Patsy Cline Tribute at Theatre Collingwood
August 04th 2010The second production of Theatre Collingwood’s summer theatre season stars Leisa Way in Sweet Dreams: A Tribute to Patsy Cline featuring the Wayward Wind band, live onstage at the Gayety Theatre for one week only, Aug. 16, 17, 19, 20 & 21 at 8 p.m. with one matinee on Aug. 18 at 2 p.m.
Created by and starring Way, the one-woman show is a new concert tribute to the legendary country singer. The two-hour presentation is set on the eve of her final concert in Kansas City before a fatal accident. In 1963, just 30 years old, Patsy Cline died tragically in a plane crash. In the six years since she’d had her first hit song, she had already made her mark on the music world paving the way for female solo singers. Cline was as comfortable with hillbilly and gospel music as she was with the emerging ‘60s rock and roll genre.
There are 29 of Patsy Cline’s most popular hit songs highlighting a special era of country music history. Included are several songs that Cline only ever sang live and were never professionally recorded. Expect to hear classic signature tunes like Crazy, The Tennessee Waltz, I Fall to Pieces, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Bill Bailey, Walkin’ After Midnight and many more.
The show was conceived after Way starred in the 1997 stage play, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline which she notes is vastly different. Ten years later, after researching books and bootleg copies of Cline’s live shows, she discovered it was the generous, big-hearted woman behind the music she wanted most to convey. It was after releasing a musical CD that Way was encouraged to take the show on the road. She does not impersonate; she pays tribute using subtle similar soulful vocal styling and physical mannerisms, with patter between songs to tell stories and little-known anecdotes about the highs and lows of Patsy’s life. Way charms with personality, passion and powerful vocal delivery. Raised in northern Ontario, the perky petite blonde soprano is a long-time fan of country music though her career has spanned jazz, music theatre and opera, as well as spoken plays.
The Wayward Wind Band which accompanies her is composed of outstanding musicians. Guitarist Bruce Ley was in the Tommy Hunter and Ronnie Prophet Shows. Pianist Michael Mulrooney has served as music director, conductor and arranger for major music theatre productions. Drummer Dave Wilson and bass Bob Hewus have worked in Toronto orchestra pits for the past two decades with the finest performers in the theatre business.
Artistic Director Steven Thomas comments: “No one can possibly imagine the scope and even greater impact Patsy Cline might have had on the country western musical community had she not died so young. To have someone of the stature of Leisa Way in the Canadian musical theatre scene pay tribute to Patsy in this way speaks volumes to the importance of this unforgettable icon. I am delighted that Leisa is returning to Theatre Collingwood audiences, after starring in our past productions of Side by Side by Sondheim and The Long Weekend, with this very personal interpretation of Cline.”
Here is what the critics say:
“Leisa Way’s tribute to Patsy Cline must be unprecedented! A very difficult repertoire to master - with Cline’s trademark deep voice and the ability to hit those low guttural notes - but Way causes shivers with her grandiose voice.” - Banner Review (2005)
“Leisa Way’s brilliant portrayal of this unforgettable country music icon, has to be her greatest triumph, to date.” - Country Music Jukebox, Germany (2006)
Visit the Theatre Collingwood website for a sneak preview of the show.
Single adult tickets are $33, Youth $17, High School Eye-GO $5, Group $28 (10 or more booked in advance, receive bonus $5 Downtown Dollars). All prices plus tax and handling charge.
Theatre Collingwood’s year-round box office is located in the Rail Car beside the Collingwood Museum, 45 St. Paul St. (corner of Pretty River Parkway), (705) 445-2200 / 1 (866) 382-2200. Theatre Collingwood’s summer performance location is the historic Gayety Theatre in downtown Collingwood, 161 Hurontario St. at the corner of Ontario St., open one hour prior to performance.
Performed in well over 20 theatres to date, this concert commemorating the heart and soul of an unforgettable musical icon has sold out virtually everywhere it has travelled. This is a limited engagement of six performances only.
Any Patsy Cline fans out there?
Floyd G. Elzinga’s Broken Landscape Exhibition
July 29th 2010Floyd Elzinga will be exhibiting works in “The Broken Landscape” at Jordan Art Gallery from Aug. 3 to 30. The launch opening, with everyone welcome, will be on Sat. Aug. 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. Here’s a bit about the artist.
Floyd Elzinga grew up actively involved in the landscape on a dairy farm outside Jarvis, Ont. He could draw the best elephant in grade one and everyone knew he was predestined to be an artist.
Floyd Elzinga’s work is fundamentally inspired by the natural world. Elzinga’s recent work explores the traditional landscape through non-traditional techniques and this show focuses on the idea of a broken landscape.
