By Pepper Parr
June 3, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It was billed as an important event and it was.
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
