The Motley Theatre - be taken for a ride - you will love it.

Historically, the first event that kicks off the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 2 1/2 week party of arts events, is The Motley Theatre. This is a play reading, and if you have never been to one, boy you have missed something.

This is exactly as you think it would be with a word like "play reading". The actors on the stage actually "read" the play, with scripts in hand and all. I know, you think how boring that must be but it is FAR from boring. It takes only a few minutes from the beginning of the reading to absolutely forget that the actors have books in their hands and they are reading the lines. You become so engrossed in the pace of the performance, the tempo of the lines being delivered, the voice dynamics, the facial expressions and the great way that all lines float around you to embrace you in the story. I am not kidding, it is really like that.

We are quite blessed to have the very talented Anna MacKay-Smith (well known not only as an actor, but as a director and teacher) lead this play reading over the last number of years, and Uxbridge has seen great and well known Canadian actors participate. The likes of Gordon Pinsent, Rachel McAdams, Barbara Budd, Rosemary Dunsmore, Paul Gross and Ken Welsh have graced the stage.

What is going to be read this year? Well, I don't know. Who will be reading this year? Well, I don't know that either. Will it be the best way to kick off the 25th Anniversary of The Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts. OH YA!!!!!

Mark your calendar for The Motley Theatre on Thursday, September 16th, at 8pm at the Uxbridge Music Hall.

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

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.

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.

Way to go Nancy - see, you are the best.

I wanted to give a special shout out and blog just for my friend Nancy Melcher. Who is Nancy Melcher you may say? Well besides being one of the most tireless volunteers I have seen; being the most sought after supply teacher (for difficult classes), a fabulous Uxbridgeite and a great running partner, she was recognized last night at the ACTCO gala awards as one of the nominees for Best Producer for a comedy production that happened over the last year.

Nancy was not only the Producer for Port Perry's "Midsummer Nights Dream" last November, she was also the lead Stage Manager. Doing both of those very difficult jobs deserves a special award itself. (I also want to mention that I can bet my retirement income that she also helped with building, installing and painting the set as she always does).

Nancy has also stage managed numerous other productions in Port Perry and Uxbridge for a number of years, AND has also performed on stage for a number of productions. She just does it all, brilliantly.

I want to particularly highlight Nancy for all of her contributions to the arts in Uxbridge and Port Perry, because so much of what she does is done pre-production and backstage. Never in the limelight and yet, without her and her energies, there would NEVER be a production. It just would not happen and here are those actors, looking for the spotlight, waiting for the applause, expecting the accolades, and Nancy and all those other producers, make up artists, set designers, set painters and contruction"ers", costume designers, sewers, prop makers, stage managers, front of house managers - sometimes get overlooked and forgotten.

That's it! Never again! We just can't let this happen! They are pivotal and must be remembered! That is why it is so great that she was nominated as Producer for Midsummer Nights Dream. I am so proud of you my friend.

Uxbridge and area well represented at the ACTCO awards ceremony

I had the privilege of enjoying the ACTCO Gala Awards at Vaughan last night and I have to say that we should be wonderfully proud of the Uxbridge and area productions and actors/musicians/singers/stage managers/producers and on and on (you know what I mean). They were very well represented last night.

For anyone who is not familiar with ACTCO, it is a regional non-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting community theatre in Central Ontario, and part of what they offer is the adjudication of performances. They are invited to adjudicate, and then those events are included in an awards ceremony once a year. These are need to be community theatre in the categories of Musical, Comedy and Drama.

Now I am going to attempt to remember and list the Uxbridge and area people that were honoured last night and I apologize, I know that I will forget some.

Roger Varley was nominated for leading male role in "Blackpool and Parrish" with OnStage Uxbridge. This was a Canadian play with a very small cast, and had some wonderful press from it. It was directed by first time director Colin Murphy, and if what I hear said is true, he is going to be bringing some amazing skills to that role again.

"Les Miserables High School" edition which was performed at Oshawa Little Theater had many Uxbridge area people involved including Carol and Mallory Salomone, Michael Williamson from Port Perry, and my son Derik Gould (WHOM I AM SO PROUD OF I COULD SCREAM) from Uxbridge. It had a number of nominations, WON a number of awards including Best Musical. What a wonderful honour and if you had the privilege to see it, you would know why it won.

