Centrestage — Spring 2024

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (PAC) is located in downtown St. Catharines, Ontario at the corner of St. Paul and Carlisle Streets on the shared traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the Neutral Peoples and many other Indigenous People from across Turtle Island. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum agreement.

We offer our sincere gratitude and respect to the original and continued stewards of this land and are reminded that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous Peoples.

We also acknowledge Indigenous, Black, other Racialized Communities and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People who have been marginalized for centuries and more — and our collective responsibility to take action for a better world free from oppression, discrimination and racism.

ON THE COVER

KIMIKO’S PEARL

Commissioned and produced by Bravo Niagara! World Premiere

June 22-23 | 2024

CentreStage is a publication of the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (PAC) and is distributed to PAC Members via Canada Post. CentreStage is also available for pickup at the PAC in downtown St. Catharines, at partner and sponsor establishments and at select City of St. Catharines locations.

©FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 2023.

FOR THE LOVE OF THE ARTS | SPRING 2024 ISSUE

Calendar At-A-Glance

Discover music, theatre comedy, dance, circus, family performances and special events.

Box Office Information

How to order tickets, contact details, and members’ night.

A Family (March) Break at the PAC!

Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live + March Break film program

Big Sugar

Celebrating 30 year anniversary of 500 pounds

Sing and Swing

Featuring Benny Benack III and Bria Skonberg

Béla Fleck

The King of Banjo

The Peking Acrobats

Pushing the envelope of human possibility

The Film House

A community of film lovers and more

Spirit and Tradition

The Dancers of Damelahamid transform time and space

Embrace the Extraordinary

A reflection by Chorus Niagara

The Full 360 Experience

360 Allstars supercharged urban circus

Cote Danse X (Dix)

Stunning contemporary Dance

The Trans-Canada Highwaymen

An ode to the Canadian Songbook

Kimiko’s Pearl

The world premiere of a new Canadian ballet

The Circle

Indigenous singer-songwriters in the round

250 St.

St. Catharines,

L2R 3M2

Box Office 905-688-0722

boxoffice@firstontariopac.ca

firstontariopac.ca

Photo of Kyra Soo by Réjean Brandt.

Colleen A. Smith CEO

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

As we eagerly anticipate the approaching milestone of our 10th anniversary in the fall of 2025, I’m thrilled to reflect on the journey of our beloved FirstOntario PAC. From its humble beginnings to becoming a vibrant hub for creativity, culture, and community, our centre has truly flourished.

We are more than just a venue for entertainment; we are a reflection of the stories, dreams, and aspirations of the diverse individuals that make up our community. From thought-provoking theatrical performances to mesmerizing musical concerts, every production serves as a mirror, allowing us to see ourselves and our shared experiences. Take, for instance, the upcoming world premiere of Kimiko’s Pearl, a new ballet inspired by the family history of Bravo Niagara!’s co-founders Christine Mori and Alexis Spieldenner. This remarkable work, commissioned and produced by Bravo Niagara!, showcases the power of art to illuminate personal narratives and cultural heritage. We are honored to serve as the presenter and commission partner for this groundbreaking production, demonstrating our commitment to amplifying diverse voices and fostering artistic innovation within our community.

As we look to the future, we are eager to hear from our community. What excites you? What stories do you want to see unfold on our stage? Your input is invaluable as we continue to evolve and innovate, ensuring that the PAC remains a beacon of inspiration and inclusion for years to come. The next chapter of our story awaits, and with your support, it promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.

Mario De Divitiis Chair, Board of Directors

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

As a proud steward of the FirstOntario PAC, I am continually reminded of the vital role that public support plays in our success. From the generous contributions of patrons to the unwavering dedication of volunteers, it is clear that our centre thrives because of the collective efforts of our community.

Public support is not just about financial contributions; it is about demonstrating a shared commitment to the arts and culture that enrich our lives. We are so fortunate to have exceptional partners including Brock University, the City of St. Catharines and numerous community organizations who recognize the transformative power of the performing arts to inspire, educate, and unite us all.

This is an exciting time for the PAC, as we continue to grow and develop. We are thrilled to welcome four new volunteer citizen Board members to our esteemed Board. Their diverse backgrounds, expertise, and passion for the arts will undoubtedly enrich our discussions and decisionmaking processes, further strengthening our commitment to serving the community.

Thank you for your unwavering support, and here’s to many more years of artistic excellence and community engagement!

The ARTS are at the centre of all that we do.

Thank you to our Donors and Supporters

We would like to acknowledge the following people and entities for their role in the building and establishing of the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre: City of St. Catharines Mayor, City Council and staff (past and present); Brock University President, faculty and staff; Infrastructure Canada and the Province of Ontario for project funding support; the Department of Canadian Heritage; Canada Council for the Arts; the Ontario Arts Council; the Niagara Centre for the Arts Task Force, PAC User Group and the citizens of St. Catharines-Niagara.

“Without community support, the PAC is no more than a beautiful building, but with your generosity, we become a vibrant, essential experience for all.”

– Colleen A. Smith

Through the arts we create important programs to connect with our community and to contribute to righting relations with Indigenous Peoples of our Niagara region and beyond. We are uniquely positioned in Niagara as the largest and most impactful multi-disciplinary arts presenter for the region and YOUR philanthropic support means that our programs are sustainable, accessible, and affordable for all!

Capital Donors

FirstOntario Credit Union

Peter and Janet Partridge

Joe and Anita Robertson

Algoma Central Corporation

Cogeco

John and June Mann

John and Harriet Lehnen

Joy Williams

RBC Foundation

Marian Gordon-Kendall

The John Muratori Family

Ineke Brinkman

Art and Val Fleming

Virginia Atkin and Keith Ambachtsheer

Linda and Tom Goldspink

Wynne Nicholson

Christopher J. Slater (in memory of Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Slater)

+ Over 80 families and businesses who also contributed to the PAC’s 2015 community campaign.

How To Support Our Vision

Our community access arts programs continue to grow, and we welcome support towards our artistic and youth initiatives. To learn more contact: Diana McAdorey, Interim Development Officer, funddevelopment@firstontariopac.ca 905-933-0105

donors

march

upcoming events

Brock University

Department of Music presents RBC MUSIC AT NOON

Tuesdays | 12pm - FREE

Running until 2 April 2024

The Recital Hall

Live Nation presents DARCY & JER

Thurs 14 Mar 2024 | 8pm

Partridge Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents ERTH’S DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE

Fri 15 Mar 2024 | 2pm + 6:30pm

Partridge Hall

Brock University

Department of Music presents BROCK STUDENT SOLO RECITALS

Sat 16 Mar 2024 | 4pm + 7:30pm

Sun 17 Mar 2024 | 4pm

The Recital Hall

The Gallery Players of Niagara presents in partnership with the FirstOntario PAC DRIFTING (1923) - SILENT FILM W/ LIVE IMPROVISED SCORE

Sat 16 Mar 2024 | 6:45pm

The Film House

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE: LED ZEPPELIN –HOUSES OF THE HOLY

Sat 16 Mar 2024 | 7:30pm

Partridge Hall

Brock University

Department of Music presents BROCK UNIVERSITY CHOIR

Sun 24 Mar 2024 | 4pm

The Recital Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents THE PEKING ACROBATS

Tues 26 Mar 2024 | 7:30pm Partridge Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents BIG SUGAR

Wed 27 Mar 2024 | 7:30pm Partridge Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents A Jazz at Lincoln Centre production SING & SWING w/ Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack III

Thurs 28 Mar 2024 | 7:30pm Partridge Hall

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents an annual season of curated live arts and film programs and is home to many local arts organizations and rental events. Use our calendar-at-a-glance to find upcoming music, theatre, comedy, dance, circus, family performances and special events. Scan the QR code or visit firstontariopac.ca to discover our full calendar and to order tickets online.

