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Written by acclaimed playwright Sara Moyle, with musical direction by two time Juno
nominee Jason Wilson, Heroes on the Air brings to life the stories of Royal Canadian Air
Force personnel through scripted storytelling, live Foley sound effects, and music.
Performed by five actors, the production offers audiences a unique and immersive tribute to Canada’s air force heritage. Heroes on the Air honours the courage, sacrifice, and humanity of the men and women who have served in the RCAF over the past century. Through storytelling and live theatre, it creates a powerful connection between generations and helps preserve these important Canadian stories.

“As a playwright, telling the true stories of heroes in the RCAF, I wanted to create a time
capsule experience for the audience, bringing them back to the golden age of radio,” said
playwright Sara Moyle. “You are no longer reading about someone; instead, their story is
animated in your ear. It’s live with sound. You’re in the moment, you’re experiencing it, you’re feeling it. It brings a different sensitivity to the listener and humanizes the experience of the heroes.”

The event is open to the public, and tickets are available for purchase.
https://www.huntsvillefestival.ca/heroes-on-the-air

Event Details
What: Heroes on the Air — Live Radio Style Theatre Production
When: Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Where: The Algonquin Theatre – 37 Main Street E

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Working with longtime producer Chad Irschick, Aglukark brought “For You” to life alongside the Inuksuk Drum Dancers from Nunavut, Sweleyén, also known as Julianne Peters, of the Tsq’éscen’ First Nation in Secwepemcúl’ecw, and received special choral guidance from Deantha Edmunds, an Inuk classical singer and composer from Newfoundland and Labrador. The result is a song built from voices across several Indigenous nations, brought together around a single, simple idea, one Aglukark first put into words as a private poem before it became something meant to be shared.

Aglukark credits the Ontario Arts Council for making the project possible, along with Mary Piercey-Lewis, whose commitment to the recording spanned sessions in both Toronto and Iqaluit, Nunavut. In keeping with the values that have long defined her work, a portion of the proceeds from “For You” will go toward The Orange Shirt Society and Aglukark’s own Arctic Rose Foundation, which supports Northern Inuit, First Nations, and Metis youth through Indigenous led arts programming.

“For You” arrives at a landmark moment in Aglukark’s career. Born in Churchill, Manitoba and raised in Arviat, she became the first Inuk artist to land a Top 40 hit in Canada with “O Siem,” the breakout single from her triple platinum 1995 album ‘This Child.’ Over more than three decades, she has released a string of acclaimed albums including ‘Arctic Rose,’ ‘Unsung Heroes,’ ‘Big Feeling,’ ‘Blood Red Earth’ and 2022’s ‘The Crossing,’ earning three Juno Awards along the way, an Officer of the Order of Canada distinction in 2005, and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in 2016.

On the road, Aglukark performs with a live band featuring Mark Lalama on piano, keys and accordion, Shawn Sasynuik on drums and percussion, Stephan Berand on bass, and either Eric Treleavan or Jeff Smallwood on guitars, with the full band contributing vocals throughout the set. That band brings her indigenous folk and easy listening sound across a packed run of upcoming dates, including her 30th anniversary tour marking ‘This Child,’ the Together for Nature tour alongside Terra Lightfoot, and her holiday production, Upinnaq: A Beautiful Christmas.

With “For You,” Aglukark adds another chapter to a catalogue built on honesty, heritage, and connection, turning a private poem into a song made in community, for community.

Tour Dates:

September 15, 2026, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, ON, Together for Nature Tour with Terra Lightfoot

September 16, 2026, Knox Presbyterian Church, Toronto, ON, Together for Nature Tour

September 17, 2026, St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Kitchener, ON, Together for Nature Tour

September 18, 2026, Metropolitan United Church, London, ON, Together for Nature Tour

October 17, 2026, The Pavilion at The Water Tower Inn, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Algoma Fall Festival

October 23, 2026, Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel and Marina, Richmond, BC, Crosscurrents 2026 keynote

November 19, 2026, Capitol Centre, North Bay, ON, Upinnaq: A Beautiful Christmas

November 20, 2026, Orillia Opera House, Orillia, ON, Upinnaq: A Beautiful Christmas

November 21, 2026, Shenkman Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON, Upinnaq: A Beautiful Christmas

November 22, 2026, Brockville Arts Centre, Brockville, ON, Upinnaq: A Beautiful Christmas

November 26, 2026, The Rose Brampton, Brampton, ON, Upinnaq: A Beautiful Christmas

November 27, 2026, Chatham Capitol Theatre, Chatham, ON, Upinnaq: A Beautiful Christmas

December 2, 2026, River Run Centre, Guelph, ON, Upinnaq: A Beautiful Christmas

December 3, 2026, Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, Brantford, ON, Upinnaq: A Beautiful Christmas

December 4, 2026, Flato Markham Theatre, Markham, ON, Upinnaq: A Beautiful Christmas

The post Officer Of The Order Of Canada Susan Aglukark Turns A Poem Into New Single “For You” And Announces Christmas Concerts appeared first on Muskoka411.

