Whew…  what a weekend.  Up all night volunteering for Operation Red Nose (a fantastic first weekend!).  If you aren’t already doing so, apply to volunteer for one night this holiday season and give back to your community.  But I digress…

Here is what’s happening in Saint John this week:

• Serena Ryder (Mon 30, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $32.50)
• Holiday Highlights of Fashion (Tue 1, Market Square Atrium, 5:30-8pm – $30)
• One Time Screening of AMREEKA (Tue 1, Film Pix @ Empire Theatres, 7-9pm)
• Pubstumpers Trivia League (Tue 1, Big Tide Brewing Co., 7pm – Free)
• Opera 101 (Wed 2, Saint John Arts Centre, 12:15-1pm)
• Operation Red Nose Volunteer Info & Training Session (Wed 2, Boilerworks – Media Room, 7pm – Free munchies!)
• Saint John String Quartet – Russian Winters (Wed 2, Saint John Arts Centre, 8-10pm – )
• KING SUNSHINE (Wed 2, The Blue Olive, 8pm – $15)
• Open Mic w/ Brent Mason (Wed 2, O’Leary’s, 9pm)
• Atlantica Centre for the Arts: Open House (Thu 3, Atlantica Centre for the Arts – 45 Hanover St., 4-7pm – Free)
• Christmas Wine & Cheese + Auction (Thu 3, Mahogany Manor, 7-9:30 – $10 IODE Fundraiser)
• Meet the Photographer Behind Portraits (Thu 3, NB Museum, 7-9pm – regular admission)
• Shakin (Thu 3, O’Leary’s, 9pm – regular cover)
• People Parade/Tree Lighting Ceremony presented by ONE Change (Fri 4, North End Community Centre, 6-7pm – Free)
• InterAction Children’s Theatre presents The Jungle Book (Fri 4, Imperial Theatre, 7pm – $13-$15)
• Skully (Fri 4, O’Leary’s, 9pm – regular cover)
• OPERATION RED NOSE (Fri 4 & Sat 5, Quispamsis to Grand Bay-Westfield, 9pm-3am – FREE!)  Call us if you need a safe ride home in your own car!  693-6810
• December Gallery Hop (Sat 5, Uptown Galleries, all day)  Galleries included: Handworks, NBM, Tim Isaac Art & Antiques, Peter Buckland Gallery
• “But I Can’t Paint!” Workshop w/ William Forrestall (Sat 5, NB Museum, 10am-1pm – $35-$45)
• Holiday Chef Demonstrations (Sat 5, Saint John City Market, 12-3pm – Free) 
• Sea Dogs vs Gatineau (Sat 5, Harbour Station, 7pm – $10.50-$16)
• SJ Chorale presents 16th Annual Christmas Gala (Sat 5, Imperial Theatre, 7:30pm – $10-$24)
• Live Music @ Urban Deli (Sat 5, Urban Deli – 68 King St., 8-10pm – Free)
• The Andrew Doyle Band (Sat 5, O’Leary’s, 9pm – regular cover)
• House Party w/ Nothing but a Nectie (Sat 5, Cougars Lounge, 9pm – regular cover)
• InterAction Children’s Theatre presents The Jungle Book (Sun 6, Imperial Theatre, 1pm – $13-$15)
• Sea Dogs vs Lewiston (Sun 6, Harbour Station, 4pm – $10.50-$16)
• The Skydiggers (Sun 6, The Blue Olive, 8pm -$20)

Have fun.

Let me tell you about my Tuesday.  It has to have been just about the best work week evenings that I have had in a long time.

It started with a trip up the hill from KVHS with my husband at the end of the school day.  We, as well as at least 100 students, rushed up to the Hampton Rd. to watch the Olympic flame run by on its way to the festivities in Uptown Saint John.  Just beyond the Baptist church there was a hand-off that we were able to witness.  To get us excited, the Coke & RBC trucks pumped music and gave out promotional items as they went by.  The next bearer was dropped off at the exchange spot and was swarmed by well wishers and people desiring to hold the unlit torch.  As the impressive flame came up over the crest of the hill, surrounded by security and olympic vehicles, I had a flash of the last time I witnessed the torch run.  I was 5 years old and my dad ran the torch for the Calgary Olympics…  I have a picture of him and I (with my little candle torch) buried in a box somewhere, I’ll have to go looking for that.

After the procession was out of sight, Hubby and I rushed into town to hit ESL for some poster printing for Operation Red Nose.  Not super exciting, but Adam who works there was fantastic and found a way to get them done!

