 2:30 pm Alice in Wonderland: January 24th – 2:30 pm Cat in the Hat: February 21st – 2:30 pm Alexander Who’s Not. Not, Not, Not, Not. Note Going to move: February 12th – 2:30 pm
The Comedy Series Howie Mandel: October 3rd – 8 pm Ron James: November 7th – 8 pm Brent Butt: November 30th 8 pm Steven Wright: February 19th – 8 pm Just for Laughs: April 7th – 8 pm
The Jazz Main Stage series The Pat Metheny Trio: September 1st – 8 pm Abduillahj Ibrahim & Ekaya: October 23rd – 8 pm Matt Dusk: November 27th – 8 pm Holly Cole: April 6th – 8 pm
The Classical Series Emanuel Ax: November 3rd – 8 pm Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra: March 5th – 8 pm Midori: April 19th – 8 pm Collectif9: May 5th – 8 pm
The Global Beat series Compania Flamenca Jose Porcel: October 15th – 8 pm Soweta Gospel Choir: December 3rd – 8 pm Jesse Cook: December 12th – 8 pm Dakhabrakha: January 29th – 8 pm YAMATO Legend of the heartbeat: February 25th – 8 pm
The Performing Arts centre has a smaller theatre that is perfect for events that need a closer relationship with an audience. Called studio 440 – it will feature
A singer song writer series Danny Michel Trio: October 2nd – 7:30 pm Fortunate Ones: NOVEMBER 6TH – 7:30 pm David Francey: March 2nd – 7:30 pm David Myles: March 12th – 7:30 pm
The 440 World Series Alex Cuba: October 17th – 7:30 pm The Once: November 21st – 7:30 pm De Danann; March 10th – 7:30 pm Sultans of String: April 8th – 7:30 pm
The 440 Jazz series Tribute to Dave Brubeck: October 16th – 7:30 pm Shine On – The Universe of John Lennon: December 15th – 7:30 pm Laila Biali: February 20th – 7:30 pm
440 is the address of the Performing Arts centre on Locust Street
Classically yours – Sunday brunch series Campbell/Afiara: October 18th – Brunch 11:45 – Show 12:30 Crow Chiu Duo: November 15th – Brunch 11:45 – show 12:30 Gryphon Trio: February 21st – Brunch 11:45 – show 12:30
The Cushion concert series Markus: Saturday October 3rd – 11:00 am and 2:00 pm Camping Royale: Saturday February 13th – 11:00 am and 2:00 pm Old Man River: Saturday March 5th – 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Theatre series Second Life, Tottering Biped Theatre: October 22 to 24th – 7:30 pm and October 24, 25 and 31st – 2:00 pm Ralph and Lina: November 25 to 28th – 7:30 pm and November 28 and 29th – 2:00 pm Air – Tottering Biped: January 14 to 16 and 21st to 23rd – 7:20 pm. January 16, 17 and 23RD – 2:00 PM Late Company: February 24th and 27th – 7:30 PM and February 27th, 28th – 2:00 pm Proof: May 5th to 7th and 12th to 14th – 7:30 pm and May 7th and 14th – 2:00 pm 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: July 14th to 16th and 21st to 23rd: 7:30 pm and July 17th and 24th 2:00 pm
Special events Special Event – Cirque, October 29th – 7:30 pm Special Event – The Nutcracker, December 8th and 9th – 7:30 pm and at 2:00 pm on December 9th Special Event – Country: Gord Bamford, January 20th – 8:00 pm
Live and Local Music series Melissa Bel and Sharon Musgrave: September 18th – 7:30 pm Stuart Laughtin: February 12th – 7:30 pm Loretta Bailey: October 7th – 7:30 pm Aitch and Chris Chambers: November 20th – 7:30 pm Mod Opera: April 12th – 7:30 pm
Community on Stage
When first envisioned the Performing Arts centre was to make space available to community groups at a price they could afford. It took a while for the idea to get a foothold – under the direction of Brian McCurdy there is now wide ranging, active community involvement.
Burlington Student Theatre Peter Pan: July 6 to 17th; the July 16th show is at 2:30 pm Mary Poppins: July 20 to 31; the July 30th show will be at 2:30 pm
Symphony on the Bay Northern Lights with Ben Smith on piano: October 25th Christmas Pops: David Holler and the Mohawk College Community Chorus: December 6th Romance: February 14th Last Night at the Proms: Sunday May 15th Brott Musical Festival: June 18th – 7:30 pm and June 25th – 7:30 pm Top Hat Marching Orchestra: May 7th – 7:00 pm Burlington Footnotes: June 21st at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm and June 22nd at 2:00 pm Burlington Teen Tour Band: Fall concert: September 25th; 13th annual Christmas Concert, December 4th and Spring Concert May 13th
Matapa World Music series Zal Sissokho, Senegal: October 1st – 7:30 pm Ivan Mazure, Mozambique/Norway: November 18th – 7:30 pm Kasse Mady Diabate, Mali: March 26th – 7:30 pm Marrabenta, Sounds of Mozambique; April 27th – 7:30 pm
Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.burlingtonpac.ca or by telephone at 905-681-6000 and in person at the Box office at 440 Locust Street. Box office hours are noon to 6:00 pm – summer hours noon to 4:00 pm
When Reid Flock was a student in Burlington he used to hang around what was then known as the Burlington Art Centre and found himself drifting to the pottery section where he learned to throw clay.
