Uxbridge Youth Choir wins Gold Medals in Ottawa

I often talk in this blog about other events, activities, concerts and arts related fun stuff happening in the Uxbridge community. And I hope often, you actually go and attend and enjoy some of the many events happening in our fine community and there is another coming up that will celebrate the voices of youth.

Jennifer Neveu-Cook has been organizing and conducting The Uxbridge Youth Choir since 2004, and the skill of both Jennifer and the choir has been extraordinary. This group does a couple of concerts a year, and their final concert for this season will be on Wednesday June 2nd at Trinity United Church on 2nd Avenue in Uxbridge. I believe the start time is 7:30 - but please check when you purchase your tickets.

Performing with The Uxbridge Youth Choir will be special guests, Bella Nove (a young women's group that Jennifer also directs. The harmonies of this group are so very sweet to listen to), Kathryn Dnes on Violin and Adam Gribble, performing on his guitar.

The other reason that this concert is so special to The Uxbridge Youth Choir is because they just attended The Nationals Music Fest in Ottawa and came away with Gold Medals for both the Intermediate and Junior choir levels. YES - Gold Medals. That is a stunning achievement and to show support for the musicians of our communities future.

25 Hour Masterpiece - only 7 DAYS to get your submission in

The first deadline for the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25th Anniversary year is coming up very very quickly - on June 7th, 2010. Yes I did say it - June 7th, 2010.

I can hear so many people say "I thought I had lots of time to get it to them - now I only have 7 days!"

Are you someone who is interested in being selected to be involved in the 25 Hour Masterpiece portion of the Gala Event night on Saturday, September 25th @ 7:30? Are you a poet? Dancer? Short Story Writer? Videographer? Playwright/Director/Actor? Composer? Improv comedian? Then this just might be for you.

If you haven't heard, the Celebration's 25 Hour committee is accepting submissions from interested performers in all of those genres, who think that have the "spark" to create a performance piece in 25 hours. The committee need to hear why you feel you can create something of performance quality in that short timeframe - what experience you have - your artistic ability.

If you are interested, please go to the Celebration of the Arts site and find the document that will tell you everything that you need to know. If you have any other questions, please contact me.

But we need those submissions - DEADLINE DATE - June 7th, 2010

Now the fun begins - 2010 Studio Tour

For as long as the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts has been doing their "thang", showering us with so many arts experiences and educational opportunities - so has the Uxbridge Studio Tour. They too are turning 25 this year, and what a line up this year.

Over 24 artists are participating and that means over two days, you can visit them in their studios and not only see the wonderful work and creative ways they see life, BUT many of them have special visiting artists as well. Audible WOW time - you actually have the opportunity to see almost 50 artists and their creations in genres of quilt-making, pottery, water colours, ceramist, sculptor, photographer, multi media artist, goldsmith, furniture craftsman, blacksmith, and silversmith.

The 25th AnnualUxbridge Studio Tour is on September 18th & 19th, 2010 from 10am - 6pm each day. There are brochures and maps available and you can find them online as well. These are studios in and around Uxbridge community, so you will need a vehicle to get to most of them.

Because I don't have a lot of room on my blog - and my many (well 3) followers, do not want me to drone on and on - I will highlight the artists from 1 - 5 today to give you a taste - and a tasty taste it is.

1 - Judith Tinkl (QuiltMaker) and Viktor Tinkl (Sculptor) with special guest Diana Lopez Soto (performance artist) and Ken Nice (Sculptor). This is really a MUST see as you wonder around the property to find yourself surrounded by a whimsical, and sometimes not, sculptures.

2 - Lynda Cunningham (Painter) with guest artists Craig Telfer (furniture craftsman) and Mary Hinton (Mosaic Artist). Wow I have never seen a Mosaic Artist before and looking forward to experiencing that.

3 - Joan Yerema & Jay Yerema Weafer (Painters) with guests Mayta Markson (Ceramic Artist) and John Stuart Pryce (Painter). John Stuart Pryce donated the first painting print for the Uxbridge Preserve and is a wonderful view of a small pond.

4 - Carmel Brennan, (Photographer/Painter) - I am always amazed at the stunning photographs that Carmel snaps, with wonderful and interesting views of the world.

