GREEN'S
GUIDE
TO
CULTURE & THE ARTS
JULY
12, 2018
Please
support these hard working arts and culture organizations.
Something
for everyone in the upcoming weeks
ONGOING
AND CONTINUING EVENTS:
Now
to Sunday July 22nd:
The Simcoe County Museum presents a unique travelling
exhibition: Using artifacts, images, audiovisual presentations, and art, Echoes
in the Ice: Finding Franklin's Ship examines Arctic exploration past and present,
profiles the explorers involved in the search for the Northwest Passage, and decodes
the mysteries of the Franklin Expedition of 1845, when an entire crew vanished
in the Arctic during an ill-fated search. 10 am to 6 pm.
Now
to August 27th, the Barrie Art Club is featuring a new show from members on the
theme of "Summer Pursuits". At the Gallery, 11 King St. The Art Club
also has a set of workshops you can join. Check out https://barrieartclub.wildapricot.org/page-18353
Now
to October 14th: The building now housing the MacLaren Art Centre was Barrie's
first public library. In recognition of this, artist bookworks have become a collecting
priority for the Gallery. This current exhibit presentation, A Kind of Library:
Artist Portfolios and Bookworks highlights these objects that are normally very
hard to display. Going back as far as sketchbooks by Canadian surrealist Michael
Forster (1907-2002) and including high-end print portfolios by Henry Moore (1898-1986),
the exhibition moves through the mid and late-20th century with books by Sorel
Etrog (1933-2014) and regional artist Walter Bachinski. Other contemporary works
will be added in throughout the exhibit.
"This
Was There Then" is a very interesting art exhibition focussing on the changes
in downtown Barrie. In fact, this is part of a new venture by a new arts group
- "Focus on Simcoe" which has matched award winning local photographers
with local businesses to create exhibitions across the County. I got to see the
opening of this new venture, which is being brought to our County by new resident
Allen Rothwell. Allen was the inspiration behind a similar venture in Peterborough.
The "This Was There Then" exhibit now in the lower level of the Five
Points Theatre contains amazing historic pictures of Downtown and around Barrie
- a couple with some interesting "updates". That exhibit is open 9 am
to 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday. But the show expands with the contest winners exhibiting
at 6 different Barrie locations. Details about the organization and other exhibits
can be found at www.focusonsimcoe.com
The
Maclaren Art Centre has a wonderful series of summer camps for kids this summer.
To see the entire list, go to https://mailchi.mp/0f75a000e64c/summer-fun-is-coming-your-way-barrie-festivals-art-camps?e=19398826f0
And
if the youngster in your life has a dramatic flair, check out the summer camps
offered by Talk is Free Theatre. Musical theatre, improv and comedy and more.
Check all the offerings at http://www.tift.ca/youth-education-outreach/camps/
CURRENTLY:
Now
to Sunday July 22nd:
Barrie-licious' summer version returns. Some 45 local
restaurants will offer prix fixe full course meals from $15-30. You can "fine
dine" at such restaurants as "the North", Michael and Marions or
Painters' Hall (three of my favourites), take a cultural tour at such eateries
as Akira (Japanese), 147 (Italian), KyoHang House (Korean), Quesada (Mexican)
and many many more. Not to mention burger joints (Kensington) and Brewhouses like
Barnstormer and Flying Monkeys. I received a sneak peek at the North's Barrielicious
menu. It is fantastic! And the price stays at $30 for three courses.
Check
out the whole list at http://www.barrielicious.com/
Thursday July 12th:
The
Choir of Christ's College Cambridge brings their Canada wide tour Trinity Anglican
Church. The choir sings a selection of music from English and European choral
traditions from the 16th to 20th century. The choir has a broad concert repertoire.
This tour they are singing a wide range of music: Parry's Songs of Farewell, Howell's
Requiem and more.
Tickets at the door $25, $20 students. Free parking in the
evening in the parking garage opposite and on the street. There is limited handicap
parking beside the church's main entrance on the hill. Show starts at 7:30 pm
Have
you been to the Unity Café? This eclectic facility has great vegetarian
foods, a wonderful collection of art by young local artists, and on this and many
other Thursdays, feature "Word Up". This Thursday author Daniel Perry
reads from his book Nobody Looks That Young Here. Writers, poets, and spoken word
performers are welcome at the open mic that follows. From 7-9pm at Unity Market,
25 Toronto Street, Barrie. If you can't make this evening, do drop by and have
a look at this ecletic little café.
