The Art of Documentary Photography with Anna Karpinski
November 3, 2016 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
The course at The Guild will explore the work and techniques of master photographers such as Diane Arbus, William Klein, Larry Towell, Josef Koudelka and Eve Arnold. Students will apply the skills learned from the masters to develop their own body of work for a class exhibition.
All camera formats welcome! For information and registration please email Anna Karpinski at aniavdomu@yahoo.ca
Confederation Centre of the Arts has announced a dazzling lineup for next summer’s Charlottetown Festival, presented by CIBC. The 2017 Festival will run June 3 to September 24 and include the 53rd season of the international sensation Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™; the iconic rock ’n’ roll mega-concert Million Dollar Quartet; the return of two beloved Festival-spawned musicals, Bittergirl and Glenda’s Kitchen; and a new Young Company production that will tour the country.
Million Dollar Quartet is a hit musical inspired by the true story of the famed 1956 recording session in which producer Sam Phillips brought together the “godfathers of rock ‘n’ roll” – Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley – for one unforgettable jam session. Set in a Memphis studio, this story-and-song musical brings to light an extraordinary tale of broken promises, secrets, and a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of four friends that is both poignant and heartwarming. Featured are such hallmark hits as Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Fever, Great Balls Of Fire, Walk The Line, Folsom Prison Blues, and many more.
Presented in rep with Quartet is the Island festival’s crown jewel, Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™. For the first time, the internationally acclaimed musical will be directed by Artistic Director Adam Brazier, leading a company of 23 amazing triple threats from across the nation. Having delighted more than 2.5 million people over 3,200 times at the Centre, Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ remains the quintessential Canadian musical, and Brazier is thrilled to put his creative stamp on the iconic piece.
“2017 is a year to celebrate Canada and being Canadian, and this storied musical rests at the very heart of our national identity,” says Brazier. “Searching for love and belonging in a time of strife and strain, Anne represents all Canadians coming to this country, or those searching for light every day in their own trials.”A Misfortune
He continues, “Million Dollar Quartet is an electrifying true story perfectly built for our Homburg Theatre and our Island audience. Presley, Cash, Lewis, and Perkins — this is one unbelievable studio session that changed rock’n’roll forever.”
Back at The Mack is the howlingly funny cabaret show on getting over getting dumped — Bittergirl: The Musical. This Canadian-made comedy virtually sold out its entire run when first premiering at the Festival in 2015. Having now played Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre and headed for Winnipeg and a tour of British Columbia, it will return in 2017 with new songs and scenes, and the same great soundtrack of doo-wop favourites, including I’m Gonna Make You Love Me, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I Will Survive, and Too Many Fish In The Sea.
Also playing The Mack, will be the world premiere of a new Canadian musical, A Misfortune. The story follows a young lawyer and a married woman in pre-revolutionary Russia on a walk through the woods; their friendship has reached an impasse. Soon they gather with three friends for a night in the country, discussing the inanity of their lives over an evening drink—and with each drink, more sordid secrets are revealed. Adapted from a short story by Anton Chekhov, one of the world’s most celebrated and enduring writers, A Misfortune is a romantic, bittersweet musical about small moments and momentous decisions.
Returning to the intimate Studio 1 theatre is Glenda’s Kitchen offering curious patrons a taste of the Island, literally and culturally! Festival icon, Glenda Landry and The Charlottetown Festival Orchestra lead this charming musical, exploring the many bounties of P.E.I.’s people, deep-seated traditions, and world-famous food. This afternoon cabaret is a must-see for Islanders and travelers alike and will feature new tunes and tales from Glenda and cast.
The Centre has already announced a new national touring production for the Young Company — Dream Catcher. With support from the Canada 150 Fund, the Centre will engage youth from across the country to create a new musical inspired by their dreams for Canada’s future. Around 20 young professional artists, who reflect the country’s cultural diversity, will be cast in two Young Companies – one touring and one on P.E.I., supported by TD. Participants will meet with Indigenous artists who will speak to them about the symbolic importance of dreamcatchers in their cultures. Small dreamcatchers will be created and integrated into an immense visual that will be on display outdoors at the Centre in 2017.
“We are thrilled for the 2017 Young Company to hit the national stage to celebrate the dreams of our nation’s founders, those of our youth, and those of the Indigenous Peoples in Canada, with a Canada-wide tour and original musical theatre project,” says Jessie Inman, CEO.
“Continuing our long history of national touring, Dream Catcher will seize the momentum of Canada’s sesquicentennial and engage young people from every province and territory, channeling their bold hopes and dreams for our nation’s future.”
In honour of Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s 175th birthday, Confederation Centre of the Arts is launching an original theatre production, The Laurier Project, which opens tonight in Charlottetown, the first performance in a national tour.