ERTH’S DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE SING & SWING w/ BRIA SKONBERG & BENNY BENACK III

BIG SUGAR

THE PEKING ACROBATS

HEAR! HERE! W/ MARK LALAMA

april

Brock University Department of Music presents BROCK UNIVERSITY BIG BAND

Tues 1 Apr 2024 | 7:30pm Recital Hall

Brock University Department of Music presents BROCK UNIVERSITY WIND ENSEMBLE

Tues 2 Apr 2024 | 7:30pm

Partridge Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents TEGAN AND SARA

Wed 3 Apr 2024 | 7:30pm

Partridge Hall

Brock University Department of Music presents BROCK UNIVERSITY STRING ORCHESTRA

Wed 3 Apr 2024 | 7:30pm

The Recital Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents HEAR! HERE! with Mark Lalama Trio featuring Suzie Vinnick + Jeff Beadle

Sun 7 Apr 2024 | 4:00pm

Robertson Theatre

Shantero Productions presents THE STAMPEDERS… ONE MORE TIME

Mon 8 Apr 2024 | 7:30pm

Partridge Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE: THE POLICE - SYNCHRONICITY

Tues 9 Apr 2024 | 7:30pm

Partridge Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents BÉLA FLEK & ABIGAIL WASHBURN

Wed 10 Apr 2024 | 7:30pm

Partridge Hall

Niagara Symphony Orchestra presents NSO NOW! CLASSIC ROCK RADIO

Sat 13 Apr 2024 | 7:30pm

Partridge Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents Dancers of Damelahamid SPIRIT AND TRADITION

Mon 22 Apr 2024 | 6:30pm

Partridge Hall

imPACt Education Series

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents Dancers of Damelahamid SPIRIT AND TRADITION

Tues 23 Apr 2024 | 10am + 12:30pm

Partridge Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents JUST FOR LAUGHS ROADSHOW

Wed 24 Apr 2024 | 7:30pm

Partridge Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents THE CIRCLE: Indigenous Songwriters’ Showcase

Thurs 25 Apr 2024 | 7:00pm

The Recital Hall

Paquette Productions presents THE AUSTRALIAN BEE GEES SHOW – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEE GEES

Sat 27 Apr 2024 | 7:30pm

Partridge Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents 360 ALLSTARS

Tues 30 Apr 2024 | 7:00pm

Partridge Hall

DANCERS OF DAMELAHAMID SPIRIT AND TRADITION

TRIO

BÉLA FLEK & ABIGAIL WASHBURN

TEGAN

may

imPACt Education Series

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents 360 ALLSTARS

Wed 1 May 2024 | 10am Partridge Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents 4 Côté Danse X (DIX)

Thurs 2 May 2024 | 7:30pm Partridge Hall

Niagara Symphony Orchestra

NSO CLASSICS:

MAHLER’S SYMPHONY NO.2

Sun 5 May 2024 | 2:30pm

Partridge Hall

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents THE TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAYMEN

Tues 7 May 2024 | 7:30pm Partridge Hall

Shantero Productions presents MARC JORDAN & AMY SKY… TOGETHER IN CONCERT!

Mon 13 May 2024 | 7:30pm Partridge Hall

Paquette Productions presents LEGENDS SHOW

Thurs 16 May 2024 | 7:30pm Partridge Hall

Paul Mercs Concerts presents TOMMY EMMANUEL, CGP with special guest GARETH PEARSON

Wed 22 May 2024 | 8pm Partridge Hall

Garden City Comedy Festival presents 6TH ANNUAL GALA NIGHT

Sat 25 May 2024 | 8pm Recital Hall

Chorus Niagara presents BERNSTEIN’S MASS

Thurs 30 May 2024 | 7:30pm

Fri 31 May 2024 | 7:30pm

Partridge Hall

june

Forrest Jones Entertainment presents MAGIC MEN AUSTRALIA

Mon 3 Jun 2024 | 7:30pm

Partridge Hall

FirstOntario PAC presents KIMIKO’S PEARL

Commissioned and produced by Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts

Sat 22 Jun 2024 | 7:30pm

Sun 23 Jun 2024 | 2:30pm Partridge Hall

360 ALLSTARS

CÔTÉ DANSE X (DIX)

KIMIKO’S PEARL

july

Legends Revisited presents THE WORLD’S GREATEST TRIBUTE TO THE TRAVELING MILBURY’S!

Fri 5 Jul 2024 | 7:30pm Partridge Hall

august

Showtime presents THE MICHAEL JACKSON HISTORY SHOW

Fri 16 Aug 2024 | 8pm Partridge Hall

Legends Revisited presents SIMPLY QUEEN

Sat 24 Aug 2024 | 7:30pm Partridge Hall

september

Ed Lister Music presents DECADES OF BOND

Sat 21 Sep 2024 | 7:30pm

Partridge Hall

october

Beach Towel LIVE presents JOE AVATI WORLD TOUR

Fri 4 Oct 2024 | 7:30pm Partridge Hall

Beach Towel Live presents DREAMER: THE SUPERTRAMP EXPERIENCE

Sat 5 Oct 2024 | 8pm Partridge Hall

Simply the Best Talent presents RELIVE THE MUSIC 50s & 60s ROCK AND ROLL SHOW

Sun 6 Oct 2024 | 7:30pm Partridge Hall

november

Beaches Jazz Festival presents TAPESTRY: THE CAROL KING SONGBOOK

Fri 29 Nov 2024 | pm Partridge Hall

Beaches Jazz Festival presents FOREVER SEGER: A TRIBUTE TO BOB SEGER

Sat 30 Nov 2024 | 8pm Partridge Hall

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre presents an annual season of curated live arts and film programs and is home to many local arts organizations and rental events. Use our calendar-at-a-glance to find upcoming music, theatre, comedy, dance, circus, family performances and special events. Scan the QR code or visit firstontariopac.ca to discover our full calendar and to order tickets online.

THE CIRCLE

CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE: LED ZEPPELIN HOUSES OF THE HOLY

CHORUS NIAGARA

HOW TO GET TICKETS

ONLINE at firstontariopac.ca

BY PHONE at 905-688-0722

BY EMAIL at boxoffice@firstontariopac.ca

IN PERSON at 250 St. Paul Street, downtown St. Catharines

The Fine Print

• Tickets are non-refundable and subject to HST.

• Each ticket price includes a $3 Capital Improvement Fee.

• PAC members can exchange shows or seats for FREE (only for PAC Presents shows).

• A $5 exchange fee applies for non-members

• A ticket is required for every person, regardless of age.

• Under 30 pricing is available for some PAC events. Some restrictions apply.

Accessibility

Accessible seating and assistive hearing devices are available upon request.

Accessible drop off is available in front of the Box Office entrance on St. Paul Street and along Carlisle St. We are also conveniently located kitty-corner from the St. Catharines main bus terminal making us very accessible via public transit.

