Gather up the kids and head to the Confederation Centre Gallery on the last Sunday of the month from 2-3:30 p.m. for our FREE Family Sundays happening until April 30.
Everyone is welcome!
Monthly Archives: April 2017
Illustrators Gather at the Guild
From April 28th to May 20th, Reading Town PEI will present an exhibition of original artwork by Island illustrators.
Prince Edward Island has an abundance of talented illustrators. Although their artwork reproductions are key to the success and the fun found in many books, illustrators don’t often have a chance to present original artwork.
This exhibition at The Guild provides the opportunity for Island Illustrators / Artists to showcase their original and published artworks. The exhibition will be a presentation of 2D artworks as well as sculptures and a reading nook to explore an Island illustrated library.
There will be an opening networking reception, supported by The Bookmark, in the gallery on April 29th from 8:00 – 9:30pm. The showcase continues through May 20th.
Voices On Tour
The Confederation Centre Youth Chorus in Rome, Italy.
Waking Up to Bedtime Stories
From the popular and talented community theatre troupe who brought us Calendar Girls, Whose Wives Are They, Anyway?, and most recently, Lights, Camera, Island!
Bedtime Stories is a zany comedy that brings together six funny and touching tales presented as loosely related vignettes, featuring playwright Norm Foster’s signature comedic debacles laced with mild sexual innuendo.
These “bedtime stories” won’t put you to sleep – you’ll be laughing too hard! A cavalcade of characters with their stories linked by a late night radio contest, a rock and roll concert, a taxi and, of course, a bed. The giggles begin with the opening vignette where Eddie the DJ coaches a middle-aged couple, to “make whoopie” on live radio for $5000, followed by to two old high school friends poignantly reconnecting at the death bed of one, and an odd-couple-style break-and-enter duo who fumble their way through a hilarious burglary attempt.
Then on to shock rocker Tommy Quick who, despite being well past his prime, has to fend off one very adoring fan. Next, an eager yet clumsy exotic dancer is about to hear some unfortunate news from her boss. The final laugh features a pair of funny movers, a directionally-challenged cab driver, and a couple who might be able to repair the hurts of their past.
Bedtime Stories is at the Harbourfront Theatre.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Friday, May 12, 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 13, 7:30 pm
Sunday, May 14, 2:00 pm (special Mother’s Day matinee!)
Friday, May 19, 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 20, 7:30 pm
All Seats $18.50, fees included.
Let’s Dance, eh?!
dance umbrella’s 28th season will draw to a dramatic finale on Saturday, May 6 with the annual end-of-year showcases performed at Confederation Centre of the Arts at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Being the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, the challenge put out to the dance instructors this year was to have every piece reflect something Canadian, be it a Canadian composer, musician, our elemental existence, or who we are as a people.
“The annual performance is always the highlight of the year for students and teachers alike,” remarks Peggy Reddin, director of Arts Education at the Centre. “This year’s instructors cover five decades in age some were raised on the Island, others from across our nation, and some from other countries, so our experiences of ‘what is Canada’ are fairly broad.”
Reddin continues, “You will see everything from a Tragically Hip tribute, to ‘Waltz of the Snowflakes’ to ‘John. A.’s Dream,’ and lots in between. So as to not to take ourselves too seriously, the show is entitled “Let’s Dance, eh?!”
The matinee performance will showcase the junior and elementary classes, as well as selected works choreographed by the students. The evening show will feature the intermediate and senior students, including the musical theatre students displaying their talents.
“Let’s Dance, eh?!” is one of the final presentations of the 2016-17 Sobeys LIVE @ the Centre season. Media sponsors are The Guardian, Hot 105.5 and Ocean 100. dance umbrella is long-standing pillar of arts education at Confederation Centre, having merged with the Centre’s programming in 2006.
Tickets are $11 for the matinee, $13 for the evening or a package price of $18 for both performances. Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 1-800-565-0278, or online at confederation.com.
Oh What a Night!
“Oh What A Night!” is an exciting, fast-paced musical tribute to the legendary Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons coming direct from Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world! Now after six successful years the show continues to be one of the most in-demand musical productions worldwide.
The show is an in-depth musical revue, bringing to life thirty of the Four Seasons’ hits. It’s a captivating tribute to the songbook of this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame super group with note-perfect renditions of the iconic “Jersey boys”!
“Oh What A Night” features 4 talented performers singing live that “feel good” music you grew up with that made the name Frankie Valli known around the globe. Songs like “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Sherry” “Working My Way Back To You Girl” “My Eyes Adored You”, and “Walk Like A Man” will take you back to an incredible musical era of the past in a high energy, must-see theatrical show.
George Solomon, the show’s creative consultant notes that “Oh What A Night!” is not a carbon copy of The Jersey Boys. “The Jersey Boys is a great biography, but we are playing ourselves in the show,” he said of himself and his fellow performers. “Everybody loves these songs. The melodies and harmonies are great to sing and the songs are always a special memory for somebody.”
Staying true to the original recordings, this tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons honours the talent of an American legend. Don’t miss this incredible musical experience, live in person.
“Oh What A Night is at the Harbourfront Theatre Saturday May 6th at 7 PM.
Join the Cast of Volunteers at the Centre
Our volunteers play a vital role in providing our visitors with warm and friendly hospitality at its best during their visit to Confederation Centre of the Arts. The goal of the volunteers is to enhance the experience of our visitors.
