By Pepper Parr
May 29th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
They drift into the Performing Arts Centre as couples, sometimes as small groups and mill around the large open room chatting with neighbours, catching up with friends they haven’t seen in a while.
The evening is part of an annual event – the launch of a new season at the Performing Arts Centre. By the end of the evening those same people line up at the ticket office to purchase their tickets for future events. That line this year appeared to be quite a bit longer than it was last year.
Tammy Fox, Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre, announced that there were seventy productions that was a balance of local talent mixed in with some international caliber talent.
The season will feature more local artists presented on the Main Stage and in the Community Studio Theatre than ever before.
The Dreamboats – Rock and Roll the way you remember it.
Some of the local talent featured this season includes: Tom Wilson and his literary recital Beautiful Scars and Burlington’s own Symphony on the Bay with the JUNO-nominated Sultans of String, fronted by local musician Chris McKhool.
Ancaster resident Jayne Eastwood hits the Main Stage in October with her comedic super-group Women Fully Clothed and on Halloween you can shake your Hot Patootie with Tim Park and friends for his Rocky Horror ‘Acoustic’ Show. November sees the next big thing in Country Music, Oakville native Vanessa Marie Carter, hit the stage with local singer Evan Farrell. The Gazette reporter didn’t realize he was sitting beside Vanessa’a mother until he asked – her prolonged applause gave her away; the applause was justly earned.
Steven Paige – once with the Barenaked Ladies will be on the Performing Arts Centre Stage.
Former Barenaked Ladies front-man Steven Paige takes the stage with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.
It is an impressive line up.
There are also many international superstars including the return of favourites: The Nutcracker, The Andy Kim Christmas, April Wine, and Burton Cummings. Tiffany, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Sesame Street Live, and Charo! Are also being welcomed to the Performing Arts Centre.
Two annual festivals – the free Burlington Downtown Jazz Festival in August and The Cultural Diversity Festival programmed in tandem with Ontario Culture Days in the fall.
The 2019/2020 season showcases international and homegrown talent in every genre including music, dance, theatre, comedy, illusion and family entertainment.
Ticket purchases are limited to BPAC members until June 5th when they go on sale to the public.
There were a couple of presentations that had people sitting up in their seats: The Dreamboats were stunning – the energy and the music – pure Rock and Roll. This will be a sold out event.
There appeared to be more in the way of Family entertainment and material for children. It seemed as if there was less in the way of Classical music.
The Jazz offerings – wonderful describes them best.
Tammy Fox pulled it all together – 70 Performances for the 2019 – 2020 Performing Arts season season that cover the entertainment interests of just about everyone.
BPAC pricing is ALL-IN and includes all taxes and fees: what you see, is what you pay! BPAC Members have exclusive access to buy tickets for one week before the public sale on June 5. Enjoy the perks of membership while supporting BPAC.
Tammy Fox deserves kudos for putting together a balanced, interesting program with several delightful surprises – not an easy task.
The hosting on May 28th.was terrible. Bring Elvira Kurt back, she was fantastic. There are some interesting talent coming which I will be purchasing tickets to. Hopefully next season will have better host presenting the upcoming season.
Sorry to say, I can’t read anything in your summary of the season that would get me out of my lair to come to the Performing Arts Centre. Is there anything for anyone who likes to have a bit of brain food?
Editor’s note:
Pls do tell that commenter that there is plenty of ‘brain food’ in the season. The Mush Hole?? Confessions of a Fairy’s Daughter? Huff?? BJMs Dance Me? And so on.