NEW! Relaxed Screenings

Relaxed film screenings are open to everyone and offer a sensoryfriendly environment for those in the neurodiverse community or for anyone who may benefit from a more informal viewing atmosphere.

• Throughout the screening, house lights will remain on a low level and the volume will be slightly turned down.

• No trailers will be shown and audience members will be free to move around, leave the theatre, or take a break in the lobby space.

• Open captions will be present during the screening - open captions mean that captions are always in view during the film.

Be Green

Visit firstontariopac.ca to order your tickets online. We encourage you to send your tickets to you mobile device.

Parking

There are over 1,000 parking spots within a five-minute walk to the PAC.

L = ground level parking lot | G = multi-level parking garage

IT PAYS TO BE A MEMBER!

Did you know?

• A PAC membership provides discounts and deals in downtown St. Catharines and across Niagara.

• Members receive priority booking at season launch.

• You can bring your friends FOR FREE to select shows.

• Complimentary ticket exchanges for PAC Presents shows.

• Purchase your membership today and receive an exclusive invitation to Members’ Night 24/25 .

• Membership combo packs are available. Purchase a 23/24 PAC Presents Membership and a Film House membership for even more discounts and special offers.

• Buy two tickets to a show per month and save over $100 on tickets for the season.

“

I have not witnessed a more kid-friendly, interactive show … the puppet mastery is sophisticated and realistic in one of the slickest and smart touring shows to play in years!” — Chicago Critic

A FAMILY (MARCH) BREAK AT THE PAC!

Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo

FRI 15 MAR

Get ready for the ultimate playdate - 65 million years in the making - as Erth’s DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE guides audiences on a breathtaking tour that begins in prehistoric Australia. You’ll observe, meet and interact with an eye-popping collection of amazingly life-like dinosaurs and other creatures presented in a theatrical performance that will thrill and entertain kids while stimulating their imaginations.

The Smurfs Party

TUES 12 MAR @ 2:30pm + SAT 16 MAR @ 3pm

Members: $8 General: $10

The Smurfs are celebrating their 65th anniversary on the big screen! Thrilling adventures, crazy situations and irresistible fun, our beloved blue friends are going to smurf your mind! Join Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy, Blossom and all your favorite heroes in a special selection of festive adventures. And of course… Gargamel and Azrael are expected to attempt to crash the celebrations!

Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban (Classics and Mocktails)

THURS 14 MAR @ 6:30pm

Members: $8 General: $10

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of this “classic” with a special Hogwarts mocktail

Harry Potter’s third year at Hogwarts starts off badly when he learns deranged killer Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban prison and is bent on murdering the teenage wizard. A mysterious new teacher helps Harry learn to defend himself, but what is his secret tie to Sirius Black?

Wayne’s World + TRIVIA!

FRI 15 MAR @ 6:30pm

Members: $8 General: $10

The cultural phenomenon is still making waves, 30+ years later. When a sleazy TV exec offers Wayne and Garth a contract to tape their late-night cable-access show at his network they discover the road to the big time is full of gnarly twists and turns.

The Youth Film Club presents

The Youth Film Club presents

BIG SUGAR

Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary of 500 Pounds

Written by Dave DeRocco gobeweekly.com

In the rock world, the 1990s were defined by Alternative Rock and its sub-genres Grunge and Pop Punk. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins and Green Day exploded into the mainstream, ruling both the rock charts and the airwaves for most of the decade. It makes it all the more impressive that the ‘90s also gave rise to an enduring Toronto-based band that preferred blues, reggae, and Hugo Boss suits over sullen angst-filled grunge and flannel. The band – BIG SUGAR.

“It really was a battle all the way along because, as you can imagine with big corporations, there’s always a lot of pressure to conform,” said Big Sugar’s founder and creative visionary, Gordie Johnson. “We didn’t fit in with anything that was happening at the time. They didn’t like the way we dressed. They didn’t like our haircuts. We didn’t fit in with the Soundgarden, Nirvana, Pearl Jam world at all.”

Admittedly, Johnson says reaction to Big Sugar’s eponymous 1991 debut was underwhelming, as the singer/songwriter/guitarist struggled to find the right mix of musicians to help bring the bluesy roots and reggae Big Sugar sound into focus. However, with financial and creative support from studio owner Tom Treumuth (Saga, Honeymoon Suite), a video paid for by then Much Music VJ Dan Gallagher, and sponsorship from designer Hugo Boss, Big Sugar managed to record and deliver their second album, the celebrated Five Hundred Pounds.

More an amalgamation of influences than an album born of original design, Five Hundred Pounds offers the foundational blueprint for the music made by Big Sugar over the past three decades. Johnson says the musical threads woven into songs like “Ride Like Hell,” “Ride On,” “I’m a Ram,” and “Sugar In My Coffee” (the song containing the lyric from which the band took its name) reflect the variety of music he and his bandmates were listening to prior and during those recording sessions.

“I just reflected on what we were digging at the time. If I look back at our recorded work, every record is a bit like that. It was kind of like coming to

my house and checking out my record collection. If you’re savvy enough, you can dig through Five Hundred Pounds and find surf music, ska, reggae bass lines mixed with experimental jazz mixed with psychedelic rock and old blues.”

Fans of early Big Sugar will be happy to know that on the tour that brings them to FirstOntario PAC on Wednesday 27 March, the first set will feature Five Hundred Pounds played in its entirety. It’s a similar format to their last tour when Big Sugar celebrated the 25th anniversary of their platinum 1995 album, Hemi-Vision, which Johnson says was a huge validation for the band.

“It was kind of overwhelming. People really appreciated that tour. To just play the songs from that Hemi-Vision record – it really hit home how influential it was. I expect the same thing with Five Hundred Pounds. That’s a record that influenced a lot of people. I’ve come to find out that the guys in ZZ Top listened to that record, and it’s kind of cool to find out a young Jack White was sneaking into clubs to hear us play.”

Of course, the performance will also feature such Big Sugar hits as “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” “Diggin’ a Hole,” “If I Had My Way,” “The Scene,” “Better Get Used to It,” and “Turn The Lights On,” along with a collection of cover tunes and rarities to round out the set.

According to Johnson, the soft-seat FirstOntario PAC theatre is the perfect venue for this tour.

“I think the fact we’re in theatres for a lot of this tour is beautiful because it is a much more theatrical performance, “ said Johnson. “When we perform Five Hundred Pounds, it’s different music, a different wardrobe, different guitars. We are trying to evoke the vibe of that time. Theatres are better suited to that. I think people will enjoy the show. They can get their rocks on during the second half!”

BIG SUGAR

WED 27 MAR

Get tickets online at firstontariopac.ca or call the box office at 905-688-0722. Scan the QR code for details.

artist profile

artist profile Celebrating the Great American Songbook

SING AND SWING

Written by Mike Balsom | Reporter, NOTL Local and Host of The Source on YourTV Niagara

It’s one thing for Benny Benack III to have made the 2022 Downbeat critic’s poll as its number two Rising Star male vocalist. It’s another, though, for him to have also been honoured that same year as a top rising star trumpeter.

And why not team the third-generation jazz musician with the three-time Juno Award nominee and six-time Downbeat Rising Star winner Bria Skonberg, from Chilliwack, BC, who, like Benack III, is equally adept at the trumpet as she is behind the microphone?