Pottery: yes, of a different sort. The colours are resplendent and the shapes whimsical. A flock piece is up for bidding at the Art Gallery auction.
He found himself being heavily influenced by Kayo O’Young, a ceramist who worked out of Kleinburg. Reid may not have known it at the time but his future was being determined and he decided he needed to spend some time in Japan.
What was to be a one year trip turned into a nine year journey that brought him back to Canada where he now works out of a studio in Hamilton turning out some of the most astounding pottery this country has seen.
The Art Gallery of Burlington is holding its annual Art Auction – there will be a small piece of Flock’s work up for the bidders.
Jonathan Smith, curator of the ceramics collection at the Art Gallery of Burlington, looks over a Reid Flock piece that is being readied for shipping. Smith played a strong role in guiding Flock as he developed his skills with clay while at student.
Flock tells of the times Jonathan Smith would lock him in the ceramics vault at the art gallery where he would spend hours looking at different pieces and developing the sense of ceramics that allowed him to grow into the artist he is today.
Flock is perhaps the most accomplished artist to come out of the Burlington Gallery.
If you were to be invited to a display of pottery you would probably attend with an idea at least of what you were going to see – when you see the work that Flock does your understanding of pottery is shattered.
Flock calls his art whimsical – something that reflects a society and will smile when you tell him his work looks like baskets that happen to be made of “burnt dirt”.
I suggested to him that the Flocking Red Basket reminded me of the Queen of Hearts at the croket game in Alice in Wonderland. “Exactly”, flock responded “you’re beginning to understand the whimsy of it all.”
Reid Flock talking to his Dad about an idea he is working on.
Flock has no idea who buys his work when it is first sold. He learns later who has a piece and at times it is borrowed for a showing.
While his reds and his blues are, to this viewer, his most stunning, Flock has done pieces in black and in pick and has done a piece with polka dots – which I thought was taking whimsy a bit further than it might have been intended to go.
Flock is awaiting funding for a new tangent he wants to go off on – “squeeze toys” which was about all he wanted to say about the next venture other than to add that the pieces would be larger than his Flocking Red Basket which is the largest piece he has done.
During a meeting with Karen Brouwers at her Framesite location in Aldershot, Flock, his Dad along with Jonathan Smith and his brother were talking about how the red piece would be shipped – he has had at least one piece of his work broken in transit – he mentioned that his cat had climbed into the piece. Seeing Reid Flock’s work as something with utility is a real stretch
There will be a small Flock piece at the Art Gallery of Burlington Art auction which is doing exceptionally well with their 200 for $200. event. Painting by some well-known local artists were snapped up very quickly. There are still some good pieces available.
Art Gallery curator Denis Longchamps looks over some of the 200 for $200 pieces that are still available at the annual Art auction
The Art Auction is being held at a time when weather, hopefully, will not have the negative impact it has had in the past. This year the event has a theme: La Belle Époque that will see the gallery transposed into something resembling Paris at the turn of the century.
It was a period of time seen as a “beautiful era: that began in the late 1800’s and ended with the start of the First World War.
The hope that those attending the event would take to costume and really represent the era is expecting too much – Burlington isn’t there yet.
However, young people from the Student Theatre under the guidance of Rainer Noack will be on hand and in costume. Our young have always led the way haven’t they?
The art auction committee is headed up by Cheryl Goldring, an artist in her own right, is looking for ways to take a new direction and trying to create a theme for each year and make the event not just a fund raiser but something that raises the cultural bar of the city.
The event is a major fund raiser for the Gallery which has gone through a very rough patch financially. The city had to basically bail them out to the tune of $100,000 a year for two years.
Local art on sale at the Art Gallery of Burlington Auction.
The importing of a new President and CEO, Robert Steven, from Grande Prairie is the beginning of a stronger focus on the ceramics collection and hopefully boosting the reputation of the collection, which is really very good, to the point where it will draw people to the gallery and the city.
Some of the buzz going about the city suggests a new location for the Art Gallery might also be in the works – the property they are on has very significant value that a developer is believed to be talking to the city about exploiting.
A Broadway production on the stage of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre? Yup – Saturday Night Fever will be in town for a one night performance January 28th
Just a one day production – this one will sell out – a Broadway production on the Performing Arts stage.
Brian McCurdy made the announcement during the introduction to the 2015 – 2016 program for a theatre that appears to have found its footing and now has a robust, diverse program offering that does what the people behind the idea of a performing arts centre in the city wanted it to do.
It has been a struggle – a lot of financial ups and downs; a change in the management with another change coming in the not too distant future.
Bringing a popular Broadway production to the city – even if only for a single production – is a step forward.
Canadian singer-songwriter and activist Sarah Harmer will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Accessibility Awards at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at 2 p.m.
