Newsletter PRESIDENT S MESSAGE May 2011 Inside this issue: June 11 June 21 UPCOMING EVENTS Shaw Garden Tour Guild Dress Rehearsal CAVORT REPORT 2 HOSTING NOTES 3 Aug 1 Oct 22 Shaw Homecoming Event Guild Members Day SEEN AT THE PRESIDENT S LUNCHEON 4 Peter Barwell Nov 27 Annual General Meeting www.shawguild.ca Up and running! We certainly are. There are now five plays on the stage and, without doubt, we have a hit on our hands. Those who have been hosting My Fair Lady at the Festival will know that it has been playing to huge audiences, the like of which have not been seen In Niagara-on-the-Lake for many years. Wonderful! SECRET GARDENS TOUR SHAW AT THE MUSEUM 6 9 PEOPLE 10 The last two months have been very busy. The introduction of barcode scanners, extended hosting times at The Festival, and 90%+ audiences for My Fair Lady have created extra workload for Moyra and her hosting captains. Please be patient while they sort out some of the interesting problems that this has created. More important, enjoy your hosting and enjoy the show! In the background, our gardeners have grappled with a cool and very damp spring but are now getting to grips. Not to mention that little wind that blew through the town. Also, the Garden Tour is sneaking up and we all look forward to June 11th. Much hard work and planning has taken place in the winter and now we are in the final run up. Buy those raffle tickets! It was nice to see those who attended the Luncheon and Show and Tell on April 3rd. We had a lovely meal and learnt much from Colleen Blake's very interesting talk. Coming up! The Guild Dress Rehearsal - The Admirable Crichton - June 21st. Be there! Coming soon-shaw Homecoming event, Aug. 1st. Details in next issue. HAVE YOUR SAY 11 GUILD EXECUTIVE 12 The Garden Tour is sneaking up and we all look forward to June 11.
PRESIDENT S MESSAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Which of this year s plays is going to be a scorcher? CAVORT IT S ABOUT SUPPORT As has been reported in past newsletters, the CAVORT 2012 International Conference is coming to NOTL between April 22 and 24 th next year, with a few pre and post activities also in the planning. With the assistance of The Shaw Festival we are arranging a wonderful three days of theatrical experiences, plays, special lectures and break-out sessions on many topics designed especially for theatre lovers/ volunteers. While the cost for the three day conference is still being arranged, the first step to getting all the details is to join many other Shaw Guild members by becoming a member of CAVORT. This membership includes the CAVORT newsletter, early publication of the programme, and the opportunity to register for all our special activities. The Conference, as I found out in 2010, is a great, and fun, Page 2 Shaw Guild Newsletter May 2011 opportunity to meet with other theatre lovers, from far away places such as Pasadena, Seattle and many other American cities. How do you join CAVORT, you ask? It s simple, and amazingly cheap. Just mail a cheque, payable to Cavort, to the Shaw Guild PO Box 83, Niagara-on-the Lake, L0S 1J0. How much? A mere $ 10.00 for a two year membership gets you access to early details of the 2014 conference as well. So come along, join the other 31 Guild members who have already signed up, and get ready for the 2012 ride, it s going to be a fun one. Peter Gill Cavort Planning Committee VOLUNTEERS WORKING TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE SHAW FESTIVAL
HOSTING NOTES FROM MOYRA - WORKSHOP As you may have heard, the Shaw has introduced bar code readers this season, which means that instead of tearing tickets, you will be using a bar code reader to Scan tickets at all theatres. The readers have been in operation for a couple of weeks only, and a few wrinkles have arisen, so before the Shaw gets into full production, we are holding a mandatory demonstration/hands-on workshop at which time you can practise as long as you like with the readers until you feel comfortable using them. The workshop details are as follows: Where: Library, Festival Theatre When: Monday, 16 May Time: Anytime between 9am 12 noon and 1pm to 4pm MOYRA RESPONDS TO GUILD MEMBERS CONCERNS REGARDING THE BAR CODE READER WORKSHOP: Many thanks for your concerns. We did not expect everyone would be available on the 16th; however I had to set a date for this very simple work shop on using the bar code readers as up until now either I or one of the Hosting Captains have been at every performance to make sure that Guild hosts are comfortable using the readers. Another date will be announced once we know how many people still need training, or arrangements made to have a trainer available when people are hosting. Nota Bene If you have already hosted and are comfortable with the readers, there is no need to attend the May 16 workshop However, if you would like more practice, please attend. The aim is to have everyone comfortable with using them, especially when the theatre is playing to capacity and speed and competency are important. Moyra 905 468-1148 VOLUNTEERS WORKING TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE SHAW FESTIVAL Page 3 Shaw Guild Newsletter May 2011
