Ring in the Christmas season with Friends in Music
Band doing concerts at Royal Gardens and Canterbury Gardens
Friends in Music, a community band for all ages and instruments, will be performing their holiday concerts on Thursday at Royal Gardens, 1160 Clonsilla Ave., and on Dec. 5 at Canterbury Gardens, 1414 Sherbrooke St. W., both at 7 p.m.
The concerts will feature “Welcome Yule,” a medley of well-known carols, the “Blue Danube Waltz” by Johann Strauss Jr., music from “Aladdin,” “Sogno di Volare” from the video game “Civilization,” arrangements of traditional folk songs including “Blue Ridge Reel,” “Black is the Colour,” “Blue Lake and Rocky Shore,” and more.
“We have lots of wonderful music to share with our audience members to help get everyone into the spirit of the holidays,” says Marilyn Croteau
Chalk, music director. “We started the fall season with exciting new music and several new members. We look forward to performing for our very warm and appreciative audiences.”
New members are always welcome to come to rehearsals which take place Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Long and McQuade Music Centre, 129 Aylmer St. N. Rehearsals
will start up again on Jan. 9. The ensemble is made up of brass, woodwinds, strings, keyboard and percussion, playing music at an easy-to-medium level of difficulty. The group’s members include those in a range of ages, from high school students to retirees. Some are talented musicians from the Kawartha Youth Orchestra.
Croteau Chalk, who has extensive experience in conducting, is also the conductor of the Junior Kawartha Youth Orchestra. She selects repertoire that spans the musical ages — from 18th century classical music and 21st century beloved band classics to Broadway musicals and original works by today’s composers. She says that the band loves to play and learn from all styles and genres of music.
The group performs several times a year at retirement residences and community events. For further information please visit www.friendsinmusic.ca or email lorick@cogeco.ca.
Kawartha Potters Guild Sale
The Kawartha Potters Guild’s 24th annual holiday sale will take place at 993 Talwood Dr. on Friday, November 29 from 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., an ideal time to shop for that special person for Christmas. Admission is free, with a free draw and refreshments and parking. This will be one of the largest sales in the guild’s history with about 30 potters participating.
“During the weekend, guild members will be making bowls, which will be glazed, fired and donated to the Empty Bowls event in February in support of the YWCA’s Nourish Program,” says Lillian Forester, past chair. “Proceeds from the sale enable the guild to maintain the teaching facility and pottery shop throughout the year. Shop local, support local and the community benefits.”
For more information, please call 705-742-4979 or visit www.kawarthapottersguild.com
FYD-L-STYX
FYD-L-STYX band presents its annual Christmas concert Saturday at 7 p.m. at St. James United Church, 221 Romaine St. This family-friendly show will feature Christmas music old and new, sacred and secular. Everyone is invited to kick off the holiday season with song, dance, humour and assorted FYD-L-STYX shenanigans. Admission is by free will donation. The church is wheelchair accessible.