Help Haiti: A Guelph Benefit For Earthquake Relief – February 7

A Guelph benefit for the people of Haiti takes place on February 7 at the River Run Centre. The event features Kevin Breit, Scott Merritt, Jane Burnett, Dionne Brand, the University of Guelph choirs and The Guelph music revue, an ensemble featuring some of Guelph’s renowned musicians and singer-songwriters.

• Kevin Breit is one of Canada’s most in-demand guitarists (Norah Jones, Rosanne Cash, k. d. Lang, Bill Frisell). He will be performing with Guelph’s Ted Warren, one of Canada’s most accomplished drummers.
• Scott Merritt is an MCA recording artist and an award-winning singer-songwriter and producer with an always growing and fiercely dedicated following.
• Jane Bunnett is an internationally acclaimed Canadian jazz icon with Juno awards, Grammy nominations, and an appointment to the Order of Canada.
• Dionne Brand is a renowned poet, novelist, essayist, and film-maker born in Trinidad and living in Toronto.
• The University of Guelph Choirs, directed by Dr. Marta McCarthy are a powerful amalgamation of both the University Chamber Choir and the University Women’s Choir.
• The Guelph Music Revue is a stellar gathering of Guelph’s award-winning musicians, band leaders, and singer-songwriters featuring Andrew Craig, Nick Craine, Craig Norris, Shane Philips, Tannis Slimmon, Sue Smith, Sam Turton, Jeff Bird, Adam Bowman, Vish Khanna, Jane Lewis, Brenda McMorrow, Ambre McLean, Harri Palm, Stu Peterson, Jesse Turton, Brenda Lewis, Jude Vadala, The Season Singers – and more to come!

Help Haiti: A Guelph Benefit for Earthquake Relief

Sunday, February 7 at 7.00 p.m.
The River Run Centre
35 Woolwich St., Guelph, ON
Tickets $30 (reserved) available from the River Run Box Office: 519-763-3000 or online

All proceeds to Canadian Red Cross – All services are being donated including the River Run Centre facilities.

Additional donations will be accepted at the event

Read Full Post »

Guelph Symphony Orchestra, Popera – February 22

Guelph Symphony Orchestra, Popera!
Sunday February 22, 2009
Time: 3 p.m.
River Run Centre, Guelph

Guelph Symphony Orchestra will present Popera! on Sunday February 22, 2009 at 3pm at River Run Centre.

This is the concert Guelph’s opera lovers have been waiting for – featuring Katie Murphy (soprano), Andrew Tees (baritone) and Lenard Whiting (tenor), performing well-loved solos, duets and trios from Carmen, Faust, Tosca, La Traviata, Barber of Seville and more. The orchestra will play dramatic selections, while the Guelph Youth Singers perform some children’s choruses from operas.

On the 50th anniversary of his passing, we celebrate Guelph’s world-famous son, Edward Johnson.
 
*Popera is a trade-mark used by kind permission of Opera Ontario.
 
Visit guelphorchestra.ca for more details.

Read Full Post »

Guelph Symphony Orchestra Presents The Snowman – December 14

If you, like me, love The Snowman you’ll not want to miss this holiday show from the Guelph Symphony Orchestra.

This one-hour holiday treat for adults and children alike features Raymond Briggs’ enchanting and internationally-renowned 80s animation “The Snowman,” with the soundtrack played live by the Orchestra. Everyone gets in the Christmas spirit with excerpts from “The Nutcracker” suite, some popular songs from host Dan Kelley, a singalong “Twelve Days of Christmas”, not to mention hearing Bugler’s Holiday by Leroy Anderson. Santa Claus might even drop by.

Come experience the joy of live music in a thoroughly entertaining one-hour show!

Guelph Symphony Orchestra Concert: The Snowman
Where: River Run Centre
When: Sun Dec 14, 2008
Two Shows: 2pm & 4pm
Tickets: $15.00 (adult/senior), $9.00 (child), $5.00 (under 12/Eye Go)

www.guelphguelphorchestra.ca

Read Full Post »

Celebrate the Season with the Guelph Youth Singers – November 29

Celebrate the season with the four celebrated choirs of Guelph Youth Singers at the River Run Centre on November 29 at 7.30 p.m. 