SEEN AT THE PRESIDENT S LUNCHEON APRIL 3.. Page 4 Shaw Guild Newsletter May 2011
MANY THANKS TO KATHERINE STEFANIUK AND CREW FOR THIS EVENT AND THANK YOU, COLLEEN BLAKE, FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW AND TELL Page 5 Shaw Guild Newsletter May 2011
THE SECRET GARDENS OF NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE Q. What do you get when you combine a lovely Saturday in June and eight gorgeous private gardens, a self-guided tour, master gardeners in each garden, Shaw Guild volunteers, complimentary wine from Reif Estate Winery, exciting raffle prizes, special offers from sponsors such as Mori Gardens, and over 25 artisan created birdhouses on display and for purchase? A. The 2011 Shaw Garden Tour, Saturday, June 11, 10 am to 4 pm This year s Garden Tour, many months in the planning, promises to be a very special event to help celebrate the Shaw s fiftieth anniversary and to raise money for the Shaw Endowment Fund. Vicky Downes and her group have assembled a collection of over twenty unique birdhouses for sale at this year s tour. The gardens this year are all within walking distance of each other in the Old Town, so that should make for more pleasant planning and parking for all. The Garden Tour committee, chaired by Lynne LeGallais, asks all Guild members to support this worthwhile event, our major fundraiser, by encouraging family and friends to buy tickets (see p. 8)and of course, attend, and also to buy and/or sell raffle tickets for the draw to take place after the tour. This year the sellers of the four winning tickets will also be recognized with separate prizes of their own. They will be on display at the Niagaraon-the-Lake Public Library in May, and then for sale at the Mori house on Queen St. the day of the tour. Shaw Guild volunteers will welcome visitors to each garden, and thanks to Diane Turner, certified master gardeners will also be on hand to answer gardeners questions. They will have visited each garden previously and prepared spec sheets so that visitors will have all the information they need for their own gardens. Page 6 Shaw Guild Newsletter May 2011 SHAW GARDEN TOUR RAFFLE PRIZES 1st Two tickets for each play 2011 Sea son at Shaw Festival (value $1200) 2nd Lunch for four at Stone Road Grille (value $150) 3rd Wine country Romance experience at Chateau des Charmes Estate Winery (value $100) 4th Gift certificate towards the treasure of your choice (value $50.00) at Pearls and Treasures, NOTL Trudi Watson will happily accept calls to provide raffle tickets or collect the proceeds from the sales. She may be reached at trudi25@hotmail.com 905 468-3314.
THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR S SECRET GARDENS OWNERS! Tonie Mori Brad Nixon & Carol Beckmann Dr. S. Sanger & Judy Goetz Sanger Beckie & Michael Fox Al & Lori Bisback Michael & Annette Twining Dr. Fred & Nancy Ross Michael & Jill Burke Page 7 Shaw Guild Newsletter May 2011
Shaw Garden Tour SHAW GARDEN TOUR The Secret Gardens of Niagara-on-the-Lake June 11, 2011 10am to 4pm More than just a garden tour! Be inspired by eight unique, private gardens within walking distance of each other in Old Town, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Tickets and brochures available at: Shaw Festival Theatre Box Office And at the following locations: NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE: Mori Gardens - 1709 Hwy #55 Regal Florist & Garden Centre - 1616 Hwy #55 Kurtz Orchards Farm & Gourmet Marketplace 16006 Niagara River Parkway Chamber of Commerce 26 Queen St. Kurtz Culinary Food Shops - 38-40 Queen St Niagara on the Lake Realty - 109 Queen St. Angie Strauss Galleries - 125 Queen St. Or, at any of the gardens (Tour Day) WELLAND: Vermeer's Garden Centre & Flower Shop 684 South Pelham Rd. ST. CATHARINES: The Watering Can - 28 James St. SELF-GUIDED TOUR MASTER GARDENER AND DETAILED GARDEN SHEETS IN EACH GARDEN NEW THIS YEAR! ARTISAN CREATED AND DECO- RATED BIRDHOUSES FOR SALE! For ticket information call the Shaw Festival Box Office 1-800-511-7429 / 905-468-2172 Garden Tour tickets $20.00 each www.shawfest.com/gardentour