Sunday July 15th:
Great local
jazz artist Joe Huron continues his Sunday Jazz series at Sticky Fingers Bar and
Grill on Dunlop St W. Joe is terrific on his own, but he always features great
guests alongside. 2pm.
Wednesday, July 18:
At Noon - Music at St. Andrew's
- Organist Marty Smyth - Director of Music at Forest Grove United Church in Toronto
- St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 47 Owen St., Barrie - 705-726-1181 - Adults
$10, Students free
Lawn Chair Luminata and the Barrie Film Festival team up
again. This Wednesday "Paddington 2" is presented at Meridian Place.
Time start around 9 pm. Admission is free.
Wednesday July 18 to the 28th:
THIS
WILL BE A "MUST SEE": Theatre by the Bay is still celebrating its totally
sold out performances of "Mary of Shanty Bay". Well, here is the outstanding
follow up. "Northern Lights" is another TBTB original - researched and
written by members of the TBTB company. It will tell the comedic story of one
of North America's largest ever grow ups - in the Barrie Molson manufacturing
plant!! A "comedy of mistaken identities, keystone cops and cannabis-fuelled
fantasy sequences". And all those in our little city. Presented at the Five
Points Theatre. There were lots of disappointed theatre-goers who couldn't get
tickets for "Mary". You can purchase your Northern Lights tickets now
by going to https://secure1.tixhub.com/barrie/online/b_otix.asp?cboPerformances=1848&cboEvent=785
Thursday July 19th:
The Barrie Film Festival presents their usual third
Thursday cinema event. This month a dark comedy/satire depicting the frantic infighting
that followed the death of Russian dictator Joseph Stalin. The "Death of
Stalin" combines "
palace intrigue with rapid-fire farce; this
audacious comedy is a bitingly funny takedown of bureaucratic dysfunction performed
to the hilt by a sparkling ensemble cast." Winner of 11 film awards. Shows
at 7 and 9 pm at the Uptown Theatre.
For a different type of evening, and to
help children in need, try the "Night Market" at the Drors Centre, 98
Dunlop West in support of the Seasons Centre. Local musicians, local vendors,
champagne and appetizers and a live auction. Tickets available at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/night-market-barrie-tickets-46992131731?aff=ehomecard
Wednesday July 25th:
It's Wednesday and it's summer. Once again, Lawn
Chair Luminata and the Barrie Film Festival offer family films under the stars
at Meridian Place. This week, "Elf". Start time at about 9 pm. Admission
is free.
Thursday July 26th:
Last Thursday of the month, so it is the
Barrie Folk Society's open stage. Be at the Barrie Public Library downtown at
6:30 to register. Music starts at 7.
Sunday July 29:
Another episode
of the Simcoe County Museum's lessons in "Old Fashioned Cooking". Take
the family and show them how to cook in a wood-burning oven. 1-4:30 pm. See a
list of all of the "Sundays from the Past" at the Museum including "smithing"
and classic trades, as well as the special Simcoe Day events for August 6th, by
clicking on museum@simcoe.ca
Tuesday
July 31st:
Ever wonder how those iconic symbols like the CBC logo, or CN or
Roots came to be? The Barrie Film Festival presents "Design Canada",
the story of how these great Canadian marketing symbols were developed. This is
being presented by the Registered Graphic Design Association. There is special
pricing for members, but even non-members only pay $10 for the advance tickets.
Check out the details and get tickets at https://barriefilmfestival.ca/now-playing/rgd-presents-design-canada-7pm/
Wednesday, August 1st and the 2nd:
The Screen One series of the Barrie
Film Festival continues with "Hearts Beat Loud". Nick Offerman stars
in this multi-award winning father-daughter film. "Hoping to stay connected
through their shared musical passions, Frank urges Sam to turn their weekly "jam
sesh" into a father-daughter live act. After their first song becomes an
Internet breakout, the two embark on a journey of love, growing up and musical
discovery." Shows at 4 and 7 at the Uptown Theatre.
Wednesday, August
1:
Midday Music with Shigeru presents Pianist Vlad Soloviev performing the
Waldstein Sonata by Beethoven, Bach-Busoni Chaconne BWV 1004 and Debussy Les Estampes.
At noon at the Hiway Pentecostal Church, 50 Anne St. N., Barrie - 705-726-1181
- Adults $10, Students free.
Another
outdoor family fun film at Meridian Place courtesy of the Barrie Film Festival.
