My top 5 moments, so far

While the Celebration is far from over, I wanted to share with you my 5 top moments, so far.   I have attended nearly all the events and thoroughly enjoyed this year’s celebration. I have been involved since March, when Sweet World Media was hired to do the promotions this year and we have been on a countdown since then! It’s been so exciting to see everything come together so nicely. ~kirsty

1)  Seeing Wynn Walter’s stone, before he started work on it. I was trying guess what it would become as I stood in the morning sunshine.

Picture by Sweet World Media

2) Listening to Rita Jackson accompany Anthony Holt at the Lunch time concert. Listening to their rendition of pieces from Phantom of the Opera sent shivers down my spine.  Amazing!

3) Our opening ceremony. It was wonderful to receive the support of the Uxbridge council and the happiness and excitement of what’s about to happen shows on all of the artists faces!

Picture by Stuart Blower Photography

4) The Uxbridge Studio Tour was so much fun!  Kids were welcomed, making it a great family event to appreciate our fine artists.

Picture by Sweet World Media

5) I think I will wait until the Celebration is over to decide!! There is still so much to do in the next week!!!

Sculpture Exposé

Over the last 2 years, a group of dedicated and talented artists have given their time to create large pieces of art by taking trees that the Uxbridge Township had removed.  The township offered the chance to take the wood and restore the beauty in it in an another way – sculptures. You can actually see a number of them around the Uxbridge town.

Again this year, we will have the opportunity to watch Wynn Walters, Fly Freeman and Francis Muscat as they use a different media to create a sculpture or sculptures – and rumour has it they may be using stone (shhhhhh).

They will be using the Centennial Park as their “studio” so that everyone can stop by and see how they go through the process of creating this art.  They are also encouraging you to stop by to learn how they use the tools and techniques of the trade and they also encourage that whole school groups come by to have a very interactive and educational experience.

The most exciting part of this year’s Sculpture Expose, is that the finished product will be the first installations along the new First Leaside Sculpture Trail that will run just beside the new First Leaside Building on the South Balsam Trail.  What a wonderful way to marry artists vision and beauty along with natures beauty.

Where – Uxbridge Centennial Park, Centennial Park Drive near Uxbridge Township Offices
When and Time: September 26 – October 7 from 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday
Cost – FREE

What a hoot!

What a hoot! The 110^th Anniversary of the “new” Music hall was a whole load of fun – with divas, arguing politicians, the ‘town band’ and a community choir all celebrating (or berating) the arrival of the “Phoenix from the ashes” (the old hall had burned down 8 years earlier). From a backstage standpoint lots of buzz about our period costumes and various hairstyles, especially facial! Great to see, and hear, the audience caught up in the proceedings, from the shouts of ‘Bravo’ and ‘Encore’, to the boos and heckling aimed at less-popular characters. Also great to see many of the paying customers getting into the spirit of the occasion by turning up in costume, with a prize for the best. Plus a prize draw  sponsored by the Region of Durham, always popular. Lots of buzz afterwards too, with general agreement as to the many fine individual performances, and that the 9 year-old violin-playing “mayor” stole the show (much to the chagrin of certain divas!). Congrats to Conrad Boyce especially for putting the whole show together and let’s not forget Marta Gill for the bizarre, but totally authentic, canvas backdrop!

Uxbridge Then & Now Youth Photography Exhibit

Two local and very talented photographers, Stuart Blower and Marni Grossman, not only felt that the youth of the town needed an opportunity to discover the joys and character building of the art in photography, BUT they did something about it.  They created an event that would give them this opportunity to learn.

By completing an essay to explain why they should be chosen for this select group of “newbies”, each participant had to convince Stuart and Marni that they had the vision and passion to be part of this group.  After being selected, the group of 6 between the ages of 12 – 21, are being given various assignments and attending workshops to understand about the camera, angles, light, lenses, filters, models, landscapes, portraits, visions and developing, and then putting it all into practice.

