| Muskoka | SHOPPING, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE |
| Muskoka | SHOPPING, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE |
Summer 2008
The Huntsville Festival of the Arts fetes its 16th season with music for all ears. Most performances take place at the city’s intimate, 400-seat Algonquin Theatre. Kick-starting the event on July 3 is a Blues Brothers revival show, followed by Hawksley Workman on July 4. See Blue Rodeo, including lead singer Jim Cuddy, on July 8, R&B soulstress Jully Black on July 9 and country star Michelle Wright on July 24. Also, enjoy the Keynote Speaker Series featuring distinguished humanitarian Stephen Lewis on July 23. Tickets are $20 to $45; call 705-789-4975 or visit www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.
July 18 to August 10
Each summer, Parry Sound plays maestro to Festival of the Sound, an annual series of musical performances held primarily at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts overlooking Georgian Bay. Enjoy music morning, noon and night with the pre-season Tafelmusik event on June 27, or the Piano Gala on July 19, featuring six renowned pianists. Take in Sunset on the Bay musical cruises on July 21, July 28 (with Cambridge University’s Trinity College Choir) and August 4. On August 2, there’s Jazz for Kids. Tickets $19 to $60; call 1-866-364-0061 or visit www.festivalofthesound.ca for more information.
August 15 to 17
Check out the wares of more than 140 Canadian artists and artisans at the Dockside Festival of the Arts, where everything is handmade and jury-selected. Find one-of-a-kind clothing, jewellery, toys and more while you enjoy delicious food and live entertainment. Muskoka Wharf Special Events Field in Gravenhurst. Day passes are $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and kids age 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult; call 705-687-4432 for more information.
October 17 to 19
Help celebrate Muskoka as the cranberry capital of Ontario at the Bala Cranberry Festival. This annual fall event features various food vendors showcasing the versatility of these delectably sour treats. Spanning three days, the gala offers craft shows, daily entertainment, cook-offs and more yummy cranberry-based food than you can eat. The festival runs throughout Bala along Muskoka Road 169. Adults $5, kids 7 to 12 years old $3, age 6 and under free; call 705-762-1564 or visit www.balacranberryfestival.on.ca for more info.
June 14
Step past welcome mats and into heritage buildings during Doors Open Muskoka. Among the many things to see and do at 20 sites across the region: get the family treatment at Burton’s Bed and Breakfast in Baysville; see where early settlers learned their ABCs at the Glen Orchard schoolhouse; or admire the gothic-style architecture at Trinity St. Alban’s Anglican Church in Bala. Admission is free; call 705-762-5876 or visit www.doorsopenontario.on.ca for more information.
September 27 & 28
See the art nature inspires during the 30th annual Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour. Take this self-guided journey and visit any of the 26 participating studios across the region. Go to Bracebridge to view functional ironwork by blacksmith Jim Carter, or watch potter Linda Hrynyk sculpt her clay creations in Gravenhurst. Find pieces by other artists like tapestries, carvings and jewellery, and this reverse-glass painting by Bonnie Bews. Admission is free; call 705-687-6521 or visit www.muskoka.com/tour for information.
July 30 to August 3
Following a successful inaugural year, the second annual Huntsville Jazz Festival returns with an extra day and an eclectic lineup of hip, swinging jazz. Headliners appearing at the Algonquin Theatre this year include Cuban salsa favourites Buena Fe on July 30, Marcus Belgrave on July 31, piano wizard Michael Kaeshammer on August 1, and Canadian diva Dione Taylor on August 2. Also find local musicians jamming at various venues throughout Huntsville. Ticket prices range from $15 to $35; call 705-789-4975 or visit www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca for a complete schedule.
© Copyright 2006 - 2008.
All Rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part strictly prohibited.
WHERE Canada is a registered trademark of St. Joseph Media Inc.
