Mamma Mia!

Greater Sudbury keeps getting better and better. Need proof? Just look at the amazing talent we’re bringing in! Every year it seems the acts get larger and more spectacular! The smash Broadway hit Mamma Mia is one of the most extravagant shows around, and it came to Sudbury last night.

Mamma Mia is a musical based on the hit songs of 1970’s pop band Abba. The creators of the show have used the lyrics of the song to create a funny story about a young girl who wants to find her real father before getting married. Her mother, a free spirit, is not very keen on the concept. Both mother and daughter learn a great deal about themselves as the big day approaches.

It was a great show and I had a lot of fun being a part of the audience! Everyone was clapping and singing along with the performers. It was a full house; everyone wanted to be a part of such a large event. It seems as though Mamma Mia has started a trend here in Sudbury, because Beauty & the Beast is coming to the Arena in February! You can get your tickets on the Greater Sudbury website. See you there!

Copper Cliff Reunion- "Vera Wulff"

Yesterday I traveled to the Italian Club in Copper Cliff to take part in the Copper Cliff Reunion. The event that I was attending was a brunch and a play. The play was about women from Sudbury and their experiences during the second world war. The main character, Vera Wulff, was a Copper Cliff resident who served as a cipher for Canada. The play focuses on her stay in Paris during Christmas leave.

 The play was a great success and everyone loved it. Close to 160 people were there! It was very well written and directed by Kelsey Rutledge, a graduate of Thorneloe University (where I am currently studying). She kept the small town atmosphere of Copper Cliff within the play, which made it very true feeling. The actors performed excellently! Brittany McNamara played her role perfectly as a woman working in the mines during that era. When she is informed that INCO no longer requires the assistance of women in the mines, you can tell she is heartbroken. Cassandra Grenier plays a German immigrant in Sudbury, who recalls her first Christmas in Sudbury. It was a touching performance, and reminds everyone of how immigrants were treated in the past.

Joanna McNab plays the part of Vera Wulff, and provides the energetic portion of the show. Her character expresses herself at a thousand miles per second, and informs us that there was another side to the war that doesn't get talked about much. McNab truly impressed the entire audience, including the godchild of the actual Vera Wulff.

 Following the play, there was a terrific brunch that everyone couldn't get enough of. It was a great time and I'm looking forward to more Sudbury history-based entertainment!

Encore Theatre Presents "Closer"

I was privileged to be a part of the preview showing of Encore Theatre’s production of “Closer”. The Encore Theatre Company is still in its first season, but it has garnered a lot of publicity from its edgy productions. As a theatre student at Laurentian University, I feel that they are producing some of the best shows in Sudbury.

 “Closer” is set in London, and deals with the love lives of four people over four years. These are not your regular relationships; it is a tangled web of make-ups and break-ups. The show reflects a more realistic take on how love really works. It really pulls you in too; by the end you’re captivated.

 The actors performed tremendously, and I was pleased that many of them were of Sudbury origin. Callam Rodya, the director, handled the material very well. His strength as an actor is being matched by his strength in the directing chair. It was a beautiful show, and I am looking forward to what comes next!

Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival in Sudbury has grown to be one of the most popular events during the summertime. It is truly phenomenal that so many people turn out for the races. It’s great to see a community gather together in such large numbers, and Sudbury really delivers.

 I hadn’t been to the Dragon Boat Festival since I was much younger, so I didn’t know what to expect. When I arrived at Bell Park, I was blown away by how many people were packing the area. It was the busiest I’ve ever seen the boardwalk, even busier than Canada Day.

 The races were very exciting to watch, even from the distance I was at. The Dragon boaters put all of their effort into beating their competition, and it made for an excellent show. The food vendors were out in full force; lemonade stands, kettle corn, ice cream, everything! Even the weather agreed with the occasion, and it remained sunny all day. Overall, it was one of my favourite events of the summer so far.

Italian Festival

Sudburians had the chance to immerse themselves in Italian culture today, and I was lucky enough to be a part of it. The festival took place at the Caruso Club, which was the perfect venue for such an event. It is so enriched with Italian tradition and a hot spot for getting great food.

I arrived at the Festival shortly after noon, and there was already a large amount of people participating. The Northern Lights Festival Boreal, another festival Sudbury produces, was happening at the same time. It didn’t matter though because those who are loyal to the Italian Festival wouldn’t miss it for anything!

The live entertainment was really great! The music was very old Italian-like, and fun to listen to. There were food vendors selling some great Italian stuff, to which people enjoyed under a large tent. Everyone was in really great spirits, and I had a blast! Much like everything else in Sudbury, I can’t wait for its return next year!

Canada Day at Science North

Canada Day is a huge event all across our wonderful nation, and Sudbury most definitely participates. We like to throw a huge bash to celebrate our Country's birthday, with amazing fireworks and talented local musicians! Where else could such an event take place but our main tourist attraction, Science North, which overlooks Ramsey Lake.

When I first arrived the weather was perfect for a Canada Day celebration. Food vendors were tending to everyone's stomachs, and companies such as Par-T-Perfect were showing the children a great time. Par-T-Perfect in particular had a large bouncy castle that the kids couldn't get enough of. They were also making balloon animals which looked awesome.

As I made my way to the concert area, the weather took a turn for the worst. Out of nowhere, a massive downpour hit us and we all ran for Science North. Aside from getting drenched, this didn't affect the celebration greatly. It was gone just as quickly as it came and were back outside having a blast.

The entertainer Njacko Backo had excellent audience interaction, especially when he asked children and their parents to come up onstage with him to hammer away at some cool drums. The children really enjoyed his playful performance.

Later in the day, the EZ Rock Talent Show drew a huge crowd as three acts competed to win the grand prize (2 night stay at the Delta Chelsea in Toronto). All three put on terrific shows. Lastly, there was the excellent fireworks show that was quite the spectacle to see, and is the perfect end to a great day!