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“W i W hen the clock struck 12am on January 1, the start of a full 12 months of celebration to mark the nation’s 150th anniversary of confederation began ticking enthusiastically. Think of this year as one big, long birthday party that every single Canadian is invited to! The actual birthday, of course, is July 1, but events, festivals and various legacy projects will occur throughout the year in observance of the milestone sesquicentennial. Canada 150 officially launched on December 31 in St. John’s - one of the first areas in the country to observe the New Year. A concert held at a rather unusual venue - the steps of city hall - was complemented by a pyrotechnics and laser show at midnight. hat happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?” That line, taken from the poem Harlem by Langston Hughes, provided the inspiration for Lorraine Hansberry to create a powerful drama that changed American theatre forever. Hansberry was a 29-year-old writer who wove that imagery with her own experiences growing up in Chicago in the 1930s and 40s to create A Raisin in the Sun. The first play to be written by a black woman ever produced on Broadway, it debuted in 1959 to much success. The play was named best of the year by the New York Drama Critics’ Circle, making Hansberry the first black playwright and the youngest American to ever achieve that honour. The play was adapted into an award-winning film in 1961. Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee and Claudia McNeil all reprised their Broadway roles for the movie. A Raisin in the Sun comes to London for Black History Month at the Palace Theatre from February 9-19. The story follows the Youngers - a poor black family who attempt to better their station in life by moving to an all-white upper-middle class neighbourhood. It’s loosely based on the playwright’s own family, who after making a similar move in 1937, were almost forced out of their home by hostile neighbours who argued the case for them leaving all the way to the Supreme Court. “Here we have a black family at the birth of the Civil Rights Movement in America. They get a cheque for $10,000 in the form of insurance money - money that for many people could potentially fuel their dreams. But we see the conflicts that arise in having these dreams realized,” remarked Martin McIntosh, director of the LCP production. “The dreams that some have for wealth and prosperity perhaps are not the greatest dreams to move forward with. Do we strive to get what the ‘haves’ have, or do we fight to retain our own values as we move through life? “Ultimately, having one’s family together wins, and by far becomes the dream worth investing in. This play is about a family’s struggle for dignity, for hope, and for a connected life that has meaning in the face of adversity,” Martin said. The cast includes Sherine Thomas-Holder (as matriarch Lena Younger), Sean George (Lena’s son Walter Lee), Chance Pinkney (Walter Lee’s wife Ruth), Candice Jennings (Walter Lee’s sister Beneatha), and Markus McIntosh (Walter Lee and Ruth’s son Travis). Yawköw Ashong, King Jerome, Jermaine Hamilton, Christopher Parker and Pamela Jack round out the cast. Producing a play of this size with members of the black community in London, is significant - particularly during Black History Month, Martin noted. “There are a lot of heavy themes in this - segregation, assimilation, atheism, they even talk about abortion. This is the ‘50s and they were all over the map with these serious issues. But what I’m really focusing on is the warmth that exists in the family unit that carries them through the adversity,” Martin explained. “It’s hard when you’re different. But when you come to your home and family, you walk away from those feelings. There is love, there is warmth, there is humour - and all of those things play out beautifully in this story. I’m really making sure those things come to the fore against the backdrop of the discrimination black people faced in North America at that time,” he added. The play will inspire audiences to take a look inside. “Which dreams are worth investing in? I would hope people take a look at the things they have in their lives, the things that they aspire for, and measure thearts THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE: LONDON COMMUNITY PLAYERS PRESENT A RAISIN IN THE SUN London Community Players presents A Raisin in the Sun, February 9 - 19 at the Palace Theatre (710 Dundas Street). For tickets, call 519-432-1029. CANADA 