Gallery
Creative Youth Lab
November 2023 - Ongoing | Orillia Youth Centre
Participants experiment with digital art and design – meme creation, animation, digital portraits, digital collage, and more with Sean Rees every Thursday at Orillia Youth Centre. This project is ongoing in 2024.
Future Fest 2024 : Bob McDonald Lecture
September 23 | St. Paul's Centre, Orillia
Bob McDonald came to Orillia and delivered an incredible lecture on hope, the Future, and positivity. He received a standing ovation! Bob took time out of his busy schedule to sign his books, take pictures, and chat with patrons.
Gathering: Festival of First Nations Stories 2024
June 2024 - Couchiching Park & Rama First Nation
Children came to Couchiching Park to learn about Indigenous culture. We were grateful to Elders John Rice and Rosanne Irving along with Erin Dixon of the Gojijing Friendship Circle, who led our learning. We were also lifted by the incredible guest speakers at Gathering: Festival of First Nations Stories at Rama First Nation. What a thrill! Thank you Sherry Lawson, Alicia Elliott, Drew Hayden Taylor, Armand Garnet Ruffo, Brandon Reid, Julie Williams, Christa Big Canoe, Keesic Douglas, Mike Nicols and Chief Lady Bird! Finally, We were very excited to have Wolf Saga join us for a youth concert! A huge shout out to Mark Webster for the amazing lighting design.
Global Steps 2024 - 2
April 2024 | Local Schools
Global Steps is a workshop series that teaches students about people, culture, and history through dance. In April we welcomed Rachana Joshi to teach us about storytelling and Classical Indian Bharatanatyam Dance.
Julie et l'univers
March 2024 | Orillia Opera House
Julie et l’univers is created by Laurence Lemieux & Compagnie de la Citadelle with live concert piano by Jeanie Chung. Inspired by a painting by Jean-Paul Lemieux, and set in a wintry landscape reminiscent of Lemieux’ childhood in Quebec City, the work explores the interior lives of three young women on the cusp of adulthood, alternating between the utter wonderment and discovery of youth and the uncertainty and loneliness of adolescence.
Water Monument 2024
March 2024 | Local Schools
Students learned about water care, photography and collaborative installation through Arts Orillia’s Water Monument program. Thank you Canadian Museum Of Water for being our sponsor!
Global Steps 2024 - 1
February 2024 | Local Schools
Global Steps is a workshop series that teaches students about history and culture through dance. In February we were delighted to host company members from Artists in Motion who taught students about the 5 pillars of hip-hop culture and gave hip hop dance instruction.
Black in Canada 2024
February 2024 | The Orillia Opera House
Arts Orillia was proud to host 4 sold out performances of Black in Canada by dance company Artists in Motion.
Re:Research + Design 2023 - Moon Child
November 2023 | Orillia Opera House
Dance Artist, Rachana Joshi + Lighting Designer, Melissa Joakim in residency at the Orillia Opera House as part of re:research + design facilitated by adelheid dance projects and Arts Orillia's Dance&Design creative development residencies. Students from Orillia Secondary School, Eastview Public School and Lakehead University came to see Moon Child and learn
about Classical Indian Bharatanatyam dance.
Inventing Utopia
November 2023 | Orillia Secondary / Twin Lakes
Joseph Lyons inspired and connected with Orillia Secondary and Twin Lakes students. The shared his story and creative process, encouraging listers to use their creativity for personal and community growth. Students followed up by making manifestos as a way of taking action for the things they believe in.
Orillia Jazz Festival 2023
October 2023 | Orillia Opera House & various Orillia businesses
Holly Cole took the stage on opening night during the Orillia Jazz Festival. We welcomed Lance Anderson with World Jazz Asylum performing with Jazz dancers Shona Kiyama and Molly Tiernan. We closed with a dynamic performance by Brassworks and 80 Youth from Orillia Secondary, Twin Lakes and Patrick Fogarty.
Gathering: Festival of First Nations Stories 2023
June 2023 | Rama First Nation, Couchiching Park, St. Pauls Centre
We launched the 5th edition of Gathering Festival of First Nations Stories including a full day of Youth programing with the Gojijing Friendship Circle – concerts with Tomson Highway and Tom Wilson – readings by 12 critically acclaimed authors – an exhibit featuring a painted canoe depicting the Mnjikaning Fish Weirs by Chief Lady Bird in collaboration with Mark Douglas along with new original works by Ted Laughlin, a performance installation titled Story Lodge by JP Longboat in collaboration with several storytellers and students from Twin Lakes Secondary and Orillia Secondary, and sunrise ceremony and water bundle ceremonies conducted by local and visiting cultural leaders.
Global Steps
May 2023 | Orillia Elementary Schools
Classical Chinese Dance Artist, Selena Thai and Hip Hop Artist, Errol Lee visited 10 elementary classrooms teaching students their moves and the rich cultural history that informs their dance practice.
