‘The Nutcracker’ takes the stage
Editor’s note:
With the seasons of Christmas and New Year’s here again, some entertainment events are off the schedule while others are going strong. It’s a good idea to check ahead to see what is happening, especially with winter weather here. From all of us at The Guardian, have a happy and entertaining holiday season.
CEILIDHS/JAMBOREES/ KITCHEN PARTIES
Ceilidhs are Fridays at St. Peters Circle Club, St. Peters, 7:30-11 p.m., with local entertainment. Admission is $4.
A ceilidh at the Kaylee Hall is Fridays, 8-11 p.m. Admission is $5. Music is by Jim Madsen, Donnie MacDonald, Jim Galpin and Elinor MacAulay.
A ceilidh, sponsored by the Silver Threads Seniors Club, is at the club, 78 Main St., Souris, Wednesdays, 8-11 p.m., featuring local entertainers and an open mic. Admission is $5 with funds for club projects.
An informal, acoustic traditional music session is Thursdays, 7-9 p.m., at the Old Triangle, Charlottetown. Players and dancers are welcome.
The Dunromin Band will hold a jamboree at the Linkletter Community Centre, 1670 Route 11, Linkletter Rd., on Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. It will feature a set by Dunromin, followed by lunch and an open mike.
QCONCERTS
the “Magnificat” and “Ave Maria” to music. Featuring over 50 singers and a 30-piece orchestra, the concert is under the direction of Leo Marchildon. Admission is by freewill offering.
The Dunk winter solstice party is Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m., at The Dunk in Breadalbane.
Got Blues Matinee is Saturdays, 2:30-4:30 p.m., at The Factory Cookhouse, 189 Kent St., Charlottetown, hosted by Got Blues (Chris Roumbanis and friends Reg Ballagh and Mike Robicheau). Each week there is a special guest, and the second set is always an electric blues jam. The guests on Dec. 23 are singer Annette Drapeau from Nova Scotia and P.E.I.’s Todd MacLean on saxophone and keyboard.
Choral Music Programme: Sing Along Messiah will be presented Dec. 28 at 3 p.m. by the Confederation Centre Chorus at the Kirk of St. James in Charlottetown. Admission is by donation. Sing it out together during this jubilant time of year. This popular festive gathering unites the audience to share in Handel’s most celebrated choral work.
There will be a Montague Regional High School Choir Alumni Concert on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. at MRHS. Tickets are $6 each or $5 for students and seniors. There will be a rehearsal at 3 p.m. for any former choir members who would like to participate. Former choir members can get more details on Facebook at MRHS Alumni Choir.
Never Far From Home will be presented at The Guild on Dec. 29, 7-9:30 p.m., an evening of songs and stories in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association (P.E.I. division. Islanders Brittany Banks and Natalie MacFadyen (nee Sullivan) will share songs and stories from the last two decades of making music together. Also performing are Nathan Keoughan, Andrew Murray, Hannah Rose, Aaron Crane and more. There will be a silent auction featuring local goods and services. Tickets are $20 each (or more, by donation at the door) and all proceeds will go directly towards the CMHA-P.E.I., which offers services and supports tailored to Islanders and their mental health needs. Any local business interested in donating an item or service to the silent auction can contact Banks at email@ brittanybanks.ca.
Dave Gunning and James Keelaghan are in concert Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m., at the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside. These two top Canadian singer-songwriters will showcase their artistic craftsmanship and quality musicianship individually and collaboratively. An ‘’80s party with Platinum Blonde, Lady Soul and Copy Cat is at the Delta Prince Edward in Charlottetown, Dec. 31. The Food and Warmth Show, a Christmastime fundraising concert for the Upper Room, is back for the 11th time at the Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Holland College, Charlottetown, Dec. 22, 7-11 p.m. The lineup includes the Amanda Jackson Band, Russell Louder, Baby God, More Soul, Cynthia MacLeod, Richard Wood and Gordon Belsher, Braydon Gautreau and Becca Griffin, plus a songwriters’ circle featuring Jon Matthews, Katie McGarry, Dan Currie and Brielle Ansems. Tickets are $20 or $15 with a donation of non-perishable food items at the door at the theatre box office. The event also includes food by chef Robert Pendergast and a silent auction.
