News stories tagged with "ontario"

(05/14/12) Nunsense II is running at the 1000 Islands Playhouse in Gananoque through June 16. Resident theatre critic Connie Meng was at the opening night and has this review. more

(04/27/12) A series of lectures on the War of 1812 will be held in Ogdensburg this weekend. The Fort La Presentation Association's fourth annual War of 1812 Lectures will be held at the Freight House Restaurant on Friday and Saturday. Eight experts from the U.S. and Canada will present the latest research on battles, allies, historic preservation, medical practices, and the work of local museums. It's a chance to share common ideas about different aspects of the war.

Ontario re-enactor Michael Whittaker, one of the organizers, says the event will appeal to students, history buffs and the curious. Todd Moe got his take on this year's War of 1812 bicentennial commemorations and the weekend gathering. Whittaker says the St. Lawrence River was one of the focal points of the war.

(04/20/12) The Ottawa Valley Farm Show recently marked its 85th year with a three-day run at the new CE Centre next to Ottawa's main airport. This event started as a seed fair in Pembroke and grew into the largest farm show in Eastern Ontario.

As you'd expect, a lot of the space is devoted to pitching shiny new machinery. Lucy Martin stopped at the Hakmet display to ask vendor Jeff Lancaster how these big shows work from his side of the booth. more

(03/27/12) East of Berlin is running at the Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa through April 8. Resident theatre critic Connie Meng was at the opening night and has this review. more

(03/19/12) "Penny Plain" is running at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa through April 1. Resident theatre critic Connie Meng was at the opening night and has this review. more

(03/01/12) The Irish will celebrate St. Patrick's Day in a couple of weeks, but today the Welsh are celebrating St. David's Day today, in one way or another. St. David, or Dewi Sant, as he's known in the Welsh language, is the patron saint of Wales. Last summer in Remsen, south of Boonville, Welsh officials gathered to unveil a new sign featuring the longest railroad depot name in the world--take a deep breath--Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrnd-robwllllantysiliogogogoch.

Todd Moe talks with Hefina Phillips, a member of the Ontario Welsh Festival, who says David was a sixth century Celtic bishop who spread Christianity among the pagan tribes of western Britain.

(02/06/12) Creation is running in the Studio at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa through February 20. Resident theatre critic Connie Meng was at the opening night and has our review. more

(01/23/12) Blood on the Moon is running at GCTC in Ottawa through February 5. Resident theatre critic Connie Meng has this commentary. more

(01/19/12) The Canadian play, 2 Pianos, 4 Hands, has played on five continents and in more than 150 cities since it first opened 15 years ago. Its success worldwide is due to its universal themes of dreams and discipline.

The set consists of two grand pianos, and the cast is just two actors. It's a simple show, ostensibly about piano lessons, that's moving, profound and lots of fun. It was written and first performed by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt, both brilliant actors and pianists. They're back on stage at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa this month for the farewell tour.

2 Pianos, 4 Hands continues through Saturday, January 28th at the National Arts Centre's English Theatre. NCPR's resident theater critic Connie Meng and Todd Moe share a review of the show.

(12/28/11) Crane School of Music professor of piano Paul Wyse has mastered two art forms. He's a classically trained concert pianist and also paints portraits. Earlier this month, he unveiled a full-length portrait of "piano man" Billy Joel in New York City. The artist joined the bestselling musician to unveil the painting at Steinway Hall. Paul Wyse was commissioned by Steinway and Sons to paint Joel's portrait. Two of Wyse's portraits of award-winning pianist and conductor Leon Fleischer are part of the Smithsonian's permanent collection in Washington D.C.

Wyse has performed at the piano on the concert stage around the world and his oil portraits hang in public and private collections and appear in national publications.

So, how does a classically trained concert pianist become an award winning visual artist? "It's hard to explain," says Wyse. But he adds that it's not uncommon for musicians who study the structure of a symphony to use those same skills in the visual arts.

During a visit to his portrait studio in his home near Prescott, Ontario, he told Todd Moe that the mystery of transforming cloth and pigment into something that is looking back at you is powerful, alluring, and part of the compulsion to paint.