5 - Francis Muscat (Sculptor) with guests Karen Franzen (Ceramic Artist) and Frank Ditomaso (Woodworking Craftsman). Francis is a sculptor who is so generous with his talents in the Uxbridge community, and can be seen in a tree sculpture on Bascom Street as well as assisting the Youth Centre with a mural just outside their front door on Brock St.

More to come later. Audible WOW

The French are coming - The Amabile Choir that is

As you may be aware, the Uxbridge Chamber Choir performs from 2 to 3 concerts a year, the powerful Christmas Carol concert and reading comes to mind - and this week, they are welcoming the Amabile Choir from Pau, France. On Thursday, 30 new friends will be picked up and billeted in and around Uxbridge for the next 5 days. This is 21 singers, and 9 partners or "hanger oners", but we welcome them all.

Also showing the hospitality that comes through a mutual love of music, is the Monday Morning Singers who will also provide house and friendship to our guests. But these 5 days in the area will not be quiet for our guests - and if you wish to see/hear them, you will have many chances.

Welcomed on Thursday to our little community, the fun starts on Friday.

On Friday, May 28th, our Mayor, Bob Shepherd and members of the Uxbridge Township council will be officially welcoming them to Uxbridge with a lunch and ceremony at the Township offices at 12:30pm. Later that evening, at 7:30, the Choir will be sharing time at the Foster Memorial.

On Saturday, May 29th, we take the choir to Pickering and area to perform a concert held at Pickering Village United Church on Church Street, at 7:30 and we will also be welcoming the church choir of Pickering Village.

On Sunday, May 30th Uxbridge Chamber Choir, Monday Morning Singers and The Amabile Choir will be performing "The French Connection" a full concert being held at St. Paul's Anglican Church at 3pm. Tickets at the door will be $18 Adults, $15 for Seniors and students and children under 12 are free.

This will be a concert not to miss. With the mixture of the voices, and repertoire, this will be a very enjoyable way to spend a Sunday Afternoon.

The rest of the time, the choir members and their billets will be seeing the beauty of Uxbridge and township, as well as a trip going north.

I look forward to being one of those billeters and cutting through the language barrier to make some lasting friendships.

25-hour masterpiece - Come on. You know you want to do it!

You know it is very exciting when something comes out of a question – "just think wild" - "something we have never done" – "something that will cause a lot of excitement" - "just think way out there".

I know the 25 hour masterpiece is not really “way out there”, I mean it has nothing to do with neon paint nor fireworks, or parachuting from a burning airplane, or kissing a boa constrictor - now those are way out there - but it is new and it is exciting. As you may be aware, the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25^th Anniversary is coming up from September 16 – October 6, and it is a 3 week celebration of the wonderful mix and variety of artists in the Uxbridge area. With arts shows, studio tours, concerts, play readings, meet authors and so much more, we wanted to add a special element to the Gala Event on September 25^th, and so we have added 25-hour Masterpiece.

The concept is that a selected group of performance artists (videographer, poet, short story writer, dancers, musicians, improve group and playwrite/director/actors) have 25 hours before the actual Gala Event to create their performance or presentation. WHAT? I can hear you say. YES! I respond. There is nothing better than a deadline to get the creative juices flowing.

In order to be considered for this event, you are asked to submit a number of things that includes resume of experience, perhaps a CD/DVD of something that you have already done, and WHY you want to be a part of this new event. You can find that information on the Uxbridge Celebration website or by contacting me. The deadline date is June 7^th to get your submission to us.

It is very exciting the people that I have already spoken to range from 12 year olds who want to take on a challenge of creating a song and performing it for the first time, to some veteran stage performers who want to continue to be a part of the wonderful celebration of arts.

Things to remember if chosen – you must be available to perform your ‘masterpiece’ on Saturday September 25^th at 7:30 (and there will be time given to you to practice during the afternoon of the 25th), you must live within 75KM from Uxbridge center, the content must be kept to a family audience, you must be willing to create this masterpiece starting at 6pm on Friday, September 24^th after receiving your word, theme, phrase, and/or prop.

Come on – you know you want to do it!!!!!

25 Hour Masterpiece - have you got what it takes?

WOW - the 25 Hour Masterpiece portion of the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25th Anniversary year is rip roaring along. Just today we have started to pass the information along and forwarded to a number of networks, groups, associations and individuals the "Submission Document". The Durham Region news website has also posted a story about it. This offers information on what we are looking for, what performance art disciplines we are looking for, and how to be selected.