A Christmas concert is at St. Dunstan’s Basilica in Charlottetown on Dec. 22, 7 p.m. The program includes “Mary Through the Ages”, an exploration of how various composers set the texts of Young performers get into the spirit of the performance and the season during Dance Stars Academy’s presentation of “The Nutcracker” last Sunday at the Florence Simmons Performance Hall on the campus of Holland College in Charlottetown.
Tickets are available through the theatre box office.
Canadian guitar virtuoso
Nick Johnston will be playing in the Florence
Simmons
Performance Hall Jan.
12, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at the
Florence Simmons
Performance Hall box office or at the door.
The QEH concert series continues at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Hall, 151 Stratford Rd.,
Stratford, Jan. 14, 2 p.m., hosted by Treble with Girls, with special guest Keelin Wedge. Enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly music and fun to raise funds for the 22nd annual QEH/Eastlink Telethon for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Foundation. There’s a 50/50 draw, door prizes, tickets on a West Jet
Trip for two and a homemade lunch at intermission. Admission is adults, $10, students, 12 and under, $5, and preschoolers free.
A winter concert-ceilidh series will kick off at Trinity United
Church, 90 Spring St., ummerside, on Jan. 21, 2 p.m. The concerts will be held on the third Sunday afternoon of each month from January to May. In the event of a storm, the concert will be held the following Sunday at the same time.
The first concert will feature Janet
McGarry and Serge Bernard, who have performed for many years at bluegrass festivals and many other events throughout eastern Canada and beyond. For more information on the series or to purchase tickets, contact the church office at 902-436-3155. Aaron Hastelow and Michelle Bouey are in concert Jan. 6, 7-9:30 p.m., at the Guild in Charlottetown. After three consecutive years of sold-out performances, these two performers are coming home to P.E.I. to present an all-new night of music. Join these well-known best friends as they share not only their voices but their stories. For tickets, contact the box office.
NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS
The Jack Blanchard Family Centre is hosting a New Year’s Eve gala with a choice of hot turkey or hot roast beef dinner with all the trimmings. Music will be by Dino Dunsford, Kendall Docherty and Peter Burke as well as the Shake Rattle N Roll Band with Ian Hunter, Heartz Godkin, George MacPhee and Brian Knox. Tickets are available by calling Docherty at 9025691133, Knox at 902-5693327, at One on One Video Services or at the Holy Redeemer Church office.
A New Year’s Eve Kitchen Party is at St. Margaret’s Hall, 11394 Northside Rd., Dec. 31, 9 p.m., with music by Rannie MacLellan, Kevin Chaisson and Urban MacAdam. There will be door prizes, a 50/50 draw and a lunch. The cost is $10. Call 902-687-2546 to book a seat.
Fallback 1950s/’60s band will play for a New Year’s Eve dance, Dec. 31, 9 p.m., at The Oval, Credit Union Place, 511 Notre Dame St., Summerside. Sandwiches, sweets, coffee/tea are included. Tickets for the 19+ event are available from Johlene at 902-315-0675 or by emailing johlenewhite@hotmail. com.
Music and Friends play for a New Year’s Eve dance, Dec. 31, 9 p.m., at 56 St. Peter’s Rd., Charlottetown. Tickets are available from Tom at 902-330-0842, Lewie, 902-218-3278, or Lester, 902583-2848.
Joe Hynes and
Friends will play at Hillsborough Park Community Centre, Dec. 31 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Tickets are still available by calling 902-8941121 or 902-2130801.
