Niagara's Independent Voice for the Performing Arts
Reviews
Independent perspectives on Niagara performances, venues, artists, and cultural events.
Somewhere during “Thinking Of You,” Ian de Souza played a bass fill that “ruined” my night off.I'd gone to Niagara Artists Centre Thursday night intending to watch my friend Joe Lapinski play, have a drink with Jay and enjoy the show. Continue Reading →
Event: Joe Lapinski + Band with special guest Geordie Gordon →
Five Canadian jazz veterans brought John Coltrane's music to Helliwell Hall — after two young Niagara musicians showed why that legacy still matters.There are tribute concerts that attempt to recreate the music of the person being… Continue Reading →
It wasn't a march — that was Schubert. It certainly was not a parade — that was Erik Satie. As for a stroll — that would be Charles Williams! Continue Reading →
The location is a parkette with concrete slab seating facing a smallish stage and a backdrop of swaying sailboat masts moored in what is technically titled Old Lock One Commons. Continue Reading →
Two exceedingly worthwhile organizations took over the Performing Arts Centre to offer three well known Canadian talents in order to spread their raison d'etre and the myriad advantages they offer. Continue Reading →
There is an uncomfortable moment in writing about a performance like this when you find yourself asking who exactly you are to criticize Elvis Costello. Continue Reading →
Yesterday, Sept. 11th, was a somber day for most of us adults, remembering where we were and what we were doing that fateful Tuesday morning twenty-five years ago. Continue Reading →
I sometimes tell myself I'm not going somewhere as a reviewer — I'm just stopping in for a couple of beers and some live music. Apparently that distinction exists only in my head. Continue Reading →
Event: Jimmy's Juke Joint with Paige Armstrong & Dane Wedderburn →
Its a bit of a shock to realize that one might be something of a snob, but noticing the outfits and demeanour of the other guests at the 13th Street Winery's soiree, my impression was of hobnobbing with a classier standard, more in keeping… Continue Reading →
This wasn't supposed to be a review. In fact, I wasn't even at Helliwell Hall long enough to properly review a full JIN performance. My buddy and I stopped in for a beer Saturday night, part of a few stops around downtown St. Continue Reading →
The Merritt Park Amphitheatre is an amazing rough-hewn semi-circle that recalls Ceasaria's site circa 70 AD. The stage is a barge anchored on the eponymous(old) Welland Canal. Continue Reading →
Bywater Call made its first St. Catharines appearance Thursday night at the Warehouse Concert Hall, bringing a powerhouse seven-piece band to a room that should have held far more people. Continue Reading →
My introduction to Italian went as follows:- Bona Sera from a movie title; Bona Notte from 'Lady & the Tramp; and lastly Primavera, L'estate, Autunno and L'inverno; all from Antonio Vivaldi's "♫ The Four Seasons ♪ ". Continue Reading →
On arriving at the closest picnic table to Montebello's stage, with my set of Robertson screwdriver, a delightful trio of siblings were quick to advise me that 'tonight, no screws in one's butt'. Continue Reading →
Walking down King St. in Welland and seeing two outdoor stages and The Bank Art House ready to put on a big rock show really made me smile. Continue Reading →
Note to self: when The Legendary Borderline Band is playing Puddy’s 25th anniversary party, don’t show up ten minutes before the band is supposed to go on and expect to find a seat. The place was packed. Continue Reading →
Event: Puddy’s 25th Anniversary / Legendary Borderline Band →
Private Matterz may be one of the hardest acts for me to review. That's partly because whenever I see them, I break one of my own rules. I'm normally there to watch the performance. I pay attention. I make mental notes or actual ones. Continue Reading →
What more can you ask for on a Friday night? Progressive RAWK, weird time signatures, some great covers, plenty of original material and three very good musicians who apparently haven't forgotten how to play together.PALOOKA returned to… Continue Reading →
The opening was abrupt. The house lights went down and boom—the crowd barely had time to cheer before crystal-clear piano and Rachael Price's vocals filled the room. Continue Reading →
Downtown St. Catharines is still vibrant and available to us older folks in the summer. With the Brock kids not flooding the downtown core, I was able to visit one of my favourite establishments, take in some nightlife again and see… Continue Reading →
What might four graduates from University of Ottawa do after convocation? Wrong! They for a musical quartet that will encompass country, folk and rock genres. Thence; head on down the performing road. Continue Reading →
After a six year hiatus, this ancient scribe reunited with the SHAW Festival and Shaw Admin people, 'you got some splainin to do'. A parking cost of $25.00 is over 350% above the seven bucks I paid back in 2019! Continue Reading →
NYC has its Central Park, Montreal has its Mt. Royale; D.C. has the Mall & St. Catharines has Montebello Park; verdant downtown respites from routine. Continue Reading →
This antiquated scribbler found another of the St. Catharines community gems, the Saturday morning Farmer’s Market. A humongous building at King & James streets, hosts a hundred vendors, thousand shoppers, and a million visitors! Continue Reading →
A “Close encounter” with compositional greatness at the Niagara Symphony Orchestra Review by Danny Gaisin It was a quad of firsts for this ancient scrivener; 1st visit to St. Continue Reading →
Miles Dewey Davis III was born in Illinois 100 years ago yesterday and his jazz career took him across America with stops everywhere including St. Louis and ending up as so many talented U.S. cousins did – in California. Continue Reading →
The venue Helliwell Hall was new, to me (open since Oct.2025), and the star of the night! Offering craft beer brewed on site, and artisan pizza, both that would satisfy any connoisseurs' tastes. Continue Reading →