Sarah Harmer
“Sarah Harmer is an award-winning artist with strong ties to our community,” said Judi Lytle, the city’s accessibility co-ordinator. ”We are thrilled that she will join us and deliver the keynote address as we celebrate accessibility in Burlington.”
The Burlington Accessibility Awards are hosted by the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee as part of the city’s National Access Awareness activities. Emcee for the afternoon event will be Kelly MacDonald, a reporter for Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) and host of AMI-tv’s original program, AMI Blind Sighted. The awards celebrate the work being done by individuals, businesses and organizations to make Burlington more accessible for people with disabilities.
“We are making great strides in Burlington, not only to help remove existing barriers but also to prevent new barriers from being created,” said David Fisher, chair of the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee. “Each year we see great leaders in our community who are making our city a more accessible place to live, work and play.”
Admission to the awards ceremony is free, but attendees must pre-register. Call 905-335-7600, ext. 7865.
Established in 1994, the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee is a volunteer citizen’s advisory committee to Burlington City Council. The BAAC provides advice on the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to people with disabilities in the municipality’s bylaws, policies, programs and services.
There will be water in city operated swimming pools – but the pool at Nelson will not be one that opens – this year.
Beats the heat doesn’t it? Your tax dollars at work.
Nelson Outdoor Pool was scheduled to open for the 2015 summer season. As part of preparing for the summer opening, city staff conducted a pool inspection after the winter season. The pool structure has been deemed unsafe for public use by a structural engineer.
Attempts were made to see if any short term solutions could be found for this summer season however, repairs measures are too extensive. As a result, Nelson Pool will not open for the summer 2015 season.
“The pool was to reopen June 13, but with two severe winter seasons back-to-back, the steel tank at Nelson Pool has seen an accelerated rate of deterioration.” said Glenn. “Ensuring public safety is our top priority, and thus the need to keep Nelson Pool closed. Plans have been made to accommodate program participants and renters at other city pools.”
With the bad news out of the way the Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Glenn sang a happier tune and said the City of Burlington wants to help residents splash into summer and that all the city’s splash pads, including the Dofasco Waterjet Park at Discovery Landing, are open for the summer.
“With the warm weather, we’re pleased to have splash pads around Burlington open for the season earlier than usual. There are splash pads in parks across the city for families to enjoy the outdoors and cool off throughout the summer.”
Mountainside Outdoor Pool and La Salle Splash Pad will open on Saturday, June 13 to the public for the summer swimming season.
Mountainsides bran new pool will see its first customers Saturday June 13th
The Tim Hortons free swims scheduled for July 6 and Aug. 9 at Nelson Pool will be relocated to Centennial Pool, 5151 New St.
The July 6 swim will run from 1:30 to 4 p.m. and the Aug. 9 swim will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Don Graves gets around – he paints. He has shown his work in many shows and is off to Port Credit to take part in an event there – and didn’t take part in the official opening of the new office MPP Eleanor McMahon opening this Friday afternoon.
Don Graves painting of Grindstone Creek decorates the walls of the constituency office of Eleanor McMahon.
When Don learned that MPP Eleanor McMahon was officially opening her new constituency office he felt some original Canadian art would be needed to decorate the walls.
And he just happened to have what he felt was perfect for an office.
So – Don’s painting was unveiled on Friday at the office opening without the artist being on hand to take a well-deserved bow.
Graves doesn’t know if our MPP is purchasing the painting or if it is just going to hang on the wall for a period of time and be returned.
Cheryl Goldring, wife of the Mayor, will have a piece of her art on the walls as well.
Sign goes up on the office of Burlington’s MPP
The new digs for the MPP are several steps up from what she had on Brant Street. The washroom in the new location is bigger than the office McMahon had previously.
There is a small boardroom with all the office space walls done in glass.
A Shebang? A what? You’re calling it close encounters of the creatively collective conscious? Really.
AKA as a cool art event happening at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre with Burlington/Hamilton based professional writers, musicians, dance artists, singers, actors, costume designers and media artists.
And they are known as the shebangs?
Is this dancer doing the shebang?
Does it mean the whole shebang showed up?
Collectively they form The Burlington Shebang and their first public encounter is June 7, 2015 from 3:30-5:00 pm.
Does that help?. It didn’t – did it ? Here are some clues Trevor Copp, Tomy Bewick, Leslie Gray Shannon Kitchings, Bridget Alanna Bezanson and Lisa Ann will be doing the shebang – did I get that right.
It’s a Sunday afternoon gig or is it a shebang ? Is that like West Indian dance ?
I think you’re just going to have to go and take your chances.
There was no mention of prices – sounds as if it is free.
By Pepper Parr
The pool was scheduled to open for the 2015 summer season. As part of preparing for the summer opening, city staff conducted a pool inspection after the winter season. The pool structure has been deemed unsafe for public use by a structural engineer. Attempts were made to see if any short term solutions could be found for this summer season however, repairs measures are too extensive. As a result, Nelson Pool will not open for the summer 2015 season.
The Entertainer’s series
Ron James: November 7th – 8 pm
The Global Beat series
The 440 World Series
The Cushion concert series
Community on Stage
