The 11th annual Beach Celtic Festival is set to hit Kew Gardens on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6 and 7.
The year celebration of all things Scottish, Irish, and Welsh runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, with a full lineup of entertainment. Featuring the great Scottish price of free, the outdoor ceilidh also offers plenty of food and vendors selling related goods.
On the bill are the Bold Step Dancers, one of the finest Scottish dance troupes in the city, under the choreography of Meghan Bold. Her crew also perform step dancing originally taken from Ottawa Valley settlers. The Gilchrist-Canavan School of Irish Dance covers the Irish side of dance, under choreographer Patricia Gilchrist. The school’s students have performed at every festival since the start.
Music will include singer/songwriter Don Graham, piper Rory Sinclair’s highly energetic group Caledon County, and, for the first time, Irish Canadian punk stalwarts The Mahones. Entertainment will cycle through both days, though The Mahones are set to play only once, later in the day on Saturday, Sept. 6.
The Toronto Beach Chorale is launching its TBC Choral Scholars Program, with auditions coming in September.
Singers between 19 and 24 years old who miss their choir days are encouraged to get in touch. The choir is looking for young singers with a passion for classical choral music who find themselves on a tight budget.
Successful singers will get a free year of choir membership, under the direction of Mervin W. Fick. The young singers will work on vocal skills and expand their musical knowledge during the upcoming season of three concerts.
Rehearsals are held weekly on Wednesday evenings at Kingston Road United Church.
Joey Purpura’s Neil Diamond tribute show is coming back by popular demand to the Baron Byng Beaches Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Purpura has travelled the country and the Caribbean with his show, which he’s been performing since 2004.
While he didn’t grow up listening to the star, known for hits like Sweet Caroline, Solitary Man, and I Am … I Said, Purpura found he was a natural at imitating the singer’s style.
He started researching Diamond, and adds some trivia and little-known facts into the show. He even hired a Las Vegas-based designer to create Diamond’s 1970s-era costumes.
The show will take place Friday, Sept. 12 at the legion, 243 Coxwell Ave. Tickets are $15 in advance at the club room or $20 at the door. Some of the proceeds will go to the legion.
There’s still time to pick up a copy of Vikram Seth’s An Equal Music, to take part in Beaches Reads 2014.
After reading the book, CBC’s Tom Allen and Toronto Symphony Orchestra musician Tim Dawson will be hosting book discussions at four local libraries in late September and through October.
Finally, on Nov. 2, a quintet of TSO musicians will be joined by narrator Allen at Kingston Road United Church for a concert of music that features prominently in An Equal Music.
For more information, visit kruc.ca.
Did you enjoy this article? Become a Beach Metro Community News Supporter today! For 50 years, we have worked hard to be the eyes and ears in your community, inform you of upcoming events, and let you know what and who is making a difference. We cover the big stories as well as the little things that often matter the most. CLICK HERE to support your Beach Metro Community News!