Borelians own "Midsummer Nights Dream" performed in Port Perry was also highlighted with many nominations and took home a number of awards. I have to say that this was one of the most visually intoxicating plays that I saw this past year, and I have to really shout out to Jen Hardie who was honoured with creating the costumes for this production. Just wonderful.

I know I have missed something, but what I want to highlight is Uxbridge, Port Perry and many people from both towns are talented beyond just the families praises. They are so talented that they were recognized in all of central Ontario's own theatre community as some of the best.

Arts is alive and well, and not very far away at all.

Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25th Anniversary - our first act booked

We, as the executive of the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts 25, are all so excited and just giddy and happy and thrilled and jumping up and down - as you can tell we are all so easily moved. We have booked our first act of the program and it is a BIG one.

During the Celebration program, over 3 weeks worth of art events and activities, there are two Saturday night extravaganza's. These are called "GALA'S" and we have had some amazing performances from individuals, groups, duets, ensembles and more. We are thrilled to be announcing, that we will be having Ken Whiteley and his big band performing. It has in the past been held at the Music Hall, a historic building, with a stage, wooden floors, balcony made to help you to see everything that is happening below, and we will be enjoying the sound of this Canadian roots music legend. He is a gifted guitar and mandolin player, performing his original songs in blues and folk sound. He is also a 7 time Juno awards nominee.

The Gala will be a wonderful night of Ken with 10 musicians wowing us with guitars, bass, drums, horns, keyboards and singers. It will be a night that you will not be able to sit still and be transported to a place of jumping, clapping, laughing, singing and enjoying the wonders of arts in the Uxbridge community.

Full details will be follow BUT I JUST HAD TO TELL YOU!!!! We are so luck that we have supporters and friends to the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts like Carolyn and Neil Turnbull.

Anne of Green Gables Here? Welcome Anne Shirley

One of the many wonderful theatre groups in the Uxbridge community, OnStage Uxbridge, is staging a Canadian favourite, considered Charlottetown's original musical, Anne of Green Gables Musical, and it will be playing at the Uxbridge Music Hall, January 14th, 15, 16th and again 21st, 22nd, and 23rd at 7:30 and on Saturday Matinees, it will be at 3pm. This is truly a "warm family show" that will touch your heart, and tickle your funny bone.

This play is set in Avonlea on Prince Edward Island in 1908, and features farm folk Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a brother and sister out to adopt a boy to help out on the farm. Instead Anne Shirley arrives, and they consider sending her back. Many touching and hilarious events happen, and they end up loving their new daughter.

OnStage Uxbridge presents 4 shows every year to entertain the community, and people come from all over to watch the strong and disciplined performances on the stage. This group always presents one of their plays at the end of the Celebration of the Arts event, and am very excited to understand what it will be for the 25th anniversary this coming September/October. Watch this blog to find out.

So, do you want to sit around in your house complaining about the cold Canadian winter, or do you want to experience an eastern Canadian tradition of theatre and go to see Anne of Green Gables at the Music Hall? Come on - I don't have to answer that for you!!! See you at the music hall.

Uxbridge lights up the sky - visual art at it's best ....

Wow Christmas is almost here and people are running around going berserk - did I get enough food for christmas visitors? what about the gifts? did I forget anyone? did I get enough for everyone? WAH - they are not wrapped. Oh no, what about the Christmas cards. Do we send them? or send just an email? CRAP - we forgot to do a yearly letter.

So much pressure for a time of year that should be filled with joy, thankfulness, remembrance, positive expectations, family, and all over warmth of this time of year.

All you need to do is take the time and all that other stuff will be forgotten. Honest, trust me.

Uxbridge has two very large "Art Shows" on display over the next few days, and running for a number of days.

If you haven't witnessed a "Living Nativity" you are in for a treat. Even if your belief does not lean towards Jesus miraculous birth, and the story of angels, shepherds and wise men. This is a stunning event to see. Live animals, 125 performers and a story that will give hope. The performance will happen each evening at 7:30 and 8:15 on December 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th.

It will be held at the Centennial Park beside the Township offices.

THEN - go over to Elgin Park and see the display of Christmas lights galore with the Optimist Club Fantasy of Lights. There will be over 20 displays throughout the park, and you can either walk or drive through. These displays have been installed by groups, businesses and individuals to show a colourful brilliance during this season. You can wander through this from 6pm - 9:30 every night from December 17th to 25th. I would suggest walking through the display as you will also hear seasonal music being played throughout.

