Theatre playbills in scenic Ontario cities, towns for 2018: Drayton Entertainment

    One-Tank Trip for Dec. 30/17

      (c) By Jim Fox

   The curtain is rising on an epic season for a theatre company with seven stages in scenic, interesting and can we call them “quaint” communities in southern Ontario.

   Drayton Entertainment theatres are a perfect one-tank trip to places with wonderful amenities for day-trippers and weekend getaways.

The Drayton Festival Theatre is in a former 1902 opera house and town hall. (Barbara Fox photo)

   This includes the Festival Theatre in Drayton; Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Bend; King’s Wharf Theatre, Penetanguishene; and the renamed Dunfield Theatre, now known as the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge.

   There are also the Huron Country Playhouse II, Grand Bend; St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre; and the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.

   “Variety is key next season,” said artistic director Alex Mustakas of the charitable theatre organization’s shows.

   “There is something for everyone, from Broadway blockbusters and hilarious comedies to classic musicals and family fun with another beloved Disney classic and our annual holiday panto (pantomime),” he added.

Enjoy Ontario Parks' 125th year in the great outdoors

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 16-17

   (c) By Jim Fox

   For Postmedia Network/Sun Media newspapers and websites

  

   It will be a howling good time as Ontario Parks kicks off its 125th year with a series of fun winter events.

   To mark the milestone year, ring in the New Year at Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Oakville.

   That’s where a guided Coyote Howl and Kid’s Countdown bonfire will be held and then “start 2018 on the right foot with a #FirstDayHike,” said parks publicist Jeff Brown.

   “The concept is simple: visit a provincial park on Jan. 1 for a hike as it’s a fun and healthy way to kick off the New Year,” he added.

 

Exuberant winter lovers at Frontenac Provincial Park. (Ontario Parks photo)

   Elsewhere, head to Rondeau Provincial Park on Lake Erie for guided owl prowls, suet feeder-making sessions, afternoon movies and park scavenger hunts.

   The iconic Algonquin Provincial Park hosts Winter in the Wild on Feb. 17, as one of many Family Day events.

  

   Skate, ski, or snowshoe there and join park rangers at Mew Lake Campground for a bonfire followed by an evening wolf howl.

   A gala 125th event will be held next month in Toronto followed later by a celebration at Arrowhead Provincial Park, north of Huntsville. 

   That’s to coincide with the opening of a four-season, multi-purpose pavilion at the park that added more camp cabins this year.

Rant Maggie Rant’s 9th annual Frost & Fire: A Celtic Christmas Celebration! A night of music, comradery and joy at Stratford City Hall

Rant Maggie Rant: Steve Clark, Rob Larose, Glen Dias, Lindsay Schindler, Barry James Payne and Daev Clysdale.

 News Release

Stratford, ON – The tree is up! The lights are up! Christmas ribbons and poinsettia lend a festive air. Stratford’s City Hall looks beautiful for Rant Maggie Rant’s upcoming Frost & Fire: A Christmas Celebration! concert on December 15, 2017 at 8:00 pm.

  

“Nothing says Christmas like a Celtic-inspired take on traditional Christmas favourites, combined with a foot-stomping, eclectic mix of jigs and reels,” says Glen Dias, the band’s lead vocalist. “Our annual concert has become a gathering place for friends, family and loved ones – a community experience.”

Rant Maggie Rant returns to Stratford City Hall Auditorium where their first ever Frost & Fire show was performed in 2009 and after performing at Knox Church and Revival House for the past three years.

Rant Maggie Rant will be entertaining the audience with their distinctive rootsy Christmas tunes, ancient and traditional Celtic melodies, blazing jigs and reels, lesser known seasonal fare and new material from their recently released CD Latitude.

Rock with Disney On Ice and Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party!

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 9-17

(c) By Jim Fox

 For Postmedia Network/Sun Media newspapers and websites

   Children can hang out with Mickey and Minnie as well as Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Oscar the Grouch and Grover as some big shows visit the area.

   Just in time for the holidays, Disney On Ice returns with a new Toronto show called Reach for the Stars.

Singing and dancing with Oscar the Grouch.

   Then in February, “Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?”

   A new interactive show unfolds with Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! that’s a big production number based on the popular children’s show.

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and others are Rock Stars in the Toronto Disney show. (Photos from Feld Entertainment)

   Things kick off as Mickey and Minnie Mouse and friends come together at the Rogers Centre Dec. 22 to Jan. 1 for 17 performances.

   Another Disney ice show, Dream Big, is at Budweiser Gardens in London from Feb. 28 to March 4, while Dare to Dream is at FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, March 15 to 18.

   Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck and Goofy highlight the Toronto show with its “star-studded talent extravaganza,” said publicist Beth Merrick.

All decked out for the season

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 2-17

   (c) By Jim Fox

    For Postmedia Network/Sun Media newspapers/websites

   ’Tis the season as cities and towns are decking the halls with their holiday finery.

   The “Festival City” is aglow as Stratford is helping to celebrate the holidays with its popular Christmas Trail and other special events.

   “We’re beginning to look a lot like Christmas as shop keepers dress their windows in fresh cedar garland and twinkling lights tied with big red bows,” said Cathy Rehberg of the Stratford Tourism Alliance.

Stratford City Hall is alight with a festive glow at this time of year.

   The Christmas Trail helps to “capture the spirit of giving and the joy of checking off that list,” she added.