150: SESQUESENSATIONAL NEW YEAR’S EVE! St. John’s was one of 19 urban centres across Canada to hold formal 150 Kick-Off celebrations to the tune of $5 million - half of which went to the national capital region, Ottawa-Gatineau, with the other half to the 18 other city’s parties. On New Year’s Eve, thousands braved the many centimetres of snowfall to attend the party on Parliament Hill. Earlier that evening, an almost 1,000 metre-long ‘Fire of Friendship’ human chain encircled the area, following the lighting of the Ottawa 150 Cauldron, homage to the Centennial Flame event of 1967. The fireworks display normally reserved for Canada Day lit up the sky spectacularly at midnight - leaving one to only imagine what’s in store for July 1. As the epicentre of 150 celebrations, Ottawa’s city and tourism planners are pulling out all the stops, promising a full year of unforgettable signature events. Locally, the wheels have been in motion for 150 celebrations for the past several years by the organization known as London Celebrates Canada. There are plenty of ways to get involved in this grand LORRAINE HANSBERRY: THE FIRST BLACK PLAYWRIGHT AND THE YOUNGEST AMERICAN TO EVER WIN A NEW YORK DRAMA CRITICSʼ CIRCLE AWARD them out,” Martin said. “Look at the connections they have with others, and see the richness and value that exists there: the intangible power of being fully and truly connected to one’s family.” - Amie Ronald-Morgan PHOTO COURTESY OF OTTAWA 2017 PERFORMERS DANCE AFTER ILLUMINATING THE ROOFTOP SIGN AT THE IGNITE 150 EVENT IN OTTAWA LAST YEAR, AT WHICH TIME PLANNERS ANNOUNCED THE SERIES OF EVENTS FOR 2017 display of national pride in the months to come. At this time there are more than 40 events planned for London, with additional events expected. Check SCENE for details throughout the year! - Amie Ronald-Morgan 24 ESTABLISHED IN 1989 JANUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 28 • 2017
thearts LONDON PRO MUSICA PRESENT A FEW GOOD MEN O LONDON PRO MUSICA PERFORMS MARCH 4 AT AEOLIAN HALL akville’s premier boys and men’s choir, A Few Good Men. Director Dr. Charlene Pauls is excited to welcome the group, along with their conductor, Western Music grad Dave Anderson, to London for a concert at Aeolian Hall on March 4. The group is comprised of male voices spanning 9 years-of-age to young men in their 20s, and is one of several choirs under the umbrella organization of the Oakville Children’s Choir of which Pauls is Associate Music Director. “A Few Good Men is a force to be reckoned with! Wherever they perform, audiences are blown away by their energy, engagement, and range of repertoire,” Pauls remarked. An emphasis on mentoring and personal growth, as much as on musical development, makes the group particularly unique, Pauls added. “When A Few Good Men hit the stage, all bets are off as to what to expect. They will infuse the Aeolian with excitement and big sounds in a wide range of repertoire that will not disappoint,” she said. For the concert’s first half, the audience will be treated to a traditional Mass setting by Schubert with guest orchestra and soloists. “Our opening Mass No. 2 in G Major D 167 was composed in 1815 by the master of melody, Franz Schubert. Melodies seemed to flow out of Schubert without effort, and as was so typical of many of Schubert’s works, this Mass was written very rapidly - in a mindboggling, single week. The work is separated into the traditional movements of the Latin Mass - Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei - and features the choir with soprano, tenor, and bass soloists. It is a beautiful gem that deserves to be heard more often,” Pauls remarked. The second half of the concert will be a decidedly untraditional program featuring A Few Good Men. One of the pieces the guys will perform in this section will be The Ground by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, based on an excerpt of the traditional Latin Mass. “Gjeilo wrote the work in 2010, and as such, the work provides a musical transition out of the 19th century sounds of Schubert into the aesthetic of the 21st century. Gjeilo recently visited Toronto as the featured composer of Choirs Ontario in fall 2016, and we are pleased to be presenting this work as a continued celebration of his music,” Pauls said. London Pro Musica is looking forward to another interesting and varied concert that will bring new sounds to local audiences, she added. “This concert will appeal to all ages and in particular to families with boys. The Mass in G Major is a great piece to