Benny Benack III and Bria Skonberg headline Sing and Swing, the latest incarnation of the Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) touring ensemble, focused on the best music of the swing era. It’s a fairly new concept for JALC - an assembly of some of the best up and coming New York City-based musicians identified as rising stars by the organization headed by legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

Sing and Swing is a celebration of the Great American Songbook in all of its playful and sophisticated glory, featuring songs written by George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and more. Benack III promises the show will have a major focus on the songs made famous by some of the best-loved duet partners from the history of jazz.

“Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Prima and Keely Smith,” Benack III lists on the phone from Miami, where he and Skonberg were about to embark on the annual Jazz Cruise in early January, “and Sarah Vaughan and Clifford Brown, too. We’ll do ‘Cheek to Cheek,’ ‘They Can’t Take That Away From Me,’ and we have a nice, fun rendition of ‘Banana Split for My Baby.”

“

The smooth, mellifluous partnership between Benack III and Skonberg can be sampled on their version of Ellington’s classic ‘In a Mellow Tone’ from Benack III’s 2023 album Third Time’s the Charm. Picture a playful meeting of Frank Sinatra and Anita O’Day on a true swing-era classic.

But there’s one major thing that sets Benack III and Skonberg apart from those classic couplings. Both of them take the spotlight with their playing as well as their singing.

“The cool thing about the way we program the show,” says Benack III, a Pittsburgh, PA native, “is we have tunes that just feature Bria and her vocals and some that feature me playing trumpet. Then we have songs where we both play trumpet, and tunes where we don’t play trumpet and just sing. We program the night so each talent gets the room to shine.”

The other musicians on stage also get their chance to shine. That includes Winnipeg native Jocelyn Gould, who joins in on guitar, with drummer Charles Goold, bassist Mark Lewandowski and pianist Jon Thomas rounding out the combo. Each of them has received the JALC stamp of approval and caught the eye of Marsalis himself.

“It’s such an exciting band,” Benack III, a third-generation jazz musician, says. “Other than Jocelyn, all of us are New York City-based. We premiered the show at Dizzy’s Club over two nights, and we did a show at Palm Beach. We’ve been gearing up for this big tour for about a year.”

Since the 26th of January, Benack III, Skonberg and company have been making their way across the United States and Canada from west coast to east coast. With the St. Catharines date scheduled as the penultimate show on the 45-stop tour, you know the band will be swinging hard at the FIrstOntario PAC!

SING AND SWING Celebrating the Great American Songbook

III THURS 28 MAR

In Conversation with

Béla Fleck

the King of Banjo

Written by John Law

For 45 years, Béla Fleck has almost single-handedly erased the pickin’ and grinnin’ image of the banjo player. Put a Deering Crossfire banjo in his hands and you’re apt to hear anything from jazz to rock to the traditional bluegrass.

On his latest album, he takes it a step further. Rhapsody in Blue, released in February, is Fleck’s adventurous take on George Gershwin’s century-old classical/jazz composition – a massive endeavour replacing the full orchestra with bluegrass instruments.

Fleck was worried it was a “horrible idea” at first, but was thrilled with what he heard the deeper he dove.

Likewise, fans who have heard him re-define banjo playing since his 1979 debut album will get to hear him bend expectations again when he plays the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in April alongside his wife, singer and clawhammer banjo player Abigail Washburn. The duo have released two albums together, in 2014 and 2017.

Before packing up for the road, Fleck checked in for a Q&A with CentreStage:

Do you and Abigail still manage to surprise each other when performing together?

Fleck: “For sure! I love to say and play things in the shows that surprise her, so that every show is different. She is such an amazing performer and musician and when we are living our life at home, raising our kids, I don’t get to see that side of her, so when we get on tour I am always blown away by her natural gifts.”

How do you know when it’s time to hunker down and do another album?

Fleck: “When it’s now. I don’t know exactly what that meant but it felt right. We have just made a couple of albums so far, but put a big effort in on both. Currently,

we have a couple of projects in motion, one being a set of songs from our pandemic series ‘Banjo House Lockdown,’ the other being a 40-minute piece with orchestra, ‘A Song Cycle.’

Safe to say, when most people think of the banjo they still think of the flashy, fast-paced picking of Roy Clark or ‘Duelling Banjos.’ Is that what first grabbed you about it?

Fleck: “My first banjo mesmerisation was ‘The Ballad of Jed Clampet,’ which was (by) the great Earl Scruggs. He had a way of activating banjo people in hiding! That sound he made was just remarkable, truly stunning.”

Your new album is a fresh take on Gershwin’s 100-year-old ‘Rhapsody in Blue.’ At one point you were worried it was a mistake – how did you grow comfortable with it?

Fleck: “Sometimes, I just have to stick with something ‘til I own it. And if I make it that far, I have usually solved some of the problems that were making it unstable. At this point I am 100% ‘in’ regarding the Rhapsody situation. I have learned so much, gotten to perform the piano part on banjo with orchestras, and gotten to stretch some creative muscles and reimagine it. Big fun, and I now think it works.”

Has performing this music changed for you over the years? What do you hope to get out of a concert now?

Fleck: “It all goes by so much faster now, and I like to commit to making those brief moments special and unique for the audience, myself and the musicians I perform with. We’re only here today. Let’s make it a great one!”

BÉLA FLECK & ABIGAIL WASHBURN WED 10 APR

Get tickets online at firstontariopac.ca or call the box office at 905-688-0722.

The Peking Acrobats

“Pushing the envelope of human possibility, combining agility and grace in remarkable feats of pure artistry.”

— The New York Post

For more than 30 years, The Peking Acrobats have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics.

They perform daring manoeuvres atop a precarious pagoda of chairs, displaying their technical prowess at such arts as trick-cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. They push the limits of human ability, defying gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility, and control.

The Peking Acrobats are often accompanied by live musicians who skillfully play traditional Chinese instruments; the time-honoured Chinese music coalesces with high-tech special effects and awe-inspiring acrobatic feats, creating an exuberant entertainment event with the festive pageantry of a Chinese Carnival.

Since their founding in 1986, The Peking Acrobats have been featured on numerous television shows and also made their way onto the silver screen –where company members were featured in Steven Soderbergh’s hit film Ocean’s Eleven playing alongside Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

Over their thirty-two year career, The Peking Acrobats have achieved international acclaim, dazzling audiences and growing a loyal audience around the world. Anyone who has experienced their artistry becomes an instant fan. Join us to see why!

The Peking Acrobats

TUES 26 MAR

Get tickets online at firstontariopac.ca or call the box office at 905-688-0722. Scan the QR code for details.

THE FILM HOUSE

In Downtown St. Catharines

at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

THE FILM HOUSE

is an indie cinema nestled in the heart of downtown St. Catharines on the ground floor of the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. The Film House not only provides a contemporary cinematic environment for exclusive features, documentary and cult classic film screenings but also serves as a hub for special events, interactive panels, and engaging community gatherings.

New Features. Classics. Special Events.

10 screenings per week. New bi-weekly calendars.

Fresh popped corn.

Licensed concessions.

Love film? Become a Film House Member!

Memberships are just $35 and valid for one year from date of purchase. Members save $2 off entry to all films (2 tickets per film) and receive 15% discount off concessions (not including alcohol).

Reserved Seating

$ 10 – General admission

$ 8 – Film House members

THE FILM HOUSE Learners

THE FILM HOUSE Community

Interactive Screenings

We load up the calendar with fun events for all ages including sing-a-longs, trivia nights, classics and cocktails, costume parades and more.

