{"id":152823,"date":"2024-04-15T02:35:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T06:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/rwddev\/?p=152823"},"modified":"2024-04-15T05:12:56","modified_gmt":"2024-04-15T09:12:56","slug":"huntsville-festival-of-the-arts-announces-2024-summer-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/huntsville-festival-of-the-arts-announces-2024-summer-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Huntsville Festival of the Arts Announces 2024 Summer Season"},"content":{"rendered":"
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From the Huntsville Festival of the Arts<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts (HfA) is back for its 32nd summer season of concerts and events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Muskoka\u2019s largest arts organization, HfA is proud to unveil a diverse array of performances and events that promise to wrap audiences in comfort and delight. This year\u2019s summer theme is \u201cWE GOT YOU COVERED\u201d– From soothing cover tunes to heartwarming comedic acts to big events, our lineup caters to every taste, offering a cozy refuge from the ordinary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning favourites include the legendary Jim Cuddy and Celtic sweethearts Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy. Both Cuddy and MacMaster are multiple Juno Award winners and members of the Order of Canada. And, after two sold-out shows last summer, CHOIR!CHOIR!CHOIR! returns for back-to-back nights of giant sing-a-longs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HfA brings the very best cover bands to this season\u2019s lineup with incredible musicians to bring a truly unique take on your favourite songs. The first of the season is The Piano Men<\/strong>, Jim Witter’s musical celebration of the 1970s, year-by-year, hit-by-hit from the songbooks of Billy Joel and Elton John. Next up, it\u2019s Dwayne Gretzky. A dynamic Canadian supergroup whose genre-spanning performances and musical prowess redefine cover bands. Classical music fans will love Some Enchanted Evening<\/strong>– a celebration of classic and contemporary musicals hosted by CBC-Radio host Julie Nesrallah, crossover baritone Gino Quilico, and legendary pianist\/composer David Warrack. And in July, Art of Time Ensemble transforms the iconic “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band<\/strong>” into a kaleidoscopic masterpiece, blending classical and popular music seamlessly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel through time this summer with Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin II<\/strong>. Classic Albums Live Founded in 2003 by Craig Martin, Classic Albums Live takes the greatest albums and recreates them live on stage – note-for-note, cut-for-cut, using the best musicians. Moving ahead a few years, 80s fans will love Dreaming of the 80s: A nostalgic sonic journey with Kevin Hearn of the Barenaked Ladies and violinist Hugh Marsh. Relive iconic 80s tunes live! Moving the needle a little farther in time, fans from the late 80s and early 90s won\u2019t want to miss Junkhouse<\/strong>! Junkhouse emerged from the Canadian rock scene in the late 1980s, quickly establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the world of alternative rock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programming will also continue to venture into alternative venues. Garret T. Willie<\/strong>, blues virtuoso, graces the stage at Etwell Concert Series\u2014an outdoor covered venue in the lush forests near Huntsville. Feel the blues vibes, savour oven-baked pizza, and let the music ignite your soul in this quintessential Muskoka experience. Hillside Farm will once again host MORE BARN: The Music of Neil Young<\/strong>, spearheaded by Tobin Spring. The farm will also host Shania Twink, <\/strong>your new favourite all queer country cover band, and local artist Christina Hutt pays homage to one of music\u2019s most unique voices in the rustic ambiance of Hillside Farm\u2019s barn in The Spirit of Patsy Cline. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Local Artists to be featured this season include an intimate candlelit solo performance by piano virtuoso Kyung-A Lee at the Algonquin Theatre and Living on Muskoka Time with musician Sean Cotton (aka Mr. Muskoka). Cotton presents a multi-media concert full of songs and stories inspired by Muskoka and the people who live here. Other local artists to be featured this year include several musicians playing in the popular Music at Noon Series, <\/strong>(now in its 24th year!) running July 15-19. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comedy fans won\u2019t want to miss Girl’s Nite Out<\/strong>, featuring an all-female comedy night with Elvira Kurt and friends. Fridays of the long weekends will feature Yuk Yuk’s On Tour <\/strong>at Canvas Brewery. Sip on craft brews and indulge in laughter as Yuk Yuk’s brings top-notch comedians to tickle your funny bone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many community events to enjoy throughout the summer season. The 2024 season will see the return of the popular Nuit Blanche North<\/strong>: a one-night multi-arts street festival that takes over downtown. On June 29, the beloved bathtub derby DOCK FEST <\/strong>returns to the Downtown Docks this summer as well.The season also sees the return of Movie on the Docks<\/strong>: a boat-in movie experience where films are shown on a double-sided screen, and audiences can either watch from the water or on shore. This year Movie on the Docks will take place on the Saturday of each long weekend. On June 21, HfA celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day <\/strong>at River Mill Park, featuring cultural performances and activities that honor the heritage and contributions of Indigenous peoples. It will also mark the return of the Huntsville ART CRAWL <\/strong>in June, including the extremely popular Canoe Murals<\/strong> this year featuring the work of Emily Carr. The En Plein Air Art Market returns for its second year: an open-air market on June 22 featuring local artists and live painting in River Mill Park<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huntsville celebrates love and diversity in all its forms with the first annual Cottage Country Drag Festival! <\/strong>Catch a Drag King Show at Canvas Brewery, a Drag Queen Show at Algonquin Theatre, and a glamorous Drag Brunch on Sunday! Get ready for a dazzling escape where the art of drag meets the serenity of cottage life. It’s a weekend you won’t want to miss! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The summer ends with a month-long installation of Scared Strength: Indigenous Ribbon Skirts, a celebration and honouring of ribbon skirts curated by Joyce Jonathan Crone at the HFA Studio in September. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe theme of our summer season is We Got You Covered\u201d says Dan Watson, Executive Director of Huntsville Festival of the Arts. \u201cWe aim to present a diverse menu of tasty artistic dishes that entertain, enrich, delight and showcase our beautiful region. We also strive to keep our programming financially accessible by offering free or low-cost events, discounted seniors and youth to most of our shows.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tickets for the general public will be on sale starting on May 2nd at 10am. Those who want to get to the front of the line can purchase a \u201cFriend of the Festival\u201d membership which gives them advance access to tickets starting April 11th<\/sup>. Memberships also offer discounts of 15% on all Festival shows and many other perks. Memberships are available for purchase immediately. Once purchased, Friends can purchase tickets to summer shows by visiting huntsvillefestival.ca or by calling the box office at 705-789-4975. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huntsville Festival of the Arts is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, members, and government funders. To learn more about these supporters, see the exceptional line-up of concerts, shows, and performances, or purchase tickets online, please visit www.huntsvillefestival.ca<\/a><\/span>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2024 Huntsville Festival of the Arts Summer Programming <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n