And now it’s September! Seriously folks, summer is done and we are into the fall season of arts and culture.
Now, this is not a bad thing, especially in the Flin Flon / Creighton / Denare Beach region, as it means Culture Days are just around the corner, but more about that in the next column.
The next few weeks are going to be fantastic in this area, with performances and art exhibitions.
The NorVA Centre has entered their regular fall schedule with the usual volunteers manning the gallery from Tuesday to Saturday each week.
They are again producing the Square Foot exhibit so are excited to sell canvases to both experienced and more novice artists.
When you get your canvas, you may complete your artwork in any medium you like; then you must submit it for the exhibition, which is at the NorVA Gallery from September 26 to October 15.
In the last few years, we have seen everything from paintings and photographs printed on canvas to crocheted pieces and tatted lace. There was even a portrait done in blueberry jam, courtesy of a certain Edgar Wright of Denare Beach. (That’s right, I outed you!)
At the end of the show the amazingly funny Raphael Saray will auction off the works to the highest bidders, with all proceeds going to support the NorVA Gallery. Stay tuned to this column for the details on the auction.
On Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16, there will be another Wood ’n’ Wire at Johnny’s Social Club.
Music director for this particular incarnation is Mark Kolt, who tells us the soloists for this show will be Katrina Windjack, soprano extraordinaire, Joanna Dauk, Claudia Mancini, Pandora Furniss and Janaeve Masson, all of Grease’fame, with the added delight of Vanessa Unrau.
Tarun Bablani, Kristen Imrie and CC Trubiak will be joining some of the solo singers for duets.
You know you will have a great evening with this lineup, so don’t wait to get to The Orange Toad for tickets.
The other really cool event that happens at this time of year is that Home Routes House Concert series gets back on the road, all over rural Canada but most importantly in Flin Flon, The Pas, Snow Lake and Cranberry Portage.
Home Routes performers do two nights in Flin Flon each time, in September, October and November; then again in February, March and April.
The lineup for the 2017-18 Borealis tour is excellent, of course.
First up we have Leonard Podolak and Leonard Barry in Flin Flon on Sunday, September 24 and Tuesday, September 26. The many music lovers who read this column may remember Leonard Podolak as founder and band leader of the Juno Award-winning band The Duhks, who have toured the world’s festivals playing in the string band traditions of Appalachia, Scotland, Ireland and England, Quebec and Louisiana. Much dancing happens at their shows.
Leonard P plays Appalachian Clawhammer-style banjo and adapts his sound to the style of music, sounding like a triangle, a tenor banjo or a screaming electric guitar (although this last may be only in his own mind!) as the need arises.
He is currently involved in a duet with Matt Gordon and in the quartet band Dry Bones along with producing a new album for the Maritime band Ten Strings and a Goatskin.
Leonard P’s biggest musical accolade came from his hero, Doc Watson, who said Leonard’s banjo on the first Duhks album, “Your Daughters and Your Sons,” was as fine a Claw Hammer pickin’ as he’d ever heard!
Leonard Barry is an Uilleann Pipes player from Tralee, Ireland. He began playing the pipes at age 15 and has been influenced by his teacher, Dave Hegarty, as well as the players from The Bothy Band and Planxty.
Leonard B played all over Ireland for many years and perfected his musical chops before taking a nine-year break from the music business. He came back strong in 2012 and has been playing festivals all over Europe.
It was at one such that he met his now-playing partner and Leonard Squared was born.
Leonard B recently released his new album “New Road.” This will be his first North American tour.
These shows will again be in the homes of Ann Ross and Doug MacGregor, 183 Murton Boulevard, contact [email protected] for the Sunday evening show; or at our house, 19 Hemlock Drive, contact [email protected] for tickets for the Tuesday show.
The rest of the season has been announced, so here is a rundown of the performers coming to our fair burg:
October 24 and 25: Tannis Slimmon, a singer-songwriter from Guelph, Ontario.
November 22 and 23: Suzie Vinnick, a blues act originally from Saskatoon now living in the Niagara region of Ontario.
February 8 and 9 (2018): Shannon Quinn, traditional East Coast music from Halifax.
March 9 and 10: Vivian Leka and Riley Calcagno playing traditional, old-timey music, from Seattle, Washington.
April 14 and 15: Red Tail Ring, a duo playing Americana folk styles from Kalamazoo MI.
Much more information about these acts will be available closer to their concerts, but if you want to get season tickets to the Home Routes season, these are the dates.
There is no risk to getting season passes as they are completely transferable. If you are unable to make it to any particular show, just give your tickets to a friend.
Also, you can come either night, just let the hosts know. Contact [email protected] for the passes.
