Kings Arts scene as of Nov. 13

Length: 70”

Headline: Arts scene

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

Kings County Register

Capoeira time

This is a notice of the next capoeira workshop at the Gaspereau Elementary School Nov. 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This is a workshop for all levels of experience, an exciting mix of music and movements for absolute beginners, seasoned capoeiristas - and everyone in between.

The cost is $15 for the two-hour session.

Merry Widow

The Acadia Performing Arts Series presents Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow at the Festival Theatre in Wolfville Nov. 15 at 8 p.m.

The performance is a Desjardins Concert produced by Jeunesses Musicales of Canada, in collaboration with the Opéra de Québec.

Tickets are $32, $22 (students) and are available at the Acadia Box Office at 542-5500 and at the door. Any remaining tickets will be available at 7 p.m. Nov. 15 for half-price ($10 for students).

To celebrate

The 10th anniversary of Alliance of Kings Artists (AKA) will be celebrated at its annual meeting Nov. 17 at Paddy’s Pub in Kentville - the same location the regional arts council used to launch in 1997.

The meeting begins at 11 a.m. in the Keltic Hall. All interested individuals are invited, although only paid-up members may vote. Memberships can be purchased at the meeting.

AKA chairman Bob Hainstock says almost all the council’s 16 board members have offered to continuefor another term, and several new artist reps have agreed to stand for first-time election. Nominations will also be received from the floor.

Discussion is expected to centre on short and long-term strategies for AKA, experiencing a major growth in membership and activities. Paid membership has risen from less than 20 in recent years to more than 180 individuals and businesses.

The board currently consists of Bob Hainstock (Centreville), chairman; Lynda Macdonald (Wolfville), vice-chairwoman; Darrin Harvey (Lakeville), secretary; Heather Porter (Wolfville), treasurer; Eileen Boyd (Berwick), David Lacey (Hall’s Harbour), Ernest Cadegan (Canning), Twila Robar-Decoste (Aylesford), Freda Nauss (Kentville), Terry-Lee Bourgeois-King (Centreville), Chris O’Neill (Canning). Steven Slipp (Wolfville), Craig Place (Kentville), Lynn Denney (Kentville), Ron Hayes (Canning), Don Osburn (Berwick), Paul Syme (Hantsport) and Joan Taylor (North Alton).

Blues sensation Neilsen

East Coast blues artist Ross Neilsen has released a new CD and is hitting the road again. This time he is taking his band, The Sufferin' Bastards, on the road.

The tour will highlight song selections from his brand new release, Early Grave. He plays On the Verge in Wolfville on Nov. 18 at 8 p.m.

Fundy Film

Fundy Film continues its Autumn Main Series with Mon Meilleur Ami. A gala presentation at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival, Mon Meilleur Ami is a uniquely entertaining buddy film. It will screen in French with English subtitles at the Al Whittle Theatre in Wolfville Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. For information, see www.fundyfilm.ca or call 542-5157. Tickets ($8) are available 30 minutes prior to the film.

Hear opera

The Acadia University Performing Arts committee has reserved a block of tickets for Romeo et Juliettte, conducted by Placido Domingo, Dec. 15 at the Empire Theatres at Dartmouth Crossing.

Russian soprano Anna Netrebko is a genuine superstar for the 21st Century. Her exotic beauty, arresting vocalism, and theatrical flair are currently on

glorious display at the Metropolitan Opera in Gounod's Roméo et Juliette. Her rise to the pantheon of world-class vocalists has been swift, unstoppable, and well-deserved.

This opera outing will include dinner at the Cellar in Bedford. Plans are to leave at noon and be back before 10 p.m. Cost is $95, tax included; after Nov. 18 tickets will be open to public at $99. Call the Acadia box office at 542-5500 to book a seat on the coach. The box office is open weekdays from noon to 6 p.m. and weekends from 1 - 4 p.m.

Master lessons

Four local organists - Elizabeth Fox, Maureen MacLean, Shawn Potter and Debbie Rice - are going to play for Vienna-based performer Craig Humber Nov. 24. Then, he will publicly critique each of their performances.

The public has been invited to attend this interesting, master class Nov. 24 in the organ loft of the Acadia University chapel between 9 a.m. and noon. The event is sponsored by the Annapolis Valley Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO). Tickets are $5.

