Festive festival fun is wunderbar in Kitchener and across Ontario

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 1/18

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Everything’s “wunderbar” in Kitchener as the next big event after Oktoberfest – the Christkindl Market – is wooing the crowds.

   Reflecting Kitchener's German heritage, the free event from Dec. 6 to 9 at Kitchener city hall recreates the centuries-old tradition that’s a feast for the eyes, ears and taste buds.

Folkloric characters organ grinder Klaus and farmer Knech Ruprect are greeters at the Kitchener market.

   Since medieval times, towns and cities across Germany come alive with the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas.

Musical productions and blockbuster plays rock the season

   One-Tank Trip for Nov. 24/18

  

   (c)  By Jim Fox

   The curtain is rising for an extensive list of musical theatre and seasonal concerts.

   Mirvish Productions leads the parade with a steady stream of hit productions.

   The current season features Canadian premieres and new productions among 25 shows at five Toronto theatres.

The School of Rock at the Ed Mirvish Theatre has a kids’ rock band playing instruments on stage. (Photo by Evan Zimmerman-MurphyMade)

    Called a “breathtaking new musical,” the acclaimed Come from Away continues its extended run until April, moving from the Royal Alexandra Theatre in February to the Elgin Theatre until April 28.

   It tells the story of how Gander, Newfoundland’s townsfolk cared for 7,000 stranded airplane passengers during the 9/11 attack.

The Oxford Winds and Woodstock Fanshawe Singers Celebrate Christmas (Nov. 23, 2018)

(News Release)

Once again, the Oxford Winds Community Concert Band begins the holiday season with their annual Christmas with the Winds concert on Friday, November 23 at 7:30pm at Knox Presbyterian Church in Woodstock (Ontario).

This year, the spirit of the season is doubled with the addition of the Woodstock Fanshawe Singers, led by Samantha Hayes.

Music Director, Stephanie Riehl, says “we have been hoping to work with the Woodstock Fanshawe Singers and we’re so delighted to feature them as our guests this year! We’ve planned some fun collaborations that we hope the audience will enjoy.”

Shuffling off to Metro Detroit for fun and games, great shopping and pizza

   One-Tank Trip for Nov. 10/18

  

   (c) By Jim Fox

   “Detroit. It’s Go Time” is the new advertising slogan for Metro Detroit and there are many good reasons to go there especially at this time of year.

   After living up to its previous slogan of “America’s Great Comeback City,” Greater Detroit is booming as its downtown continues to be transformed.

Downtown Detroit viewed from Windsor is dominated by the seven skyscrapers of the GM Renaissance Center. (Jim Fox photo)

    Among the reasons to go back include sports, theatre, fine and eclectic dining, new hotels and businesses along with holiday-themed events and all those motor-vehicle attractions.

   Did I mention shopping?

   A favourite pastime for Ontarians is Black Friday shopping on Nov. 23 – joining the Michigan crowds the day after “their” Thanksgiving.

   The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau says the “retail romp” includes a “downtown collection of independent and brand-name shops as well as walkable shopping districts, outlet centres, megamalls and upscale collections.”

It's beginning to look like a holly, jolly Christmas everywhere you go

   One-Tank Trip for Nov. 3/18

   (c) By Jim Fox

   For all those holly jolly people who just love Christmas/holiday/seasonal shopping and events, it’s back.

   It is November, after all, and hugely popular events – such as the Seasons Christmas Show – are billed as “kicking off the holidays.”

Santa makes a visit and poses for photos at the Seasons Christmas Show.

   Christmas aficionados can “save the date” for the really big show Nov. 16 to 18 at the International Centre in Mississauga.

   Among other events are Stratford’s Christmas Trail, Christmas in Paris and Otterville’s Studio Tour.

   Ho, ho, ho

   “The Seasons Christmas Show continues its tradition as the best place to begin holiday shopping and decorating,” said publicist Kate Calder.

   There’s the biggest-ever array of Christmas decorations, marketplace full of artisans and a lineup of DIY-maker workshops, she added.

   The show features about 250 exhibitors, holiday decor, stocking stuffers, handcrafted gifts, food, festive music and inspiring ideas.

CP Holiday Trains are a colourful sight crossing Canada and parts of the U.S.

   One-Tank Trip for Oct. 27/18

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Clear the tracks as the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is being readied to ride the rails spreading joy across Canada and parts of the U.S.

