2017/2018 Shenkman Arts Centre season celebrates with Canadian music and family-friendly programming

Ottawa is a town with trees at its heart. From the log booms that once populated the Ottawa River to the spring ritual of visiting les cabanes à sucre, trees are our heritage. In Orléans, Shenkman Arts Centre adds a new ring to its trunk with a performance season rooted in the classics and branching out in exciting new directions. We’ve assembled an amazing lineup of established and budding artists, so don’t be afraid to go out on a limb and try something new. Shenkman Arts Centre makes your experience fun and easy. No need for a long drive to get the best of entertainment. Enjoy their free parking, bring a drink to your cushy seat, and savour the best sound and sight lines in town. Like a tree with many branches, Shenkman Arts Centre offers live entertainment, galleries, courses, camps and arts instruction throughout the year. This season, treat yourself to an amazing experience and grow some memories with us.

Kim Mitchell photo by Hendrik Pape

Shenkman Arts Centre proudly celebrates Canada’s 150th birthday with the best of Canadian music. Canadian icon Kim Mitchell takes to the stage for a rock ‘n’ rollin’ time and Classic Albums Live returns with a salute to Canadian rockers Rush. For the holidays, Juno Award nominees The Once and Sultans of String each bring new music and sound to traditional Christmas celebrations. The Canadiana continues in 2018 with county-blues band Cowboy Junkies, musical comedians The Arrogant Worms, and a night of rock and soul with Digging Roots and Dione Taylor & The Backsliderz.

I Love my Little Storybook Photo Credit: Margo Ellen Gesser (www.margoweb.com)

I Love my Little Storybook Photo Credit: Margo Ellen Gesser (www.margoweb.com)

What’s a tree without children to climb it? Families will be awed and moved as Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia presents the classic bedtime stories Guess How Much I Love You and I Love My Little Storybook in a whimsical stage adaptation full of beautiful sets and skilled puppetry. Vitaly will amaze you with his mind-bending tricks. Local company Tara Luz Danse returns with Les souliers d’Angélie, and next spring, Créations in Vivo explores cultural differences with Charly in the Desert and Jeunesses Musicales presents The Story of Babar, a playful family performance of a beloved classic.

Rounding out the season are comedy offerings ready to shake your limbs with laughter. Legendary Canadian comedian, Steve Petterson of The Debaters fame will be celebrating his 20th year in Canadian comedy, and once again we ring the New Year in with their New Year’s Eve Comedy Show.

With its roots in the community and its branches spread wide, Shenkman Arts Centre is the place to tap into the best of entertainment.

Check out Shenkmanarts.ca for a full run down of their packed season.