Humber, an Acadia University graduate and renowned international organist based in Vienna, Austria; will also perform in recital at Manning Memorial Chapel Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. The concert, sponsored by Acadia University Faculty of Arts and Manning Memorial Chapel, is part of a Musique Royale tour. The program for his Wolfville recital includes Bach, Buxtehude and Reger. Tickets at the door are $15 ($5 students).

For information on this mini-organ festival in our midst, call 582-3933. Humber's visit should be a highlight of the fall arts scene in the Valley area, so plan to attend.

Dinner theatre

November 24, there will be dinner theatre at the Wolfville Lions Hall. The evening includes a turkey meal at 7 p.m.

This year’s musical comedy is “There Be Pirates.” Last year’s event sold out.

Call 542-7547 for tickets.

Vocal ensemble

November 24 at 7 p.m., the Acadia Vocal Ensemble, with Claire Mallin as conductor, will perform in Denton Hall, Acadia University, Wolfville.

Fezziwig shazams

Not one but two genies pop out of a teapot in this, the 13th annual production of the Fezziwig Family Christmas Frolic, Tempest in a Teapot. This year’s show runs from Nov. 22 - 24 at Wolfville’s festival Theatre.

Written by well-known Nova Scotia actor Shelley Thompson, this year’s script features magic of the bottled sort. Her equally talented sibling, musical director Ross Thompson, has once again written a host of tuneful, seasonal songs.

Retired principal Ray Baltzer has his mutton chops ready for his role as Mr. Fezziwig. Talented products of the Acadia University theatre program Alan Slipp and Jamie Loughead are also featured in the cast, along with Sherry Bishop as Mrs. Fezziwig, Steve Melanson, Thea Burton and another brother/ sister combination, Freda McNally and Rod Murray.

This community theatre extravaganza is much anticipated each fall. With a new script every season and a continuing story line, actors fill the familiar roles of characters from Dicken's “A Christmas Carol” in a lively musical fashion. Over 120 children and youth perform.

Tempest in a Teapot will run for three nights and a Saturday matinee at the Festival Theatre. Showtime is 7 p.m. each night, with a 2 p.m. matinee Nov. 24.

Tickets can be purchased at EOS and the Box of Delights in Wolfville and Phinneys in Kentville.

Swift here

Singer/ songwriter Thom Swift released his much-anticipated debut solo album, Into the Dirt, nationally in August. Upcoming Nova Scotia shows in support of the album, include On the Verge in Wolfville on Nov. 25.

Alongside his budding solo career, Swift is a member of the 2007 Canadian Maple Blues Award-winning and East Coast Music Award-winning trio Hot Toddy.

With six albums to their credit and a career that spans over 12 years, Hot Toddy is a regular on festival scenes.

The music gets underway at 8 p.m.

www.thomswift.com



Fiddling youngsters

The Wolfville-based Fiddlesticker’s debut recording, Pass it On, will be launched with a CD release concert this month.

Special guest is Chad Wolfe, a step dancer/ fiddler from North Bay, Ont. Chad will be giving advanced step and different level fiddle workshops Dec 1. Contact Christy Hodder for information at 542-3416.

The concert is set for Nov. 30 at the Al Whittle Theatre in Wolfville at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $14 from Just Us Coffee in Wolfville, or $15 at the door.

Coming up

Nov. 15

The Merry Widow, Performing Arts Series, Festival Theatre, Wolfville, 8 p.m.

Nov. 17

Silenced: words and music, Festival Theatre, Wolfville, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 18

The Doughwrights in concert, Berwick Lions hall, 2 p.m.

Until Nov. 20

George Walford/Untitled, Harvest Gallery, Wolfville

Nov. 22-24

Tempest in a Teapot, Fezziwig’s Family Christmas Frolic, Festival Theatre, Wolfville, 7 p.m., Sat. matinee

Nov. 23

Metal Massacre, Coldbrook Lions Hall, all-ages. Featuring: Children of Eve, Subspecies, A Sight for Sewn Eyes, A Call for Submission

Nov. 27

Jimmy Rankin & Nathan Wiley, Festival Theatre, Wolfville

Dec. 9

CBC’s A Christmas Carol, St. James Anglican church, Kentville, 3 p.m.

Until Dec. 15

Sister Amnesia’s Jamboree, CentreStage Theatre, Kentville 8 p.m., 678-8040