The landscapes are broken in several possible ways. In some the subject matter breaks the frame of the landscape. In others the landscape is cobbled together of different panels and there are visual breaks in the picture or story. And finally through the features of the landscape, some trees show the telltale signs of history of brokenness through the deadwood still clinging to the living structure. In the title piece for the show all three types of brokenness are present.
As a sculptor, Elzinga’s work has been predominately three dimensional, but after a bout of “painter envy” he was inspired to create a series of flat wall hangings of traditional landscapes. The process became an integral part of the content, with the welder as his pencil and the grinder as his paintbrush.
He was initially drawn to create these paintings in steel because the material (steel) is forgiving. It is a common, fast-working material that is very malleable, allowing him to sketch his thoughts in quick line-drawing style panels but also spend great time and skill on creating persuasively formed objects.
Elzinga currently lives and works in the landscape surrounding his studio in Beamsville.
If you enjoy art and artists’ homes and gardens, check out a couple of our published feature articles: “The Creative Hands of Benitta Wilcox” and “Brigitte Schreyer: Continuing the artistic tradition.”
Seana McKenna’s MFA & Pre-Acting Days
June 01st 2010Here’s some news about our theatre columnist, Seana McKenna:
Seana McKenna was awarded an honourary Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting from the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) in San Francisco on May 18. Seana played the title role in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 2009 production of Phèdre, which was co-produced with A.C.T. and directed by A.C.T.’s Artistic Director, Carey Perloff. The production played in San Francisco in January.
Seana has been a leading player at Stratford for 19 seasons with feature roles ranging from Medea to Juliet, Amanda Wingfield to Amanda Prynne and Andromache to Anne Hathaway. This season she will thrill audiences once again with her performances as La Marquise de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons and Paulina in The Winter’s Tale.
“Seana McKenna is a remarkable talent, and I’ve been her loyal fan since she was in theatre school and I got to work with her here at Stratford in my first Festival production. It was abundantly clear that she was destined for great things,” says Artistic Director Des McAnuff. “Her commitment to every part and the authenticity she brings to each role are quite extraordinary. She is most deserving of this honourary degree.”
When I saw this news release, I was reminded of the days before Seana’s acting career began, when she was in fact considering whether to try and enter the field of acting at all. I first met Seana in residence in our first year of university at Trinity College, University of Toronto. She was doing exceedingly well academically as a student of English literature, and we sometimes talked about our essay assignments. Then one day she approached a group of her friends after dinner and asked us if we would be her audience while she tried out her audition piece for the National Theatre School in Montreal.
We took our coffee and tea cups and joined her in Cartwright Hall, the theatre for St. Hilda’s College, our residence building. We were prepared to be supportive and encouraging. Dressed in a long black skirt, holding a big umbrella, she gave a monologue from The Lady of Shallot. Coffee and tea grew cold in our cups. Some of us were frozen, cups held halfway to our lips, our mouths open. From her first words she had us enraptured, unable to move. When she said “That’s it,” and relaxed her posture, our hands shook with haste to put down our cups and applaud.
That was her audition piece for the National Theatre School, and of course she was accepted, and that is where she went for the next few years, and she has worked as an acclaimed actor ever since. She didn’t get a degree from U. of T. with the rest of us, but now she has an honourary MFA from the U.S.
Which of her performances have impressed you? Do you have early memories of Seana’s acting? Misty, Kim, Julia, I’m hoping you’ll share yours!
If you’re interested in Seana McKenna, you may like to read one of her columns for Escarpment Views: “Seana’s View: Backstage at Stratford.” She’s written several other columns for us as well.
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Alton Mill Art Exhibition: Home Ground
May 31st 2010On the weekend, Mike, my sister Barbara and I were happy to go to the Alton Mill for the opening reception for Home Ground. This is an exhibition by The Art Group (TAG), which is made up of five Headwaters artists: Diana Hillman (landscapes), Susan Powell (watercolours), Pam Purves (photography), Hugh Russel (sculpture in wood), and Ian Sinclair (Adirondack-inspired rustic furniture).
Here’s what they say about their exhibition: “Home Ground” is often defined as “an area of special strength or competence.” To the artists that make up TAG, Home Ground also refers to places dear to their hearts. TAG was formed earlier this year by these five artists who have worked and shown together for the past few years. Their common ground is a commitment to excellence, a respect for traditional skills, and an interest in exploring new takes on old artistic media. All five also call the Hills of Headwaters and the Niagara Escarpment home.”
The show “Home Ground” runs until July 4. The exhibition has a variety of wonderful works and the gallery is located in a wonderful revamped old mill, full of interesting spaces to explore and treasures to discover. There’s also a small cafe to let you refuel.