A New Year’s Eve dance is at the Rustico Bay Seniors Club from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Music is by Country Steel. Tickets may be purchased from Mark at 902-964-2674, Margaret at 902963-2003 or Bernice at 902-6210199.
Dance your way into 2018 on Dec. 31 with Blaine Murphy, John McGarry, Jeannie Campbell, Ed Young, Keila Glydon, Pat King and Gerry Hickey in the spacious comfort of the Murphy Centre in downtown Charlottetown. Enjoy dinner or come only for the dancing. Dinner is served at 7:30 p.m., and dancing begins at 9 p.m., continuing until 12:30 a.m. Call the centre for tickets. To have tickets delivered, call Gerry at 902-3933251 or Blaine at 902-393-8379.
New Year’s Eve celebration will be held on Dec. 31, 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., at the Belfast Rec Centre, with a cold plate served at 8 p.m., and music by Keynotes (Clifford MacIntyre and Mary Mullen). Admission is $15 per person. Tickets can be purchased at Coopers Red and White in Eldon or call Eleanor at 902-659-2554 to reserve.
New Year’s Eve dance with Maria Campbell and the Motones Band is Dec. 231, 9 p.m., at the Charlottetown Curling Club.
New Year’s Eve dance with The Rustlers is Dec. 31, at the Kaylee Hall.
QDANCES
Helping Hands Band jamboree is Dec. 30, 7:30 p.m., at St. Anthony’s Hall, Route 2, Woodstock. Money raised supports local charities. Admission at the door. Come and enjoy music, fun and lunch. Phase II plays for a dance at the Kaylee Hall, Pooles Corner, Dec. 23, 8 p.m.
A dance is at 56 St. Peters Rd., Charlottetown, Dec. 23, 8-11 p.m. Music is by Music and Friends with Lester MacPherson. There is a free lunch and a 50/50 draw.
Wednesday dances are at Hillsborough Park Community Centre. The next one is Dec. 27, 8:30-11:30 p.m. with Joe Hynes and Black Hats. There’s a free lunch and a 50/50 draw. Call 902-213-0801 or 902-894-1121.
THEATRE/COMEDY/ DANCE
Georgetown’s own storyteller Dennis King and musicians Jason Martell and Barry O’Brien appear in “The Graphic Van Sessions” at the King’s Playhouse in Georgetown on Dec. 23, 8 p.m. For tickets or more information, visit www.kingsplayhouse.com or call 1-888-346-5666.
The Ho-Ho-Home for the Holidays Comedy Show takes place at The Guild in Charlottetown on Dec. 23, 8 p.m., featuring Justin Shaw, Brittany Campbell, Jeremy Francis, Dan Hendricken and a possible special guest. The evening will be hosted by Sharlene Kelly and presented by Sam MacDonald. Tickets are available at The Guild box office and online at theguildpei.com/box-office. Doors for the show open at 7:30 p.m.
Popalopalots take the stage at The Guild on Jan. 20, 8-10 p.m., performing their make-itup-onthespot sketch comedy at The Guild in Charlottetown, Tickets are available at the theatre box office. Applications for the seventh edition of the Island Fringe Festival, Aug. 2-5, 2018, are now open. For more information, send an email to islandfringe@gmail. com.
QFILMS
QAPPLICATIONS
Eptek Lunchtime Films are screened each Thursday at noon. Volunteer Friends of Eptek will serve coffee, tea and cookies, and everyone is invited to bring a sandwich. There is no charge; donations are accepted for refreshments. The film series resumes on Jan. 4 with “Canada: Magnificent Journeys: New Frontiers” (60 minutes) distributed by Reader’s Digest. For a list, call 902-888-8373 or visit www.peimuseum.com. Eptek Centre, a site of the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation,
is a free listings of entertainment events. Listings must be submitted no later than the end of the day Tuesday by fax at 566-3808 or to lifestyles@theguardian.pe.ca. For more information, call Carolyn Drake 629-6000, ext. 6036.