Community Screening Program

Brock University students use The Film House as a teachings space and to host special events during the academic year.

UFS

Proud home of the Brock University Film Society (BUFS), which has been bringing the best in independent and art house cinema to Niagara for well over 40 years. Supported by the Department of Communication, Popular Culture and Film in the Faculty of Social Sciences at Brock.

“

BUFS is a pillar of the Niagara cinephile scene, and it has been since 1975. BUFS screenings have a wonderful energy to them, one that comes from the combination of artful, thought-provoking films, eager, savvy audiences, and a premium theatre experience. This is film culture the way it was meant to be, with animated discussions continuing long after the credits roll, and spilling out onto the streets of downtown St. Catharines.”

Anthony Kinik

Brock Film Professor

Do you have a cause or issue you want more people to know about? Each month The Film House is committed to partnering with local community groups to provide one free community screening per month and supporting additional community screenings that often include a panel discussion/ speaker(s) related to the topic of the film. Host your next conversation at The Film House. Contact us to learn more.

The Silver Screeners

NEW! You asked and we answered! The Film House is proud to introduce The Silver Screeners, an online “club” for cinefiles to share their passion for films that they would like our community to experience together on the big screen at The Film House. Our Film-Loving Community invited to apply this May!

Stay tuned for details.

Planning a special event?

Rent The Film House

Plan your next event with us! Our team will help you customize your event, assist with movie selection, and recommend catering, marketing, and technical requirements.

Youth Film Club

A monthly club for young cinephiles to get involved in building programs and special events at The Film House. Cool perks include VIP All-Access Film House Membership, volunteer hours and more. Applications for the next year’s club available each May. Club runs Sept - May each year.

imPACt PLUS FILM

An arm of our popular imPACt Education Series, this program pairs a film or documentary screening with a post film q&a on an identified theme.

the film house

Upcoming Special Event

Movie Night: Drifting

w/ live improvised music by Gallery Players

Saturday 16 March | 6:45pm

The Film House

A melodrama with an epic ending, Drifting stars Priscilla Dean as an American drug smuggler, and Anna May Wong (a stand-out in a secondary role) as Rose Li, daughter of an opium grower. Accompanying music will be improvised by the ever-inventive Movie Night trio. Drifting was directed by Tod Browing in and released in 1923.

Join us for a pre-screening talk at 6:45pm by beloved film critic, Joan Nicks. The screening starts at 7pm (70 minutes).

IM PAC T education series

Setting the Stage for Young Minds

THE ARTS MAKE AN

We invite you to make the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre your classroom! The imPACt Education Series includes high quality and diverse dance, music, theatre, storytelling and circus programming from Canadian and international artists that complements the Ontario Pre-K to Grade 12 curriculum. The imPACt Education Series will actively engage your students’ curiosity and interests, inspire and educate, while providing them with a sense of wellbeing and belonging.

Because our purpose is to make each day come alive through inspiring and engaging artistic experiences, for and with our community, the PAC is committed to presenting an annual learner-focused daytime performance series.

SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE

TICKETS + ACCESS

The PAC has an annual commitment to provide learners across Niagara with high quality live performances. These performances are offered during daytime hours with a guaranteed low ticket price of $10 +HST.

The PAC recognizes that even the guaranteed low ticket price may be out of reach for many in the Niagara region. Thanks to the generous support of community members, the imPACt Access Dollars program ensures that all learners can attend an imPACt Education Series performance or event, free from financial barriers.

To support the imPACt Education Series guaranteed low ticket prices and the imPACt Access Dollars program, contact:

Diana McAdorey, Interim Development Officer 905-933-0105 | funddevelopment@firstontariopac.ca

• Be supported by mental health support programs

• Live in a low-income situation

• Have families in transitional housing or shelters

• Live in inner-city neighbourhoods or small rural communities

• Be English as a Second Language (ESL) learners

• Be recent immigrants to Canada

• Come from Indigenous or other racialized backgrounds

• Make use of their school’s free lunch program

• Have never been to a professional live arts performance before

“Through dramatic dance, captivating narrative, intricately carved masks, and elaborate regalia, the Dancers of Damelahamid transform time and space, and bridge the ancient with a living tradition.”

— Broadway World

Reawakening Spirit and Tradition

Spirit and Tradition layers imagery, soundscape, and Coastal Indigenous masked dance, immersing the audience into the rich ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest Coast. The piece was created by the internationally celebrated Dancers of Damelahamid, a dance company founded upon over five decades of extensive work of song and dance revitalization.

For countless generations Indigenous dance played an integral part in defining art and culture. In response to the lifting of the Potlatch Ban (1884 – 1951), was the resurfacing of dance and the awakening of an art form that was outlawed for almost 70 years. The Dancers of Damelahamid emerged in the 1960s out of an urgency to ensure that these artistic practices were not lost.

The company has since established itself as a leading professional Indigenous dance company. Their artistic approaches have contributed to its ability to bridge creative practices and to work with innovative mediums, while maintaining commitment to the integrity of their artistic legacy. It is through continual and diligent practice that this dance form endures as non-static and relevant to current innovation, influence, and insights.

Preserving and celebrating the culture and traditions of the Gitxsan people of northwestern British Columbia, The Dancers of Damelahamid showcase the rich heritage of their community through dance, music, and storytelling. Gitxsan means ‘people of the river of mists’. The dance company is named after a city called Damelahamid, where the Gitxsan nation originates from.

The company’s Artistic and Executive Director, Margaret Grenier, leads the intergenerational troupe in performing traditional and contemporary works that highlight the deep connection between the Gitxsan people and their land.

Their performance of Spirit and Tradition, a sizeable production for family audiences, is described as “conveying important cultural teachings on balance, interconnectedness and community through dramatic dance and intricate masks and regalia.”

Through the sharing of Indigenous knowledge and artistic practices of the Northwest Coast, Spirit and

Tradition layers Coastal masked dances, projected imagery, soundscape, and LED puppetry. The audience is immersed into the rich and diverse ecosystem of the coastal mountains and oceans.

“This work speaks to our connection to the lands on the Northwest Coast and our responsibility to care for them,” says Margaret Grenier, Executive and Artistic Director.

The Dancers of Damelahamid’s spellbinding performances have been praised for their artistry, athleticism, and authenticity, and have received acclaim across Canada and internationally. The production has toured to the (2010) World Expo, Shanghai, China, the International Festival de Danzas, Peru (2011), the Festival internacional de danza folklórica, Ecuador (2014), 2015 Pan American Games,Toronto, ON, 2019 ASIA Pacific Festival, Hawaii, 2019 Scottish International Storytelling Festival, Edinburgh, UK, Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE (2021), and the 2022 Vancouver International Children’s Festival.

Don’t miss the chance to witness this spellbinding celebration of Indigenous culture and history.

artist profile

SPIRIT

MON 22 APR

Get tickets online at firstontariopac.ca or call the box office at 905-688-0722. Scan the QR code for details.

Embrace the Extraordinary

A reflection by Chorus Niagara

As Niagara’s premier auditioned symphonic chorus, now celebrating its 60th Anniversary, Chorus Niagara (CN) is more than ‘just’ a choir. It is a cultural institution - a community - transcending age, socioeconomic status, and background, enriching the arts and cultural landscape of the region. It is a pillar of inclusivity and a place for music lovers to experience superb choral music-making.