Eighty highly trained young singers, aged six through 18, will delight you with their beautiful sound in both traditional and new songs. This concert continues a tradition of welcoming the outstanding guest string quartet, The Unaccompanied Minors, from the Suzuki String School of Guelph.

Tickets: $22.00 for Adults, $16.00 for Students and Seniors. Eye Go Discount is also available.

Read Full Post »

Guelph’s Own Orchestra, Classically Yours – November 9

Guelph Symphony Orchestra will perform “Classically Yours” at 3 p.m. on Sunday November 9, at the River Run Centre.

This exciting concert opens with Grieg’s Holberg Suite, written as his tribute to the classical era, and Dvorak’s Serenade in D minor, arguably the finest piece ever written for a wind ensemble. Cristi Cigolea, the GSO’s Romanian-born principal trumpet, plays Albinoni’s Concerto No 9 for Oboe, transcribed for piccolo trumpet, and we close with one of Mozart’s most delicate and beautiful symphonies, No 29 in A.

“This concert will have a different feel to it, as two of the pieces are performed chamber-style, without a conductor” says Simon Irving, Artistic Director. “This gives the players the challenge of making music as a true ensemble, relying on their musical empathy.”

The Friends of Guelph Symphony, launched in the spring of 2007, continues to expand, so far attracting 90 members. FOGS membership is $25 a year for one person or $35 a couple, and yields several benefits including an attractive lapel pin, invitation to an annual pre-concert reception, and attendance at open rehearsals. Any donation over $25 will automatically entitle the donor to “Friends of the Guelph Symphony” membership and benefits. Friends can assist the orchestra in many ways such as volunteering and raising awareness of Guelph’s Own Orchestra. Guelph resident Catherine Downer was the winner of the annual FOGS prize draw for season tickets. FOGS brochures are available on request.

The Orchestra gratefully announces the receipt of a grant from the Musagetes Fund at the Guelph Community Foundation in support of the 2008-2009 season. Later season highlights include a repeat of Raymond Briggs’ well-loved animated feature, The Snowman, accompanied live by the orchestra, a family treat for children and grandchildren aged 3 to 103 during the Christmas season. The annual Dreams of Vienna New Years’ Concert will mark the return of Tenor and raconteur Mark Dubois. In February 2009, Popera! celebrates Guelph’s world-famous son, Edward Johnson on the 50th anniversary of his passing.

The GSO is a semi-professional classical orchestra, based in Guelph and using primarily Guelph-area players. The ensemble consists of 35 to 50+ players, depending on the repertoire requirements. Founded in 2001 with Simon Irving as its Artistic Director, it has given 48 concerts to date, covering a broad repertoire of classical music. The orchestra also provides opportunities for young emerging professional performers.

For details about Guelph’s Own Orchestra and becoming a Friend, please visit http://www.guelphorchestra.ca. Tickets for all concerts are available at River Run Centre, (519) 763-3000.

Read Full Post »

Royal City Rag, October 29 2008 – The Culture Vultures

The Culture Vultures, Marie and Daniel, joined us again for a spirited discussion about the Guelph Arts Scene. As usual, it was great fun.

We started the show with an excerpt of an interview by Taylor Moran with Margo Timmins, of the Cowboy Junkies, who will be performing a rare solo concert at the River Run Centre on November 6.

Margo will be backed by the all-star trio of Jeff Bird, Randall Coryell and Kevin Breit. The concert will begin with a performance by local musician Jesse Bell Smith.

The City of Music concert is being presented by The Woolwich Arrow Pub and The Borealis Grille & Bar. The ticket price of $20 balcony or $30 ground floor includes $10 in gift certificates from the sponsoring restaurants.

For tickets contact the River Run box office at (519) 763-3000 or www.riverrun.ca.

Music:
Richie Havens – What’s Going On? from The Richie Havens Collection
Cowboy Junkies – Seventeen Seconds from One Soul Now (Bonus covers album)
Apostle Of Hustle – National Anthem Of Nowhere from National Anthem Of Nowhere

The audio for this show is no longer available on the website.  If however you wish to hear it again, please contact us at info@royalcityrag.ca. Thank You.

Read Full Post »

James Gordon Live at the River Run Centre – October 24

It’s my great pleasure to promote my good friend James Gordon’s annual show at the River Run Centre.

