Hello, and thanks, for reading this first column on the Arts in The Reminder. I hope you enjoy and continue to read it, every two weeks. It will focus on arts events and news in Flin Flon and because Flin Flon is Arts Central in the north, there’s a lot to talk about.
Most everyone has heard that the Flin Flon Community Choir, supported by the Flin Flon Arts Council, will present the brilliant musical theatrical production Les Misérables (Les Mis) at the R. H. Channing Auditorium from May 1 to 3. There are still tickets available, although the Saturday evening performance is nearly sold out.
It is really shaping up to be a wonderful show, thanks in no small part to producer Crystal Kolt’s commitment to continually raising the bar for these biennial productions.
The Flin Flon production has a professional director in Ann Hodges, professional set design from Dennis Wasylyiuk, fight choreography by Jacquie Loewen and a 13-piece orchestra in the pit.
Les Mis is a grand, sweeping story covering 30 years in the life of the main character, Jean Valjean. It is set over the years 1815 to 1845, the time of the July Monarchy in France.
The production is almost operatic in both vision and style, demanding tremendous singing stamina from the leading players. The lead character, Jean Valjean, is onstage for almost the entire show, over two and a half hours, and has his most demanding song at about the two-hour mark. Other characters, such as Marius and Enjolras, who lead the students and the poor of the streets of Paris into revolution, must sing stirring war songs and beautiful love songs. It is a beast!
One of the best things about Flin Flon’s arts scene is its capacity to present ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things, and so it is with the stars of Les Mis. John Bettger, who works at The Reminder, C.C. Trubiak, a mental health clinician and Craig Bancroft, a teacher at Ruth Betts Community School, have taken on major roles and are singing their hearts out three times a week in rehearsals. They needed some protection for their voices, because the production team needs them to shine in May.
Enter Mel Braun, professor and head of the vocal program in the Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba. The program is recognized for its collaborative and holistic approach to training singers. Bruan is no stranger to Flin Flon. He was here February 2014 for a Home Routes Classical performance with pianist and fellow music professor Dr. Laura Loewen, and again for Culture Days, when he gave master classes to several local singers and performed at the Wild Rice Ragout.
Braun offered vocal coaching to the leads, but he lives in Winnipeg and the young men have full time jobs in Flin Flon. They used computer communication technology and had their voice lessons over Skype. They learned to hit those high notes while holding back, and now the best will come on opening night.
Coming in April:
April 10 to 22
Flin Flon/Creighton High School Art Show at the NorVA Centre, 177 Green Street, will feature artwork by Hapnot Collegiate and Creighton Community School arts students.
April 15
Home Routes presents Jaron Freeman-Fox at a house concert at 183 Murton Boulevard. For information email [email protected].
April 15
Today is the deadline for artwork submissions to the Northern Juried Art Show. Artists wanting to participate can drop off their artwork at the NorVA Centre until 5 pm.
April 16
Films Up North will show Love is All You Need at the Hapnot Theatre. The screening is part of the Toronto International Film Festival Film Circuit. Show time is 7:30 pm.
April 22
Flin Flon Photo Club meets at the NorVA Centre at 7 pm. The meeting is open to all who want to develop their photography skills and meet other photographers.
April 23
Central Canada Film Group, as part of the series Great Movies You Might Have Missed, will screen The Prestige at the Hapnot Theatre. Doors open at 7 pm and show time is 7:30 pm
April 23
Flin Flon Sketch Club meets at 7 pm at the NorVA Centre. This is the second meeting of the newly formed group.
No experience is required and all are welcome.