AN EVENING AT THE MUSEUM MARCH 21, 2011 On March 21, 2011, The Niagara Historical Society and Museum hosted a reading of Father Malachy s Miracle as part of a tribute to Brian Doherty, author of the play and one of the founding members of the Shaw Festival. The reading by members of the Shaw Company, was intended to celebrate not only Doherty s efforts in establishing the Festival, but also to highlight his work as a playwright. Written in 1934, Father Malachy s Miracle opened on Broadway in 1937 and was later produced in London s West End. Approximately ninety patrons gathered for a reception in the museum s upper gallery before the event. At 7:15 everyone assembled in the main room where they were welcomed by Sarah Maloney, Managing Director of the Niagara Historical Society and Museum. The play, adapted by Nancy Butler, produced by Sheila Hill, and directed by Guy Bannerman, was a wonderful, high -spirited comedy that kept the audience chuckling throughout. During the intermission Guy Bannerman spoke of his first meetings with Doherty in the late 60 s, early 70 s and proposed a toast in his honour. This event is not the only example of cross-cultural collaboration between the Shaw Festival and the Museum. Although this evening came about as a direct result of the celebration of the Shaw s 50th anniversary, there has been a long history of warm cooperation between the two institutions. This year The Museum and the Shaw Festival have teamed up to produce an ongoing calendar of events which highlight the development of the Festival. Design Director Bill Schmuck has put together an exhibition that honours the theatre s history. The 50 Year Shaw Festival Retrospective exhibition will be on display in the Museum until September 15 th, 2011. In addition there is a series of lectures entitled Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Sponsored by Niagara s Finest Inns, the Museum s annual lecture series is held on the third Thursday of each month, from March until September. The cost is $5 or free for Historical Society members. All lectures start at 7:30pm. For a complete list of lecture dates and topics or for more information on other Museum events, please visit www.niagarahistorical.museum or call 905-468-3912. The Museum is located at 43 Castlereagh Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake and is open daily 1pm 5pm from November to April, and 10am-5pm from May through October. Page 9 Shaw Guild Newsletter May 2011
PEOPLE - AT THE NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM Sarah Maloney, Managing Director Amy Klassen, Society Administrator Abby Ramcharan, Assistant Page 10 Shaw Guild Newsletter May 2011
Design Director Bill Schmuck has put together an exhibition that honours the theatre history. The 50 Year Shaw Festival Retrospective exhibition will be on display in the Museum until September 15th, HAVE YOUR SAY - a note from Dianne Gibbs from the Shaw Festival Would you please pass along the following info regarding the wearing of fragrances. We send this out to all company members on a regular basis as a reminder. Some members of the company have an allergy to perfume, colognes and lotions. We would like to ask everyone to use perfumes, lotions, hair sprays and any other fragrant product in moderation in order to avoid anyone from having a reaction and becoming ill. Thank you for your co-operation. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you, Dianne Gibbs Page 11 Shaw Guild Newsletter May 2011
YOUR 2011 SHAW GUILD EXECUTIVE Carol Reid PAST-PRESIDENT Alan Mills SECRETARY Peter Gill VICE-PRESIDENT Charmian Entine CAVORT Arlene Carson DOCENTS Kathy Heit ORIENTATION & EDUCATION Moyra McEachern HOSTING Carol Fraser INFO & COMMUNICATIONS Peter Barwell PRESIDENT Marlene Walther MEMBERSHIP Katherine Stefaniuk GUILD ACTIVITIES Richard Ventresca TREASURER Lynne LeGallais FUNDRAISING CONTACT INFORMATION: shawguild@bell.net www.shawguild.ca Peter Barwell 905-468-0088 stay@brockhollow.com Arlene Carson 905 468-7787 ajcarson@cogeco.ca Charmian Entine 905 468-7792 entine@cogeco.ca Carol Fraser 905 468-9200 carol.fraser@sympatico.ca / shawguild@bell.net Peter Gill 905 468-5190 gillhome@cogeco.ca Kathy Heit 905 468-3000 heitkam@sympatico.ca Lynne LeGallais 1-910-986-1305 l.legallais@sympatico.ca Moyra McEachern 905 468-1148 billandmoyra@aol.com Alan Mills 905 935-0215 millsa@tricolour.queensu.ca Carol Reid 905 680-1020 cmreid@sympatico.ca Katherine Stefaniuk 905 984-8513 katja.stef@sympatico.ca Richard Ventresca 905 468-8310 richard.ventresca@sympatico.ca Marlene Walther 905 468-3605 mmwalther@hotmail.com Page 12 Shaw Guild Newsletter May 2011