Attending a Chorus Niagara Concert is

like having a

massage for my Spirit!”

ANON. WEBSITE RESPONDENT

Under the artistic direction of Robert Cooper, Chorus Niagara has set an unparalleled standard of excellence and innovation through programming, premiering and commissioning works by leading composers, both Canadian and international. In addition, CN’s mandate to engage emerging Canadian soloists has played a pivotal role in helping to launch the careers of many magnificent vocal artists toward successful international careers.

Community outreach and choral education are CN’s priorities. Hundreds of children and youth enjoy the challenging fun of our Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir; high school-aged singers perform in our Side-by-Side Chorale; talented young adult singers explore their solo and artistic potential as Robert Cooper Choral Scholars; Seniors’ Residences appreciate our Christmas Carol Share visits and our 5-Hour Singathon draws in hundreds of curious shoppers annually.

“

Over the past six decades, Chorus Niagara has been a cornerstone of the Niagara arts community and has made an outstanding contribution to musical excellence through national and international collaborations and innovative programming.”

JIM

BRADLEY NIAGARA REGIONAL CHAIR Artistic Director ROBERT COOPER, C.M.

Not to be missed!

PASSION MUSIC

SAT 9 MAR

Back by popular demand, Welsh composer Karl Jenkins’ poignant and profound The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace paired with the Niagara premiere of renowned jazz composer Will Todd’s rousing and evocative Passion Music … a fusion of gospel, jazz, and choral music.

BERNSTEIN’S MASS

THURS 30 MAY

FRI 31 MAY

Provocative and innovative, MASS is a celebration of human faith. Rock singers, dancers, and youthful voices of Niagara join CN for this semi-staged theatrical ‘first’ that pulsates with the vivacious verve of ‘Lenny’.

LEONARD

THE FULL

360 Experience

A show like no other is coming to the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, and it’ll have guests immersed in a full 360-degree experience.

Written by Abby Green

360 ALLSTARS will be in St. Catharines this April for an awe-inspiring performance sure to entertain the whole family. The show features seven onstage performers: a BMX performer, two breakdancers, a basketball freestyler, a cyr wheel acrobat and two musicians.

Referred to as a “supercharged urban circus”, all artists utilize rotation in their performances, hence the “360” reference in the group’s name.

“We have so much fun,” said 360 ALLSTARS founder Gene Peterson. “The audience can’t help but have fun with us.” Peterson created the group eleven years ago, and plays drums as one of the two musicians in the show.

Peterson has been playing music all his life, and touring since he was 17 or 18 sharing that he was inspired to create the group, in hopes of “putting on a show like no one had seen prior.”

“How many types of awesome can I get together on one stage? Wouldn’t that be the most awesome thing anybody has ever seen?,” he recalled. “In my childlike mind, it felt like being a kid in a candy store: I’ll have one of those, I’ll have one of those! I dreamt big and thought ‘who do I know that is in these disciplines? Who’s the best? Who are the world champion?’”

360 ALLSTARS

TUES 30 APR

Peterson said each of the performers was headhunted specifically for their talents and, as the drummer in the group, Peterson said he gets the best seat in the house.

“I get to sit behind all the action, looking down from the stage to see audiences getting blown away at [seeing the show for] the first time, and I get to witness the audience’s reaction to the incredible action that’s happening on stage. I love to be a part of that moment,” he said. “Supporting the artists and putting out the grooves that make people dance is pretty special.”

The group marks their tenth anniversary this year, but it will only be the second time they’ve visited Canada. This time, they’re doing multiple shows across Canada and are looking forward to their first visit to the FirstOntario PAC in St. Catharines.

Behold Stunning Contemporary Dance: Côté Danse X (DIX)

Written

Reprinted with permission.

X(DIX)

One of the things that I love most about dance performance is its ability to tell more than just a story. Dance audiences instead watch for the skill and ingenuity of dancers, how they play with the music and space that surrounds them, and how a choreographer maintains the performance’s “big picture.” When this all comes together, a great dance performance can amount to a profound experience unlike anything else.

One such performance is coming to the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre this May. Côté Danse’s X (DIX) continues the Québécois choreographer and National Ballet of Canada principal Guillaume Côté’s foray into interdisciplinary work and spaces. Connecting to themes from Homer’s Odyssey, this 60-minute piece premiered in 2021 at the Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur, responding to the renewed significance of journey’s home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anchored by a gifted ensemble of Toronto dance artists, Côté’s choreography creates an exciting, high-stakes world out of a sum of many well-curated parts. A remarkable musical score, alongside stark yet striking production elements, makes for a live performance that somehow feels cinematic. A beguiling night of dance, X (DIX) is what happens when a group of talented artists come together and let each other shine.

When I interviewed Côté about a previous production, it was clear to me that collaboration across a variety of artforms is central to his process. X (DIX) shows the value of this practice with choreography that gives dancers agency to play to their strengths in their solo work.

A five-dancer ensemble, clad in black costumes of nettings and shiny fabrics by designer Yso South, shines with unique artistry and unified technical excellence. Natasha Poon Woo demonstrates a quickfire succession of intricate steps that belies an intense level of technical rigour. Willem Sadler luxuriates in movement that trails past his many turns, while Martha Hart and Kelly Shaw both show a knack for intricate gesture work and dynamic partnering. Evan Webb wows with a solo that employs the character of a rock star, seemingly unstable, only to leap back with limber strength.

Côté’s partnering and group work also excels. Ballet is clearly the base technique of X (DIX), but it’s in the more daring contemporary moments that the choreography stands out and excites. X (DIX) is peppered with lightning-quick phrases where dancers hit gestures outside of ballet arm placement, while the partnering is dependent on weight-sharing. I’m particularly struck by Côté’s expertise in choreographing group partnering phrases; they flow with an ease that accommodates their many dancers.

But what is most appealing about Côté’s choreography is its musicality. He uses movement to animate the lush soundtrack, responding to experimental band Son Lux’s recordings. Perhaps best known for scoring Oscar-winning film Everything Everywhere All at Once, their work here stands as my favourite in a Toronto dance season already filled with innovative music. A lilting tenor states simple, enigmatic phrases, haunting this piece alongside strings and beats that sound as though the ground is falling out from beneath you.

Choreographically, X (DIX) showcases how narratives can serve as source material to produce a language built through movement, even if the source material may not end up being recognizable as such. The connections to the Odyssey feel ambiguous, but if anything, that ambiguity works in the piece’s favour. With clear intentionality in Simon Rossiter’s exemplary lighting design (employing bold spotlights that close and open with what goes on around them), I was given impressions of solitude and fleeing. The absence of specific texts and other storytelling devices meant I could place my own meaning onto the production.

X (DIX)’s greatness emerges from having done so many things well. Perhaps what I find so exciting about it is that in having done so, there was no need for a gimmick. Of course, innovating with interdisciplinarity advances the form. But so often in dance there seems to be a need to present something totally outside the box when something more simple would land better. Here, I got a lot out of watching great dancing to great music. Go and see it if that’s what you want, too.

artist profile

artist profile

The Superest Super Group of Them All

The Trans-Canada Highwaymen

Written by John Law

They may look like a ‘90s supergroup, but the Trans-Canada Highwaymen have their feet planted firmly in the ‘70s. Canadian ‘70s AM radio, to be precise.