The most exciting thing is that we will all be able to see the end result of all of that mentoring and learning, by seeing the photos that they have selected to share with us.  They will be revealed during the opening of the Juried Art Show at the Uxbridge Township Offices on Tuesday, September 20th, and can been seen during the full run of the show.  We are so lucky to see the growth of these budding artists – and have to thank Stuart and Marni for the time and mentoring that they gave.

Where – Uxbridge Town Hall, 51 Toronto St. S.
When and Time: Tuesday, September 20th at 7:30pm  and then continues from Wednesday, September 21 to Sunday, September 25, 2011
Cost – FREE

Children’s Art Show

What about the future artists in Uxbridge?  Where do you find them?  Where else – at the schools?  Along with the Juried Art Show, and at the same location, Uxbridge Municipal Offices, is a display of the best of Children’s Art collected through the local elementary schools at the end of June. This is a well-oiled machine of an event, with the organizers contacting the schools and getting the commitment and cooperation of the teachers and principals in April.  They introduce different art forms, encourage creation of joy, anger, passion, frustration, confusion, imagination; and schedule opportunities for these students to CREATE. Each school will choose 8 pieces of art to be shown during the show.

Again, with this selection of pieces, they are judged and exhibited for the full appreciation of you!!!  Come and see the artists of the future – as their creative buds are blooming.
There is a an opening reception for all of the proud family and friends to come on Tuesday, September 20th at 6:30 and then the art will be on display from Wednesday 21st to Saturday 24th from 10am – 6pm and then on Sunday 25th ending at 2pm.

Where – Uxbridge Town Hall, 51 Toronto St. S.
When and Time: Tuesday, September 20th at 6:30pm  and then continues from Wednesday, September 21 to Sunday, September 25, 2011
Cost – FREE

Juried Art Show Uxhibition 11

What a lovely opportunity to see the best of the best of a community of artists, and in a very relaxed and welcoming setting of the Council Chambers of the Uxbridge Township offices.  AND if you want it to be not so relaxed and buzzing with excitement – then come to the opening of the Juried Art Show on Tuesday night, September 20 at 7:30 at the Township Offices.  There will be other art lovers there, and you can compare notes, argue decisions and appreciate the talent in the community.

Over the course of 3 months, open invitations were extended to artists that live locally, and within the circle of  Uxbridge Township.  All of the submissions then are gathered, reviewed, discussed, looked at, reviewed again by two professional artists/judges.  They then reveal a small selection of pieces to be shown in the Art Show, to be enjoyed over a 5-day period.  Then the pieces are further scrutinized, and awarded prizes over all of the art.  Sound confusing?? Well, come out to see for yourself, either leisurely on your own from September 21 – 25 from 10 am – 6pm OR come out to the party on Tuesday night and passionately argue your choice for Best in Show.

Where – Uxbridge Town Hall, 51 Toronto St. S.
When and Time: Tuesday, September 20th at 7:30pm  and then continues from Wednesday, September 21 to Sunday, September 25, 2011
Cost – FREE

Dishlicious

Absolutely the most satisfying – and I mean by hunger – event in the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts lineup is the new Dishlicious.  We are thrilled that Lisa Hutchinson and The Passionate Chef have agreed to put together an opportunity for you to taste the delectable morsels that are created by our local skilled chefs.  For the afternoon on this Saturday, you will be able to visit local restaurants – Frankie’s Ristorante and others (just look for the sign in their window) for a fixed price menu of appetizer, main and dessert during the afternoon.  Each of the restaurants are using local farm fresh ingredients to create their wonderful gourmet dishes.

You can also visit Lisa Hutchinson, owner of The Passionate Cook’s Essentials and Chef Jeremy Buckingham at The Passionate Cook’s Essentials, as they perform free cooking demonstrations, offer samples and give you recipes to take home.  YUMMMM this is a perfect way to taste art.

