Category Archives: Arts and Entertainment

Painted Piano Plays Well in Gananoque’s Town Park

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Monika Seiler plays for two young fans
Folks gather to sing around the painted piano

by Lorraine Payette, written September 3, 2013

(GANANOQUE, ONTARIO) A sprinkling of notes, an arpeggio, perhaps an embellishment here and there, and the people start drawing in. It seems that no one can resist the painted piano sitting next to the band stand in Gananoque’s Town Park.

“Just having a piano in a public space or park, as opposed to your great-aunt Mildred’s parlour, automatically extends an invite to passers-by,” said Monika Seiler, currently at the Thousand Islands Playhouse with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”. “The instrument is there. The music is encouraged. Everyone should have fun with it!” – to read more>

Return to The Canoe Club Dance with Deborah Dunleavy

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Deborah Dunleavy

Deborah Dunleavy

by Lorraine Payette, written September 4, 2013

(GANANOQUE, ONTARIO) There was a magical time in Gananoque when everyone could “Take the A Train” with Duke Ellington and enjoy “Rum and Coca-Cola” with the Andrews Sisters, going steady was serious business and the hottest evening entertainment for all the young people was a chance to go to the Canoe Club dance.

In “At The Canoe Club Dance”, Master Story Teller Deborah Dunleavy has put together a warmly nostalgic one-woman musical featuring classics by Cole Porter, George Gershwin and other great swing composers woven into heartfelt stories of just what it meant to be young and alive during this amazing time. – to read more>

Real Heroes Come Out at 3rd Annual Delta Documentary and Film Festival

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by Lorraine Payette, written August 24, 2013

(DELTA, ONTARIO) The stars were out in the daytime as the 3rd Annual Delta Documentary and Film Festival took the stage at the Delta Fairgrounds on August 23.

“I think this is a good space for kids to actually feel comfortable with their peers and it’s a safe environment where they can feel free to express themselves,” said Vicki Stevenson. “It’s really important and so well done. I don’t know how they do it. There’s a lot kids can do in this community if they’re into sports, but if you aren’t inclined that way or even if you are, and you really enjoy theatre, this is a really good thing to do. It’s a great alternative.” – to read more>

Tomson Highway’s “The (Post) Mistress” a Stellar Experience

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by Lorraine Payette, written August 18, 2013
photos by Jay Kopinski and Lorraine Payette

(GANANOQUE, ONTARIO) Gananoque’s Thousand Islands Playhouse welcomes you to Lovely, Ontario, population about 3,000. A hard working town, more of a village really, with a mine, a mill, an A&P, a post office…

And a (Post) Mistress. Do come in to see her and be absorbed into a world so complete, so fulfilling you will believe you have lived there all your life. – to read more>

Heading Out for Good Times with Latest Kevin Head CD Release

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Kevin Head LIVE!

Kevin Head LIVE!

by Lorraine Payette, written August 19, 2013

(KINGSTON, ONGTARIO) Finally! After a long, self-imposed hiatus from recording, Kingston’s Kevin Head is releasing a new CD on September 8. Entitled “Kevin Head LIVE!”, this latest musical offering is just that-and more so. – to read more>

Evening of Poetry Coming to “From Here to Infinity”

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Bruce Kauffman, featured poet

Bruce Kauffman, featured poet

by Lorraine Payette, written August 18, 2013

(BROCKVILLE, ONTARIO) There’s a real treat in store for all of Brockville as “From Here to Infinity” Gallery presents its first monthly Poetry Evening. Billed as “In To ‘Texts’”, it features poetry and prose “from all media”, and will offer readings by Michael Casteels, Deborah Dunleavy, Paul Chaput and Nel Coloma-Moya. The featured artist for the evening is Bruce Kauffman. – to read more>

The (Post) Mistress Delivers Great Stories with Humour and Heart

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by Lorraine Payette, written August 15, 2013

(GANANOQUE, ONTARIO) Marie-Louise Faucon isn’t your usual run of the mill postal employee. In Lovely, Ontario, in 1968, she has developed a rare and wonderful gift. Just by holding the letters in her care up to her heart, smelling their perfume and letting their very essence overtake her, she knows everything there is to know about the people who write them and those for whom they are intended. And she is more than willing to share her amazing insights with all of us if we will but sit and listen. After all, she is “The (Post) Mistress”, and the play by Tomson Highway will be opening at the Firehall Theatre in Gananoque on August 16. – to read more>

APCMA Winner David Maracle Brings Music of the Spirit to Aboriginal Adventures

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by Lorraine Payette, written August 10, 2013

(GANANOQUE, ONTARIO) The air begins to settle as onlookers shift to find a more comfortable position in chairs or on benches. Some close their eyes. And then the magic unfolds, and they become transformed.

Against the sounds of nature herself, a low music begins to rise, weaving itself into the space around them, building in intensity until it mingles with the very soul and takes flight, bearing the listener into strange new worlds of beauty and understanding never experienced before. – to read more>

Second Gospel Brunch Set for Hot Roast Company on Sunday

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Sheila Rosalie and Friends serve up gospel music at the Hot Roast Co.

Sheila Rosalie and Friends serve up gospel music at the Hot Roast Co.

by Lorraine Payette, written August 10, 2013

(GANANOQUE, ONTARIO) Good times, gospel music and a delicious Sunday brunch – what better combination you could there be. The Hot Roast Company at 198 King Street East is holding their second Gospel Sunday Brunch on Sunday, August 11 from noon until 3:00 p.m.

Hosted by Sheila Rosalie, it features live music by Sheila Rosalie and friends, and will include music by Ellis Wolfreys. Musicians from throughout the local area are expected to attend. – to read more>

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee a Winner for TI Playhouse

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photos by Mark Bergin
written by Lorraine Payette on August 6, 2013

“Mr. Kilmer, the word is ‘catterjunes’”

“What is the definition, please?”

“That definition is unknown.”

“Could you use it in a sentence, please?”

“It exists in the oral tradition, seems to be an old Nantucket whaling term…

“The neap tide is upon us. The Leviathan nears. Catterjunes.”

And young Mr. Kilmer spelled the word correctly…

– from “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”, August 3

(GANANOQUE, ONTARIO) Ashlie Corcoran must be drunk on joy by now – she has rolled out another mammoth hit with the Thousand Islands Playhouse production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. It seems that Corcoran has got the Midas touch and is striking gold once again, and the audience couldn’t praise it highly enough. – to read more>