Everything from the K-Tel-inspired album cover to the glorious cover songs are an ode to the early half of the decade, when all four members were glued to the dial.

That would be Moe Berg from The Pursuit of Happiness, Chris Murphy of Sloan, Craig Northey of Odds and Steven Page, formerly of the Barenaked Ladies. All a big part of Canada’s music scene in the ‘90s, brought together for a love of not only each other’s songs, but those nuggets that they grew up with.

The result – cheeky title and all – is Explosive Hits Vol. 1, the group’s first album despite forming eight years ago. While some of the covers are Canadian standards (The Guess Who’s “Undun,” Andy Kim’s “Rock Me Gently”), many are deep cuts or minor hits long forgotten.

When was the last time you heard Lighthouse’s “Pretty Lady” or The DeFranco Family’s “Heartbeat, It’s a Lovebeat?”

“It’s an ode to the Canadian songbook,” says Murphy. “We’re giving a nod to these songs we grew up on, hopefully lovingly. We still want to play our own songs, but we just thought this would be a fun angle. In the spirit of playing only hits, we thought better of recording a new album that people would be like, ‘What’s this s—t? Play the hits, guys!’”

The album contains only one new song, the lead-off track ”Theme from Trans-Canada Highwaymen.” Beyond that it’s a nostalgic joyride, with plenty of surprises.

Instead of doing the obvious Stampeders cover – the #1 smash “Sweet City Woman” – the band opts for the glorious “Carry Me.” Instead of picking any of Paul Anka’s huge hits, they go with the sweetly melodic “(I Believe) There’s Nothing Stronger Than Our Love.”

But don’t expect all oldies when the group hits the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre this May. There will be plenty of ‘newer’ oldies as each member plays three or four songs from their own band’s catalogue.

In Murphy’s case, that means Sloan classics like “Underwhelmed,” “Coax Me,” “The Rest of My Life” and “The Other Man.” For Page, it’s Barenaked Ladies gems like “It’s All Been Done” and “Brian Wilson,” while Northey dives into some Odds with “Make You Mad” and “Someone Who’s Cool.”

Berg, meanwhile, pulls out Pursuit of Happiness rockers like “Hard to Laugh” and - one of the highlights of every show –“I’m an Adult Now.” It’s a kick not just for the audience but the rest of the band. Murphy recalls being in Grade 12 when he first flipped over the song.

“So, singing that one is a giant thrill,” he says. “With my song ‘Underwhelmed,’ I always thought of that as a junior version of ‘I’m an Adult Now’ so, it’s thrilling for me to sing on ‘I’m an Adult Now’ and play it and it’s thrilling because Moe duets with me on ‘Underwhelmed.’ It’s pretty cool. I get to be in the band but be a fan as well.”

With all four members still busy with their own bands and solo careers, Murphy jokingly calls the Trans-Canada Highwaymen a “mistress band.”

“At this point it’s all gravy and it’s all just fun. We justify hanging out with our friends to our wives and we come home with money! It’s the perfect hang.”

TUES 7 MAY

The world premiere of a new Canadian ballet

KIMIKO’S PEARL

Commissioned and produced by Bravo Niagara!

story of war, sacrifice and renewal based on the Japanese Canadian internment of WWII

A

Dancers: Kyra Soo, Liam Saito, Rachel Gibbs, Yue Shi, Chenxin Liu, Yayoi Ban

Photo Credit: Alex Heidbuechel

Kimiko’s Pearl is a new, original ballet that traces the tragedies, triumphs and perseverance of one family before, during, and after the Japanese Canadian internment of WWII. It tells the story of four generations of the Ayukawa family of Mission, B.C. whose lives were forever changed.

From 1942 to 1949, the Canadian government uprooted, interned,

permanently dispossessed, and displaced over 22,000 Japanese Canadians. Kimiko’s Pearl marks the first time this tragic wartime experience has been told through ballet.

Commissioned and produced by Bravo Niagara!, Kimiko’s Pearl is based on a story by Emmy Award-winning writer Howard Reich and inspired by the family history of Bravo Niagara!’s co-founders Christine Mori and her daughter Alexis Spieldenner, who serve as co-creators and producers of the ballet.

artist profile

THE STORY

The story of Kimiko’s Pearl was inspired by the Ayukawa family trunk, which was built by Christine Mori’s grandfather Shizuo Ayukawa in the New Denver Internment Camp of B.C. This family artifact, currently in the collection of the Canadian War Museum, and a poem written by her aunt Hiroko Ayukawa Kaita set the stage for this new original production:

“ In New Denver made by father’s hand built of wood cut from his chosen land, marked with registration numbers assigned by (elected) parliamentary members, this wooden trunk scarred with travel hides tales too painful to unravel…”

— Hiroko Ayukawa Kaita (excerpt from “Father’s Trunk”)

FROM DREAM TO THE STAGE

Kimiko’s Pearl reflects a collective endeavour born in the midst of the challenging times of the pandemic. The project, which has been in development for over three years, brings together a diverse team of creators from Niagara, Toronto, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Chicago, and uniquely bridges three generations of Japanese Canadians.

“As a fourth-generation Japanese Canadian, I hope this deeply personal story sheds light on a dark chapter in Canadian history and takes audiences on a journey of intergenerational healing and hope,” says co-creator and producer Alexis Spieldenner.

Bottom Image: Ayukawa family trunk, CWM 20170022-001 | Photo Credit: Canadian War Museum

Dancer: Liam Caines | Photo Credit: Réjean Brandt

Kimiko’s Pearl comes to life onstage through powerful original music by Kevin Lau (Le Petit Prince, The National Ballet of Canada) and choreography by Yosuke Mino (Royal Winnipeg Ballet) with dancers from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Boston Ballet. The production is further enriched by innovative sound design by Aaron Tsang and original artwork by prominent Japanese Canadian artists Norman Takeuchi, CM, Lillian Yano Blakey, Emma Nishimura, and Miya Turnbull.

The story is told through the eyes of Kimiko, a 15-year-old Toronto girl who discovers an old family trunk containing her great-grandfather’s diary and other precious keepsakes. As Kimiko reads the diary, her family’s tale comes to life. Her great-grandfather Shizuo leaves his home in Japan to start a new life in Canada in 1917. He marries Natsue, a “picture bride” from Kagoshima, and they become berry farmers in Mission, B.C. But after the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, their lives and the lives of their descendants are irrevocably changed. Their harsh experiences attest to heroism and hope in the face of racism.

Kimiko’s Pearl is more than a ballet; it is a vivid portrayal of resilience, discovery and transformation that transcends time. From the shores of Kagoshima, Japan, into the heart of bustling post-war Toronto, the narrative –spanning over a century – unfolds not with words but via movement, music, and imagery. We see choreography expressed through contemporary ballet with elements of traditional Japanese folk dance. We hear music that evokes Japanese instrumentation but also lush romanticism befitting a vast family drama. We behold lighting and scenery infused with the elegance and grace of Japanese calligraphy and projections of original Japanese Canadian artwork and family archival photographs. Along the way, ancient Japanese traditions appear and seem to vanish, only to re-emerge in surprising ways as Kimiko’s Pearl reaches its 21st century finale.

Kimiko’s Pearl

SAT 22 JUNE

SUN 23 JUNE

Get tickets online at firstontariopac.ca or call the box office at 905-688-0722. Scan the QR code for details.