As you are enjoying the other events offered on this day – remember that you need the energy and sustenance to be energetic – and that means EATING

Where: The Passionate Cook’s Essentials 68 Brock St. W, Uxbridge PLUS various Uxbridge Restaurants.
When: Saturday September 24 from 11:30am – 2pm for demonstrations and lunchtime for restaurants.
Cost: various

Shorts for Shorties

We cannot forget those young people, or the young at heart people, in our community; and Cathy Christoff and the Roxy Theatre never does.  Actually, one of our long standing executives on the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts committee, and I won’t name you in this blog Lynne G, says that she attends this every year, because she so enjoys finding her “inner kid” again watching these Shorts for Shorties.  the program will be the NEWEST films premiered at the recent 2011 June Short Film Festival held in Toronto, hosted by the World Wide Short Film Festival.

You will find this a family event to enjoy, laughing and enjoying the same great experience as your kids.  Come on over at 9am and there will be coffee and baking goods to purchase in support of the Uxbridge Youth Center.  You can also buy – and it must be a law written somewhere – Roxy Theatre’s famous popcorn and other concession goodies.  If you need to decorate a room or two – how about purchasing one of many posters for sale to help with the ongoing volunteer efforts for the Roxy Kids in Action.

You truly do not want to miss this as the seats fill up quickly.

Where: Roxy Theatres on Brock St., Uxbridge
When: Saturday September 24th, 2011
Time: doors open at 9am
Cost: $4.00 and I would suggest you buy ahead at either the Roxy box office or Presents Presents

Uxbridge Bands Together

I can’t tell you how very very excited I am about this event and here is the scoop!

Take 4 local and truly very skilled bands, book them and bring them all together in one night, allow them a stage to perform their original music or doing cover songs, and allow their energy and excitement in their music to move your feet or hands or bodies – whatever moves.

That is Uxbridge Bands Together.

We are so thrilled to have the opportunity to hear the following:

• Air Marshal Landing
• Heavy Traffic
• Juice
• Waking Aspen

Walking Aspen is a duo hailing from Uxbridge/Goodwood and they have evolved over 6 years of working together into an original sound of folky rock with some experimental sounds.  Talk about unique and original! Juice has been performing for over a 18 months together and combines the roots of R and B, Jazz, Rock with modern Hip Hop groves – mix them up and you come up with a eclectic energy-fueled sound.

This night will truly appeal to everyone from teens to the most experienced people (in other words, old!).   Remember the downstairs of the Uxbridge Music Hall will be for the dancing, jumping and hand raising, while the upstairs for those that are more watchers.

Where: Uxbridge Music Hall, 106 Main St. Uxbridge
When: Friday, September 23rd, 2011
Time: 7:30 pm
Cost:  $10. Nuy tickets online at http://www.celebrationofthearts.ca/buy-tickets/ or at the door the night of

110 Anniversary of the Music Hall

The Uxbridge Music Hall is celebrating its 110 anniversary and there needed to be a party.  At the same time, The Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts is inviting you to its own big and crazy days of parties, so it seemed natural to join forces and have a joint party.

The fabulous thing about this event is that, unlike the NEW events that we are introducing this year, this is going to be very, very old.  What you will be part of is a re-creation of the very first event that was ever held at the Uxbridge Music Hall.  Local musicians and actors will be recreating, as close as possible, the full program – including a rant and rave from a local politician; mass choirs singing; orchestra playing selections from Rossini and more; soloists singing hits from the era; artistic recitations and meet the town councilors and MPs of the times.

You really don’t want to miss this event – and come in period costume so that you can enter to win prizes.Cheering and heckling encouraged!

Where: Uxbridge Music Hall, 16 Main St S. Uxbridge
When: Saturday, September 17, 2011
Time: 8pm
Cost: $15.00.  Can be purchased at the door, at Blue Heron Books or La Petite Fleur
OR online at http://www.celebrationofthearts.ca/buy-tickets/