introduce younger people to the fantastic music of Schubert, whereas the presentation by A Few Good Men will keep the audience engaged, laughing and amazed. It is not one to be missed!” - Amie Ronald-Morgan London Pro Musica presents A Few Good Men at Aeolian Hall (795 Dundas Street), March 4, 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 i advance; $25 at the door ($10 student) LONDON’SINDIEART Brassroots: Movie music and more Southwestern Ontario’s premier brass ensemble returns to Aeolian Hall for an evening of great movie music. On February 24, music lovers will be treated to an eclectic program inspired by the world of film with pieces such as ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’ from the 1986 film The Mission, and ‘Gonna Fly Now’, the theme from the 1976 classic Rocky. Other selections spanning a variety of musical genres will also comprise the program. Having recently celebrated their 30th anniversary, Brassroots continues to serve the wider community by participating in outreach activities, and the February engagement is no exception. The afternoon prior to the concert, Brassroots members - many of whom have enjoyed long careers as teachers - will hold a free workshop for El Sistema, the Aeolian-run program that provides musical instruction to local children regardless of socio-economic limitations. “As past and present music educators, our musicians have played an important role in the development of young musicians throughout southwestern Ontario, and giving back to the El Sistema BRASSROOTS PLAY THE AEOLIAN ON FEBRUARY 3 Aeolian program fits very well with our mission as a charity,” remarked Brassroots director Bram Gregson. “We’re excited to be back at the Aeolian Hall. It’s a great concert venue,” he added. The concert takes place at 8pm. Tickets are $23 (advance), $26 (door), and $15 (students, seniors). - Amie Ronald-Morgan SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH B lack History Month is fast approaching and there are many events happening in London to celebrate black culture and reflect on the achievements made by black Canadians past and present. With this year’s theme of A Story of Courage in mind, the London Black History Coordinating Committee has several exciting programs including a film and speaker series, opening reception and closing gala, a food festival, awards, and more. Festivities get underway at Museum London on February 4, from 1pm to 4pm, with numerous cultural groups set to present art, music and traditional cuisine. As well, Laurier student Sunday Ajak will be speaking, and there will be a performance by the Laurier choir. All are welcome to attend this free event. In keeping with past years, a play highlighting the perseverance of the black community will be presented to commemorate Black History Month. This year’s theatrical offering, produced by London Community Players, is A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. A Broadway debut in 1959, the drama tells of the discrimination faced by a black family after they move into a white neighborhood in Chicago. The play runs at the Palace Theatre from February 9-19. Topical films will be screened throughout February at Crouch Library (Feb. 9, 6pm), Palace Theatre (Feb. 12, 7pm), Central Library (Feb. 15, 6pm), and Cherryhill Library (Feb. 23, 1:30pm). An African Food Festival will take place at St. Michael’s Parish (511 Cheapside Street), February 17 from 5:30pm to 8pm. There, diners will be treated to an array of ethnic foods of the different A FILM ABOUT LEGENDARY TRACK AND FIELD STAR JESSE OWENS (PICTURED) WILL BE SHOWN FEB. 9 AT CROUCH LIBRARY regions of Africa. Admission is free but donations will be gratefully accepted. In conjunction with London Police Services, the annual Lewis Coray Trailblazer Award will be given to a deserving young person at police headquarters February 17. The honour - named for the first black officer ever to be hired by London Police - recognizes a local high school student who submits the most compelling essay on the importance of Black History Month. Celebrations wrap up with entertainment, an awards ceremony, and more at a gala reception at the Central Library on February 25 (doors at 3pm; $15 adults, $5 kids aged 2-12). More info about the events planned for February can be found at London Black History Coordinating Committee on Facebook. - Amie Ronald-Morgan JANUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 28 • 2017 <strong>CELEBRATING</strong> 27 YEARS 25
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