The Admission is FREE but donations are encouraged because all of the donations will be put right back into the Optimists program for youth in the community.

Celebration of wonderful arts happening in Uxbridge township during this Christmas season.

I wish all of you a joyous holiday season filled with wondrous memories. And please remember those that don't feel joyful during this season for various reasons. One word or gesture by you, CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

Oscar winning artist in our Uxbridge community

Yes, that's right, we have an Oscar winning Cinematographer living in Uxbridge community and is on the Celebration of the Arts executive committee - Christopher Chapman. Not only is he an oscar winner, he has also had another nomination. NOT only that - he also has been awarded the Order of Canada.

He is also a director, editor, producer, photographer, artist and just an all round GREAT GUY!!!!

Christopher and his wife, Glen, have been involved in the Celebration of the Arts committee for a number of years, and are very hard working and diligent members of numerous art support groups in the area. During one of the Celebration's event this past year, there was a night of Celebrating Christopher's contribution to the as the pioneer of the method of filming seen in his Oscar winning documentary film "A Place To Stand". Yes, some of you might remember that as the film that was shown during the Expo 67 shown at the Ontario Pavilion in Montreal.

The evening was filled with so many aspects of Christopher's life, his accomplishments and his wondrous contributions to the arts. There were guest speakers, showing of the pivotal "A Place to Stand" but also other pieces he has done. Just a tribute to this wonderful man.

And you got to see his twin brother and wonder "Which one is Christopher and who's hand do I shake?". It is a privilege to know Christopher and Glen, and even more of a joy to be able to spend time with them as a hard working couple on the Celebration of the Arts Committee.

Now a wonderful story to tell you how humble this icon in filming really is.

Two years ago during the promotion time for Celebration of the Arts, our local bookstore - Blue Heron Books - asked Christopher if they could show his Oscar statue with the promotion for a Short Film Festival that is done every year (now that is for another blog), and I happened to meet Christopher just outside of the store entrance. In his hand was the Oscar, wrapped in a LCBO bag, so that people wouldn't see what he was carrying. He did not have a proper bag for it as the case disappeared some time ago. There in his hand, on the street in Uxbridge, was a true and genuine Oscar statue, being carried in a LCBO bag. Needless to say, I found Christopher a lovely, non-descript and very discrete flannel bag to keep his Oscar in when it travelled. Your secrets safe with me Christopher.

Christmas music overdrive ....

There are many things that distinguish one community from another, and there definitely does needs to be something to stand out.

I really have to smile, because all I can think about is a "Corner Gas" episode where they are trying to get the 'biggest something' to get tourists and people to come to there town, and all they could come up with was a big hoe - YES, that is what I said - a BIG HOE! so very funny.

However, one of the things that makes Uxbridge community so special is the number of choir/chorale groups that they have within this town. There are the church choirs, school choirs, small groups and I don't want to miss them but there are too many to even remember - and remember I am so much older it is hard to remember what I am supposed to remember.

But there are wonderfully skilled and entertaining groups, many performing over this upcoming Christmas time all over the place.

Just last night, December 3rd, Belle Nove performed at the Pine Grove Christmas service under the direction of Jennifer Neveu-Cook. This is a group of 10 young ladies who are studying voice in the RCM program.

December 4th, Monday Morning Singers under the direction of Anne Mizen, will be performing Christmas songs. Within the program will be Kenneth Welsh reading Christmas poems. This will be held at St. Pauls Anglican Church in Uxbridge. MMS are a group of ladies that just love to sing - most pieces are SSAA split, and the harmonies are wonderful.

December 11th and 12th - One Voice, directed by Charles White, will be performing with special guest Uxbridge Youth Choir (again under the leadership of Jennifer Neveu-Cook) at St. Pauls Anglican church. The program is called Sounds of the Season.

Sunday December 13th, the Uxbridge Chamber Choir, under Thomas Baker, will be entertaining "A Christmas Carol" - a program of songs and a dramatic reading of Charles Dickens wonderful story. Special guests include CBC Host Michael Enright. This can be seen at Trinity United Church on 1st Avenue.

WOWEEE!! there really is a great reason to Celebrate the art of singing in Uxbridge.