Presented in partnership with Theatre New Brunswick, this new show is an inspirational blend of movement and sound and an exploration of Laurier’s words, ideas, and passion for Canada told by a multicultural cast of Canadian performers. This CN-sponsored production is set to music composed by violinist Deanna Choi, and choreographed by Kerry Gage, highlights the transformative words of Laurier in a bold new way.
“Sir Wilfrid Laurier was a great statesman who led Canada through its most formative years,” says Sean Finn, CN Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services, and Chief Legal Officer. “He was a leader ahead of his time. He saw the railway as instrumental in tying the country together and as the key to building strong communities. CN is excited to sponsor The Laurier Project as it represents the first step in Canada’s 150th anniversary celebrations, exploring the nation’s shared history and our bold future ahead.”
Sir Wilfrid Laurier was Canada’s seventh prime minister and the country’s first francophone prime minister. A champion of the Quebec-Canada partnership, he served in the House of Commons for 45 years and is the longest serving leader of a major political party
The Laurier Project cast is made up of five Canadians from diverse backgrounds and Laurier’s vision for an inclusive country resonates: “His fairness and willingness to embrace all people stands out,” states one company member. The cast includes Byron Abalos, Christy Adamson, Emily Barker, Devon Michael Brown, and Ayesha Mansur Gonsalves.
The new production is directed and created by Thomas Morgan Jones, with set and costume design by Snezana Pesic, lighting design by Kaileigh Krysztofiak, and stage management from Crystal MacDonell. Accomplished Canadian author and political speechwriter, Arthur Milnes served as historical consultant.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with CN to present this exciting, original theatre piece celebrating the legacy of Sir Wilfrid Laurier,” says Jessie Inman, CEO, Confederation Centre. “Through CN’s support of this heritage initiative and others, such as our Confederation Players Program, we are together able to commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary and ongoing evolution as a nation.”
The Laurier Project tour kicks off in Charlottetown tonight before being presented in six Canadian cities, concluding November 18 in Edmonton.
The Laurier Project invites Canadians from across the country to follow the discussion at lauriertour.ca and to share their thoughts on what Laurier and Canada’s cultural identity means to them on social media using the hashtag #lauriertour2016.
Hailed as Canada’s first lady of country music, Carroll Baker is a five-time recipient of the Juno Award for Country Female Vocalist of the Year, she had her own series on CBC television in the summer of 1983 and frequently appeared on The Tommy Hunter Show. She was also the first Canadian entertainer ever to do a TV special from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry.
From October 1970 through August 1982, Ms. Baker was on the country hit charts for a total of 528 weeks. 31 consecutive singles reached the charts, 20 of them reaching Top 10, with 14 of those hitting #1, including 12 consecutive #1 hits. No one in Canadian country music has been able to top that remarkable record.
Don’t miss “A Special Evening with Carroll Baker”, where you’re sure to hear favourite hits like Ten Little Fingers, Why Me Lord, One Night of Cheatin’, and I’ve Never Been This Far Before.
Carroll Baker is at the Harbourfront Theatre Friday, October 28th, at 7 PM.
East Coast favourite son, J.P. Cormier is a man of few words, so when he doles out praise, people listen. When asked what he thought of rising-star instrumentalist and fellow Maritimer, Ryan LeBlanc recently Cormier stated, “He’s the best I’ve seen in the last 20 years.”
The pride of St. Andrews, New Brunswick, LeBlanc’s guitar and banjo music fuses elements of jazz, blues, and world influences to create a driving, rhythmic, highly melodic brand of acoustic music that can stimulate and calm you at the same time. His highly original material has many colours, textures, and moods, and each piece has a distinct personality and character of its own.
Presented as part of Sobeys LIVE @ the Centre, LeBlanc’s performance will be staged in the stunning surroundings of the Confederation Centre Art Gallery on October 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are just $15 for the rare opportunity to be carried by a rising star within the breath-taking surroundings of the Island’s premium art gallery.
LeBlanc has earned ECMA and Music New Brunswick awards in recent years, and emerged as a must-see performer regionally, nationally, and internationally. Whether in an intimate house concert setting, in front of hundreds in a European theatre, or thousands at the Montreal Jazz Festival, enraptured audiences everywhere have been clamouring to see what exactly it is LeBlanc does with his guitar or banjo, and wrap their minds around his unique form and style; you truly have to see it to believe it!
This October the Guild will be host to a unique group show showcasing the diverse artistic talent of teachers and staff from the Public Schools Branch on PEI. This group includes several artists who’s work has been shown all over the world and has won significant international art prizes.
A variety of styles and mediums including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, and mixed media will be on display. The opening for ‘Inspire’ will take place Wednesday, October 26th at 7pm with light refreshments.
The exhibition runs from Oct 26th – Nov 5th.
Theatre PEI 