Acoustic Harvest presents David Bradstreet on Saturday, Jan. 18, with special guest Mira Meikle.
Bradstreet studied architecture in college, but quickly transitioned to full-time music, touring the US and Canada in the early 1970s. He is likely best known for his song Renaissance, which was a hit tune for Valdy. Bradstreet has worked as a singer/songwriter, composer and producer for over three decades, with 21 albums to his name. He has won a Juno and been nominated for three more, along with a Gemini nomination. He’s also known for his production work, which has covered artists such as Jane Siberry, Colleen Peterson, Nancy Simmonds, Bill Hughes, Jason Fowler and Robert Priest.
Opening act Meikle is a young performer who Bradstreet has been working with. The singer/songwriter from Oakville has won a number of competitions, and has performed for audiences large and small. She also provides the singing voice for the character ‘Olive’ on the animated series Justin Time.
The show takes place at Robinson Hall, St. Nicholas Anglican Church, 1512 Kingston Rd., just east of Warden, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18. Admission is $25 or $22 in advance through acousticharvest.ca. For more information visit the website or call 416-224-2235. For more on Bradstreet, visit davidbradstreet.com.
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Longtime Beacher Richard McMillan stars as Sandra in the Pleiades Theatre production of Michel Tremblay’s Manon, Sandra and the Virgin.
McMillan has been acting professionally for just shy of four decades, and has worked throughout Canada, the US and Great Britain. He spent 11 seasons at Stratford, and has graced the stages at the Shaw Festival, The Old Vic in London, The Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC, and numerous New York City and Toronto theatres, amongst others. He has won a Gemini Award, four Dora Mavor Moore Awards, a Toronto Theatre Critics Award and the Pittsburgh Performer of the Year award.
Tremblay is one of Canada’s most celebrated and prolific writers. The original title of the work was Damnée Manon, Sacrée Sandra. This rare production, a first for Buddies in Bad Times, is directed by John Van Burek, who originally translated the work and directed the first English performances in 1979.
Manon, Sandra and the Virgin revolves around the story of Manon, mired in the past and steadfastly religious, and Sandra, a conniving drag queen. The pair represent the sacred and the profane in the provocative work, set in east end Montreal, in which both characters share a fascination with the virgin Mary, speaking in parallel monologues.
McMillan stars alongside Irene Poole as Manon during Manon, Sandra and the Virgin’s three-week run. The play opens Jan. 15, running until Feb. 2, at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St., southeast of Yonge and Wellesley Streets. Performances are at 8 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday, with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Previews will take place at 8 p.m. on Jan. 11 and 14, and at 2 p.m. on Jan. 12.
Tickets range from $20 to $32. For more detailed ticket information, visit the website at buddiesinbadtimes.com or call 416-975-8555.
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Relish Bar and Grill, 2152 Danforth Ave., just east of Woodbine, continues to offer a haven for live music in the East End.
Regular performers include The BTBs on Wednesdays, Bentroots on Mondays and Danger Bees on Fridays. Kiki Karaoke happens on Thursdays, while the Stir It Up open mic night is on Sundays.
Music of the Mediterranean Stars will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Tracey Gallant takes to the stage before karaoke on Thursday, Jan. 9, with Melting Pot on Saturday, Jan. 11. Liane Fainsinger will perform a jazz brunch on Sunday, Jan. 12. Tuesday, Jan. 14 sees Fabio Dwyer performing, with Planet Bennett on Thursday, Jan. 16 before karaoke. The Songbird Sessions and Lilly Mason are scheduled for two seperate shows on Saturday, Jan. 18, with Steve Raiken lined up for Tuesday, Jan. 21.
For more details and set times, visit them online at relishbarandgrill.com, call 416-425-4664 or find them on Facebook.
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