Trent Valley Archives launches new theatre group
Productions will interest both public audiences and students in grades 6-12
Trent Valley Archives Theatre (TVAT) is a new initiative of Trent Valley Archives (TVA), created with the aim of raising funds for the archives, through theatre productions about local historical events.
The productions will interest both public audiences and students in grades 6-12.
TVAT’s inaugural project, “Tide of Hope,” a Peter Robinson migration and refugee story by award-winning local playwright Ed Schroeter, will have a public performance May 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Performances for school audiences are on May 15 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., all at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre.
“The major challenge with respect to this project is funding. Unlike many archives with regular government funding, TVA receives no such support. This is where you come in. You can help make ‘Tide of Hope’ a success by making a donation,” reads a news release for the initiative.
“Tide of Hope,” the first of two plays commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Peter Robinson Irish immigration to the Peterborough region, is directed by Gerry McBride and produced by Mary and Greg Conchelos.
“The play … commemorates the bicentennial of the Peter Robinson immigration, while opening a dialogue about immigration, refugees, migrants, identity and European settler history. It is about an Irish land agent and rent collector who runs afoul of Whiteboy rebels fighting against the tyranny of English colonialism. David Nagle is forced to flee to Upper Canada with the Peter Robinson settlers of 1825 to escape their wrath,” says a TVA release about the play.
For information, call 705-2982350 or visit trentvalleyarchives.com/tvat.
TVA is a registered charity. Donations of $20 or more receive a charitable tax receipt; donations of $50 or more will be recognized (unless donated anonymously) with the donor’s name listed on the “Tide of Hope” playbill, the TVA website and in an upcoming issue of TVA’s Heritage Gazette newsletter.
Donations can be made online by visiting trentvalleyarchives.com/?s=donation; also via e-transfer to accounting@trentvalleyarchives.com; by cheque mailed to or dropped off at TVA; or by cash dropped off at TVA.
Please indicate if the donation is in support of the Tide of Hope production, and provide your name, address and phone number if you require a tax receipt.
For information about donations, contact Maddie by email at TVAT@trentvalleyarchives.com or by calling 705-298-2350.
Incorporated in 1989, TVA houses an extensive and growing collection of local historical resources available to the public.
In addition to encouraging local and family history research, they raise awareness of local history through historical tours, events, publications and presentations.
Tickets to the May 16 public performance of Tide of Hope cost $30 or $40 for table seating.
To purchase your tickets, visit tickets.markethall.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=357.
The cost for May 15 school matinees is $250 for a class of 25 students, plus free seats for the teacher and up to four volunteers.
School groups can be booked by emailing trentvalleyarchivestheatre@gmail.com.
Information about the background of the play and digital teacher resources can be found on the TVAT website. Visit sites.google.com/view/tvatheatre/home?authuser=1.
Riverview Park and Zoo Fun Run
Registration is now open for the Riverview Park and Zoo Fun Run and, if you register before Friday, you will receive early-bird pricing.
The event takes place June 29 at the zoo and participants have the option of walking or running either a 1K or 5K route.
Money raised will go toward building new spaces for the birds at the zoo.
The zoo is home to a variety of bird species, including emus, wild turkeys, common peafowl and helmeted guinea fowl.
To register for the race, visit itsyourrace.com.
Cupcake week
It’s cupcake week at Champlain Animal Hospital, with homemade cupcakes for sale from Monday to Friday.
Money raised will go toward supporting the animals at Lakefield Animal Welfare Society.
The cupcakes cost $3 each or $10 for four.
Last year, the event raised more than $400, an amount the animal hospital is hoping to repeat this year.
Champlain Animal Hospital is located at 2673 Lakefield Rd.
The hours it is open include Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Come out and buy a cupcake or two and enjoy a treat while supporting the animals at the shelter.