Our favourite picks for Autumn 2014
A 6½-inch-high shell casing inscribed by a German prisoner of war, 1918, and an ashtray made from a larger shell (3 inches in diameter).
Must NOT mention
Prepare to swoon. The Peel Art Gallery, Museum & Archives will host an exhibition of (gasp!) corsets, crinolines, bustles, bras and more – all of them undergarments that have been used over the past three centuries to shape women’s bodies into the fashion of the day. Waist Management: A History of Unmentionables is a travelling exhibit created by the Fashion History Museum and will be at PAMA from November 1 until February 16, 2015.
From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, Jonathan Walford, founder of the Fashion History Museum, will be at PAMA to give an illustrated talk on the history of body-modifying undergarments and to walk visitors through the display.
The exhibit is free with admission to the museum ($4.50 for adults, $10 for families and $3.50 for students and seniors). For information on PAMA’s hours, call 905-791-4055 or visit the museum’s website: pama.peelregion.ca.
Must honour
As part of an exhibit marking the centenary of the start of World War I, the Dufferin County Museum & Archives has created a display of trench art. Many of these poignant works were crafted by Canadian soldiers from pieces of shrapnel, spent shell casings and the other debris of war that turned up in the trenches. Others were created after the soldiers returned home, and some date from World War II.
Many of the pieces on display are family keepsakes lent to the DCMA by museum members and patrons. The exhibit provides a rare opportunity for visitors to see these treasured works.
The trench art display is in the Silo Gallery until November 14. While you’re there, check out DCMA’s entire exhibit of WWI artifacts. For information, call 1-877-941-7787, or see dufferinmuseum.com.
Must listen
Music lovers, take note. Both the Orangeville Concert Association and Caledon Chamber Concerts are set to launch exciting new seasons.
The Elora Festival Singers, one of Canada’s finest chamber choirs, kick off the OCA’s 2014–15 season with a performance at the Orangeville Opera House at 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 20. Then, on November 7, Scottish-Canadian reggae artist Jason Wilson and English fiddler Dave Swarbrick bring their unique mix of folk and reggae to the Opera House stage. For more information, call 519-942-3423, or go to orangevilleconcerts.ca.
Caledon Chamber Concerts’ season starts at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, with a performance by Western Collective, made up of Sharon Wei on viola, John Hies on piano and Jana Starling on clarinet. Then on Sunday, November 23, the Georgetown Bach Chorale presents Handel’s Messiah. For information and to order tickets, call 905-880-2445, or go to caledonchamberconcerts.com.
Must let loose
Tap your toes, stomp your feet and have a grand ole good time with your favourite country stars of yesterday and today – courtesy of Leisa Way, Aaron Solomon and Randall Kempf. This talented trio presents Country Jukebox at Theatre Orangeville from Thursday, September 25 to Sunday, September 28. Audiences are bound to delight in renditions of country music’s greatest duets as the versatile performers channel everyone from Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison to Shania Twain, k.d. lang, Lady Antebellum and many more.
To see a sneak preview of Leisa Way and the Wayward Wind Band in Country Jukebox, see the YouTube link with the show details on the theatre’s website.
Thursday and Sunday shows start at 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday performances start at 8 p.m. For information and tickets, call Theatre Orangeville at 519-942-3423 or visit theatreorangeville.ca.
Must tour
On the weekend of October 4–5, some of the many breeding farms, coaching and training facilities, riding schools, boarding stables and ranches that dot these hills throw open their doors for the seventh annual Headwaters Horse Country Stable Tour. This highly successful event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, also includes the Year of the Horse Art Show at Silver Creek Arts.
As a warmup for the big weekend, an evening celebration of all things equine takes place on Thursday, October 2. Featuring equestrian performances and demonstrations, as well as local food and beverages, this event takes place at the Orangeville Agricultural Society Event Centre, on 5 Sideroad in Mono.
Stay tuned to Headwaters Horse Country’s website, headwatershorsecountry.ca for updates and maps of suggested tour routes. Or call 519-942-0314.