February is coming and with it the romantic holiday of Valentine’s Day. So, we checked in with Acting Theatre Manager Costin Manu for the inside scoop on what the theatre has in store for lovers this month. Good News! There’s a little something for lots of different lovers...
Let's start with ballet lovers. Romeo & Juliet performed by The State Ballet Theatre of Russia. They are old acquaintances of the Rose Theatre audience. “It's at least the fourth time they've come. The last time was the Nutcracker, in December” explains the manager. It’s easy to see why they are welcomed back as they bring that impeccable Russian style and a world of class to each performance.
“We are excited too for singer/songwriter Dan Hill. He rose to stardom during the Baby boom generation, and now, we will have the opportunity to relive the nostalgia with him”. But the main reason for Costin’s excitement is this: “It's the first time in many, many, many years that Dan Hill will be performing with a full band. In recent years, Hill has primarily appeared with solo piano. We’re looking forward to that full sound to accompany his many, memorable hits. That did it... “Sometimes When We Touch” is stuck in my head again....”
If you're a sketchy lover (grin) you’ll certainly have a lot of fun with The Second City. The troupe from Toronto will present a hilarious and interactive show about dating in the internet age. Costin says: “I love them because they take a satirical look at life. What they do is always current. What's happening in the world, in politics, in the social scene, movies and art.”
Just after the “big day” experience 30's style romanticism with She Loves Me. This Broadway musical runs for a 7 performances from Feb 15-19. It's a tender and funny story of two shop clerks who can’t stand one other during the day but discover love as anonymous pen pals. If you saw the movie with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, You've Got Mail you’ll know the crux of the story. “The Rose will present the original version. The same sweet story with a great cast, beautiful music, and the memorable costumes of the 30's!” adds Costin.
There is more to be seen in February, Rhythm of the Dance tours direct from Ireland and Canada’s leading company, The Shumka Dancers present a 50th Anniversary spectacular that is sure to thrill. From New York City The Improv Shakespeare Company entertain in the studio for two shows. Plus the little ones will enjoy Splash & Boots in the studio, a chance to get up close and personal with the performers (and their friendly performing dog by the way).
So you see there is a little love for everyone this month. We look forward to sharing the love with you!
“I wanted to make an album where every song had meaning,where every song told a story and would lift you up and give you a reason to get up in the morning. And I know it’s going to feel really good singing these songs on stage.”
These are the words of Mavis Staples about her last album "You Are Not Alone". A inspired song to warm a cold day. Here is your chance to feel the warmth. Tonight at 8pm, Mavis Staples takes the Rose Theatre stage. Let her "get it through to you"!
These are the words of Mavis Staples about her last album "You Are Not Alone". A inspired song to warm a cold day. Here is your chance to feel the warmth. Tonight at 8pm, Mavis Staples takes the Rose Theatre stage. Let her "get it through to you"!
Nature has taken over the Rose Theatre Art Gallery from December to March through the beatiful paintings of Janet Simmons Sweet. Using the canvas to represent moments where light and colour provide respite to the viewer, Janet translates to the canvas a nature "full of life". We invited her to talk more about her works.
1. When/how did you begin painting?
I started painting as a teenager, and then continued sporadically through a career with a bank and raising a child. Then in 1998 I was diagnosed with cancer, which I now refer to as the best thing that ever happened to me. It woke me up to reset my entire life, to be one with a passion for living. Art. My passion. I went back to painting, eventually joining an art organization in Brampton called Beaux-Arts, and became a full-time Artist over four years ago with a Studio at the Alton Mill.
2. What is the place of your art in a world bombarded with images?
I paint the moment of light and colour where I have found calm and peace. It is my intention that the viewer in a world bombarded by other images, will find and feel that suspended moment.
3. Can we consider your work naturalist art?
I do lean toward subject matters in a natural setting (my favourite being trees in all their stages of life), where I find my most constant peaceful moment. However, that is not to say that any other subject matter with spectacular light and colour is not considered for my intention.
4. Do you think your style is an interesting way to provoke the actual status of the art? Why?
I am actually not interested in provoking anything. Artistically or, in response to your question the status of the art. I firmly believe that anything, with any kind of value at all, does not need to find success through provocation.
5. How the Bill Davis experimental educational program influenced your works?
The Bill Davis experimental educational program was designed with independent study of core subjects, allowing a student who maintained an average of 85% in any subject, to self teach. I chose to self teach all the core subjects, with the exception of the Arts. This provided me with intense instruction in all mediums of the visual arts, and expanded all the other disciplines. I was given an outstanding opportunity to learn both the technical aspects of the Arts, and an appreciation of its considerable impact, that is present in all my works today.
6. What tendencies do you find in the student’s artwork as a juror for multiple Arts Organizations?
I am thrilled to find the enthusiasm in our community for visual arts. The artwork presented in Juried Shows has been in multi-mediums and in every style imagined. The Arts grow and change, and yet remain the same with its message.
7. What does it mean to you to have your work on display at the Rose Theatre Art Gallery?
I feel the Rose Theatre is one of the proudest concepts architectually that Brampton has to offer to the community, and housing the Arts, a perfect marriage. Being given the opportunity to exhibit in this outstanding venue, joining the visual arts with the performing arts, makes my heart sing!
8. Could you give any advice to the new artists?
Believe in yourself. Don't give up. Join in with the Artist Community where you live. Live passionately through your art.
Janet Simmons Sweet
December, 7, 2011 - March 3, 2012
Rose Theatre Art Gallery - 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton, ON
Hours of Operation: Mon - Sun 12PM - 8PM
Please see Box Office staff or security on site for access to the gallery.
1. When/how did you begin painting?
I started painting as a teenager, and then continued sporadically through a career with a bank and raising a child. Then in 1998 I was diagnosed with cancer, which I now refer to as the best thing that ever happened to me. It woke me up to reset my entire life, to be one with a passion for living. Art. My passion. I went back to painting, eventually joining an art organization in Brampton called Beaux-Arts, and became a full-time Artist over four years ago with a Studio at the Alton Mill.
2. What is the place of your art in a world bombarded with images?
I paint the moment of light and colour where I have found calm and peace. It is my intention that the viewer in a world bombarded by other images, will find and feel that suspended moment.
3. Can we consider your work naturalist art?
I do lean toward subject matters in a natural setting (my favourite being trees in all their stages of life), where I find my most constant peaceful moment. However, that is not to say that any other subject matter with spectacular light and colour is not considered for my intention.
4. Do you think your style is an interesting way to provoke the actual status of the art? Why?
I am actually not interested in provoking anything. Artistically or, in response to your question the status of the art. I firmly believe that anything, with any kind of value at all, does not need to find success through provocation.
5. How the Bill Davis experimental educational program influenced your works?
The Bill Davis experimental educational program was designed with independent study of core subjects, allowing a student who maintained an average of 85% in any subject, to self teach. I chose to self teach all the core subjects, with the exception of the Arts. This provided me with intense instruction in all mediums of the visual arts, and expanded all the other disciplines. I was given an outstanding opportunity to learn both the technical aspects of the Arts, and an appreciation of its considerable impact, that is present in all my works today.
6. What tendencies do you find in the student’s artwork as a juror for multiple Arts Organizations?
I am thrilled to find the enthusiasm in our community for visual arts. The artwork presented in Juried Shows has been in multi-mediums and in every style imagined. The Arts grow and change, and yet remain the same with its message.
7. What does it mean to you to have your work on display at the Rose Theatre Art Gallery?
I feel the Rose Theatre is one of the proudest concepts architectually that Brampton has to offer to the community, and housing the Arts, a perfect marriage. Being given the opportunity to exhibit in this outstanding venue, joining the visual arts with the performing arts, makes my heart sing!
8. Could you give any advice to the new artists?
Believe in yourself. Don't give up. Join in with the Artist Community where you live. Live passionately through your art.
Janet Simmons Sweet
December, 7, 2011 - March 3, 2012
Rose Theatre Art Gallery - 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton, ON
Hours of Operation: Mon - Sun 12PM - 8PM
Please see Box Office staff or security on site for access to the gallery.
You still have time to see one of the "100 Greatest Singers Of All Time", Mavis Staples comes to the Rose this Friday, Jan 27.
Grammy Award winner for Best Americana Album for "You Are Not Alone", Staples will bring to the audience her distinctive blend of gospel and blues.
Expect to be mesmerized by Staples remarkable and smoky voice, singing songs such as the famous "I'll Take You There", theme of the 1975 Sidney Poitier movie Let's Do It Again.
In an Odeum article this month, Mavis harkens back to the early 60s and talks about how the Staples Singers supported Martin Luther King and the freedom movement. To read more click here
Grammy Award winner for Best Americana Album for "You Are Not Alone", Staples will bring to the audience her distinctive blend of gospel and blues.
Expect to be mesmerized by Staples remarkable and smoky voice, singing songs such as the famous "I'll Take You There", theme of the 1975 Sidney Poitier movie Let's Do It Again.
In an Odeum article this month, Mavis harkens back to the early 60s and talks about how the Staples Singers supported Martin Luther King and the freedom movement. To read more click here
By Catherine Cubitt (excerpt from Odeum Magazine, January 2012)
You might be asking yourself what Aga-Boom is all about. Truth be told, there is no one-word answer to capture the hilarity that is Aga-Boom.
If you’re looking to start the New Year with something exciting and entertaining for the whole family, then the Rose Theatre is the place to be on January 24th.
The word “Aga-Boom” itself is a humorous spin on the Russian word for paper, boomaga. (Trust me; this makes perfect sense once you experience the show’s finale.)
Find out more about Aga Boom... download the magazine here
The clowns of Aga Boom |
You might be asking yourself what Aga-Boom is all about. Truth be told, there is no one-word answer to capture the hilarity that is Aga-Boom.
If you’re looking to start the New Year with something exciting and entertaining for the whole family, then the Rose Theatre is the place to be on January 24th.
The word “Aga-Boom” itself is a humorous spin on the Russian word for paper, boomaga. (Trust me; this makes perfect sense once you experience the show’s finale.)
Find out more about Aga Boom... download the magazine here