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Tag Archives: Musical

Anne of Greeen Gables

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Every year, we go see Anne of Green Gables.  it has become one of our regular summer treats.  This year, we were presented with the many faces of Anne:

performers who have portrayed Anne of Green Gables

16 talented performers have played the role of Anne in its 50 years in Charlottetown.

It has received the honour  being the longest running musical performance in the World.

Every year we see Anne, and every year we are delightfully rewarded with an enchanting performance, somehow always better than last year.

The newly renovated Confederation Centre of the Arts makes viewing the performance even more enjoyable with better seating, better lighting, and more use of audio visual effects.

Anne, Marilla and Matthew are outstanding in their roles. The rest of the crew is equally talented. The dance routines are full of energy, the singing is superb and the performances captivating.  Other than the inevitable sad ending, I cannot think of anything to make the performance any better.  Yet I expect that next year I will be rewarded with some more surprises.

Be sure to include a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday in your trip to Prince Edward Island so you will not miss this wonderful performance.

 

I remain a truly loyal Anne of Green Gables fan.

Canada Rocks

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Happy Birthday Canada, 147 years young!

PEI 2014 celebration

In PEI this year, we are celebrating 150 years since the Charlottetown Conference that led to the formation of this great country.  Things are ROCKING here today and we will top it off with the biggest fireworks show in Canada.

2014 also sees the return of the musical revue Canada Rocks.  I saw The First Canada rocks in 2005, twice that year.  I was ecstatic to see it come back in 2006 and saw it again.  The following year, we were treated to British Invasion, and the year after America Strikes Back.  For the next 5 years I was looking for a show to equal the performance.  So I was thrilled to see it coming back for 2014.

Canada Rocks Musical Revue

Be prepared for a high energy show.  This is a non-stop, one song after another, singing, dancing extravaganza that is sure to please people of all ages. The show features two dozen top notch singers and dancers that take you on a musical ride across Canada featuring artists and hits from the 60’s to today.

Music fans young and old will enjoy this show. There is something for everyone, including a tribute to our recently fallen East Coast legends.

Make PEI one of your summer destinations, and be sure to include Canada Rocks.  It plays Thursdays Fridays and Saturdays at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

I am planning a return trip to the theatre before the end of August. There is so much going on on the stage that you have to see the show more than once to take it all in.

Summer Entertainment on PEI

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The Festival of Small Halls may be all over, but the fun is just beginning.  Now that we have had a taste of entertainment on Prince Edward Island, it is time to look at the summer’s events.

The Cavendish Beach Music Festival runs from July 4 to 6. It will feature Lady Antebellum, David Nail, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Hunter Hayes, Dean Brody, and many other artists, on three stages.  The festival has been running since 2009 and is the premier country music event in Prince Edward Island.  If you have not yet booked your accommodations, go to http://peiplay.com now to look for rapidly disappearing vacancies.

On August 30, Shania Twain will be here to close off a summer of celebration. The reserved grandstand seats are almost sold out but there are still some general admission tickets.  As with the Cavendish Beach Music Festival, book your accommodations early.

Canada Day is right around the corner.  We promise to have the biggest fireworks show in Canada this year.  We also promise to have top notch entertainers like the Barenaked Ladies, Tegan and Sara, Classified, David Myles, Roch Voisine, George Canyon, and Drum.

The Big Red Music Festival runs June 28, June 29 and July 12. This year, we are proud to bring The Killers to Charlottetown.  Check the full lineup on their site.

The 2014 celebration will include Natalie MacMaster and The Barra MacNeils on July 4.

The Jazz and Blues Festival runs August 21-23. It will feature many artists including the legendary Downchild Blues Band.

July 24 will also see Guess Who’s legendary Burton Cummings coming to Prince Edward Island.

Of course, our great local talent will be playing all over PEI during the summer.  So if you are looking for Down East music, storytelling and toe tapping tunes, there will be plenty of choice.

 

Be sure to include some entertainment on your trip to Prince Edward Island this summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Festival of Small Halls PEI

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If you are thinking about an early summer visit to Prince Edward Island, now is the time.

The Festival of Small Halls runs from June 14 to June 24.  This is the perfect opportunity to see local talent in a kitchen party type of atmosphere. You can experience Traditional Music, Dance & Storytelling. This is truly an Exceptional Island Experience.

