July 01, 2011

Publication title: The Spec.com, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Unknown
Writer: Tina Depko

McLachlan headlines theatre opening

Sarah McLachlan, Royal Wood, Stuart McLean and The Vinyl Café, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy — these are just a few of the acts coming to perform in the new Burlington Performing Arts Centre for the 2011-12 season.

A sneak peek of the performance roster for the venue was provided Wednesday afternoon at the season launch party at the Waterfront Hotel.

The city’s new 720-seat theatre, located in the heart of downtown, opens this fall.

“It’s been over a year since I’ve been here now — I have participated in the building being built, the bricks and mortar kind of stuff,” Brenda Heatherington, executive director of the arts centre, told the crowd of politicians, theatre donors and members of the city’s arts community.

“But soon the spark of magic happens. That’s when the artists arrive and they bring the energy. Then the audience arrives and magically that energy connects. The centre comes alive. There’s nothing quite like it.”

Residents chomping at the bit for tickets will have to wait until late July, when the theatre releases its season brochure on a yet-to-be confirmed date. The brochure will include a full list of dates, times and ticket prices.

When that is made public, tickets will be available online and by phone.

Theatre staff is making arrangements so that every household, condo and apartment in Burlington receives a brochure at the end of July.

The Wednesday event gave some hints of confirmed performers and dates.

The season kick off is on Oct. 1, featuring Canadian singer-songwriter Royal Wood.

Early October marks the beginning of eight weeks of opening activities including tours, community events, school performances and open houses.

Culture Days, a national event that runs the first week of October, will be recognized on Oct. 2 with an open house organized by volunteers who helped raise funds for the venue’s new grand piano.

A number of Burlington theatre groups and dance studios will showcase their talent on Oct. 29.

Stuart McLean, of CBC The Vinyl Café fame, comes to town Oct. 30.

The theatre’s official opening week runs Nov. 27-Dec. 3.

A family day festival runs Sunday, Nov. 27, featuring the Cashore Marionettes and Sursaut.

Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie, a Canadian dance troupe, comes Nov. 29.

Celebration! The Blue Jeans Gala will be held on Dec. 1. A wide range of performers, all with Burlington roots, will take to the stage.

The theatre’s official opening ceremony, billed as a red carpet experience, is on Dec. 3. The event will feature award-winning Canadian songbird Sarah McLachlan. Tickets to the event will be available for purchase by members of the general public. The price to attend the opening night will be announced in late July.

Fast forwarding to next spring, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will get audiences into the swing of things on April 20.

Main stage acts that were announced Wednesday, with dates that will be revealed in the brochure, include soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, the State Ballet of Russia’s production of The Nutcracker, gospel singer Mavis Staples, Dee Dee Bridgewater’s tribute to Billie Holiday and male choir The Men of the Deeps.

Dance troupes coming to town include hip-hop group Bboyizm and a company of Brazilian-style dancers from France called Kafig.

Some of the more unique musicians making a stop include lead vocalist of Canadian country roots band Prairie Oyster Russell deCarle, three-time International Accordian Competition winner Alexander Sevastian, guitarist Marc Atkinson and vituosic pianist Adam Gyorgy.

Four family acts have been booked. One confirmed group is Circus Incognitus.

There are also three theatre pieces scheduled for performance in the community studio theatre, with Goodness, The Last 15 Seconds (a co-presentation with Tottering Biped Theatre) and I, Claudia.

Local groups have also been booking performance dates, such as the Burlington Concert Band, the Burlington Teen Tour Band and the Top Hat Marching Band.

Theatre staff has also developed an educational series for schools.

For information on the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, call 905-681-6000 or go online to www.burlingtonpac.ca.