Seriously folks, arts events in this town never stop. We are incredibly lucky to live in this arts and cultural hub of the north. Even when the wind blows and we await the snow, we can be warmly wrapped in the glow of cultural experience.
This weekend, while Donny Parenteau blows you away at Johnny’s Social Club, your intrepid columnist (me!), and members of the Flin Flon Arts Council, NorVA Gallery and youth representatives will be in Russell, Man., for the Manitoba Arts Network Showcase and conference. You may remember this wonderful event was held here in Flin Flon in 2015 when we were able to pack the R.H. Channing Auditorium three times over the weekend, to hear the talent on offer for touring Manitoba in the upcoming season.
This year, Arts Council representatives will again be choosing touring acts for the Flin Flon area. Along with the opportunity to hear new performers, attendees also have the chance to see the visual arts exhibits that will be on tour, so NorVA Centre and Gallery will be able to choose visual delights for us in the coming months. The professional development that is available at this event means that the FFAC Board is continually educated and can bring that expertise home for all to benefit.
On Oct. 23 and 25, the Home Routes tour presents singer-songwriter Tannis Slimmon, from Guelph, Ont. Slimmon is a critically acclaimed Canadian musician who has been singing, songwriting, recording, and touring locally, nationally and internationally for over 30 years. In 2008 she was honoured with the Contemporary Vocalist of the Year award at the Canadian Folk Music Awards for her album Lucky Blue.
You will find Slimmon’s name on over 85 albums, contributing songs or singing harmonies for others including David Francey, Willie P. Bennett, Valdy and Rheostatics. Slimmon plays guitar, mandolin, bass and percussion but it is her singing that she is most known for. She performs solo, in a duo with Lewis Melville, who will be with her in Flin Flon, in a trio called Boreal, and in the vocal collective the Ondine Chorus. She has performed at folk clubs, festivals and community centres all across Canada. You should really try to see her – contact [email protected] or [email protected] for tickets. They are $20 each. These performances happen in homes, at 183 Murton Blvd. or at 19 Hemlock Dr. (the hosts are really nice!).
The following weekend, Oct. 27 and 28, The Rocky Horror Picture Show will again grace/dominate the stage at Johnny’s Social Club in honour of Halloween. Produced by the beautiful and talented Noelle Drimmie and starring a veritable who’s who of local area talent, this show is just so much fun! Johnny’s Antisocial Band will be providing the music (of course) and you simply have not lived until you have seen C.C. Trubiak as Frank N. Furter. He slayed it last year. There will be tons of surprises too: who will be Rocky? What will Eddie do next? See it, that’s my only advice. Tickets are now available at The Orange Toad for $35, which includes party favours that are necessary for the complete enjoyment of the show.
The NorVA Centre and Gallery has a new show opening as well, to coincide with The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Photos by Noelle Drimmie and New Works by Mike Spencer will be open to the public on Oct. 26. Both artists will be available at the opening and during the weekend evening events to discuss their work and their inspirations. This is the first solo show for Noelle, who has been the Johnny’s Social Club photographer since its opening. Mike has shown in Halifax, N.S. and in Montreal, Que., as well as in Flin Flon and Winnipeg, previously.
NorVA is also offering a workshop in Wax and Dye techniques beginning Nov. 8. All supplies, including waxes, dyes and a half metre of 100 per cent cotton, are provided. The cost is $110 and registration is limited to 15 people, so call NorVA Centre at 204-687-4237 or email at [email protected] to register.
