NEWS RELEASE
THEATRE COLLINGWOOD
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Four years ago times were very different for Theatre Collingwood.
They were faced with a pandemic that forced the closure of theatres, instilled fear in people regarding a very contagious virus, and limited gatherings to outdoors with small groups, socially distanced. They also were aware of the dire situation performers were in with regards to no opportunities to make money to survive. In true Theatre Collingwood fashion (remember, this is a company with no actual home base) they came up with a unique idea. They created an outdoor festival with performers on home porches around Collingwood with the audiences (only 25 allowed at that time) on their own lawn chairs, socially distanced, in the homeowner’s yard. The audiences loved it and the artists were able to be paid for their work. Sponsors and grantors also loved the idea and this is how the project was funded.
Now in its fourth year, the Porchside Festival has grown. It will run from July 10 to 31. There will be 11 different shows, almost all being performed three times, for a total of 32 performances in 22 days. Most of the porches are in Collingwood but this year there is one porch in the Town of The Blue Mountains and one in Wasaga Beach. The performers are coming from across Canada and cover different genres of music, storytelling, and theatre. Truly there is something at the Porchside Festival for everyone.
In addition to the performances, audience members will hear about the history of the home and at least one visual artist will be set up at each location, too.
“When we developed the Porchside Festival it was about supporting our community with entertainment, and also about supporting artists. We knew we wanted to give opportunities for performers to perform but we also wanted to support visual artists and give them a place to show their work, at no cost to them. We have achieved all of this with the Porchside Festival,” said Erica Angus, executive director for Theatre Collingwood.
Special thanks to Theatre Collingwood’s 2024 season presenting sponsor, Collingwood Quay, and the 2024 Porchside Festival sponsor, Royal LePage Locations North. Without their support the festival would not be possible.
Tickets and more performer information is available online at www.theatrecollingwood.ca or by calling 705-445-2200. Tickets may be purchased for individual shows, or a Porchside Passport is available, which gives you all 11 shows for the price of eight. Shows are approximately one hour long. The festival is great for all ages and a wonderful way to celebrate summer and the arts. BYOLC (bring your own lawn chair).
2024 Porchside Festival lineup
July 10: Infinite Joy — Katherine’s Chateau, 243 Ste. Marie St., Collingwood; Karim Morgan, mixed music, reggae to jazz and a joyful message
July 11 and 12: Freddie’s Freeloaders — 108 Grand Cypress Lane, