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Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
School Jazz Combo brings home gold at MusicFest Canada
St. Anne Catholic High School students Michael Bourdeau (Gr. 12 - piano), Luiz Correa (Gr. 11 - trumpet), Julien Lewis (Gr. 12 - upright bass), Andrew Matchett (Gr. 12 - drums), Matthew Verzosa (Gr. 11 - tenor saxophone), and Aiden Williams (Gr. 12 - trumpet) have been honoured with the gold medal at the 2025 MusicFest Nationals. Running from May 12-17 in Toronto, 'The Nationals' or MusicFest Canada celebrated its 53rd year this year. For the students from St. Anne, the event marked the culmination of months of hard work and preparation. 'These students formed the jazz combo on their own, back in the fall of 2024,' explains Grant Bergeron, St. Anne's art department head. 'They were committed early-on to preparing for MusicFest Windsor at the Capitol Theatre in March. They selected their repertoire, and rehearsed as a group over and above their involvement in the St. Anne High School Concert Band and Jazz Band. They were awarded a Silver+ rating at MusicFest Windsor, as well as an invitation to perform at The Nationals of MusicFest Canada in May. They then continued to work on their pieces and used the adjudication received in March to assist with improving to the next level.' According to Aiden, the group's trumpet player, everyone in the band's music journeys were formed in the later years of grade school, when music class became a requirement. 'For myself and the others in the band, that was where our passion for music, and my affinity for the trumpet was born,' explains Aiden. 'However, when the pandemic hit, music wasn't very prominent for me, and kind of became an afterthought. When the world returned back to normal, I decided to take a music class taught by our music teacher and band director, Mr. Bergeron. He has done an incredible job as our teacher and director and has not only been an outstanding supporter of the combo, but an inspiration and mentor to us musicians as well.' Aiden says the group prepared for The Nationals with an 'incredible' amount of practice. 'For the first few months, we often rehearsed two or three times a week, around 30 to 45 minutes each day. As Nationals drew closer, we began devoting more time and energy to perfecting our craft. We started rehearsing every weekday we could, with our rehearsal times spanning from 30 minutes to several hours. While it was a lot of time, energy, and dedication, our hard work has certainly paid off.' The group enjoy their trip to Toronto, with Aiden describing it as 'nothing short of surreal', as they took in Ontario's capital city and immersed themselves in the culture - especially its rich musical tapestry. 'The whole trip was an outstanding time, but our most memorable moment took place while we were waiting to perform,' says Aiden. 'The excitement and anticipation within the band was at an all-time high, as all our practice was finally about to be rewarded.' 'For all of us, the win at MusicFest Nationals was exhilarating. Every musician in the combo had done so much to make Nationals a possibility, and to see the pure elation within the band was nothing short of incredible. From the group's beginnings in October, to receiving the highest honour on the biggest stage seven months later, it was a storybook moment for the Jazz Combo.' Julien, their upright bassist, is set to attend Humber College to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree, and the rest of the combo still have music in their hearts and, if offered, would certainly consider an opportunity to pursue music in the future. 'In 30 years of teaching high school music, it has been rare to see a group of students with such collaborative initiative to accomplish their musical goals,' states Mr. Bergeron. 'It is extremely rewarding, as a music educator, to witness the motivation and passion toward a common goal of reaching a high musical standard. I am very proud of them, as well as the entire music program at St. Anne High School.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Patsy Gallant wraps tour celebrating 70 years in Moncton: ‘there is just no place like it'
The Queen of Disco Patsy Gallant returns home to New Brunswick for a special show at the Capital Theatre. If you ask Patsy Gallant when it all started, she would tell you she was three-years old but she didn't start counting her 70 years in show business until she turned six. 'I'm just so privileged to still be singing, having my voice and my health and the energy to do that because I do two hour shows and I stay with the people after,' said Gallant. The New Brunswick native started her career alongside her sisters before going solo. She appeared on multiple television shows before getting her own – The Patsy Gallant Show, which aired on CTV in the late 70's. Gallant also starred in musicals, including an eight-year tenure on stage in Paris, France in the French rock opera, 'Starmania' during the 1990's. More recently, Gallant published her biography in French and produced her own album. 'I always try to learn new things and better myself,' she said. 'Nobody knew I was a writer. I've been writing for 40 years. The album that I wrote is called To Exist and Be Heard and there's a reason behind that, I wanted to prove that I was something else other than just Sugar Daddy and a Disco Queen because I've done it all.' For the first time in close to 30 years, Gallant is stepping back on stage Friday night at Moncton's Capitol Theatre as part of a tour celebrating her 70-year career. 'She's an incredibly important artist, originating from the region… and she's had an incredible international career really,' said Capitol Theatre's managing director, Kim Rayworth. 'I think she keeps renewing herself. […] I think people will see some new material for sure, but I know she'll bring the greatest hits and the crowd and fan favourites.' Gallant said the show caters to the Moncton crowd with a performance in both French and English and she's excited to perform for her family. 'They all bought their tickets and I said 'I could have given you tickets,' but they all bought their tickets. They're so sweet,' she said. Gallant said she'll spend Saturday catching up with her family and rediscovering what Moncton has to offer, including the smell of the ocean, fiddleheads and lobster. 'There is just no place like it. There is no place like it and then when I hear that accent, you can imagine, it brings me back to my childhood.' This is one of the last shows of the current season for the Capitol Theatre. Rayworth said next week they will announce about 50 artists for next year. Tickets to see Patsy Gallant in Moncton can still be purchased online or at the door. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Hamilton Spectator
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
10 of the most promising theatre productions this summer outside of Toronto, Stratford and Shaw
The Toronto theatre season might be winding down, but that doesn't mean there's nothing happening on stages this spring and summer. And I'm not talking about the Stratford and Shaw festivals, which should obviously already be on your to-do list. Just a couple of hours from the GTA you'll find plenty of entertaining plays and musicals, including a few world premieres. Here's a roundup of some buzzy shows in Ontario that, combined with a picnic lunch or B&B stay, would make a perfect day trip or weekend escape. Who: Emma Donoghue Where: Blyth Festival in Blyth The Dublin-born and now London, Ont.-based Emma Donoghue is best known as the author of the bestselling novel 'Room,' which was made into an Oscar-winning film and adapted for the stage several years ago. Now she's debuting a folk musical about Henry and Jane Johnson, a real-life couple who left the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s to settle in Southwestern Ontario. Landon Doak ('Peter Pan,' 'Alice in Wonderland') and Shelayna Christante (Bad Hats Theatre's 'Narnia') star as the couple, and both will sing traditional songs and Irish ballads in this poignant work, directed by Blyth's artistic director, Gil Garratt. From June 26 to Aug. 12. Visit for details. Who: Cale Crowe and Genevieve Adam Where: Capitol Theatre in Port Hope Toronto theatregoers will recognize writer/actor Genevieve Adam from her historical dramas 'Dark Heart,' 'Heartless' and 'Deceitful Above all Things.' Now she's teamed up with Anishnaabe singer/songwriter Cale Crowe for 'Rez Gas,' a musical about a man (John Wamsley from '1939' ) who leaves his reservation to pursue a music career, only to return home. Young People's Theatre's Herbie Barnes directs a cast that includes Cheri Maracle, Jonathan Fisher and Dillan Chiblow. From Aug. 22 to Sep. 7. Visit for details. Who: Rebecca Northan Where: Here for Now Theatre in Stratford Is there anything Rebecca Northan can't do? The Dora Award-winning creator of international hit 'Blind Date,' alum of both Stratford and Shaw festivals, and one-third of the recent Toronto Theatre Critics' Award-winning ensemble for 'Goblin:Macbeth' now presents a new comedy. 'Stick Around' is about a woman in her mid-40s who seeks life advice from her mother, who's been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Directed by Kevin Kruchkywich, the play is loosely inspired by Northan's own personal experience during the last eight weeks with her mother. So expect a mix of laughter and tears when the play helps inaugurate the company's brand new venue. From May 28 to June 8. Visit for details. Who: Norm Foster Where: Orillia Opera House in Orillia Back in the early aughts, Norm Foster — considered Canada's most prolific and most produced playwright — wrote 'The Love List,' about two middle-aged men who were searching for the ideal woman. Now Foster is creating gender parity in 'A Woman's Love List,' a new comedy about two women who write down all the qualities they want in a man … and he suddenly appears. From July 3 to 18. Visit for details. Who: Megan Murphy Where: 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook Audiences at the outdoor 4th Line Theatre know to expect works that draw on the history and heritage of the rural region just southwest of Peterborough. Megan Murphy's 'Wild Irish Geese' tells the story of Irish people who left poverty in the old country (see also 'The Wind Coming Over the Sea,' above) to settle in Scott's Plains, later renamed Peterborough. The company's managing artistic director, Kim Blackwell, directs this premiere production. From July 29 to Aug. 30. Visit for details. Who: Robert Harling Where: Capitol Theatre The film adaptation is a beloved classic, so why doesn't Robert Harling's comedy drama — about a group of women in the American South — get more professional revivals? Well, never you mind. Just take the 401 to Port Hope to see Courtney Ch'ng Lancaster's production, featuring Raquel Duffy, Belinda Corpuz, Carolyn Fe, Brenda Robins and — as the play's mother/daughter combo — Deborah Drakeford and Charlotte Dennis, who are mother and daughter in real life. Remember to bring tissues. From July 18 to Aug. 3. Visit for details. Who: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice Where: Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend and Hamilton Family Theatre in Cambridge Even if you caught the recent 