Following the necessary detour, we headed down to the FUSION gathering at Alley Gria.  Alley Gria is the new tappas bar located at 123 Prince William St. and if you haven’t been there yet, you need to do so…  pronto.  I will give the description of this place my full and undivided attention in an upcoming post but, suffice it to say, it just may well be my favorite new place to go!  This intimate gathering was an opportunity for FUSION members (as well as the general public) to speak with Premier Shawn Graham about the NB Power Sale.  The Premier spoke well and answered all the tough and intelligent questions brought to the table.  I must say that I feel more informed of the situation, and although I am as yet undecided of my stance, learned a lot listening to the dialogue.  Once the Premier left, a few of us stuck around the lounge and took in the great atmosphere of the place.

My next choice may be odd for some.  We thought about heading down to the Olympics celebrations (a block away), and in hindsight, it would have been fabulous.  Instead, we took in our second night of the  Pub Stumpers Trivia League at Big Tide Brewing Co.  This is an ingenious way to fill a restaurant on a Tuesday!  It is challenging and fabulously competitive.  8 rounds of questions, prize rounds & victory…  at least it is for “our” team (I use our loosely as I am not a regular member of the team).  The “Reach for the Tap” team is well on its way to random trivia glory!

After getting sufficiently riled up from trivia I poured myself, exhausted, into bed.  How fun!

Join Saint John Theatre Company’s Second Stage this Wednesday evening for a rehearsed reading of:

Nellie!  How the Women Won the Vote

By Diane Grant

 See Nellie McClung and the Suffragettes in a Comic Replay of History in the Making

When: Wednesday 25 November,   7:30 p.m.  Where: SJTC Building, 112 Princess Street  Cost: $5 (including refreshments)

 Saint John Theatre Company     112 Princess Street, Saint John, NB, E2L 1K4

ruth.logan@saintjohntheatrecompany.com
www.saintjohntheatrecompany.com

Saint John Theatre Company’s 2009-2010 Season promises Victorian thrills, political drama, and Broadway hi-jinx.  Book your seats for our exciting line-up of award-winning shows: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Frost/Nixon, and The Producers. Subscriptions on sale now.  Contact Imperial Theatre at 674-4100 or visit www.saintjohntheatrecompany.com.

Sorry I missed last week, the musical and Operation Red Nose had me running on empty.  Here is what’s happening in our fair city this week… and there is tons going on to get you in the holiday spirit:

• CHEER ON THE OLYMPIC FLAME (Tue 24, Marco Polo Cruise Terminal, 5-8pm -FREE)  www.uptownsj.com
• Introduction to Wine w/ Peter Smit (Tue 24, Happinez Wine Bar, 7-9:30pm – $35 + HST) Pre-registration required.
• Meet the Artist: Sue Hopper (Wed 25, Saint John Arts Centre, 12-1pm – Free)
• All you can eat wing night (Wed 25, Boilerworks, 6pm+)
• Operation Red Nose Volunteer Info & Training Session (Wed 25, Boilerworks, 7pm sharp – Free munchies & info)  Fill out your application form at this 1/2 hour session!  
• Holiday Fashion Party (Wed 25, Je Suis Prest Boutique, 7-9pm – Fundraiser for The Coverdale Women’s Centre)
• Open Mic w/Brent Mason (Wed 25, O’Leary’s Pub)
• William Forrestall – Artist Talk (Thu 26, NB Museum – Market Square, 7-9pm – Regular Admission)
• FUSION Party with a Purpose: TIES 2 Work (Fri 27, Hilton Hotel – Lower atrium, 5:30-7pm – Free)
• Dave Shoots, Bookseller: Christmas Open House (Fri 27 & Sat 28, 40 Coburg St., 8am-5pm)
• UPTOWN SPARKLES – Open House (Fri 27 & Sat 28, Uptown Saint John, 4-9pm & 10am-5pm)
• Warm Drinks & Cool Tunes – City Market Open Late! (Fri 27 & Sat 28, Saint John City Market, 5-8pm & 11am-2pm - shopping!)  
• Ron James – Mental as Anything (Fri 27, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $48)
• Barnacle (Fri 27 & Sat 28, O’Leary’s Pub, 9pm – Regular Cover Charge)
• OPERATION RED NOSE (Fri 27 & Sat 28, Driving you home in your own car, 9pm-3am – FREE!)  CALL US!  693-6810
• Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony (Fri 27, Market Square Atrium, 6pm – Free)
• Sea Dogs vs. Drummondville (Fri 27, Harbour Station, 7:30pm – $10.50-$16)
• Bigg Medicine (Fri 27, The Blue Olive, 10pm – $5)
• Uptown Saint John’s Traditional Holiday Open House:  Full calendar (Sat 28, 8am-10:30pm – FREE)
• Wendy Neilson & Friends Red Carpet Gala (Sat 28, Imperial Theatre, 7pm – $50-$250 Fundraiser) *black tie optional
• Sidekick (Sat 28, The Blue Olive, 9:30pm – $5)
• Sea Dogs vs. Quebec (Sun 29, Harbour Station, 4pm – $10.50-$16)
• The Straight Ahead Show “Git-er-boil’n” (Sun 29, Imperial Theatre, 7:30pm – $23)

If you enjoy great theatre, this week is for you!  There are two great productions heading our way, both debuting mid-week.  The Saint John Theatre Company kicks off their 09-10 season with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and KHVS is putting on a fall musical, the student/staff production of Jesus Christ Superstar!