Check the website for dates, artists and hall locations. Check out the list of artists.  If you like DOWN EAST music, you will surely recognize several names.

So check out the schedule and make plans for a memorable PEI Festival of Small Halls.

 

Guy

 

 

packaging PEI

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package It’s all about the packaging. Frugal people love packages. It makes them feel like they are making a deal. Sometimes also it is the convenience of wrapping up and entire vacation with one call . . . sort of like dealing with a travel agent.  If you like packaging, there is plenty of choice on Prince Edward Island.

If you have ordered a visitor’s guide, you will see several packages. There is also a 40 page package brochure that you can get in paper or online. It has packages in 6 categories:

  1. Jaunts – short excursions
  2. Family Focus – these usually include accommodations an park or attraction passes
  3. Get Together – where you can interact with Island residents and share in their experience
  4. Golf – Accommodations and a round of golf.  You can find other golf packages here and there; after all we are th GOLF Island.
  5. Island Traditions – Accommodations and traditional attractions like Green Gables House, the Anne Musical, etc.
  6. Sea of Love – For the romantically inclined

I also found packages at the bottom of this page.

If all inclusive is not what you are after, there are other packages. Perhaps you can get a good accommodation deal on your own and are just looking for something different to do. There are plenty of choices there also and for all types of budgets.  There are 9 listed in Charlottetown, including:

culinary bootcamp

Culinary Bootcamp. For $100 to $300 you can be a chef for a day or half day.  It is a great way to have some fun and learn a bit more about food.  The Culinary Institute in PEI has a national reputation for excellence.

scrapbooking tea experience

Did I mention I like Tea? Did I mention I like Scrapbooking? Well, for just $30 per person, you can combine a garden tour, a fancy tea and scone, and make your own scrapbooking souvenir.  All this and more at the Island Made Scrapbooking and Gift Shop in Winsloe.

Granny ~oo~

 

Music

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Coincidence for today’s topic:  The East Coast Music Awards are being held in Charlottetown this weekend.  The ECMAs are a great way of recognizing Atlantic musical Talent and Prince Edward Island has lots of it.  Among the stars bidding for multiple awards this year, we have:

tim chaisson

Tim Chaisson: With three solo albums under his belt he is on a fast rise to dominating his genre (pop).

 

lennie gallant

Lennie Gallant: One of Canada’s foremost performing songwriters, with nine albums and numerous awards and nominations from the JUNOs and East Coast Music Awards.

 

chuck and albert

Chuck and Albert:  Multi-instrumentalists, great physical comics, and fluently bilingual, this Acadian duo has played to standing ovations both at home, across Canada and overseas.  Though they share the same last name, they are not directly related.  If you like laughter and music these are the performers to see.

boxer the horse

Boxer the Horse: While balancing music with their university classes, the band has performed at Pop Montreal, NXNE, Halifax Pop Explosion, East Coast Music Awards and the Atlantic Film Festival Gala.

Of course the best place to experience PEI music is in a small hall.  If you like Ceilidhs you might be able to see a performance by Cynthia MacLeod.  You can also look up Ceilidhs and other musical events on the Tourism Website or in the Visitor’s Guide.

Read More about the PEI music Scene on Wikipedia.

Tomorrow’s theme is Nautical.

Granny ~oo~

Anne of Green Gables

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Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables will never die are part of the lyrics written by Elaine Campbell who passed away in 2007.  These words live on since 1965 when the “Anne” mtusical started playing and continues to play yearly at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown.  This year the production runs on selected dates from June 28 to August 31.

Tourism PEI Anne PassportIf you are an Anne of Green Gables fan, you can join thousands who come to PEI to experience Anne.  2008 marked the 100th Anniversary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables.  The department of Tourism published for the occasion a passport that featured Several attractions including:

Cavendish Figurines

Located in the Gateway village as you enter Prince Edward Island from the Confederation Bridge, Cavendish Figurines is full of Anne memorabilia.

L.M. Montgomery Lower Bedeque School

This museum is a recreation of the schoolhouse where LMM taught in 1897.

Bideford Parsonage Museum

This home is where LMM boarded during her first year teaching.