Taking place September 4–5, 2026, the exhibition is the realization of an idea Janine has been nurturing since 2020. To mark this significant milestone, she invited former and current students who have taken her classes over the years to exhibit and sell their work alongside her—with no participation fee.

“This is a very special show designed to celebrate this significant milestone, but also to
celebrate all of YOU who have benefitted from my guidance and mentorship,” says Marson.
Rather than a traditional retrospective, Sapphire Blue celebrates the legacy of a teacher
through the artists she has encouraged and inspired. The exhibition brings together a
diverse collection of artistic voices and provides participating artists with the opportunity to
showcase their work in a professional gallery setting.

The exhibition also has a strong community connection. Janine’s relationship with The Table
Soup Kitchen Foundation began through volunteering, making The Table Art Gallery & Hub a meaningful venue for the celebration. A portion of the proceeds will support The Table’s
essential community services.

“I wanted the right venue for this celebration and an opportunity to open people’s eyes to
just how important art is to our well-being, joy and happiness,” says Marson.

PUBLIC INVITATION
Sapphire Blue – 45 Years of Inspiring Artists
The Table Art Gallery & Hub, Table Plaza, Huntsville
Friday, September 4: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Saturday, September 5: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Artist Reception: Saturday, September 5, 1–3 p.m.

The reception will feature live music, refreshments, an artist talk by Janine and remarks
from The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation.

A portion of the proceeds from the exhibition will support The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation’s essential services, which provide food, shelter, and practical support to people
in our community who are hungry, hurting, and homeless.

Table Art Gallery & Hub Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am-5pm

The post Janine Marson Celebrates 45 Years Of Teaching By Bringing Generations Of Students Together appeared first on Muskoka411.

In The Hall Star

Following a successful run of Canadian performances earlier this year, Bruce McCulloch, best known as a founding member of the legendary sketch troupe The Kids in the Hall, is returning to the road this fall with additional dates for his acclaimed one-person show Dark Purple Slice.

McCulloch will bring Dark Purple Slice to theatres across Ontario this fall, with performances in Toronto, Brantford, Gravenhurst, Meaford, Stirling, Picton, and Kingston. Following his earlier Canadian tour dates, these additional performances will give audiences across the province another opportunity to see McCulloch live.

Dark Purple Slice moves effortlessly between the funny, the relatable, and the surprisingly poignant. Blending music, stand-up, and storytelling, McCulloch offers audiences a poetic look at his life, filled with equal parts humour and heart. With his signature wit and offbeat sensibility, he encourages audiences to laugh, reflect, and consider the absurdities of being human. His dark sense of humour is balanced with grace and humanity, creating a show that is both personal and engaging.

Weaving together gallows humour, humanistic yearnings, and razor-sharp observations, Dark Purple Slice showcases McCulloch’s singular ability to find light in the dark. At its heart, the show explores his lifelong perspective as an outsider – reaching outward and inward, confronting pessimism with perspective, and celebrating the messy contradictions of life. The show also serves as the inspiration for McCulloch’s recently released comedy album of the same name, extending the Dark Purple Slice experience beyond the stage.

“These shows have been amazing. I’m so excited to put on my performing shirt again,” said Bruce McCulloch.

Bruce McCulloch is an acclaimed writer, performer, director, and one of the original members of the legendary Canadian comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall. The group’s latest series returned to screens on Amazon Prime Video, introducing their distinctive brand of sketch comedy to a new generation of fans. Throughout his career, McCulloch has written and directed several films, including Dog Park (starring Luke Wilson), Superstar (Molly Shannon, Will Ferrell), Stealing Harvard (Jason Lee, Leslie Mann), and Comeback Season (Ray Liotta). He has also created and starred in television projects including Young Drunk Punk, Death Comes to Town, and This Blows, along with the ABC comedy series Carpoolers.

Behind the camera, McCulloch has directed episodes of some of television’s most recognizable comedies, including Saturday Night Live, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Schitt’s Creek, and Trailer Park Boys. More recently, he produced and directed three seasons of the CBC sketch series TallBoyz, as well as The Dessert for Crave. His acting credits span a wide range of television projects, from Arrested Development and Gilmore Girls to Children Ruin Everything and Anne of Green Gables. McCulloch is also an accomplished spoken-word and comedy musician, having released Shame-Based Man and The Drunk Baby Project.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit bruciomcculloch.com.