I am very disappointed to have to miss the first of the two, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  After joining the SJTC last year as “Roxie Hart” in Chicago, as well as participating in second stage activities and this summer’s Theatre on the Edge, I have really gotten into the high calibre productions.  Hubby and I have bought a season subscription the last few years, which is an amazing deal for great professional theatre.  This season is as exciting as the last, with plays that rely heavily on talented male leads (shows 2 & 3 are Frost/Nixon and musical The Producers).   

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is the stage adaptation of the famous 1886 novella by Robert Louis Stephenson.  “Something dark is haunting London. Doctor and scientist Henry Jekyll has stumbled upon a potion that allows him to transfigure – into the violent and secretive Mr. Edward Hyde. The doctor revels in the freedom of his second identity, but when the murder of a prominent politician is attributed to the remorseless Hyde, Jekyll’s relationship to the madman is called into question. As Jekyll’s alter ego slips further into depravity, the doctor begins to lose control…”  Bone chilling and bound to be an amazing performance by their lead actor!

Don’t shed a tear for my misfortune, though.  The reason I have to miss the play is that I am performing in the musical!  I am a huge fan of all things musical theatre, and when Suzanne Yerxa gave us teachers the opportunity to participate, I jumped at the chance.  I am excited to be waiting anxiously in the wings alongside my students for the opportunity to sing and dance.

Jesus Christ Superstar is not for all audiences.  The rock opera turned musical, by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, highlights the political and interpersonal struggles of Judas Iscariot and Jesus Christ.  The story “is based on St John’s Gospel account of the last week of Jesus’ life, beginning with the preparation for Jesus’ and his followers’ arrival in Jerusalem and ending with the Crucifixion.”  The show is high energy and sure to please, especially with performances by KVHS VP Peter Atkinson (Priest), Physics teacher Paul Dunnet (King Herrod) and English teacher John Frank (Pontius Pilate), however, there are some disturbing scenes.

Wish me a broken leg and get your tickets to both shows before its too late!

I hope you all have full bellies and great memories from last week’s CHOP CHOP and entertainment line-ups.  This week Saint John is continuing with the fun…

• Girls Night Out w/entertainment by Dave Myles (Mon 9, Opera Bistro, 6:30-10:30pm – $30)
• Tim Isaac Auction (Tue 10, SJ Trade & Convention Centre, 11am-3pm – Free)
• Remembrance Day Ceremonies (Wed 11, Harbour Station, 10:15am – Free)
• Remembrance Day at the Museum (Wed 11, NB Museum, 12:00-5:00pm – museum admission) Free admission for veterans and their families.
• SJ Sea Dogs vs. Baie Comeau (Thu 12, Harbour Station, 7pm – $10.50-$16)
• Dan Hill w/ Jessica Rhaye (Thu 12 & Fri 13, The Blue Olive, 9pm)
• Exhibit Opening: Jim Stackhouse – 30 yrs of painting (Fri 13, Peter Buckland Gallery)
• Cosmos for a Cause: Cocktail Party & Jewelery Extravaganza (Fri 13, SJ Trade & Convention, 5-8pm – $40 Fundraiser)
• Buddy Wasisname, The Two Five Tour (Fri 13, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $21-$31)
• Signal Hill (Fri 13 & Sat 14, O’Leary’s Pub, 9pm – regular cover charge)
• Pre-parade party (Sat 14, Market Square Atrium, 1-4pm – Free)
• 57th Annual Santa Clause Parade (Sat 14, Uptown Saint John, 6pm – Free!)  Bring your non-perishable food items for the Saint John Food Bank!
• A Really Big Shew! (Sat 14, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $35-50)
• SJ Sea Dogs vs. Bathurst (Sat 14, Harbour Station, 7pm – $10.50-$16)
• The Free Press w/ Telfer (Sat 14, The Blue Olive, 9:30pm – $5)
• La Tour Baroque Duo (Sun 15, Saint John Arts Centre, 2-4pm – $5-$15) www.earlymusicstudio.ca

Enjoy!