Previous
Words and music
?It is often commented, by locals and visitors alike, that one of the best things Uxbridge has going for it is its cultural life, its richness in both the visual and performing arts. This is, of course, amply on display during the Celebration of the Arts in September and October. But certainly on the performing side, there is nothing to match the cornucopia of talent on display in the weeks coming up to Christmas. And this isn’t even a Messiah year!
Take a scan through the “Coming Up” listings on page 14. The sheer quantity of performances is breathtaking; you couldn’t possibly take in everything. And all of it is of the highest quality, take our word for it.
It all began last Saturday night in Leaskdale, with a lovely old-fashioned concert at Maud’s former church home, featuring a diverse selection of instruments, seasonal songs and poems. Sunday afternoon the focus moved a few miles south to the Foster, for the ladies’ annual reading of A Christmas Carol. Apparently the Cosmos’ own Lisha Cassibo shone as Scrooge, carrying on a solid tradition, since Roger Varley and your editor have also featured as Ebenezer in the past. The Foster concert also shone the spotlight on two of Uxbridge’s foremost musical talents, soprano Jane Loewen and choral conductor Ann Gage.
The action ramps up this weekend with several concerts, as well as the run of Uxbridge Youth Theatre’s A Little Princess, featuring many of our stars of tomorrow. Thursday night (tonight) at Pine Grove Church (proving that the Seventh Concession has more amazing musical venues than any street deserves) there will be more wondrous musicians like guitarist Chris Saunders and flautist Lesley Joosten, as well as the teen choir Bella Nove, conducted by Cosmos neighbour Jennifer Neveu-Cook.
Friday at St. Paul’s Anglican is another all-female choir, Anne Mizen’s Monday Morning Singers, with one celebrated male, actor Kenneth Welsh. Sunday afternoon the third women’s group, the Pineridge Chorus, leads the seasonal festivities at the Seniors’ Centre, and that evening will see carol concerts at the United Churches in both Sandford and Goodwood.
Next weekend the mixed choirs take the stage. On Friday and Saturday it’s our biggest choral ensemble, One Voice, with Jennifer Neveu-Cook’s other group, the Uxbridge Youth Choir, as guests. This one, in the intimate environs of St. Paul’s, is already almost sold out, so get your tickets soon. Or wait till Sunday and see the Uxbridge Chamber Choir at North Durham’s biggest venue, Trinity United Church, as they perform carols and perform another rendition of A Christmas Carol with CBC’s Michael Enright and our own Ted Barris.
Such an embarrassment of musical (and dramatic) riches, such a selection of beautiful places and concert formats, all in the space of about 16 days in our one little township.
What did we do to deserve such wonders? We support the singers and actors by showing up in great numbers, of course. If you need any inspiration for getting in the mood for the holidays, just check page 14 and warm up your voice for singing along.
Enjoy!