Empty Space | Empty Time and Worlds Within
May 2023 | Orillia Opera House
We presented an evening of cello and dance with Empty Space | Empty Time and Worlds Within featuring Raphael Weinroth-Browne and the Ottawa Dance Directive.
Theatre & Cross Creativity 2023
April 2023 | Orillia Opera House
Directors Clara McBride and Iain Moggach collaborated with 11 Youth and Senior participants from our community to create a devised theatre piece celebrating personal stories.
Dance&Design Residency - Hard Wire
January 2023 | Orillia Opera House
Resident artists Emma Kerson and Jane-Alison McKinney of Bare Nerve along with Lighting Designer Noah Feaver put the finishing touches on hard wire, a performance that “reflects on life in the face of a climate in crisis”. BoucharDanse with Choreographer Sylvie Bouchard and Visual Designer Ed Pien worked with dancers from the company on an elaborate set for très loin, a show that tackles the difficult subject of Youth mental health. Both works left our residency ready for tour!
Dance&Design Residency - très loin
January 2023 | Orillia Opera House
Dance&Design Residency - Black in Canada
Shameka Blake & Artists in Motion collaborating with lighting designer Emerson Kafarowski
Orillia Jazz Festival 2022
Heirloom Orillia 2022
Dance&Design Residency
Allison Cummings in collaboration with Val Callum and Vivine Scarlett
Gathering: Festival of First Nations Stories 2022
Water Monument
Theatre and Cross Creativity 2022
Dance&Design Residency
Aliyah Beckles in collaboration with Lighting Designer Vera Oleynikova
Event Archive
Mon, Sep 23Multiple LocationsSep 23, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – Sep 28, 2024, 5:30 p.m.Multiple Locations, 62 Peter St N, Orillia, ON L3V 4Z1, Canada
Mon, Sep 23St. Paul's CentreSep 23, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.St. Paul's Centre, 62 Peter St N, Orillia, ON L3V 4Z1, Canada
Mon, Aug 26The Holding SpaceAug 26, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – Aug 30, 2024, 4:00 p.m.The Holding Space, 27 Mississaga St E, Orillia, ON L3V 1V4, Canada
Tue, Jul 02The Holding SpaceJul 02, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – Jul 05, 2024, 4:00 p.m.The Holding Space, 27 Mississaga St E, Orillia, ON L3V 1V4, Canada
Sat, Jun 01Rama Community HallJun 01, 2024, 5:20 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.Rama Community Hall, 5884 Rama Rd, Orillia, ON L3V 6H6, Canada
Fri, May 31Rama Community HallMay 31, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.Rama Community Hall, 5884 Rama Rd, Orillia, ON L3V 6H6, Canada
Mon, Apr 22Orillia Opera House & Creative NomadApr 22, 2024, 7:00 p.m.Orillia Opera House & Creative Nomad, 20 Mississaga St W, Orillia, ON L3V 3A6, Canada
Wed, Feb 21Orillia Opera House - Studio TheatreFeb 21, 2024, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.Orillia Opera House - Studio Theatre, 20 Mississaga St W, Orillia, ON L3V 3A6, Canada
Wed, Feb 21Orillia Opera House - Studio TheatreFeb 21, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.Orillia Opera House - Studio Theatre, 20 Mississaga St W, Orillia, ON L3V 3A6, Canada
Tue, Feb 20Orillia Opera House - Studio TheatreFeb 20, 2024, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.Orillia Opera House - Studio Theatre, 20 Mississaga St W, Orillia, ON L3V 3A6, Canada
Tue, Feb 20Orillia Opera House - Studio TheatreFeb 20, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Orillia Opera House - Studio Theatre, 20 Mississaga St W, Orillia, ON L3V 3A6, Canada
Thu, Jan 11Orillia Youth CentreJan 11, 2024, 4:00 p.m. – Jun 27, 2024, 5:30 p.m.Orillia Youth Centre, 9 Front St S, Orillia, ON L3V 4S1, Canada
Fri, Nov 17Orillia Opera HouseNov 17, 2023, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.Orillia Opera House, 20 Mississaga St W, Orillia, ON L3V 3A6, Canada
Sun, Oct 15Orillia Opera HouseOct 15, 2023, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.Orillia Opera House, 20 Mississaga St W, Orillia, ON L3V 3A6, Canada
Sat, Oct 14Orillia Opera HouseOct 14, 2023, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.Orillia Opera House, 20 Mississaga St W, Orillia, ON L3V 3A6, Canada
Fri, Oct 13Orillia Opera HouseOct 13, 2023, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.Orillia Opera House, 20 Mississaga St W, Orillia, ON L3V 3A6, Canada- Thu, Sep 28Orillia Youth CentreSep 28, 2023, 4:00 p.m. – Dec 14, 2023, 5:30 p.m.Orillia Youth Centre, 9 Front St S, Orillia, ON L3V 4S1, Canada
Mon, Aug 14The Holding SpaceAug 14, 2023, 9:00 a.m. – Aug 18, 2023, 4:00 p.m.The Holding Space, 27 Mississaga St E, Orillia, ON L3V 1V4, Canada