Bruce McCulloch Dark Purple Slice Show Dates

September 27, 2026 – Toronto, ON – Royal Theatre

October 1, 2026 – Brantford, ON – Rope Factory

October 2, 2026 – Gravenhurst, ON – Gravenhurst Opera House

October 3, 2026 – Meaford, ON – Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre

October 16, 2026 – Stirling, ON – Stirling Festival Theatre

October 17, 2026 – Picton, ON – The Regent Theatre

November 7, 2026 – Kingston, ON – The Broom Factory

The post Bruce McCulloch Announces Additional 2026 Dark Purple Slice Tour Dates Including Gravenhurst appeared first on Muskoka411.

• Masicka – Dancehall, Portmore, Jamaica

• Sizzla – Reggae, August Town, Jamaica

• Wayne Wonder – Reggae, Kingston, Jamaica

• Gentleman – Reggae, Cologne, Germany

• Jahshii – Dancehall, Kingston, Jamaica

• Mr. Killa- Soca, Grenada

• Event: Oasis Music Festival 2026
• Theme: Escape to Oasis #TheMovement
• Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
• Time: 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• Venue: Burl’s Creek Event Grounds – 8 Line South, Oro-Medonte, ON L0L 2E0

The post Check Out Oasis Music Festival On Aug. 29 At Burl’s Creek Event Grounds appeared first on Muskoka411.

Ahoy, mateys! The Pirates of the Orillian Sea are once again preparing to storm Orillia’s downtown waterfront for a weekend of swashbuckling fun. From Friday, September 4 to Sunday, September 6, 2026, the Port of Orillia and Couchiching Beach Park will come alive with pirate battles, live music, entertainment, vendors, games, and activities for visitors of all ages.

The Port of Orillia Pirate Party, presented by the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce, began in 2018 and has grown into a beloved local tradition and one of Orillia’s favourite summer events. Each year, the event brings the community and visitors together for a unique celebration that combines Orillia’s waterfront, local businesses, live entertainment, and a little pirate mayhem.

“The Pirate Party is just one of the many ways our member businesses give back to the community and help make Orillia such a great place to live, work and visit,” says Allan Lafontaine, Executive Director of the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce. “With more than 500 members across our region, there are so many businesses working every day to support our community, create local experiences, and contribute to a vibrant local economy. We’re proud to bring our members together through events like the Pirate Party and invite everyone to come out and experience all that our local business community has to offer. You can discover our 500-plus member directory at www.orillia.com.”

The pirate action begins Friday evening with the Pirates’ “Pub Crawl” in Downtown Orillia. Members of the public are encouraged to put on their best pirate attire and take part in a self-guided adventure through downtown. The evening continues at the Port of Orillia with a musical performance by Mudmen at 8:00 p.m., followed by Movies in the Park at the Rotary Aqua Theatre in Couchiching Beach Park at 9:00 p.m., featuring Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

Saturday will be packed with pirate activity from morning until night. The Pirate Village, featuring costumed re-enactors and historical demonstrations, will be in full swing throughout the day, while Downtown Orillia hosts its Pirate Party activities from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Vendor Market at the Port of Orillia runs from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., offering visitors a chance to browse a variety of local goods and offerings.

The day’s pirate encounters include battles “at sea” and on land. The Rotary Club of Orillia will be hosting a “Walk the Plank” challenge, raising funds for the community, at 4:00 p.m. Anyone interested in participating can learn more and sign up at https://portal.clubrunner.ca/215/calendaritem/details?calendaritemid=fd9c6eae-6f05-42a4-81ae-f50c0ccacf29&start=2026-09-05&end=2026-09-05. Later, the fun continues with Fat Tony Band performing at Port of Orillia at 8:00 p.m.

The adventure continues Sunday with another full day of activity in the Pirate Village and the Vendor Market from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No Great Mischief Band will provide live music from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and more pirate battles will take place throughout the day, and a special performance from Captain Corbin the Magical Pirate at 5:00 p.m. The weekend will come to a close with Orangeman taking the stage for at Port of Orillia at 8:00 p.m.

A full schedule of events for the Pirate Party, including performance times and additional details, is available at www.orillia.com/pirate-party/.

The post Pirates Set Sail For Port Of Orillia On Labour Day Weekend appeared first on Muskoka411.

Join us for an exciting weekend celebrating award-winning BBQ, live entertainment, local vendors, family-friendly activities, and community spirit in the heart of Muskoka. As one of the region’s premier summer festivals, Huntsville Ribfest X brings together residents, visitors, businesses, and community organizations for a memorable weekend of food, music, and fun.

📅 Saturday, August 15
5:30 PM – Welcoming Ceremonies
Join local elected officials, community leaders, sponsors, media, and special guests as we officially welcome Huntsville Ribfest X to the community and celebrate another exciting stop on the Ontario Ribfest X Tour.