Alton Mill Gallery is in the village of Alton, just north of Erin and is worth the drive for a delightful afternoon.
What kind of art do you like, and what is your favourite place to see or buy it?
If you like this post you may be interested in our articles
“Autumn Colour: Touring for Artists’ Studios”
“The Creative Hands of Benitta Wilcox”
“Brigitte Schreyer: Continuing the artistic tradition”
And if you like our website, you’ll probably love the magazine! You can subscribe to get Escarpment Views at your door.
TWO Pairs of FREE Tickets to Martyn Joseph Concert in Acton & Orangeville
April 29th 2010Escarpment Views is pleased to offer two pairs of free tickets to the Joseph-Henderson concert, one pair for their Acton appearance, and one pair for their Orangeville performance! Information about the performers is below.
To enter our draw for these free tickets, email us with either “I want to see them in Acton” or “I want to see them in Orangeville” in the Subject line. Please give your full Canada Post mailing address in your email message. Enter the draw by May 6 for the Acton show, and May 11 for the Orangeville show. We’ll inform the winner by email and send you the tickets.
Welsh singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph will start his “Because We Can” tour with long-time songwriting partner Stewart Henderson. This will be the first time they’ve both toured together in Canada. The 11-city Canadian tour begins on May 6 in Cobourg and will offer a variety of poetry and music.
Martyn Joseph is a performer like no other. Shades of Springsteen, Knopfler and Dave Matthews there may be, but he stands in his own right, built on a reputation for giving what thousands have described as the best live music experience of their lives.
Stewart Henderson is a poet, songwriter and broadcaster. For the past 20 years he has enjoyed a fruitful songwriting partnership with Martyn Joseph contributing lyrics to some of Martyn’s standards. Stewart has also fulfilled poetic commissions for various relief agencies, travelling to the Philippines and Thailand to write about the plight of children in servitude.
In addition to the concert, Joseph will show his support for World Vision Canada’s work in Democratic Republic of Congo by encouraging his fans to sponsor a child there. Concert goers will not only enjoy a night of great music, they’ll have the unique opportunity to hear how they can make a difference in the life of a child who is living in poverty.
Here’s information about attending the concerts.
Winner of Free Tickets to Hamilton Philharmonic
April 24th 2010Judy Snyder of Burlington is the winner of the draw for two free tickets to “The Brilliant North,” a concert by the Hamilton Philharmonic. We thank the HPO for providing these tickets.
Check back here soon for another free tickets giveaway, coming soon!
Tickets Giveaway to Hamilton Philharmonic!
April 13th 2010Escarpment Views has two tickets to give away for FREE to “The Brilliant North,” the final concert of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra’s (HPO) season. This concert is at 7:30 pm on Sat. May 1 at Hamilton Place.
“The Brilliant North” features some of the most famous works by composers from northern countries. The program includes Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite, Finnish composer Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, and the Canadian premiere of Montreal-born composer Samy Moussa’s Étude No. 1 for Orchestra. Here’s more information.
There will also be a pre-concert chat, hosted by Christian Teeuwsen, associate professor of music at Redeemer University College, beginning at 6:30 pm.
The HPO was founded in 1949 with roots going back to 1884 as The Hamilton Orchestral Society, and it grew to become one of Canada’s major professional orchestras. Today the HPO is a leader in Hamilton’s robust arts community where it provides professional orchestral services and music education programs to address the needs of the community. The combined musical talents of its artists continue to enrich the community and enhance the quality of life for its residents.
If you would like to win this FREE PAIR OF TICKETS, email us with “I want to win!” in the Subject Line. We will hold a draw for the winner on Sat. April 24 and let you know by email.
Georgetown Bach Chorale Performs Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & Lesser-Known Works
April 12th 2010Georgetown Bach Chorale (GBC) had a packed house at Georgetown’s Knox Presbyterian Church on Saturday night for their concert of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and choral works. All the pews were tightly filled, more chairs had to be brought in and there was the real possibility that people without tickets would be turned away.
The program was a great mix of instrumental and choral performances of Vivaldi’s little-known works and his hugely popular Four Seasons. GBC is clever in performing challenging baroque pieces but framing them to be accessible to an audience of mixed musical knowledge. There was something for everyone in this program, works that many had never heard before, as well as those that had people nodding their heads in pleased recognition. You don’t have to have an education in music to enjoy their concerts.
GBC’s director Ron Greidanus is also good at turning what could be a stuffy, intimidating evening into a treat that everyone can enjoy. His introductions to each piece give some background and context while encouraging the audience to relax and listen for key elements. This lightly educational approach bridges the gap for people with little musical knowledge.
The concert began with The Kingsway Strings, a group of child violinists, performing from Vivaldi’s “Don Quixote” for strings. This group is part of The Kingsway Conservatory of Music in Toronto.
Wonderful but unfamiliar sacred choral pieces were sung by the choir, and are lovely enough to deserve to become better known. The already small chorale was divided into two choirs for the antiphonal pieces, a demanding challenge for a small amateur choir. The result is highly exposed voices that need to be confident and knowledgeable of their parts. This choir was, and produced fine echo effects with both sides of equal strength. There were pieces with solos for women featuring long baroque rills that are by no means easy, but were beautifully handled.
The Four Seasons were performed by the small orchestra of period instruments, with a different violinist leading each concerto. This was an interesting demonstration of the uniqueness of each lead’s style. The most popular lead violinist was Edwin Huizinga, whose large frame and long reddish hair helped convey the drama of Summer. He played with great contrast between the slow, quiet parts and the fast, loud parts, making for an exciting performance.
Through all the pieces was the beautiful uniqe sound of the harpsichord played by Greidanus. It is such a distinctive sound that immediately conveys the time of high courts and long dresses.
The one negative of the night was the frequent and extensive tuning. This caused grumblings in the audience until it was explained that period stringed instruments are delicate and quickly go out of tune. With the enormous amount and variety of bowing needed for Vivaldi’s works, it is understandable that strings will stretch. Audiences in the baroque period (1600-1750) had more patience or fewer distractions than we do today, who can demand instant entertainment at the touch of a button. By the end, annoyance was forgotten as the audience leaped to its feet for a long standing ovation. Familiar music or not, they liked what they heard.
GBC’s next concert is a “Concerto Auction” on May 8 in Georgetown.
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Artists With Greenbelt Exhibition Seek Venues
March 16th 2010Mad & Noisy Gallery Welcomes Five New Artist Members
February 02nd 2010Here’s some interesting art news from a former colleague with Halton-Peel Communications Association, Eleanor Brownridge, herself an accomplished artist:
The work of five new, local artists, sculptor Paul Vodak, photographer MK Lynde, stained glass artist Paul Corfield, and painters Peter Dillman and Peter Taylor, will be featured during February at the Mad & Noisy Gallery in Creemore. Their stories reflect a growing trend, artists relocating to this area because it provides an environment conducive to their creative processes.
“I find inspiration in the natural world along the shores of Georgian Bay,” says Peter Dillman, who moved to Collingwood 18 months ago. Dillman is currently converting a backyard garage into a painting studio. “It is not quite finished; the roof is still covered with a tarp to prevent leaks. I like it when the wind is howling, the tarp bellows and I am cocooned in my space.” Here he creates acrylic landscapes with layer upon layer of saturated colour, using techniques he developed when originally working with oils.
Paul Corfield built his stained glass studio as a separate building perched 800 feet up the western side of the Niagara Escarpment when he relocated to the Beaver Valley in 2004. “We designed it with much thought and care to fit in with the existing landscape. Visitors to the studio walk in the doors and stop in an attempt to take in, not only all of the glass pieces hung in the windows, but also the design and look of the building itself.” In keeping with his minimalism direction, Corfield uses lots of clear textured glass, with only small areas of colour and few lead lines, in his geometric style.
Disenchanted while working as a commercial illustrator, Peter Taylor moved to Dunedin two and a half years ago to be closer to nature. Here the Bruce Trail in his backyard provides constant inspiration for his paintings. “I’m focused on capturing the personality of the landscape I’m working on. If I can bring all my senses together, plus something else I can’t explain, then I’ve got something.”
Another ex-Torontonian, MK Lynde used to wander, travel and shoot with her camera. But after having children, she focused on shooting in and around her new home in Creemore. “About two years ago I began shooting panoramas and have since become obsessed with Equirectangular Projection Panorama. This is 180 by 360 degree photography mapped onto a rectangle that shows every possible view of a given scene.” MK takes between 10 and 38 or more images of a scene and then stitches them together digitally. “I love looking at a scene and imagining it unwrapped onto a rectangle.”
The longest area resident, Paul Vodak has been living in Nottawa for about 18 years where his workspace, “Rainmaker Art Studio” is a school portable which he eventually hopes to expand with a sculpture garden. Although his final sculptures are usually bronze, Paul begins with wax or clay. “I start with a figure and then place it in an environment - a stage, a landscape or a mythological context. I like to incorporate textures from natural objects such as rocks and plants in my sculpture.”
The feature show of the new artists’ work will open on Sat. February 6 with a reception from 2 to 5 pm and will continue throughout the month. The Mad & Noisy Gallery, at 154 Mill St. in Creemore, is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday noon to 4 pm. For more information contact the gallery at 705-466-5555 or www.madandnoisy.com.