What volunteers do:
· Greeting guests arriving through the doors of the Cofederation Centre
· Providing island hospitality at its best by giving accurate and helpful information
· Promoting all services and facilities of the Confederation Centre
· Assists other departments with office tasks as required
· During The Young Company performance – distribute programs, pins and Canadian flags
· Provide the role of greeter prior to start of performances
· Helps with dress up booth in lobby pre-show
Requirements: Must be friendly, outgoing, customer focused individual with a positive attitude who wants to be part of the Guest Services team of Volunteers.
Hours: Volunteers are needed Monday-Saturday. Hours are flexible. Various shifts available.
Examples:
11am -1:30 (during Young Company Performance and Confederations Players Vignette at Province House
6:30 pm – 7:30 Pm Main entrance at Confederation Centre prior to performances to welcome guests and or facilitate the dress up area in lobby pre show.
Cruise ship days (shifts are flexible).
Application Process: Anyone interested in being part of our cast of volunteers please contact Joy Gallant, Manager of Guest Services at jgallant@confederatoncentre.com or call 628-6118. Deadline May 16, 2017.
Volunteer hours are eligible for Canada Bursary program for grade 11 and 12 students.
Lund Lands Next Month
With nine studio albums under his belt and multiple CCMA, Juno, and Industry award wins, Corb Lund’s three decade long music career is a force to be reckoned with. His seventh album, “Cabin Fever” (2012) debuted at #1 on the Billboard Canadian Charts. Three of his albums have been certified GOLD, while his latest release, “Things That Can’t be Undone” (2015), cemented his status as one of the top country storytellers, and placed him on Rolling Stone’s “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know.” The record received rave reviews from all parts of the globe.
“Finds Lund flirting in fresh sonic waters, while still keeping his sardonic mix of eerie lyrics and deceptively joyful vamps well intact.” – Rolling Stone Country
“The album is a high mark of a long career.” – NPR
“Melodically engaging and narratively compelling, Things That Can’t Be Undone furthers the case for Corb Lund as one of the best contemporary country songwriters.” – Popmatters
The Native Albertan has no plans of slowing down any time soon. Aside from the many summer festival appearances planned for his band, Corb will embark on his first SOLO tour in his home country starting April 30th and running until May 20th covering most of the Maritimes and Newfoundland & Labrador. This follows late ’16 successful USA shows in New York, Washington, LA and San Francisco among others.
Corb Lund is at the Harbourfront Theatre on Friday May 5th at 7:30 PM.
Harbourfront Theatre acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island and the City of Summerside.
In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Atlantic Presenters Association (APA), in partnership with RADARTS (Réseau atlantique de diffusion des arts de la scène), is presenting the “Canada 150 Performance Series,” which will tour through Atlantic Canada in 2017. This series will feature multi-disciplinary artists from the six Canadian Regions (Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies, British Columbia and the North) who celebrate Canada and being Canadian. Harbourfront Theatre is proud to be participating in this series.
Not Quite Sherlock
London, 1896. Barnaby Gibbs is an incurable optimist, a Sherlock Holmes fan, and a man who knows he’s not particularly good at anything. One night, while checking on a friend’s empty house, he encounters a stranger, dressed entirely in black, holding a bag full of stolen belongings and attempting to write a poem about sapphires.
There is only one conclusion a reasonable man could come to: this is the notorious cat burglar/con-man known as the Rhyming Bandit! Fortunately, Barnaby Gibbs is not a reasonable man, and when the stranger explains he is actually the famous detective Antoine Feval, a new crime-fighting duo is born.
Not Quite Sherlock is a one-man comedy play about Victorian London’s most overlooked detective. But that’s not all. It’s also a ridiculous comedy about an ex-street-performing comedian attempting to do a one-man comedy play about Victorian London’s most overlooked detective. With wit, charm, timing, and almost no respect for the rules of theatre, Chris Gibbs creates a simple, hilarious theatrical experience unlike any other.
“Clueless, guileless and absolutely priceless.” – Edmonton Journal
“Gibbs’s performance is near flawless. His martini-dry wit is characteristically sharp, and his comic timing is beautiful.” – CBC
“A masterpiece that manages to be both ridiculous and intelligent…” – Vancouver Sun
Sherlock and Chris Gibbs are at the Victoria Playhouse September 13 – 17th.
It’s a Wrap
It’s closing time for many colleges this month, and students with Holland College and Confederation Centre’s shared School of Performing Arts (SoPA) programs are gearing up for their final assignment.
On Friday and Saturday April 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m., the Florence Simmons Performance Hall will host the theatre and dance students for a memorable two night showcase entitled It’s a Wrap!
This has been a busy year for the SoPA Dance and Theatre Performance programs. Guest artists conducted workshops for film and dance, master classes for the story-telling aspects of song performance, and a Theatre-for-Young-Audiences tour, which reached 17 schools across the Island in early winter.
For the 16 graduating students, this is the culmination of two years of focused study, developing their performance skills and learning about who they are and what stories they have to tell. For the returning students, it represents the passing of the torch, as they prepare to step into the challenges of second year.
The closing showcase will feature the results of these endeavours as well as student works generated in their dance composition class; solo, ensemble, and choral music selections; as well as monologues and scenes.
Tickets are $15 and available at the Florence Simmons box office or through Ticketpro Atlantic. For more information, please contact Sarah Denman-Wood, performingarts@confederationcentre.com.
Theatre PEI 