50th-anniversary revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's groundbreaking musical, you might want to check it out again in this Drayton Theatre production. Especially with stars like Stratford leading man Robert Markus as Jesus, Shaw Fest vet Emily Lukasik as Mary Magdalene and original 'Come From Away' Broadway cast member Lee MacDougall as Pontius Pilate. They're joined by Christopher Ning (a standout in the recent off-Mirvish production of 'Titanique' ) and Jade McLeod ('Jagged Little Pill' North American tour). From June 11 to 28 and July 3 to 27. Visit for details. Who: Mark Crawford Where: Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque Like Foster, prolific actor/writer Mark Crawford's comedies are hugely popular yet rarely get produced in Toronto. (The only professional production we've seen is 'Bed & Breakfast' at Soulpepper .) So it might be worth the trek east to the gorgeous Thousand Islands area to see this side-splitting comedy about the lead-up to a wedding, with a cast that includes Shaw regular Emily Lukasik, Amelia Sargisson ('Red Velvet') and 'Come From Away' actor Kyle Brown, all directed by the Dora-winning Cherissa Richards. From Aug. 22 to Sept. 14. Visit for details. Who: Annabel Fitzsimmons, Alison Lawrence and Mary Francis Moore Where: County Stage Company in Prince Edward County I was a huge fan of Annabel Fitzsimmons, Alison Lawrence and Mary Francis Moore 's play 'Bittergirl' when it premiered way back in 1999. The show, about finding the humour in getting dumped, was turned into a book several years later and then, eventually, a musical featuring songs from the 1960s and '70s. Even the Mirvishes helped develop it. The show has been produced across the country, but never in Toronto. Prince Edward County isn't too far from the GTA. So grab your besties, order tickets and hope you don't run into your exes during intermission or at the neighbouring wineries. From July 18 to Aug. 13. Visit for details. Who: Anne Chislett Where: Blyth Festival Anne Chislett's moving drama set in a small Amish community on the eve of the Second World War premiered at the Blyth Festival in 1981 and won the Governor General's Award two years later. Productions of this Canadian classic are rare, so don't miss this opportunity to see it performed at the festival's atmospheric outdoor Harvest Stage, directed by Severn Thompson and with a cast headed by two of stalwarts of the theatre scene, Randy Hughson and Michelle Fisk. From July 3 to Aug. 23. Visit for details.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Homegrown talent Jade Baynes to hit Sydney's Capitol Theatre in award-winning musical The Book of Mormon
A multi-talented Geraldton-born singer and actress has scored an important role in one of the world's most beloved musicals, showing in Sydney. Jade Baynes has been cast as a swing for the critically-acclaimed musical The Book of Mormon. She recently appeared as Bec in the Geraldton-based Stan original series Invisible Boys based on the novel by Holden Sheppard, and has starred in major productions such as Matt Ward's Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and the Aussie premiere of All Shook Up The Musical. A Tony, Olivier, and Grammy award-winning production, The Book of Mormon follows the misadventures of two Mormon missionaries in a remote Ugandan village as they attempt to spread their faith and will. Baynes has been cast as a swing — a performer who understudies multiple ensemble roles, ready to step in at any time if a member is unable to perform. Swings may also cover other principal roles in addition to their ensemble duties. Baynes said she was ecstatic to be a part of such a huge musical, and hoped she can do her role justice. 'When I found out I'd been cast as a swing in The Book of Mormon, I was genuinely shocked,' she said. 'I've done everything from ensemble to lead roles before, but never swing, which is easily one of the most complex and demanding jobs in musical theatre. 'The fact that the creative team saw something in me that said, 'Yep, she can handle this,' still blows my mind.' The musical, which will open in July at Sydney's Capitol Theatre stars a cast including Sean Johnston (Hairspray) as Elder Price, Nick Cox (Beauty and the Beast) as Elder Cunningham, Paris Leveque who is making her professional debut as Nabulungi, Tom Struik (Sister Act the Musical) as Elder McKinley, Simbarashe Matshe (Filthy Business) as Mafala Hatimbi, Augie Tchantcho who is reprising his role in The Book of Mormon as The General and Matthew Hamilton (Tina – The Tina Turner Musical) as Mission President. With cast and creatives coming from Broadway to deliver the show in Sydney, Baynes said she was 'more than ready' to use 'every bit of my brain capacity' and 'be the best swing I can be.'
Time Out
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
R&B singer Tinashe is set to perform in Singapore this August for one night only
Fans of Tinashe are probably Getting No Sleep from this latest news: the R&B singer-songwriter is bringing her Match My Freak 2025 World Tour to Singapore this August, for one night only. Best known for her bold stage presence and genre-blending sound, the Nasty singer (that's a song title, not a description) has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry – including Britney Spears, Usher, Travis Scott and Charli XCX. When is Tinashe performing in Singapore? Tinashe will be performing in Singapore on August 21, 2025 for one night only. Where is Tinashe's concert in Singapore? Her concert will be held at the Capitol Theatre. What are the ticket prices for Tinashe's concert in Singapore? General ticket sales start from May 15, 2025 at 11am via .
