There are lots of ways to be entertained and to participate in Orillia’s arts and culture scene in the coming days and weeks, says columnist
The Orillia Skateparkers Wallboards Auction was a great success, with lots of eager bidders and boards flying out the door! Word is they made a record-breaking $10,000, which is great news as the groundbreaking for the new park is happening in May!
Sunday is World Storytelling Day, and Storytelling Orillia is celebrating by hosting a Storytelling Workshop at Creative Nomad Studios from 2 to 4 p.m. It is open to all, and no need to register!
The World Storytelling Day 2026 theme is “Finding light in the dark”, and local storyteller Sue Charters will lead the workshop and tell us her personal story centred on this theme, and last year’s horrific ice storm.
Attendees can come with a story, tell one on the spot, or simply sit and listen. Enjoy!
Won’t Be Denied Productions has a great lineup for a Friday night concert at St. Paul’s Centre, doors at 6:30 p.m. All ages, come out and listen to Apple of Basilisk, Qwan!, Life Is Prison, Sunnycide, and Blemish. Admission is $20 cash at the door, or $15 with a donation to the Orillia Community Fridge project!
Also at St. Paul’s, Saturday night, don’t miss The Free Label in concert; there might be a handful of tickets left, through www.mariposafolk.com. This will be just the thing to shake Old Man Winter’s grasp!
And also at St. Paul’s, Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the lower-level Banquet Hall, a Bake Sale for Palestine, featuring baked goods, beverages, and art, too! This event is hosted by Simcoe County 4 Palestine with all proceeds going to support families in Gaza through the Sustain Campaign Network, a grassroots group of volunteers working directly with families on the ground to provide Mutual Aid.
This Thursday at 2 p.m., register and nip on over to the Orillia Public Library to meet the six local authors behind the Red Canoe Mysteries … and discover how six people wrote one book! You can register through the Orillia Public Library website.
There are lots of art workshops happening now and coming up soon, many at The Makers’ Circle.
Friday night Flux Glass Co. is hosting a stained glass workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Register through the Flux Glass Co. link.
Saturday from 1 to 3:30 p.m., join MJ Page and Claire Lalonde for a fun afternoon painting a beginner-friendly spring scene. All levels are welcome.
Beginning this Monday and running for six weeks, a Beginner Watercolour Workshop is happening at The Makers’ Circle, from 6 to 8 p.m. Melissa Van Dam will be the instructor for this fun series of workshops!
For information and to register for all The Makers’ Circle classes, go to The Maker’s Circle website today!
Not to be outdone, Lakehead University is also hosting a workshop this Saturday, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Mosaics. Register at the Community Engagement portal on the website and come out and make a gorgeous mosaic!
And, the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) is also running an Adult Life Drawing six-week workshop, starting this Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. Register here.
OMAH is also starting a brand-new program for families with young children, Mariposa Mornings. An opening celebration with special pricing is happening this Saturday morning at OMAH starting at 9 a.m.
Families will enjoy: Colouring stations and creative play activities; a collaborative community mural; a fun photo-op corner; cookies from Coco’s Cookies; a Little Sips Bar with toddler-friendly drinks; coffee and light refreshments for caregivers; and a small takeaway keepsake to commemorate the launch!
Go to the Mariposa Mornings opening celebration link now to register!
Also at OMAH, Lakehead University’s media, film, and communications (MFAC) program is proud to present a special edition of its annual Media Arts Showcase, taking place this year on April 1 from 5-8 p.m. in collaboration with the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH).
Here are the deets, from the horse’s mouth: “The Media Arts Showcase is an opportunity for students in the MFAC program to present work they have made over the past year to a wider audience.
“This year’s showcase moves off-campus to occupy the Franklin Carmichael Gallery at OMAH, with an immersive interdisciplinary exhibition taking place alongside group screenings of documentary, fiction, and experimental works, all fully open to the public.
“From sci-fi narratives to investigations of student housing and sustainability; from animated explorations of liminal spaces to installations combining textiles and projection, this year’s showcase puts on display the exciting breadth of media creativity that is taking place at Lakehead.”
The OMAH exhibition will remain open on Thursday, April 2, and Saturday, April 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. So, go check it out!
Live music this weekend, No Great Mischief is playing this Saturday night at the Hog and Penny. At Quayle’s, Saturday Bridgette Eve, and Sunday afternoon David Shaw. Sunday at Casino Rama, Wanted: The Music of Bon Jovi Live.
Coming up in April: Do you have your tickets for Mariposa Arts Theatre’s Clue yet? Get them! How about your tickets for Arts Orillia’s Showcase Gala? Get them! How about your tickets to the Roots North Music Festival? Get them!
Lots more amazing arts and culture events, next week! If you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included. Have a great week.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.orilliamatters.com ’