Anne of Green Gables the Musical

Anne and Gilbert the Musical

This musical is set during the period Anne was in school.  It started running in 2005 in a small theatre in Victoria by the Sea but its popularity dictated that it move to a larger venue.  Now in the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside, where it runs on selected days from June 14 to September 25.

Kensington Historic Train Station

Trains are no more on Prince Edward Island.  The rail bed was converted to a cycling trail, but that is the subject of other posts on this blog.  This station resembles the one where Anne sat waiting fro Matthew to pick her up.

Anne of Green Gables Museum

Anne of Green Gables Museum

Located in Park Corner, the Museum at Silverbush is where I saw the lake of shining waters and the blue trunk that are featured in the novel.

Lucy Maud Montgomery Birthplace

This house is located in New London and is operated by volunteers.  I have not located a website but there is information about it on the heritage society.  You can also look them up in the visitor’s guide under attractions new London.

Avonlea Village Cavendish PEI

Avonlea Village

The Avonlea Village of Anne of Green Gables in Cavendish Prince Edward Island is like a pioneer village where you can see structures, dress, and activities of the early 1900’s.  You will also see several short skits that replay scenes akin to the Anne of Green Gables novel.  This can be a full-day event for the whole family.

The Montgomery Theatre

Located in the Avonlea village, this is yet another theatre where you might feel the presence of Anne.

Green Gables House

Green Gables House

Also, located in Cavendish, Green Gables House sits as a museum commemorating what life might have been like for Anne, Marilla and Matthew.  Within the National park, this site can be viewed for a modest fee.  Remember on a  nice day to walk down the hill and stroll through the haunted woods.  You can also take a walk down another trail from the back of the house (where the well is located).

Lucy Maud Montgomery Cavendish Homestead

LM Montgomery’s Cavendish Home

Designated as a Canadian National Historic Site, the site of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Cavendish Home marks where Alexander and Lucy Macneill, raised their granddaughter.  From the back of the home’s site, you can walk the path towards towards the Green Gables Post Office where you can mail yourself a letter or post card from CAVENDISH.

Rest assured that Cavendish is real, the House at Green Gables is real, and that Anne of Green Gables lives in the heart of millions of devoted followers.

Granny ~oo~

F=Festivals PEI

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Prince Edward Island is rich in culture.  There are many festivals and events that highlight that culture and way of life.

Charlottetown

The City of Charlottetown publishes a calendar of events.  While there is always something going on, you will see an increase in activity come the end of June.  Perhaps Summerfest is the most popular.  It starts a few days before Canada day to culminate with a major sound and light event on July 1.

Summerside

The City of Summerside boasts 5 major locations where special events take place: The College of Piping and Performing Arts of Canada,, Spinnakers Landing, Harbourfront Theatre, Downtown Summerside, The Shipyard, and Credit Union Place.

College of Piping

Festivals PEI is another place to get a calendar of events.  You can also search festivals and events by key word, date, and/or location from the Tourism PEI website.

Harmony House, Hunter River PEI

Have you heard that Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province?  In keeping with that theme, we also have a festival of small halls.  There are 30 or so halls that hold 30 to 200 people.  This provides an intimate setting for a more personal theatre experience.  My favourite is Harmony House.  Located in Hunter River (centre of the Island), it is a renovated church that has won the ECMA award for venue of the year in 2010.  Well known local and regional talent are featured regularly in this venue.

International Shellfish Festival

Dubbed the biggest kitchen party in Atlantic Canada, the Shellfish Festival will be held September 16-18, 2011.  It features events, activities, competitions and championships involving many local restauranteurs and attracts international competitors.

Potato Blossom Festival

July 17-24 marks the annual potato blossom festival. Don’t be fooled! We cannot yet predict exactly when the potatoes will bloom. But if you visit O’Leary during this week, you will be able to learn a lot about potatoes.  You may even hear Stompin’ Tom Conners singing Bud the Spud!

I saved the best for last.  Country Music fans will already know about year three of the Cavendish Beach Music Festival.  No, it is not on the beach.  But for 4 days, you can see and hear some of the best Country talent, including Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Toby Keith, and Johnny Reid.

