October is one of the best months of the year. The summer seems reluctant to depart, and there’s every reason to grab a friend or strike out on your own to enjoy some cultural and artistic fun offered by our members.
Bums in seats
Don’t miss the first annual Guelph Fringe Festival!
The majority of the performances will be held at the Guelph Black Heritage Society (83 Essex St), with one at To Be Determined Theatre Co.(123 Woolwich). With six different plays, each performed several times over the weekend, you’ll definitely be able to catch something. Guelph Fringe Festival is “unjuried, uncensored and open to all voices.” Currently run by 100% volunteer power, the festival passes on 100% ticket proceeds the artists. Part of their mandate is also to champion audiences, keeping ticket prices to $10. They are still looking for volunteer ushers and ticket takers so please email [email protected].
Some of the performances include true stories, such as BorderLine Me, by award-winning artist Robin Zee, which ”tells the affective story of how Robin Zee overcame a childhood of abuse and human trafficking, liberating herself from all of the labels imposed on her as a result of her past.”Veronica Appia- The Theatre Reader Magazine
Another must-see is the two-nights only Fringe Double Feature, Two Shows for $10:
STUPEFIED
By Paul Hutcheson
&
A NURSE’S WORST NIGHTMARE
By Zabrina Chevannes
Kevin Nunn, director of Guelph Fringe, says Fringe Fest can be like a “treasure hunt. Fringes are much sought-after opportunities for artists, and they bring their best performances to these shows.” Go to Fringe, keep an open mind, and you never know what you’ll discover! It could be the next big thing, and you have the chance to see it for only $10. See full lineup here https://www.facebook.com/guelphfringe/events?key=events
There’s a lot going on at the River Run Centre – have a browse and make some plans.
Guelph Chamber Choir is still offering season tickets. Did you know that tickets for students and people under 30 are only $10? Their soaring voices will give you goosebumps!
Guelph Youth Singers are joined by Suzuki String School of Guelph and SATB (SopranoAltoTenorBass) to kick off their 30th Anniversary celebrations with “Heartstring” on October 25 http://guelpharts.ca/event/heartstring
Shoes on feet
Guests coming for Thanksgiving? Walk off that turkey on Sunday afternoon, and show off Guelph to your friends and relatives. You’ll learn a secret or two about the history of this town, to be sure. This is your last chance to go on a Guelph Arts Council Historical Walking Tour in 2015. Catch Tour V: Brooklyn and the College Hill this Sunday October 4, and Tour VI: Ward One Guelph the following Sunday, October 11. Tours meet at 2 p.m. and last about 2 hours. Cost is $5 for person. Tour V meets at 108 Water Street (John McCrae House), and Tour VI meets at Tytler School. For tour descriptions see http://guelpharts.ca/gac-programming#walkingtours
Take the Guelph Studio Tour this month, and discover local art and artists in their natural environment. October 16-18, 2015. These people are fantastically skilled, and so friendly. You’ll never regret an outing to the Studio Tour. This yearthey feature an incredible set of 42 local artists opening their doors, putting their work out there to be discovered, and their faces out there to meet and greet you. Go, ask questions, get behind the scenes, and take home some beautiful work! Although thankfully the carols have yet to strike up in the shopping centres, it is not too early to pick up a present for the loved ones, or even a present for yourself.
Keep an eye out for new HATCH artists exhibiting in Downtown Guelph.
Day trippin’
Fall is the perfect time for a weekend jaunt to a nearby village. Grayce Perry is holding an open studio in beautiful nearby Elora,
The Elora Fergus Studio Tour is on this coming weekend, and features many artists from Guelph and Wellington County http://guelpharts.ca/event/elora-fergus-studio-tour-2
Guelph artist and educator Grazyna Adamska-Jarecka will be showing her work at Homer Watson Gallery in Kitchener. Join the artist for her opening or closing events for a more intimate and involved experience, or drop in during gallery hours http://guelpharts.ca/event/echoes-of-growth-art-exhibition
Local artists Nancy Farrell, Barbara Shaw and Barbara Bryce present a month-long exhibition of painting and glass, INTRIGUE3, at the Bartlett Gallery in the beautiful Alton Mill.
Get your groove on
Visit Silence for an evening show, or start your week right by joining them for Monday Morning Music. You can even see an exhibition of visual art while you’re there.
Feast your eyes
Guelph Arts Council’s visual artist members show off their work at Guelph Civic Museum during Wall of Art: Celebrate, running October 6-January 10. Wall of Art is a quarterly juried exhibition of GAC members. Artists are paid exhibitor fees, and the work is displayed for three months, including a Fourth Fridays opening which is free to attend.
The newly renovated Art Gallery of Guelph boasts four fascinating exhibitions in addition to their ART/CRAFT show, which is a fundraiser featuring work for sale by prominent local artists. Get collecting!
In its 67th year, Expressions is a juried art show and public exhibition held each fall by the Guelph Creative Arts Association. Enjoy fine examples of paintings, photography and craft artistry.
Last chance to see Brenna Stalford at renann isaacs contemporary gallery
Hone your skills or learn something brand new
Life Drawing Days, Young Artists 1&2, , and other classes from Guelph School of Art.
October is truly a month to Engage and Celebrate!
It is the year of anniversaries! As we celebrate our 40th here at GAC, and Guelph Youth Singers Celebrate 25, Guelph Studio Tour turns a grand 30 years old.
We encourage you to support and celebrate our local artists and our cultural economy by going out and enjoying what’s on offer, buying a ticket, bringing a friend, or taking home a piece of art that’s within your means.