Here's how it works - During the Gala Night Event on Saturday September 25th, starting at 7:30 pm held at the music hall, part of the program will be the creations and masterpieces of a selected group of people. They will have 25 hours - from 6pm Friday, September 24th, to create their "art". The reason they have to wait until then is because at that time, the committee will give them a word, phrase, theme and/or prop that they need to use when creating their piece. Yup, on pins and needles until they know exactly what they need to do.

Sound easy? I don't think so. Sound exciting, energizing and challenging - OH YA!!!

The art disciplines that we are looking to have participation in are - Video documentary/movie; Dance; One Act Play; Poem; Short Story; Improv skit; and Musical Composition/song.

Think you got it to do this? Submit your information and the requested experience information to the committee, and we will be happy to review it. The Information/Submission document should be posted on our Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts Website soon OR contact me, giving me your email address and I will send it to you.

Ken Whiteley performs during Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts -

We one the executive of Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25th Anniversary is so thrilled about the first Saturday night event called "One World Dance" being held on Saturday, September 18th, 2010 at Uxbridge Music Hall.

Guess who is coming to play for us - yes, I mean a performer who has a passion for folk music in his heart and soul, that when he performs - it is all just like a giddy kid playing - Ken Whiteley. I can see some of you with your furrowed brow of confusion, that I should think that everyone should know who Ken Whiteley is. If you are at all in the folk scene in Canada, Ken is the friend that everyone wants to have, the head guy, the "oh my gosh you have got to be kidding" guy.

Ken Whiteley is one of Canada's most respected "roots" musicians. Drawing on his incredibly rich background in blues, gospel and folk styles, this 7 time Juno award nominee will WOW you with his passion (yes I said it again).

He has played at virtually every major folk festival in Canada and performed and recorded with such legends as Pete Seeger, John Hammond Jr., Tom Paxton, Blind John Davis, The Campbell Brothers, Stan Rogers, Guy Davis, Raffi, Linda Tillerey & the Cultural Heritage Choir and countless others. He is a prolific songwriter, a gifted and versatile instrumentalist and a powerful singer, and his music communicates themes of freedom, love, spiritual aspiration and social comment. His performances are presented with particapatory humor, grace and energy.

He is most recently known for his collaborations with brother Chris (the Whiteley Brothers) and old friends Mose Scarlett and Jackie Washington (Scarlett, Washington & Whiteley) have resulted in a wonderful collection of recordings, garnering high praise, successful tours and several awards.

Ken Whiteley has had his hand in more than eighty albums and they have resulted in 11 Gold or Platinum albums, 22 Juno nominations, 2 Juno winners and 2 Grammy nominations, with total sales in excess of 8 million copies.

I will leave you with something that I know will make you more than excited about this "One World Dance" night of September 18th, 2010 during the Celebration of the Arts - "with Ken Whiteley our enjoyment is virtually assured." Do I hear an audible WOW?

Rising Stars Concert May 7th at 7:30

Okay, here is a question for you, and if you are at all in the arts scene of Uxbridge, you better know the answer. Well really if you didn't, there is not much that I could do to you, and your would so very quickly continue to read the blog so that you could have the answer and then when I next saw you on the street, you could run up to me and say "The answer was ........."(Ha you thought I was going to give it to you!)

SOOOO - What volunteer group has been involved in fundraising to financially and emotionally assist young people of Uxbridge area to continue their study of music in a post secondary school setting? What group was started a number of years ago (Okay, so I don't know how many, but a number) by Anthony Holt and Lesley Joosten? What group showcases the amazing talent of these youth and their families in 3 concerts a year, and then a final concert for the winners of the scholarships? Yes, the Uxbridge Music Scholarship Fund.

And they are going to host another concert called "Rising Stars Concert" at the fabulous acoustics of St. Andrew's-Chalmers Presbyterian Church. Performing that evening will be a variety of vocalists, 4 who were recently the 3 finalists and winner of the 'Sounds of Uxbridge" singing contest, along with some wonderful instrumental music.

We will hear local students Madeline Eddy (Winner of 'Sounds of Uxbridge'), Drew Chester, Olivia Drew-Brook and Braden Lamoureux. The Scholarship Fund will be welcoming back Ainslie Drew-Brook and Cayle St.John to this concert, as they have both completed a year studying Performance/Theater at university.

