Motley Theater is ready to go to dinner

As many people know, there is no better way to start something, than to kick it right in the butt with a winner - right off!!! That is what the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25th Anniversary this year will be doing. Our very first event is the always popular "Motley Play Reading". This event comes from a long standing group called Motley Theatre where Anna MacKay-Smith and Kenneth Welsh would bring in special guests, actors who are Canadian up-and-commers and seasoned well-knowns, and they would do a play reading.

Yes that is different from a theatre show, and I know that I am stating the obvious. It is a play reading, as the performers sit, but sometimes not, with script in hand, reading through the play. It is in NO WAY boring, or predictable, it is so amazing that within 5 minutes, you are so wrapped up in the performance, that you don't even see the book in their hands. Minimal props and staging and it is brilliant.

WELLLL - again the Motley Play Reading with start the Celebration with the play reading of a piece that received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2000, "Dinner with Friends" by Donald Margulies. Anna MacKay-Smith will again grace us with her skill and experience on stage, however as of todays date, no other performers have been announced.

It will be on Thursday September 16th at 8pm at the Uxbridge Music Hall. The tickets are $20 at the door, or can be purchased at Blue Heron Books OR Presents Presents, both located on Brock St., Uxbridge.

SO come out to the first of the events for the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts - heck, come out to all of them. Can I hear an audible "Wow".

Highlands of Durham Games in Uxbridge Elgin Park

Oh you loyal readers of mine and Celebrating Arts in Uxbridge for 25 years, I have let you down. The problem is life got in the way and I apologize for the length of time between blog posts. It is NOT that there was nothing going on - as you can see from the rest of the blog, there is SOOO MUCH going on.

For those who have been around Uxbridge for the last 16 years, has had the pleasure of walking through Elgin Park Uxbridge and have been transported into Old Scotland through Highland of Durham Games. The event will be happening on July 24th and 25th, 2010 and all activities will be held on the park grounds. There is plenty of parking off Elgin Park Drive, and so there is NO NEED to be parking on the streets. (as a resident not far from the park, I am imploring you to pay the extra and keep our streets safe).

I am wondering if anyone can truly see everything that is offered during these two days because the Highland Games is packed with things to see, competitions, vendors, entertainment, food and so much more. Here are just a few things to consider:

- entertainment goes from 11am - 11pm on Saturday and 12 noon - 5pm on Sunday

- there will be vendors selling food, clothing, costume, treasures and you can even find out what Clan you belong to

- bands, bands, bands

- dancing, dancing, dancing (there is nothing more graceful than watching all ages doing highland dancing)

- heavy games that include stone throw, hammer throw, sheaf, and more

- you can even watch the amazing art of Dry Stone building - a form of building dating back 4,000 years

Needless to say - you really need to see this. Take a look at the information on how to buy tickets - Purchase Tickets and the cost is $19.99 for a day pass and anyone under 16 years old is FREE.

"Ceud Mile Failte!" is the Scottish Gaelic for 100,000 Welcomes.

25 Hour Masterpiece - closer than you think

Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25^th Anniversary is thrilled to announce that we have selected the participants for the 25 Hour masterpiece. THRILLED I tell you. And I hope that the participants that we selected are also THRILLED.

As you may be aware and those wonderful 5 people who are my blog followers – I love you guys – will know, Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts executive committee for this coming September, decided to try something new this year and implemented as part of their Gala Event on September 25th, something we call our 25 Hour masterpiece.

Okay for those who don’t know, this is how it works – selected participants in the performing arts categories of poetry, short story writing, videography, playwriting and performing, improv, dance and musical composition will be given a word, phrase, line, theme and/or prop at 6pm on September 24^th and will have 25 hours, until 7pm on September 25^th, to create a piece that they will perform during the Gala Night event. The only exception to this is the Improv group, who will be given 25 seconds to prepare for their performance.

The invitation for submissions was sent out at the end of May/beginning of June and we had 15 people submit for the committee to consider. It was a very difficult process, but we finally did do it.

There will be performers from Uxbridge town to our neighbouring communities of Port Perry and Ajax. The performers range from age 13 to, well, WAY beyond 13. We have published writers, award winning writers and performers, and some that are just starting out. All in All – the Gala night event, starting at 7:30 on Saturday, September 25^th at the Uxbridge Music Hall will be a night to remember.

Please consider this one of your many events of the Celebration that you can come and support.

AND did I mention that Neil Crone will be our MC for the night. YUP and audible WOW – another blog about that later.

Summertime Rehearsing

You know, it is interesting that many people feel that when summer comes, all activity stops. That everything goes on holiday to laze around the pool, drink in hand and enjoy the sunshine. NOT!!!! Though that sounds like an amazing way to enjoy the summer, there are many groups that are still planning, organizing, rehearsing and foreseeing a wondrous array of art activities for Uxbridge and community.

I know that I have been going on and on and on about the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25^th Anniversary that will be happening in September, BUT as every year, they still organize and meet during the summer to get this going. We are offering you this huge entertaining opportunity to the community and beyond to enjoy art like you have never enjoyed it before. There are so many talented and diverse artists in the community, that it is hard not to get excited about this 2 ½ weeks. AND I don’t want to hear any excuses that you could not find something that you were interested in going to – with art exhibits, studio tours, music nights, author readings, play readings, dance events, all day “buskers”, concerts, plays and so much more – there is NO EXCUSE, so don’t even try to give me one (you may not notice that my head is turned away from your excuses AND my hand is held up to your mouth – funny sight).

There are also rehearsals going on for a play that OnStage Uxbridge will be performing called “Into the Woods”. This is a Stephen Sondhiem at his best play, and with Ruth Smith and David Geene involved in the directing, it will be wonderful to see. Keep on working actors and try to enjoy your summer.

Recently, there were auditions for another OnStage Uxbridge show – “Noises Off” – that will be performed in November but the rehearsals for that will also be happening in the summer. This is directed by Cathy Cristoff which I feel guarantees one of the best comedy farces that will hit the Uxbridge Music Hall stage.

What else is happening – well the Uxbridge Youth Theater recently had their auditions for their new play, and roles have been cast. I am sure that scripts have been handed out and music will be practiced.

What else is happening? Mmmmm – help me to know and I will be happy to blog about it and twitter about it. I sometimes know but I may not know it all (though I sometimes say I do know it all).

Help me by telling me.