Incredible Variety at First-Time Arts Festival

May 10, 2009

From rising Canadian operatic stars to lengendary, award-winning folk and bluegrass musicians, the first New Hamburg Live! Festival of the Arts is offering an impressively varied program in its five days of performance. The Festival features the young talents of the Concert Opera Group of Toronto, as well as concerts by Juno winners David Francey and Ken Whiteley.

Stars on stage during the event range from Stratford and Broadway actor Barry MacGregor to "Bathroom Divas" star MaryLou Fallis. Performers well known in Waterloo Region ­ such as noted bass Daniel Lichti and crooner Derek Hines ­ will share the spotlight with singers like Vicki St. Pierre, who has recently performed with Opera Atelier and Tafelmusik, and Charlene Nafziger, accompanist to Cynthia Dale.

Performances range from classical to blues to bluegrass, but there will also be surprises, as some of the country's best classical singers relax into Broadway show tunes or venture into comedy, while bluegrass legend and Grammy nominee Whiteley is backed by a mass choir of local singers.

Variety is the key in the Art Show that runs through the Festival, as well, with 10 Ontario artists showing work that ranges from abstract to realism, from beautifully rendered photographic images to ceramic art. Literary features include authors ranging from an autobiographer to a fantasy writer.

The only thing the shows and performances have in common, says Producer Nancy Knowles, is that "they will all be terrific."

For more information, contact Nancy or Paul Knowles (519) 662-6757 or visit www.newhamburglive.ca.