Events Featured

The Laramie Project presented by Recovery Theatre

It was 15 years ago on October 7, 1998 when, from a bar in Laramie Wyoming, two young thugs picked up gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard and took him, under gun-point, to the outskirts of town. When they got there they brutally beat him and left him for dead. The Laramie Project, a hit play written by Moises Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theatre Project of New York, explores, through the eyes and words of its own citizens, how this small otherwise peaceful community dealt with the aftermath of such a heinous crime.

Recovery Theatre of Brantford’s presentation, based on this award winning play, is itself a work of community — our community. Over the last 10 years, presentations of The Laramie Project have been used as a vehicle for community groups and communities to come together to examine the violent repercussions of bullying and homophobia. Remaining true to this tradition and to its mandate, Recovery Theatre has assembled an impressive list of community leaders and local residents from all walks of like to contribute to this production. Joining this cast of over 50, for example, is our Mayor Chris Friel, the Speaker of the Provincial Legislature and our sitting MPP Dave Levac, City Councilors David Neumann, Debbie Dingnan-Rumble, John Utley, Marguerite Cesni-Smith, Dan McCreary and Vince Bucci as well as various other local leaders and citizens from throughout the City and County. Together, they will participate in this dramatic reading of The Laramie Project.

The Laramie Project

According to Steven Boudreau, the theatre’s Artistic Director, “The decision to produce this play goes back a couple of years. Some of us felt that we needed to respond to the steady stream of news stories that seemed to be popping up every couple of months about young gay teens that were bullied to the point of making them feel that suicide was the only course for them to take.” He added that “As a group, we were attracted to The Laramie Project because it of its community focused message. Bullying, harassment and homophobia are not simply the responsibility of any single group or individual, they are something that communities need to deal with together.”

In the interest of raising the profile of these important issues, each of the three, scheduled performance of this production, will be followed by a moderated panel discussion on a topic specific to our community concerning the issues of bullying, violence and homophobia. Production dates are October 24, 25 and 26 and the three panel topics will be 1) Education; 2) Religion and Spirituality and 3) Law Enforcement and Justice. Information on the specific tittles of these focus groups and who will make up the panel members and moderators will be forthcoming in a follow-up press release. All performances of The Laramie Project will be held at the Brantford Arts Block and they will begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 and will be available at the door the night of the shows, or before hand by calling the Brantford Arts Block at 519 753-9400.

Recovery Theatre’s The Laramie Project is generously supported by the City of Brantford and the Ontario Trillium Foundation and sponsored by Harold & Goetz Timbr-Mart, Counterpoint Church, Laurier Brantford, The Bridge Brant, the Grand River Community Health Centre and the Expositor. 

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Brantford Film Festival – Nov. 14, 15, 16

 

The 4th annual Brantford Film Festival will take place November 14th, 15th and 16th, in downtown Brantford. Each year, the Festival brings in some of the most cutting edge films to be featured. Each screenings is themed, bring together similar stories from a mix of new and veteran filmmakers. Check the Brantford Film Festival’s website for the full schedule.

Tickets for a screening are only $5 each, making a night out at the festival exciting and affordable. You can purchase your tickets at one of many local businesses in Brantford and the surrounding areas.

The festival is growing and gaining a reputation for strongly supporting independent film. This year’s festival will feature five categories: Feature, Short, Student/Youth, Documentary, and Animation. Industry professionals judge each category, and cash prizes and awards are presented to the best films. A “People’s Choice” award is also presented based on the votes of the people who attend the festival.

The Brantford Film Festival is a community-led effort built on partnerships between the Brantford Arts Block, Brantford Public Library, Brantford Film Group, Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford Campus, Nipissing University and the City of Brantford. 

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Stage 88 Presents: “The Whores”

Local theatre group, Stage 88 will be presenting “The Whores” by Charles Crosby. The performance – directed by Susan Dignan – will take the audience on a tour of five women’s experiences and perspectives on life as a prostitute. Based on his interviews with real Halifax sex workers, Crosby develops unique characters representing different levels of a strangely hierarchical industry. At the end of each performance, there will be a debrief to discuss the content of the production.

The Whores

Told as interwoven interviews with five sex workers, Charles Crosby’s The Whores takes the audience on a tour of the womens’ experiences and perspectives on life as prostitutes.   The intimate dialogue pulls no punches about a profession that provides both freedom and danger in a strangely hierarchical industry.

“The Whores” is hosted by the Brantford Arts Block, located at 111 Sherwood Dr., and will take place on Friday, November 1st at 9:00pm, Saturday November 2nd at 8:00pm and  Sunday, November 3rd at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $15.00 with some proceeds going to benefit the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant.

For more information and to purchase tickets, you can go to www.brantfordartsblock.ca or contact Ashley Fournier at the Brantford Arts Block by email at [email protected] or by phone at 519-753-9400. 

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Events Featured

Gavin Stephens (Comedy) and Nicholas Wallace (Magic)

Gavin/Nicolas Comedy/Magic Show

Gavin Stephens and the Brantford Comedy All Stars

Friday, October 11, 2013
Doors: 9:00pm
Advanced Tickets: $10

Toronto based Comedian and writer, who’s been described as “Stan Lee meets Bill Hicks” by The Grid magazine. He’s filmed multiple one man specials for CTV and the comedy network, and recently preformed with Reggie Watts at #JFL42.

Gavin was the reader’s choice winner for best standup comedian from Now Magazine in 2010, and for five seasons was a leader actor and writer on the Gemini-nominated sketch show Comedy Inc. on CTV. A multi-media sensation, has appeared at international festivals like Montreal’s Just For Laughs, Cape town Comedy Festival, and Austin’s SXSW with indie comedy legends Margaret Cho, Janeane Garofalo and Andy Kindler.

He has toured throughout Canada, England, the U.S. and South Africa as a highly sought headliner with his one-man multimedia solo show “Spectacular! Spectacular!” opening for international comedy superstar Russell Peters, and appears frequently to offer up his unique and ironic brand of comedy to geeks of every flavour.

Check him out @GavinbStephens

Nicholas Wallace: Practitioner of the Art of Astonishment

Saturday, October 12, 2013
Doors: 8:00pm
Advanced Tickets: $20

nickwallace_photo

Nick Wallace has been described as a Master of subtle illusion and manipulation. He can best be described as a minimalist – who has forgone fancy props and special effects and prefers to conjure with an audiences imagination by presenting magic and mind reading in a way that is both entertaining and thought provoking. He has also recently been named “Canadian Champion of Magic” by the Canadian Association of Magicians.

Nick Wallace red curtain

See what’s in store… 

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