📅 Sunday, August 16
2:00 PM – Blind Judging Competition
Experience the excitement as our panel of guest judges samples and evaluates award-winning BBQ, with participating rib teams competing for top honours in Best Ribs, Best BBQ Sauce, and Best Beef Brisket.

4:30 PM – Closing Ceremonies & Awards Presentation
Help us recognize this year’s Rib Team champions and celebrate another successful weekend before the festival concludes.

Throughout the weekend, guests will enjoy:

• Award-winning North American Rib Teams
• Live entertainment and tribute performances
• Ontario Youth Battle of the Bands
• Marketplace vendors and artisans
• Kids Zone and family activities
• Licensed beer garden
• Delicious festival food and sweet treats
• Free parking
• Pet-friendly grounds

We hope you will join us in celebrating another exciting weekend of community, entertainment, and great food while supporting one of Muskoka’s signature summer events.

We look forward to welcoming you to Huntsville Ribfest X!

*This Article Is Sponsored By: Ontario Festival Group and the Ribfest X Tour

The post Lets Go To Huntsville Ribfest August 14–16, 2026 appeared first on Muskoka411.

Now in her twenties, the Orillia-based country artist has decided to challenge that narrative.

“I’ve always had this really strong desire to go out on my own and travel, but I always thought that that wasn’t in the cards for me,” Frances said. “At some point I just got sick of it and I booked myself a train ticket.”

That ticket was to Montreal, where Frances attended the Folk Alliance International conference. While a six hour train ride doesn’t seem like a big deal to many, for Frances it helped her discover a part of herself that she didn’t even know existed.

“It really challenged my entire belief system about who I was. I ended up performing twice that weekend at the conference, which wasn’t even planned.” 

It was during this weekend trip that Frances began writing her latest song, fittingly titled ‘You Were Wrong About Me.’ She said that the title is for those who constructed the narrative about her fragility, but also how she saw herself.

“It came out of that whole experience [of traveling on my own], which was a huge revelation for me that I am more capable than I previously thought. 

Appreciating The Little Things

Growing up with severe allergies put Frances in a unique position. While most kids her age were out playing games or travelling around, Frances was becoming more and more aware of her mortality.

“It’s not a normal thing to be in contact with when you’re five or six,” Frances said. “But because of having that awareness of death at such a young age, I’ve also always had this very conscious desire to be fully alive in my life.” 

Frances said that much of her songwriting stems from that desire to live life to the fullest. She said that her songwriting tends to focus in on really tiny details that most people would just miss.

“My favourite thing to do is to go back in time and find a moment and blow it up. I have this song called ‘Letterman Jacket’ and in it there’s a line that says ‘You linger with the grocery store freezer door open. Go out of your way to ask me how it’s going’. It’s just those little moments that affected me, and honing in on that sense of aliveness.”

Frances said that being able to focus in on these little, specific moments in this current age of AI is really interesting. She said that having the ability to express something that you can feel from an actual perspective rather than regurgitated information is something that is really special.

“That was something that I really wanted to explore on this album. I’ve been working with the amazing Nixon Boyd over the last year on this EP. I really wanted to look at this whole craft of songwriting, that is, to me, what could be summed up as celebrating our aliveness.” 

From Childhood Idol To Musical Influence

Frances said that much of her recent songwriting has been influenced by The Chicks. But before them, there was a different influence that really kickstarted Frances’ love for songwriting.

“My first favourite artist was Taylor Swift when I was around 6 years old,” Frances said. “I think I heard ‘Love Story’ and I was like ‘What is this?’. At the time I was already starting to write poetry, and I loved dancing and performing, so when I came across Taylor I was like ‘Oh my god you can combine those things?’.

It was in that moment that it clicked for Frances that she could become a performing poet/singer if she wanted to. At the age of 12 she began writing songs of her own, and hasn’t stopped since.

Frances said from that moment on, she relentlessly listened to Taylor Swift’s music, especially her country writing. What she didn’t know was where Swift had gotten her influence: The Chicks. 

“I had never really listened to The Chicks growing up, you know they weren’t my childhood influence. But then I read that in an interview Taylor had talked about being influenced by The Chicks so I started listening to them.”

Frances said that she fell in love with their music. She said being able to listen to this “freedom seeking spunky trio of women” was really inspirational.

“The thing I really love about The Chicks is that they feel like freedom. As a songwriter, when I sit down with my guitar that’s what I’m searching for and I find it in music and self expression. I wanted to work that into this song. I want it to feel like freedom when you listen to it, and I hope it feels like liberation because that’s what it gave me.”

You can stream ‘You Were Wrong About Me’ here.

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