Leapin’ Lizards! It’s the world’s favourite family musical! Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young orphan Annie is forced to live in a miserable orphanage run by the wicked Miss Hannigan. Her hard knock life takes an unexpected turn when the plucky redhead is chosen to spend a fairy tale holiday with famous billionaire industrialist, Oliver Warbucks. With its Tony Award®-winning book and score, including the memorable songs “Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You,” and the uplifting anthem “Tomorrow,” we bet your bottom dollar you'll love it! Recommended for ages 5 and up.

In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, the joys and sorrows of war are explored in this unforgettable nostalgic musical that follows the journey of six Canadian infantrymen. With a mixture of side-splitting comedy and heart-wrenching tragedy, the essence of World War II is captured through the eyes of Canadian soldiers themselves as they experience everything from training and the anguish of leaving loved ones, to the anticipation of actually going to fight the enemy, the fear and danger of battle, and the sorrow of losing comrades. This moving theatrical production brings history alive, featuring popular music from the 1930s and 1940s including "The White Cliffs of Dover," "We'll Meet Again," "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square," "I'll Be Seeing You," and many more hits of the era. So pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and get ‘in the mood’ for an unforgettable theatre experience in tribute to our cherished veterans. Recommended for ages 10 and up.

Canadian Violinist David Gillham is in demand as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher throughout North America and around the world. PROGRAMME: Brahms Scherzo from FAE Smetana from my Homeland Debussy Sonata for violin & piano Ysaye Sonata for solo violin No. 3 in D minor (“Ballade”), op. 27/3 Saint-Saëns Rondo Capriccioso Wieniawski Faust Fantasy, op. 28

The annual appearance of the Festival Trio is always a Musicfest audience favourite. Violinist Sadie Fields lives in Brussells, but loves the opportunity to visit her home-town Guelph and perform in the Festival Trio. Cellist Paul Pulford has retired from Wilfrid Laurier University and moved to New Brunswick, but returns to continue in the trio. They’re all good friends with musical synergy, and love playing together. Come and share in their musical reunion. PROGRAMME: Fauré Elegy Debussy Cello Sonata in D minor, L. 135 Ravel Violin Sonata no. 2 in G Dvořák Piano Trio No. 4, op. 90 (“Dumky”)

Silver medalist and laureate of the Krystian Zimerman award of the best sonata at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2015, Charles Richard-Hamelin is standing out as one of the most important pianists of his generation. He also won the second prize at the Montreal International Musical Competition and the third prize and special award for the best performance of a Beethoven sonata at the Seoul International Music Competition in South Korea. Charles was recently awarded the Order of Arts and Letters of Quebec and the prestigious Career Development Award offered by the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto. PROGRAMME: Enescu Suite “in the old style” in G minor, op. 3 Debussy Images (oubliées) Mendelssohn Fantaisie in F sharp minor, op. 28 Rachmaninov Morceaux de Fantaisie, op. 3 (excerpts) Chopin Nocturne in C sharp minor, op. posth. Chopin Ballade No. 1 in G minor, op. 23 Chopin Andante Spianato & Grande Polonaise, op. 22