Local artists will put on a show of the amazing talent here in St. Catharines at this year’s Arts Awards ceremony.
Emerging and established artists will take the stage during the 2017 St. Catharines Arts Awards, presented by Meridian Credit Union, on Monday, June 5 at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Performers include: dance students of Alice Burke (Making a Difference Award nominee); cellist Gordon Cleland (Established Artist Award nominee); comedian David Green (Emerging Artist Award nominee); poet James Millhaven (Emerging Artist Award nominee); and theatre collective Twitches and Itches (Emerging Artist Award nominee).
This year’s production sponsor is Essential Collective Theatre, with its artistic director, Monica Dufault, directing the show. The evening’s entertainment lineup features a range of performances, including music, dance and spoken word.
“Audience members know that this is not your average awards show,” said Rebecca Cann, the City’s cultural services supervisor. “The Arts Awards always offer surprises and the expertise of Essential Collective Theatre guarantees a night of entertainment and celebration.”
This year’s ceremony will be hosted by local singer-songwriter Beth Moore, a CBC Radio favourite and winner of last year’s Emerging Artist Award. Momentum Choir, led by Mendelt Hoekstra, (Arts in Education and Making a Difference Awards nominee) will perform at the Mayor’s Arts Fund Reception before the show.
Twenty-one artists are up for awards in five categories: Emerging Artist, Established Artist, Arts in Education, Making a Difference and Patron of the Arts. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.52 in advance and $17.52 at the door (plus applicable fees and taxes). Purchase tickets at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre box office, online at http://www.firstontariopac.ca/ or by calling 1.855.515.0722. Visit www.stcatharines.ca/artsawards for more information.
The 2017 St. Catharines Arts Awards are sponsored by: Meridian Credit Union, event sponsor; Essential Collective Theatre, COGECOTV, Niagara This Week, Form & Affect, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, the Pen Centre, St. Catharines Downtown Association, and Sullivan Mahoney LLP.
The Mayor’s Art’s Fund Reception is an annual fundraiser celebrating Arts Awards nominees and community sponsors whose contributions support the arts through the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program. The 2017 reception is sponsored by Mehan Group, Peter Partridge Wealth Management, TAG Art Gallery, Fallsview Casino Resort, and Performance Auto Group.