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is a proud co-commissioning partner of Kimiko’s Pearl.

Dancers: Yue Shi and Chenxin Liu | Photo Credit: Réjean Brandt

The Circle: Indigenous Singer-Songwriters in the Round

Featuring: Leah Shenandoah, DnA & Eroll Starr and Donny Hill of TRIBZ

The Circle: Indigenous Singer-Songwriters in the Round was conceived to offer a deeply intimate musical encounter for both artists and attendees. Rooted in the rich tapestry of Indigenous culture, The Circle embraces lyrical storytelling to foster reconciliation, resilience, and a deeper understanding of the nation’s complex history, all through the voices of Indigenous singer-songwriters.

Serving as a platform to amplify and empower emerging and established Indigenous talents, The Circle provides a space where authentic Indigenous voices share the stories behind their songs. By introducing Indigenous music to a broader audience, The Circle aims to raise awareness and promote the remarkable talent within Indigenous communities.

“In contrast to conventional stages, The Circle offers a unique and intimate musical experience, providing a “behind-the-music” concert spotlighting Indigenous artists. This gathering of Indigenous singer-songwriters invites listeners into a shared space where they take turns sharing their songs and the stories behind them.

These stories traverse a spectrum of emotions— from poignant and sombre to humorous and playful. Regardless of the narrative or melody, The Circle’s “raw as originally written” unplugged concerts foster a profound sense of community, sharing, and healing, leaving audiences uplifted and captivated by the magic of Indigenous lyrics and storytelling.”

Michele-Elise Burnett, Artistic Director Celebration of Nations/ The Circle

Photo of Nicole Joy Fraser and Tonemah. The Circle, April 2023.

featuring

Leah Shenandoah is a Wolf Clan Member of the Onyo’ta:aká: – Oneida Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and daughter of Joanne Shenandoah. She is an indigenous scholar, artist, activist and musician currently enrolled as an Apparel Design Ph.D. Candidate at Cornell University. Shenandoah combines indigenous methodologies, material culture and activism to create a space of protection, comfort and healing through her work. Shenandoah received a Master’s of Fine Art from Rochester Institute of Technology in Metals and Jewelry, Magna Cum Laude. In addition, Shenandoah’s debut album, Spectra, with producer JJ Boogie (Arrested Development), received a Native American Music Award for “Best Debut Album” and “Best Alternative Album” from the Syracuse Area Music Awards. Shenandoah’s art and jewelry have won awards and are exhibited in national museums and exhibitions.

DnA: Building a creative life together for almost 25 years, Doug Boudreau and April Mitchell-Boudreau happily blend family, music, and their successful handmade jewellery business, Lofttan. Doug, a Juno-nominated multi-instrumentalist with Acadian roots, and April, an artist with Haudenosaunee roots, embody the spirit of the two-row wampum for mutual respect, peace and friendship (plus a whole lot of love!). On and off the stage, their lives harmonize, creating an intimate and authentic acoustic musical experience featuring their heartfelt originals and covers of other artists.

Tribz is an adult contemporary band that is rooted in R&B/blues, reggae, pop and rock fusion. Tribz quickly realised how eclectic and different their music is because of diverse backgrounds though they share the common values to bring the message of love, hope, and empowerment to the men and women around the world.

Tribz member Errol Star was born in Jamaica with African and ArakaksTainos ancestry. He eventually moved to Canada where his musical career soared. He is a Juno Award winner, recipient of the Socan Songwriter of the Year award, Q107 Toronto Music Award winner and Canadian Black Music Award winner.

Tribz member Donny Hill is Six Nations Mohawk tribe member and bass player. Recorded and toured with Juno winner Murray Porter, he played the very first Rez Blues show, and has shared the stage with Big Sugar, Blue Rodeo, and the cast of RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World

The Circle THURS 25 APR

Get tickets online at firstontariopac.ca or call the box office at 905-688-0722. Scan the QR code for details.

artist profile

LEAH SHENANDOAH

DnA

ERROL STAR

DONNY HILL

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Douglas* DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND CITY TREASURERCITY OF ST. CATHARINES

David Oakes* CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER - CITY OF ST. CATHARINES

Tom Irvine* FIRSTONTARIO CREDIT UNION REPRESENTATIVE

thank you

VOLUNTEERS

THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

We wouldn’t be where we are without our volunteers. They play a critical role in the PAC as ambassadors and friends, and we simply couldn’t do what we do without each and every one of them.

VOLUNTEER WITH US

To learn more about volunteering visit firstontariopac.ca or scan the QR code.

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre acknowledges the support of, and long-time partnership with the City of St. Catharines and Brock University.

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre proudly works with IATSE Local 461.

Wendy Dueck FUND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR

Mark Steinman FINANCE & AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIR

Mario De Divitiis BOARD CHAIR

Peter Partridge INTERIM VICE CHAIR

Christina Atkinson HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE CHAIR

Shelley Chemnitz GOVERNANCE & NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR

Dimple Sharma CITIZEN MEMBER

Gary Comerford CITIZEN MEMBER

Lloyd Smith CITIZEN MEMBER

Christopher Yendt CITIZEN MEMBER Councillor Carlos Garcia

Eileen Martin CITIZEN MEMBER

*Non-Voting Member

Lesley Rigg BROCK UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVE

Kristine

Carol U. Merriam BROCK UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVE

Councillor Robin McPherson

Colleen A. Smith* CEO, FIRSTONTARIO PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

pLeaving

Want

LEGACY

Donations are how you can help today. Legacy gifts are how you can help tomorrow.

“

I am very proud of the fact that my mom chose the PAC to be a beneficiary of her legacy... it was something that she enjoyed, and I’m glad she’s continuing to support it.”

PHIL COURT

COURT’S LEGACYGIFT

Donors like you make the performing arts available to those in our community who might not otherwise have an opportunity to experience the joy, inspiration, sense of wellbeing, and belonging that attending engaging artistic experiences provides.

Your gift will make a difference

• to youth, through our ImPACt Education series (K-Grade 12) providing artistic and creative activities to children to educate, inspire and engage; imPACT Plus; and the Youth Film Club

• to seniors, though programs like Sharing Dance for Older Adults

• to the community, through barrier free experiences such as Community Film Nights, free Outdoor Films, intergenerational gatherings, and celebrations

• to New Citizens by providing access to the arts

• to programs that centralize Indigenous voices … all of which bring us closer together as a community.

You may think you have to be wealthy to leave a gift in your Will, but you’d be amazed at the difference one final gift – big or small –could make in the lives of others. It can provide opportunities and experiences that are life changing.

You can Support your Loved Ones while Remembering a Charity

We know your loved ones will always come first and you may worry that leaving a legacy gift to support a cause dear to your heart means there will be less to give to your loved ones. Did you know that Federal tax incentives to encourage such gifts means that your estate would receive a tax receipt for the full value of the gift, adding a tax credit to your final income tax return, which can help maximize the value of your residual estate for your beneficiaries? Did you know that a legacy gift can be a piece of property, a single cash gift of any size, a percentage of your estate, or even the establishment of a lasting endowment fund? We encourage you to talk to your Financial Advisor for details on your specific situation.

Leaving a gift is a way of sharing your love of the performing arts with others for many years to come

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HUMAN RESOURCES ADVISORY

Big enough to know. SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE.