Westfield’s Fairy Tale Persists
January 06th 2012Is it real or a hoax? Even Westfield isn’t saying for sure, so here it is. Either way, it’s beautiful, no?
Westfield Heritage Village's fairy, photographed by David White
Andrew Gilpin Crowns Georgetown Choral Society Concert
December 12th 2011
Andrew Gilpin, Lisa (Tass) Jackson, A. Dale Wood. Photographed by Laurent Thibault.
Have you heard of Andrew Gilpin? A full house at The Georgetown Choral Society’s (GCS) Christmas concert on Dec. 10 was treated to Gilpin’s magnificent composition to the Latin Gloria, the ancient prayer of the mass of the Christian church.
Gilpin is a Wunderkind, a young man who was entirely home schooled and a completely self-taught musician. His Gloria is difficult and technically demanding in parts, with a solo part in the high soprano range, yet it has memorable or “catchy” melodic elements that had some audience members humming afterward.
The soloist was Lisa (Tass) Jackson, an accomplished internationally trained singer who is also a member of GCS. During the Gloria, she easily stepped in and out of the solo part, lending support to the soprano section while planted in the middle of the central tenor section. She was also nine months pregnant!
The Gloria filled the second half of the concert, which featured Shawn Grenke as accompanist, and began with a gorgeous arrangement of O Come, Emmanuel, moved through some fun and unusual carols, and included an audience sing-along ruthlessly conducted by the controlling and entertaining GCS tenor Jack Morrison. The first half ended with a big musical flourish that featured a solo by GCS soprano Maria Stevens.
But it is Andrew Gilpin who crowned the evening. He and his parents attended the concert and he said this was the first time he had heard his work performed without him playing it, and he thanked conductor Dale Wood for that.
World-class musical talent is on offer in Georgetown near the Niagara Escarpment! Have you heard or performed Gilpin’s work?
John Haines’ Painting of 17th-century Blue Mountains
December 01st 2011
Artist John Haines & Suzanne Purdy of Craigleith Heritage Depot
This is a particularly interesting story, sent to us by The Blue Mountains…
Local artist, John Haines, recently donated a painting to the Craigleith Heritage Depot. The painting was done in collaboration with local archaeologists and illustrates what The Blue Mountains would have looked like circa 1635.
John’s unique perspective of painting gives this piece a very interesting vantage point. Instead of looking down at ski runs, the viewer looks down on two active Petun villages. Archaeologists today refer to these two village sites as the Plater-Martin and Plater-Fleming archaeological sites, located at the foot of Blue Mountain. It is estimated that nearly 5,000 people lived here during this time. The painting also illustrates the gardens that once surrounded the villages, the remains of which can still found today.
To view this painting and learn more about the Petun, visit the Craigleith Heritage Depot located at 113 Lakeshore Rd. E., at the Corner of Hwy 26 East and Grey Road 19. The Depot is open Wednesday to Saturday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
George Down, Tower Poetry Society’s Featured Poet
October 31st 2011We’re pleased to share the news that George Down of Hamilton is the Tower Poetry Society’s Featured Poet for 2011-2012. George and his wife Trudi are great friends of Escarpment Views. They own and operate The Book Band, which promotes Canadian small press publishers and writers. You may have seen them representing their authors at Eden Mills Writers Festival or the Locke Street Festival. To read some of George’s fine poetry and learn about his background, go to his Tower Poetry Society’s feature page. Congratulations, George!
Grey Bruce Arts on the Map
July 15th 2011
Barbara Pearn in her home studio with this year’s edition of The Art Map. Submitted Photo.
Gloria’s note: This is a guest blog by Kate Russell.
Planning an artistic road trip this summer? Be sure to pick up The Art Map to find your way to out-of-the-way studios and village galleries scattered throughout Grey and Bruce counties.
“There’s quite a range of experiences,” said publisher Barbara Pearn at her Eugenia studio recently. “This year there will be three open studio weekends so people visit studios usually only open by appointment.”
Aside from artist home studios, galleries, studio tours and events listed on the map, the open weekends are set for August 6 -7; October 8-9 and November 26-27. Each weekend includes about 20 studios and gallery locations.
“Some of the artists are setting up special events for the open studio weekends,” added Pearn. “There are tons of locations for people to visit, each with their own unique products.
She explained the usual way to visit home galleries is through appointment, during their business hours or on studio tours. Every studio and gallery has their own regular hours but during the open studio weekends, the hours will be the same 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The participating studios are listed on The Art Map for each of the three open weekends. Or visit www.theartmap.com to see the list of open studios.
“Some people may be too shy or intimidated to make appointments,” said Pearn. “This will help them feel more comfortable and make it easy for visitors to see the artists. The map covers a huge area, so there are three weekends – in different seasons – so people can take their time and visit as many as they want.”
So, whether you’re a regional resident, visiting friends and relatives or seeking a creative tourist adventure, if it’s art you want, The Art Map is an excellent place to start.
Now in its seventh year, this regional studio hunter’s guide covers the Grey & Bruce counties, the southern Georgian Bay area and popular summer destination Manitoulin Island. Over 23,000 of the maps will be distributed this year across Southwestern Ontario.
“This is a rural area with village galleries and out-of-the-way studios making it difficult for artists to promote themselves individually,” said Pearn, adding the map is part of the regional tourism promotion “stamp” campaign every year. “The Art Map makes it easier for tourists to find those out-of-the-way artistic gems.”
Indeed though some galleries, like Infinite Glassworks at Eugenia Falls, enjoy proximity to other tourist attractions, many of the more than 45 studios and galleries on the map are off the beaten path. Some of the galleries on The Art Map have more than 40 members, so you can really see a wide variety of work.
“The Art Map makes it easy for people to have an artistic experience in our area,” said Pearn, who keeps a home painting studio and an online gallery as well as running Colourpix, her home-based graphic and web design company. “The map is for people who enjoy art. We know people use it to plan their trip through the area and travel writers include the link in stories. It is a great resource to explore our area.”
The map includes home studios, galleries, art shows, studio tours, workshops, art events and art schools and art supplies. Following numbered locations as a guide, cultural travellers may see glass blowers, jewelers, painters, photographers, potters, fibre artists, co-op galleries with multiple artists and even food created by local artisans.
“The map has a huge number of artists, it’s very valuable for visitors to the area,” offers Pearn, who adds the Beaver Valley Accommodations are also on the map for those seeking to stay in the area for a creatively-inspired weekend. “The map can keep people busy for a three-day weekend if they want to visit all the locations.”
Plan an art weekend by category or town by checking out www.theartmap.com.
Georgetown Choral Society on the Niagara Escarpment
July 09th 2011
Georgetown Choral Society gathering on the Niagara Escarpment
“If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise.”
This line from the song “The Teddy Bear’s Picnic,” – correct me if I’m wrong – went through my head as Mike and I took a short stretch of The Bruce Trail at Limehouse recently to meet members of the Georgetown Choral Society (GCS). I should mention that Escarpment Views has been a patron of GCS for a few years, and that I, Gloria, am a former member. I sang alto, or at least tried to keep up.
Choir members waiting for the photographer
As promised, there they were waiting for us, about half the 100-member choir, all in red choir T-shirts, waiting patiently among the rocks of the Niagara Escarpment for Mike to photograph them.
Climbing through Escarpment rocks toward the choir
Even long-time (35 years this year) choral director A. Dale Wood played along. He’s in the front of the rather formal photos. Dale also directs the Achill Choral Society, another Escarpment-area group, in addition to five Georgetown choruses for children and youth.
Choir director A. Dale Wood with the beard, Laurent Thibault at his shoulder
Casual hikers might have wondered at the sound of “Oh Canada” echoing through the forest when the choir began singing. There’s no avoiding songs when choir members assemble. Anyone who came upon the choir members would have been astonished by the army of red shirts.
Another view of the Escarpment, with only half of the total GCS members!
The occasion was the 40th anniversary of the GCS which is being celebrated all this year. The photograph was choir member Laurent Thibault’s idea. He thought that our readers would enjoy seeing the choir posed among the rock and moss of the Niagara Escarpment. A different photo than the ones posted here, will be in our Autumn issue, available around Sept. 1.
