Arts Scene

By Wendy Elliott

welliott@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Hear this choir

The acclaimed Canadian Chamber Choir (CCC) will perform in Port Williams Aug. 13. This choir is a unique group uniting professional singers from across the country to support music education for all ages.

Throughout their 10 days in the province, the CCC will offer workshops and master classes to the participants of the N.S. Choral Federation’s Young Adult Choir Camp and Institute of Choral Conducting. The choir will also interact daily with junior choir campers as young as eight years old and adult choir campers as old as 80.

The choir will sing at Port Williams Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m.

Consort is coming

Musique Royale, a festival of music in historic Nova Scotia, is bringing the Toronto Consort to Wolfville Aug. 19.

The Toronto Consort is Canada’s leading chamber ensemble specializing in the music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Their presentation of ‘The Da Vinci Codex’ features Italian music from the time of Leonardo Da Vinci. This highly imaginative program includes vocal music alternating with instrumental dances.

Formed in 1972, the Consort presents an annual series of concerts in Toronto and performs throughout Canada, the U.S., Great Britain and Europe. The Toronto Consort has appeared with the Toronto Symphony under Andrew Davis, the Montreal Symphony under Charles Dutoit, and the North German Radio Orchestra.

Members of the ensemble include David Fallis, Artistic Director, tenor; Ben Grossman, hurdy-gurdy, percussion; Katherine Hill, soprano, viola da gamba; Paul Jenkins, tenor, harpsichord; Terry McKenna, lute, guitar; Alison Melville, recorders; John Pepper, bass; Laura Pudwell, mezzo-soprano

The Consort will be perform Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 8 p.m. at Manning Memorial Chapel, Acadia University, Wolfville.

Tickets are $15 ($5 for students at the door) and will be available at the door.

Latest at CentreStage

Opening Aug. 7 at CentreStage Theatre in Kentville is Who’s on First.

Take a husband, wife, a friend and a falsely accused lover, add a strange lamp, a gun and a rubber chicken plus a party that begins at 8 p.m., then again at 8 p.m., then again at 8 p.m. and you have this nightmarish comedy.

In the typical style of writer Jack Sharkey, expect things to be little over-the-top in this performance of Who’s on First. With flamboyant and fun characters, combined with just plain foolishness, this show will appeal to teens and seniors alike.

This is the second time CentreStage has performed Who’s on First, the first being in 1989. According to director Neal Benneworth, “with this being the 25th anniversary for CentreStage, they wanted to delve into the past a bit and bring back a few of the old favourites.”

Over the years, CentreStage has produced other Sharkey plays, including Roomies, Sorry Wrong Chimney and Saving Grace.

Who’s on First stars Franklin Sherrard, Ernie Robinson, Jasmin Mader, and Susan MacKinnon. Benneworth and Sharon Churchill direct it. Long-time supporters of CentreStage will recognize Susan, who was a regular performer for its first 15 years. Susan Munro MacKinnon (formerly Hume) is excited to be back onstage after about a 10-year break. This is her second Sharkey production.

Who’s on First opens Thursday and plays Friday and Saturday nights until Sept. 6 with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday, Aug. 31. Phone 678-8040 to make reservations.

At the Whittle

Fundy Summer Films screens Into the Wild this weekend. Sean Penn brings Jon Krakauer’s heartbreaking 1996 bestseller to the screen in this docu-drama.

After university graduation, Chris McCandless (Emile Hirsh) gives his savings to charity, burns his ID and hitchhikes across America, determined to escape society and get back to nature.

It will screen at the Al Whittle Theatre in Wolfville Sunday, Aug. 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets ($8) are available 30 minutes before screening. For more, visit www.fundyfilm.ca or call 542-5157.

Music at the pergola

During August, every Thursday evening, weather permitting, there will be live music on the pergola at Domain de Grand Pre. John Tetrault will perform Aug. 7. The music starts at 7:30 p.m.

At Union St.

On Aug. 8, the Open Mic Kitchen Party at Union St. will feature Monica and Darren Beaton. On Aug. 15, Scott Cook will entertain. www.scottcook.net

There is no cover charge.

Coming up

Aug. 6

Lucas Porter concert, Garden Room, Irving Centre, Wolfville

Aug. 13 and 20

Adult acting workshops, CentreStage Theatre, Kentville, phone 678-3502

Until Aug. 17

Jerome: The Historical Spectacle, Two Planks and a Passion Theatre, Ross Creek

Blomidon, Image and Word exhibit and 100 years of Scouting, Randall House Museum, Wolfville

Aug. 17

Jazzette (a little jazz) concert, CentreStage, with Cynthia and Tom Myers, 8 p.m.

Until Aug. 22

Local artists Terry Drahos and Paul Syme, Harvest Gallery, Wolfville

Until Sept. 5

Memory, Space and Heritage, Acadia Art Gallery, Wolfville

Until Sept. 25

Gail Davis exhibit, Valley Regional Hospital Gallery, Kentville

On display

Send arts items to: welliott@kentvilleadvertiser.ca