Guelph-based James Gordon is known to many North Americans as the founder of Canada’s premier folk group Tamarack. James has become well-known for his original songs about Canada’s identity and heritage. He has toured every corner of the continent, written plays and operas, and produced many CDs for other artists. In 2003 he debuted his original folk opera Hardscrabble Road at River Run. These days James tours North America and Great Britain as a solo act or accompanied by some of Canada’s finest musicians, including Sandy Horne on bass and Marion Linton on fiddle, or with his two sons Evan and Geordie.

James will be flying solo this time although he is reporting that he’ll have a few new tricks up his sleeve. According to James you can expect “laughter, tears, ranting, stories, stunning outfits and a few songs here and there…”

Sounds intriguing?

When: Oct. 24th  at 8 p.m.
Where: The Co-operators Hall, River Run Centre Guelph
Tickets: $25.00, 23.00 for students and seniors, and $5 for EyeGO youth tickets.

Visit the River Run Box office or call 519-763-3000 for tickets or more information.

Missed James’ last appearance on Royal City Rag?

Catch it again here.

Read Full Post »

Guelph’s Own Orchestra Launches First Six-Concert Season

Launching its 8th season, and its first of six concerts, Guelph Symphony Orchestra will perform Great Romantics on Sunday October 19, 2008, at 3 p.m. at the River Run Centre, the Orchestra’s home venue. Dvorak’s sparkling 8th Symphony is the centrepiece of this concert, in which the Orchestra also highlights the stars of tomorrow with the winner of its seventh annual Under-23 Concerto Competition, pianist Ben Chapman, playing Saint-Saens’ sparkling Piano Concerto No 2. Wagner’s melodious and rich Prelude to Die Meistersinger provides a lush, romantic start to this arresting opening concert.

“This program presents rich and exciting music.” says Simon Irving, Artistic Director. “We hope we can share our passion for it with the audience, who will find it uplifting and enriching.”

The Friends of Guelph Symphony, launched in the spring of 2007, continues to expand, so far attracting 90 members. F.O.G.S. membership is $25 a year for one person or $35 a couple, and yields several benefits including an attractive lapel pin, invitation to an annual pre-concert reception, and attendance at open rehearsals. Any donation over $25 will automatically entitle the donor to  “Friends of the Guelph Symphony” membership and benefits. Friends can assist the orchestra in many ways such as volunteering and raising awareness of Guelph’s Own Orchestra. Guelph resident Catherine Downer was the winner of the annual F.O.G.S. prize draw for season tickets. F.O.G.S. brochures are available on request.

The Orchestra gratefully announces the receipt of a grant from the Musagetes Fund at the Guelph Community Foundation in support of the 2008-2009 season. Later season highlights include a repeat of Raymond Briggs’ well-loved animated feature, The Snowman, accompanied live by the orchestra, a family treat for children and grandchildren aged 3 to 103 during the Christmas season. The annual Dreams of Vienna New Years’ Concert will mark the return of Tenor and raconteur Mark Dubois. In February 2009, Popera! celebrates Guelph’s world-famous son, Edward Johnson on the 50th anniversary of his passing.

 The GSO is a semi-professional classical orchestra, based in Guelph and using primarily Guelph-area players. The ensemble consists of 35 to 50 players, depending on the repertoire requirements. Founded in 2001 with Simon Irving as its Artistic Director, it has given 47 concerts to date, covering a broad repertoire of classical music. The orchestra also provides opportunities for young emerging professional performers from the community.

For details about Guelph’s Own Orchestra and becoming a Friend, please visit www.guelphorchestra.ca. Tickets for all concerts are available at River Run Centre (519) 763-3000.

Read Full Post »

Royal City Rag, September 24 2008 – The Culture Vultures Are Back

A great show. The Culture Vultures, Marie and Daniel joined us for a good old rant about the state of funding of the arts.

Seriously though, it is worth a listen.

We also discussed the thorny issue of use of the River Run Centre which seems intent on pricing community groups like Theatre Guelph out of using it for shows like “Bull Cutten” by the fees it charges.

This seems totally crazy. As Marie pointed out “Did we really build it just for use by touring tribute band shows?”

The audio for this show is no longer available on the website.  If however you wish to hear it again, please contact us at info@royalcityrag.ca. Thank You.

Read Full Post »