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Finally, after a long snowy winter and a horrendous April, the first long weekend of the summer is upon us!
According to the Farmers’ Almanac, it will be a long, very hot, dry summer, and since it has been right about the winter and the spring, I am going with this forecast. Enjoy it while you’ve got it, and let’s hope we don’t get the fires that plagued us a few years ago.
But first, before the weekend, don’t miss Forever Young, a showcase of the Arts Orillia youth mentorship program, also featuring local band, Sleep Jan! It’s at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15 at the Orillia Opera House, and tickets are $10 cash at the door. More information is here.
Also Thursday, May 15 at 7 p.m., Lotus Wight plays Higher Ground, admission $20 cash at the door. That’s the upstairs space at Couchiching Craft Brewery.
This coming weekend, there are some events happening in the Sunshine City, despite it being a long weekend. The first ever Sunshine City Vintage Bazaar Market is happening at 22 Matchedash St. S., in the parking lot beside Lone Wolf Café.
This fun market is being organized by the clever people at My Moon Collective, The Lone Wolf Café, and Pocket Skate and Vintage, and will feature tons of wonderful vintage clothing, lots of home goods, handmade creations and more! If you follow the Instagram Vintage Queen, @vintagelovestory_, yes, she will be there, too!
The vintage market will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, and it’s free admission. If you can’t make it for this date, don’t fret, there will be two more, July 19, and Sept. 20, so mark those on your calendar.
Saturday, the Leacock Museum is kicking the summer off with a bang with a Family Fun Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is just $5 for accompanying adults while the kiddos are free. There will be various activities for the kids inside and outside the museum, while adults are free to enjoy the self-guided tour (while keeping an eye on the kids of course).
Saturday is also the first outdoor market day of the season at the Orillia Farmers’ Market in downtown Orillia. The Orillia Canada Day organizing committee will be there, so stop by, get a flag or a button, and see what you can do to help out!
Also this Saturday, but in the evening thank goodness, the Gojijing Friendship Circle presents The Fire Still Burns, with local musicians Red n Blue, Guy Monague, and Jakob Pearce Music, along with Elder and storyteller John Rice, at St. Paul’s Centre. Jeff Monague (Myiingan Minonaakwhe) will guide the evening as MC.
From the press release: “At its core, The Fire Still Burns is a testament to the enduring power of Indigenous traditions. Stories hold deep teachings, reminding us of our responsibilities to the land, to each other, and to the generations that follow. Through music, voices rise in unity, carrying messages of hope, resistance, and renewal.”
Doors are at 6:30 p.m., admission is free, and donations are welcome.
Canadiana: the Musical is happening at Casino Rama this Sunday, with two shows, at 2 and 6:30 p.m. Canada’s veteran musical producer, Linus Hand, produced the show and it features the Canadian music you love, including hits from artists like Shania Twain, Celine Dion, Anne Murray, Tragically Hip, Gordon Lighfoot and so much more. Should be a fun time! Tickets are through Ticketmaster, here.
Next Tuesday at 6 p.m. join in the mandala rock dot painting workshop at Couchiching Craft Brewery. You can learn all about it and register here. It’s $40 and looks fun and relaxing, too!
The OMAH History Speaker for May is John Smith and he will be talking all about the Golden Age of Orillia’s Radion Station, CFOR. And yes, I remember it well! The talk is May 21 at 7 p.m. via Zoom, and you can get the free link and more information here.
You might have to watch that recorded talk later though, as the Orillia Vocal Ensemble’s spring concert is happening that same night, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Centre. The theme is Summer??!! Bring It On, and special guests are the Orillia Community Children’s Choir, and David Jefferies, bass. All the freewill donations collected will be going to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orillia.
Thursday, May 22 is the OSS Spring Concert, featuring a piece composed by the Senior Band students, with help from a Canadian composer mentor! Check it all out at 7 p.m., admission by cash donation at the door!
Don’t forget to apply for the Harry Mason Bursary! If you or someone you know is enroled in or accepted to an accredited post-secondary institution in an arts-related program, you are eligible for a $1000 scholarship! Find out all the details and apply, here. Applications are open until June 6.
Tickets are now available for the 78th annual Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour Gala Dinner—a celebration of Canada’s funniest literary minds and one of Orillia’s favourite sons, the legendary Stephen Leacock himself. The dinner is happening June 21 at Hawk Ridge Golf Club. For lots more details and to grab your ticket, go here.
And, one more thing! Gathering Festival of First Nations Stories! The guests and schedule are finalized, and yes, it’s free! So, come out, meet some amazing authors and storytellers, and enjoy the hospitality of our neighbours at Rama First Nation. All the details are here.
Phew! I have run out of gas and events. Have a great weekend and week, and if you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.
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