By Wendy Elliott
Applications sought for choir
The Nova Scotia Choral Federation is now accepting applications to audition for the 22nd season of the Nova Scotia Youth Choir with esteemed guest conductor Elroy Friesen from the University of Manitoba. This ensemble draws the most talented singers ages 16 to 25 from across the province and is dedicated to providing them a challenging opportunity to work, develop and perform music together under the leadership of talented local educators and the most accomplished Canadian conductors.
Auditions will be held in Wolfville Feb. 4. Visit the Nova Scotia Choral Federation website, <http://www.nscf.ns.ca> for detailed information and to register for an audition. People can also call the federation office at 423-4688 (toll free in Nova Scotia 1-888-672-3969) or email office@nscf.ns.ca.
New exhibition
Cafe Central in Kentville is featuring a watercolour exhibition entitled Winter & Water by local artist Linda Barkhouse.
Annual Acadia Art
The Acadia Art Gallery’s non-juried art exhibition features the diverse work of gallery members and celebrates the visual creativity in the community.
The popular exhibition will run from Jan. 13 to Feb. 16. The opening reception takes place Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.
At the Whittle
Fundy Film screens Starbuck: A colourful ‘dramedy’ that follows a middle-aged slacker who, via sperm donation, fathers 533 children – some who now want to meet the infamous "Starbuck." A slapstick set-up transitions to poignant drama when Starbuck begins to interact with his extremely diverse children, enabling him to also take a tender turn with his own father.
It screens Sunday, Jan 15: 4 and 7 p.m., Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville. Tickets ($8) 30 minutes before screening. www.fundyfilm.ca or 542-5157
In Windsor
Old Man Ludecke will be giving a concert at the Mermaid Imperial Theatre in Windsor on Saturday, Jan. 14. Luedecke is one of Canada’s best loved and most intriguing roots singer-songwriters in this region. His performances are exciting and entertaining; his banjo style sparkles with originality and pure musicality. Tickets are $26 adults, $24 seniors and students. Tickets are on sale at Moe's Music, Windsor.
Annual Celtic Concert
On Sunday, Jan. 15 the seventh annual Celtic Concert will take place at the visitors’ centre at Grand Pre National Historic Site.
It will run from 3 to 4:15 p.m. and is organized by Duncan and Maggie Keppie. A freewill donation will go to the Covenanter Church.
After the concert, guests are invited to stay for hot cider and ginger cookies, and attend the unveiling of Doug Morse's Planters Section of the Horton Landing Elm Tree Sculpture.
For more information on the Old Elm Tree Project: http://www.grand-pre.com/en/artist-in-residence.html
Film society
Fundy Film screens My Perestroika: Four Russians share their stories as the last generation of Soviet children behind the Iron Curtain. They take viewers on a journey through their Soviet childhoods, their youth during the country’s huge changes of Perestroika and let us into their present-day lives. Wednesday, Jan 18: 7 p.m., Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville.
Tickets ($8) 30 minutes before screening.
fundyfilm.ca <http://fundyfilm.ca/> or 542-5157
First concert
The Acadia Performing Arts Series begins the second term with soprano Marie-Josée Lord. The concert will take place on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Festival Theatre in Wolfville.
Lord will deliver a gourmet recital where classical and popular music are gently entwined. Luc Plamondon, Verdi, Lama, Bizet, Ferland and many other composers make up this special program, whimsically titled ‘Jambalaya’ because it’s so flavourful that the audience will be asking for seconds.
In 2005, Lord was the recipient of the Prix d’Excellence de la Culture, awarded by the Fondation de l’Opéra de Québec, and was selected to represent Canada at the Cardiff Singer of World competition. She won the Public Prize at the Canadian Lyric Fund Competition, and received the Raoul-Jobin Prize in 1998. Her first solo CD, which was recorded with the Orchestre Métropolitain under the baton of Giuseppe Pietraroia, has sold more than 25,000 copies.
Tickets are $26 ($20 students) and are available at the Acadia Box Office or by calling 1-800-542-8425 or 542-5500.
Acting workshop
CentreStage Theatre will bring Andrew Kasprzak back on Jan. 21 to teach an all day acting and improv workshop at CentreStage Theatre. It will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Some of the elements to be covered include: improvisation, character development
and finding energy in the role.
The cost will be $20 per person. There are 15 spaces available, and you must reserve your space in advance. Please contact Mindy Vinqvist-Tymchuk mindyvt@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
One-night fest
The second annual Banff Mountain Film Festival will take place at the Al Whittle Theatre on Tuesday, Jan. 24 starting at 7 p.m. The festival is an international film competition and an annual presentation of short films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports and environment. Tickets are $15.
Crescendo concert
Crescendo Gala with James Hill is set for Friday, Jan. 27. This gala promises to be a stellar concert of world-class talent, which also acts as one of the major fundraisers for the Wolfville School Band.
This year world famous ukelele virtuoso James Hill stars with his musical partner, Anne Davison, on cello. The concert is rounded out by various Acadia University School of music students and faculty and one of the Wolfville School musical groups.
There will be auctions and giveaways. Concert starts at 7:30 p.m., auction items can be viewed at 7 p.m. Cost is $20, $15 for students/seniors.
There Goes the Bride
CentreStage Theatre in Kentville is staging the comedy There Goes the Bride. The show is geared towards teens and adults.
There Goes the Bride is directed by Wayne and Linda Marriot and stars Mike L’Oiseau, Mindy Vinqvist-Tymchuk, Heidi Price, Carole Ball, Geoff Ball, Brian Cottam, Sharon Burnett and Robert Racine.
The play runs each Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. until Feb. 11. There will be a 2 p.m. matinee on Jan. 22 and Feb. 5. There is no longer a Thursday preview night. To make reservations, phone 678-8040. www.centrestagetheatre.ca.
See Jump
Inspired by John Hughes’ Brat Pack movies from the ‘80s, this original musical is set during one zany semester of high school when the girls from Fairview Academy are forced to attend the boy’s school-George Downing. Among the teenagers are a group of rebels, a band of jocks, a ‘nice guy/girl’, some preppy glee club students, cheerleaders and a few awkward geeks. Ruling over the school is the ultra uptight vice principal and the laid-back hippy principal of George Downing. The show was written and directed by Kerri Leier, with choreography by Tracy Fritz Nasson, and musical arrangement by Melissa Viditio.
Jump! features the iconic music of Heart, Bonnie Tyler, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper and other ‘80s hits. Mounted five years ago to sold out crowds, the show has gotten a face lift.
Jump! runs Feb. 8 to 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 11 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Al Whittle Theatre in Wolfville. Tickets are $10 for children 16 and under,
$12 for adults, or $15 at the door or $45 for groups of four.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 697-2515 or emailing jump_musical@hotmail.com.
At the galleries
- Jack’s Gallery in Wolfville is showing paintings
by Keshena Williams until mid-February.
- Monika Wright’s work entitled Anticipating Spring will be on display until Jan. 31 at the Designer Cafe in Kentville.
-Jane Rovers’ work ‘Layered landscapes’ is on display at CentreStage Theatre in Kentville until Feb. 11.
Send arts news to welliott@kingscountynews.ca
