Arts Scene

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

welliott@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Fresh success

Organizer and musician Andy Flinn says the first AMP Festival went very well. “Theatre and printing fees are covered and all participants will receive a share of the ticket money to cover part of their expenses. “On a personal level, I was truly overwhelmed at the outpouring of support, love and creativity this weekend. Many new friends were made, notes compared and hugs exchanged,” Flinn said.

Music was played at various parties until the wee hours, Friday through Monday. Plans were made to rejoin in places as far as the Toronto Jazz Festival, he said.

The “local Wolfville music scene has, once again, convinced folks from afar that we are, indeed, the world capital of real music.”

Special concert

On Sunday, May 24 at 7 p.m., Mayann Francis, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, will attend The Lieutenant Governor's Concert Series at St. John’s Church in Port Williams.

It will feature the Horton High String Ensemble, directed by Dr. Christopher Both, and the Acadia Guitar Quartet, directed by Eugene Cormier.

Reception will follow in the Parish Hall. St. John's Anglican Church is located at the corner of Church St and Hwy. 358, Port Williams.

At the Whittle

Fundy Films screens The Secret of the Grain May 24. In a French port, Slimane, an older Tunisian immigrant, drags himself to a shipyard job that becomes more difficult each year. A divorced father who stays close to his family despite the difficulties, Slimane longs for his own restaurant, a dream that comes to symbolize the means to a better life.

It plays Sunday, May 24, 4 and 7 p.m. at the Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville.

Then Fundy Films screens Throw Down Your Heart May 27. Béla Fleck, a virtuoso ambassador for the banjo, goes on a heartfelt personal and cultural mission to Africa. While most think of the banjo as quintessentially American, Fleck journeys through Uganda, Tanzania, the Gambia and Mali to uncover the roots of the instrument, revealing the true origins of the sound while meeting with remarkable African musicians along the way.

See it Wednesday, May 27, 7 p.m. at the Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville.

Tickets for all films are $8 available 30 minutes before screening. Visit www.fundyfilm.ca or call 542-5157.

For Beatles fans

On Saturday, May 23, musicians from both ends of the province will explore the songs of Lennon and McCartney in a concert called Beatles and Beyond.

This Willpower Theatre concert is slated for the Al Whittle Theatre in Wolfville, 8 p.m.

Try-out soon

The Annapolis Valley Honour Choir is now accepting audition applications for the 2009-2010 season. Auditions are open to Annapolis Valley students going into Grades 7 to 12 in September 2009.

Auditions will be held from 5-6 p.m. Monday, June 1 at Middleton High School and between 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4 at New Minas Elementary.

Application deadline is Friday, May 15. For more information or audition application forms, phone 847-4444 or 679-0510.

Benefit concert

A special benefit concert is planned to assist Acadia University music therapy student Solveig Spielman travel to Kazakhstan.

The concert is set for the Wolfville Baptist Church May 22 at 7 p.m. Featured performers will be: Jean-Marc Giffin, Paul Lauzon, Kristen Corey, Danielle Ingham, Donna Rhodenizer and Andy Duinker.

Admission is by freewill donation.

From CentreStage

There are still a few tickets left for CentreStage and Paddy’s Pub Kentville’s cabaret, The Story of the Jukebox.

The show plays May 24. Phone Paddy’s at 678-3199 to book tickets.

Kitchen Witches plays Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. until May 23. Performances have been sold out; book by calling 678-8040.

Register now for a stage management workshop June 13 with Halifax’s Geoff Ball. The cost is $20. E-mail Mindy at mindy_vinqvist@hotmail.com.

Large and Small

The Acadia University Art Gallery presents an exhibition from the members of Visual Arts Nova Scotia Annapolis East.

The exhibition will be on view to July 4. There will be a curator’s talk with Ulrike Walker June 17 at 2 p.m.

Spring meltdown

May 23, it’s a Heavy Metal Spring Fling at West Side Charlie’s in New Minas, featuring A Call for Submission, Big Game Hunt and Subspecies.

The doors open at 9 p.m.; admission is $4.

Birthday bash

On May 29, K-Rock and Smokin' Entertainment host a birthday bash in Kentville’s Memorial Park, featuring Dirty Deeds (Canada's #1 AC/DC tribute), Dressed 2 Kill (Kiss tribute) and A Call for Submission.

The gate opens at 6 p.m., with free admission and a fireworks show to end the evening.

Mitchell makes Valley show

On May 29, Canadian rocker Kim Mitchell and guests Alice Stops Time will be on stage at Boston Pizza, New Minas.

Doors open at 9 p.m., with early bird tickets at Boston Pizza for $15. Tickets at the door are $25.

Cook plays country

On May 30, Ryan Cook and Sunny Acres (an ECMA-nominated country artist) play West Side Charlie’s, New Minas.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for this early evening show and admission is $4 at the door.

Blossom battle

On May 30, it’s “The Big Blossom Battle” - the largest battle of the bands the Valley has ever seen - at Boston Pizza in New Minas.

The doors open at 6:30 p.m., with admission $5 for all 10 bands on the bill.

Sounds of Alice Stops Time

On June 5, Alice Stops Time hosts a CD release concert at the Berwick town hall.

This five-piece "surf rock" band from the Windsor/Hantsport area is releasing its much-anticipated debut album.

They sound like a mix of the Beach Boys and the Stray Cats. The bill also features three other local bands. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door.

Coming up

May 22

Kitchen Party with t@b, Wick Pub, Berwick, 8:30 p.m.

May 23

Witchitaw, Wick Pub, Berwick

Gordon Stobbe and Friends, Mermaid Imperial Arts Centre, Windsor, 8 p.m.

Until May 23

Kitchen Witches, CentreStage Theatre, Kentville, 678-8040

Until May 28

Jean Edmonds Hancock, Valley Regional Hospital Gallery, Kentville

May 30

Hupman Brothers CD launch, Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville

Until May 30

Bob Hainstock, Harvest Gallery, Wolfville

For details see: http://valleyevents.ca/

Send arts news to welliott@kentvilleadvertiser.ca