The engine pulling the CP train is decked out in festive attire.

    The elaborately decorated train – actually two train sets – will set out in November from Montreal to “entertain hundreds of thousands of people.”

   It will make stops in 171 communities along CP’s network with parties by the tracks and at local railway stations.

   Coming soon to a city or town near you, the festive trains will be collecting food and money for food banks across North America.

   CP has revealed this year’s stops, including some new ones, and the entertainers riding the rails.

   This is the 20th annual tour and a “privilege” to run the program and connect with so many communities, said Keith Creel, CP president and chief executive.

   The trains each have 14 brightly decorated rail cars consisting of hundreds of thousands of LED lights and holiday designs “celebrating the spirit of the giving season.”

   The typical event lasting about 30 minutes has the train being welcomed at each stop by big crowds.

Superstar Mariah Carey reveals Caution World Tour to appear at Casino Rama Resort

RAMA, ON (News Release) – International singing and song-writing icon Mariah Carey has announced her upcoming Caution World Tour is set to kick off in February 2019.

The multi-platinum selling, multiple Grammy Award winner will get closer to the fans with her most intimate tour yet. The once-in-a-lifetime 22-city run, produced by Live Nation, will play the award-winning Entertainment Centre at Casino Rama Resort Thursday, March 21 (8 PM).

 

Mariah Carey also revealed the release of her anxiously awaited 15^th full-length studio album, Caution. The digital pre-order just went live, and it unlocks immediate downloads of brand-new song “The Distance,” recent single “With You,” and the first teaser track “GTFO.”

The order and exclusive new Caution merchandise are available at her official D2C store HERE. Carey’s last album, Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse, was released in 2014. Carey is a music powerhouse and the best-selling female artist of all time with more than 200 million albums sold to date and 18 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles (17 self-penned) to her name.

Now accepting submissions for the 2019 TD Discovery Series special projects

THE TD DISCOVERY SERIES SPECIAL PROJECTS RETURNS FOR ITS NINTH YEAR Now Accepting Submissions for Eligible Projects

TORONTO - Designed to encourage the creation, development and presentation of special projects by local jazz musicians, the TD Discovery Series Special Projects is now accepting submissions until November 30, 2018. Entering its ninth year, the initiative provides successful applicants with marketing and public relations support, including a bursary, from Toronto Downtown Jazz (TDJ).

"Over the past nine years the Special Projects initiative has supported consistently outstanding concerts - some of the city's most interesting, creative and exciting jazz presentations - I look forward to seeing what this year's submissions brings," states Artistic Director, Josh Grossman.

Arts and Culture Events on Toronto's Bloor St. Culture Corridor, November 2018

VIEW ALL EVENTS

The air is now crisp in Toronto, but you will feel the warmth at arts and culture events this month, with Italian-themed art exhibitions and concerts at Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 918 Bathurst, and Tafelmusik. There will be Cuban and other Latin American music at The Royal Conservatory of Music, and Caribbean cultural events at A Different Booklist. Escape into fantasy worlds by diving into Alice in Wonderland at the Toronto Reference Library, see a groundbreaking opera with lyrics by Langston Hughes at U of T Faculty of Music, or a timely musical with lyrics by Dolly Parton at the Randolph Theatre. There are so many wonderful worlds to discover on the Bloor St. Culture Corridor! We love to hear from you! Connect with the Bloor St. Culture Corridor on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & Google.

A Different Booklist Cultural Centre There are some great events happening at A Different Booklist Cultural Centre this month. R.I.S.E continues with the Spoken word on November 1. A tribute to steel pan pioneer Ellie Mannette is on November 2. Randell Adjei launches ‘I Am Not My Struggles’ on November 3, an entrance fee of $20 is inclusive of a copy of the book. The Socialist Project launch will the book Global Warming and the Sweetness of Life: A Reading and Conversation with Matt Hern and Shiri Pasternak on November 7. November 10 is the launch of Habiba Cooper Diallo ‘Yeshailem Learns About Fistula’ and Inanna Publications’ launch of Madeline Coopsammy's new YA novel, ‘The Old Songs’, and Glynis Guevara's new YA novel, ‘Black Beach’. On. November 14, see the Award-winning Author, Educator, Speaker and Poet Sharon Draper for the release of her new book ‘Blended’. Please visit adbcc.org for more information and the complete calendar of events.