The Ensemble from Uxbridge Secondary School will be showing what early morning and after school practicing can do for ones love of music. Also bringing his extraordinary talent to the evening with be Josh Watson, who is now studying for his Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 10. If you have every heard Josh play, you will know that there is NO ONE in Uxbridge who owns the keys on the grand piano in the Presbyterian Church like Josh does.

Please consider supporting this wonderful group of volunteers continue to encourage our local youth who wish to pursue some kind of education in performance and music.

St. Andrews-Chalmbers Presbyterian Church is located at 40 Toronto Street South, Uxbridge. Tickets at the door are Adults $15, Students $10, Children 10 & under are FREE and the concert starts at 7:30.

Transport yourself during the Lunch Hour Concerts

I know that I have listed before in this blog, and I am sure that my loyal and focused following of 3 people will remember it, a blog about the Lunch Hour Concerts that will be performed during the upcoming Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25^th Anniversary year. I just put a bit of a teaser for you, but now I do have some confirmed performers and thought that I would pass them along to you.

We don’t have each lunch hour concert – September 16^th, 25^th and October 2 @ 12:30pm at St. Andrews Chalmbers Presbyterian Church in Uxbridge – confirmed but I thought that I had enough information to pass something along. (I also had to share another blog entry to the Celebration Blog to satisfy my 3 loyal and focused followers).

We always try to give the audience a variety of performers, and at the same time, try to support the local community. We are thrilled to have two very well known and admired students who have gone on to study voice in University programs, come back for a visit on our “Welcome Back Students”, and we will likely add one more but I don’t have a confirmation on them yet.

Travis Smalley (Wilfrid Laurier University) and Meghan McKibbon (University of Western Ontario) will be returning to share with us in voice, the excitement and joy that they have found in their programs. Accompanying will be Jackie Crawford who has always been here for these students during their training in the Uxbridge area through local vocal teacher, Jennifer Neveu-Cook.

We are also thrilled to announce that BJ Byers has agreed to give us all of his enthusiasm and skill on the piano in a program of classical music. Many people know BJ as the barkeep and manager of Hobby Horse Arms, but he is also an artist who shows such love for the piano and such flair for understanding the music, that this will be a thrilling program.

Our final program is focused on “World Music” and we have not had a confirmation of our performers, but if we get who we want – LOOK OUT! It will be a thrilling program that will transport you to other cultures and music that you would otherwise not hear.

The executive committee of the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25^th Anniversary is working hard to present programs that will make you go WOW – and astonish you with the skills of so many local community artists. Yes, I said it – you will audibly and uncontrollably scream – WOW!!!!!! Trust me.

Books and Authors Brunch with Katherine Govier

If anyone has walked down the main street of Uxbridge, Ontario, you will have no doubt had the privilege of stepping into one of the most charming and welcoming stores on the street. Blue Heron Books. It is a total throw back from the large and sometimes impersonal, well, larger franchise book stores – I can’t name them because my daughter works at one that is quaint and personal because it is located at a local Toronto hospital, but you know what I mean.

ANYWAY, Blue Heron Books is not only the place to go with your children, browsing for that latest book, and to have a chat with either the owner Shelley MacBeth or one of her lovely assistants, but it is also the store that organizes an event where you can listen to, meet and talk to some of the well known and well respected authors of our time. Shelley puts together a monthly “Books and Brunch” event that allows you to get up close and personal with a selected author.

This month’s “Books and Brunch” will be on May 16, 2010, starting at 11am and held at Wyndance Golf Club, for a cost of $20. Wyndance is located at 450 Durham Road 21, Uxbridge.

Shelley is pleased to welcome Katherine Govier, multiple award winning author of ????. and the just released the day before – The Ghost Brush. CAN YOU IMAGINE – this award winning author, releases this new book – The Ghost Brush – and then she is going to be at the “Books and Brunch” speaking to us. How brilliant is this opportunity!!!!

I also want to point out that Shelley also organizes a special “Books and Authors” night during the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts and will be doing it again for this upcoming 25^th anniversary from September ?? to September ??. She will often have not just one author to speak to – but 3 or 4. Always well known, often award winning and sometimes controversial. You gotta love it.

Watch for the date of the Celebration of the Arts Authors night and consider attending May’s “Books and Brunch” to hear Katherine Govier on May 16^th.