Cavendish Beach Music Festival

Permanent outdoor stage for the music festival

Check your calendars and make your plans for July 7-10.  Remember I said the Island is small?  If you want to ensure you get good accommodations at a fair price, check for vacancies and make your accommodations reservations early….oh yes don’t forget to buy tickets before they are all sold out.

Tomorrow will be brought to you by the letter “G”

Granny~oo~

 

 

A = attractions PEI

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Prince Edward Island is divided into 5 touring regions. Those touring regions are Points East Coastal Drive, Charlottetown, Green Gables Shore, North Cape Coastal Drive, and Red Sands Shore. When visiting a touring region it is in your best interest to get the most out of each section.  Seeing everything there is to see isn’t always on a vacation time schedule.  I know once when I visited for four days I tried to jam in as much to see and do as I could.

Vacations are turning into short road trips for many visitors as the price of gas, accommodations and fees increase.  I did a little frugal arm chair travel to show you a few interesting spots in each region in the event you’re coming on a road trip soon.

Points East Coast DriveCape Bear Lighthouse

Cape Bear Lighthouse; Built in 1881 and believed to be the first Canadian land station to receive distress signals from the Titanic. June 15-Sept 15.

East Point Lighthouse; Built in 1867 and situated where the three tides meet. Pick up your tip-to-tip information, craft shop, cafe and all the bird and seal watching you can do from up top the tower. June 1- Sept 30.

Charlottetown

Confederation Centre of the Arts see the musical Anne of Green Gables, playing June 28 to Aug31.

Fanningbank; Built in 1832, Fanningbank is the home of the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island. Used by the Royal Family when visiting and most likely William and Kate will stay here when they visit PEI on July 3rd, 2011.

Grandma's Tea Room

Grandma’s Tea Room where hats and hospitality come together. Garden tour, scones & cream and a scrapbooking craft.  
Year round.

 

Green Gables ShoreGreen Gables

Green Gables National Historical Site: A must see when visiting Prince Edward Island. 

Prince Edward Island National Park: On the North Shore is Cavendish Beach a supervised beach where you can swim and explore or walk for hours.  Bike the new path along the Gulfshore Parkway and see the coast’s scenic views.

 

North Cape Coastal Drive West Point Lighthouse

West Point Lighthouse; Established in 1875 this lighthouse has 72 steps to the top where you can aw at the view all around.  May 21 – Oct 1

The Bottle Houses; Life-size buildings made of 25,000 recycled glass bottles. May 16- Oct 8

 

Red Sands Shore Victoria By the Sea

St. Joseph’s Prayer Garden; Give your spirit a lift and walk amongst 4 acres of beautiful walkways, flowers, natural fountain and restful paths in woods, enjoy the reflections. Jun 1 – Sept 30

Victoria By the Sea;  A village walking tour of gift shops, restaurants, art, chocolates, fishing village full of inspiration.

 

Arm Chair travel, an inexpensive way to go.  Either way if you are visiting Prince Edward Island on real time or my time I hope you have found an interesting place to visit.  PEI is the smallest province in Canada and holds a lot of attractions for everyone.  Have you ever visited? Where was your favourite spot?

Next point of interest will be B = Beaches PEI.

Granny ~00~

Changes to “Anne of Green Gables”

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The words to the opening song are, “Anne of Green Gables never change.” However the festival had announced plans to re-invigorate Canada’s longest running musical last year.

Changes proposed for the Charlottetown Festival production of Anne of Green Gables this season will proceed as planned.

Anne of Green Gables the musical

Charlottetown’s The Guardian news reported today that they had also announced that the last of the show’s original creators, Don Harron, would be writing a new scene.

The changes did not include new musical arrangements or new costumes but did include changes in a number of areas relating to the design of the production, its direction and its casting.

The festival executive director David MacKenzie said Wednesday that it is a bold new direction for the festival and the authors and their families after 46 successful years with Anne on our stage.

Changing any icon is a challenge and this process certainly was no different. (some words taken from The Guardian)

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Each year I make my way down to the Confederation Centre and see Anne again.  Nothing changes and it is the best musical and the part where Matthew dies brings me to tears each year.  I’m looking forward to the opening this year as the years before and I’ll watch for any changes I might notice.

The musical “Anne of Green Gables” plays this year in the Confederation Centre from June 28 to August 31, 2011.

Be sure to get your tickets early, they are selling fast.

~cindy