This week, two adventuresome mice rescue an orphaned girl in this cartoon feature
"The Rescuers". Starts at sundown, approximately 8:30 pm.
Friday
August 3 to the 6th
The lakeshore construction is (almost) over which means
that Kempenfest 2018 will return to its former size and impact. Now more than
400 exhibitors, a second stage and beer garden in Centennial Park, great musical
entertainment (Dwayne Gretzky, Big Sugar, JoJo Mason, a show of Oldies and a "45
Revue" plus a separate "Indie Stage" and MUCH more), beautiful
arts and crafts and antiques and lots of events for the kids. There is even extended
parking. All of this on our beautiful waterfront. For full details and link to
tickets (some of the music events are ticketed, many are free) check out http://kempenfest.com/
Tuesday
August 7th:
As part of a cultural exchange with Barrie's twin city of Harrogate,
England, the City's International Relations Committee is hosting the Tewit Youth
Band from that city from 31 July to 9 August. While they are here, they will be
putting on six concerts in southern Ontario, and two of them are in Barrie. You
can see them at Kempenfest on August 5th, but a better close up look will be at
Westside Lutheran Evangelical Church. It is located at 510 Ferndale Drive North,
near the corner of Ferndale and Livingston St. West. You can find out more about
this band, sponsored by the Arts Council of England, at http://www.tyb.org.uk/
Wednesday, August 8, 2018:
Another Seniors Serenade. This week features
Pianist Ainsley McNaught performing an eclectic programme of Miles Davis, Oscar
Petersen, Nat King Cole, Stevie Wonder, Chopin, Liszt. At Bethel Community Church,
128 St. Vincent St., Barrie - 705-726-1181 - Free to all. Start time 2:30 pm
This
week's outdoor Barrie Film Festival film is "Wonder" is the true story
of a family's struggle to help their son, born with facial differences gain mainstream
acceptance. Admission free at Meridian Place. Start time approx. 8:15.
Wednesday
August 15th :
Music at St. Andrew's - Organist Simon Walker (Director of Music
and Organist, St Jude's Anglican Church, Oakville) performs at St. Andrew's Presbyterian
Church, 47 Owen St., Barrie - 705-726-1181 - At noon. Adults $10, Students free
And
in the evening, "Coco" is presented by the Barrie Film Festival at Meridian
Place. This Disney cartoon adventure centres around the tale of a young musician
searching out his musical ancestors. AND - The Barrie firefighters will be on
scene to show off their equipment. Admission free. Starts about 8 pm.
AND
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Monday August 20:
Barrie native Andrea Curtis will
bring a summer "Illuminating Conversation" to Barrie. Andrea, is a critically
acclaimed author, historian and community activist, who has written on a wide
variety of current social issues such as women's health, neighbourhood change
and food insecurity. She will bring her message of community involvement to the
Five Points Theatre. Info about this event and the whole 2018-19 season, and tickets
at http://www.tift.ca/our-season/illuminating-conversations/
Wednesday
August 22:
The Barrie Film Festival's outdoor film series at Meridian Place
ends with Spiderman: The Homecoming. Do we really have to tell you what it's about?
Starts about 8 pm. Admission is free.
Thursday August 30th:
Last of
the "Last Thursday Open Stages" for the summer, presented by Barrie
Folk Society. As usual, sign-up at 6:30 and music at 7pm. At the Downtown Barrie
Public Library. Feel free to sing along.
And here's is something special:
Iain Moggach, the administrator of Theatre by the Bay is also a producer, director
and actor. For six performances only (ending with a matinee on September 8th),
he and a cast of local actors will present Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream,
in his backyard!! There are only 30 tickets per show. This is a testament to how
actors love to act. Full details about the show and tickets (only $25 each) available
at https://barriemidsummer.brownpapertickets.com
WAY AHEAD:
Talk is
Free Theatre has announced its new season. Five new shows and four new "Illuminating
Conversations" will be featured in the 2018-19 season. All of this starts
in November. Check out http://www.tift.ca/
AND BY THE WAY:
If you want
evidence that food can be a "cultural experience", check out the new
supermarket "Centra" now filling the old Winners space in the Bayfield
Mall. Barrie has arrived. Beautiful fruits and vegetables, some that I had never
seen before. A huge fish section with whole fish on ice waiting for the fishmonger
to scale and fillet for you. Black chicken. Every seafood you could imagine. Ethnic
foods from every ethnic group - just like the cultural snapshot of the customers.