The next GCS concert will be “40 Years – Let’s Celebrate!” on Oct. 21 & 22 at the Georgetown Christian Reformed Church featuring guest soloists Mark Dubois and Alana Bridgewater.
Oh, the choir members, Mike and I went on to a member’s house with a fantastic view from the Niagara Escarpment, to have a BBQ, not a teddy bear’s picnic.
Like what you see here? Like what you hear when they sing?
Things to do near Blue Mountain this Summer
June 10th 2011
Leisa Way giving a taste of Dolly Parton
Enjoy Leisa Way sing her heart out as Dolly Parton in Rhinestone Cowgirl at Theatre Collingwood July 25 to 30.
Dan Needles talking about the idea behind Fair Play
Take in the premiere of Dan Needles’ Fair Play at Theatre Collingwood August 18 to 27.
The Gondola at The Village at Blue Mountain
Enjoy a gentle gondola ride past the treetops to the top of the Niagara Escarpment at Blue Mountain.
The slow ascent up the Niagara Escarpment by the Ridge Runner
Dare to take a thrill ride up and then DOWN! the Niagara Escarpment on Blue Mountain’s new attraction, Ridge Runner, Ontario’s first Alpine coaster.
Stairs to Standing Rock and caves
Refresh yourself in the cool crevices at Scenic Caves. For much more about one of the exciting elements at Scenic Caves, see our Summer issue feature on Standing Rock.
One of the pools and waterfalls at Scandinave Spa
Heat up, cool down and relax completely at Scandinave Spa.
Photos by Mike Davis except the last one, courtesy of Scandinave Spa.
Have you tried any of these destinations and experiences? What did you think? If you haven’t yet, would you like to?
Stratford Shakespeare Festival Posts Seana McKenna’s Column
March 29th 2011Stratford Shakespeare Festival has posted Seana McKenna’s column about preparing to perform Richard III, on their website. I’m glad. This is Seana’s column in the spring issue of Escarpment Views and we’re extremely fortunate that she’s willing to share with our readers, her deepest thoughts about acting and theatre. It says a lot about her trust in our editorial work, and her understanding that our 25,000+ readers are her audience. When she writes for Escarpment Views, she’s reaching some of the thousands of people who see her perform each year, and leap out of their seats to give her a standing ovation.
Photo by Andrew Eccles
To see the Festival’s link to her column, go here but then make three more clicks: click on “2011 Speeches and Articles” and then click on 2011 and then click on the date beside Seana’s name. Not the most direct way to her words, but at least her thoughtful writing is now being recognized by the Festival.
This is not her first column for Escarpment Views. It’s not even her first column about Stratford for Escarpment Views. Her other columns are available among Selected Articles on this website, and include these:
Seana’s View of Greek Characters
Seana’s View: Performing Nude
Seana’s View: How do you solve a problem like Medea?
Seana’s View: Backstage at Stratford
Seana’s View: Getting the Most Out of Theatre
Seana’s View: Why Bother With Theatre?
So check out Seana’s thoughts about her work, and better yet, try to see her live at Stratford again this year, in the solo performance as Anne Hathaway in Shakespeare’s Will, and as King Richard in Richard III. Try. I hear tickets are going fast.
Eden Mills Writers’ Festival
September 03rd 2010The Eden Mills Writers’ Festival happens September 17 to 20, with the main event on Sept. 19, bringing some of North America’s best authors to the beautiful riverside village of Eden Mills for stellar readings, music workshops and writing seminars. Giller Prize winner Linden MacIntyre, bestselling novelist Joy Fielding, mystery writer Linwood Barclay, The Wayfinders’ author Wade Davis and YA author Shane Peacock are just a few of the writers who will be part of the 2010 festival. See the website for complete listings.
And look for us on Publishers’ Way under a patio umbrella at the Escarpment Views table! We’ll be displaying some of our beautiful photo centre spreads, giving out free current and back issues, as well as offering our notecards for sale and taking subscriptions. Do come by and say hello.
If the weather is fine, this can be one of the most memorable days of the summer. I’ve had magical times at the festival, which is why I am happy to come back year after year. It’s wonderful to mingle closely with famous faces as well as to meet up with friends I didn’t plan on seeing.
What are your memories of Eden Mills Writers’ Festival?
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?
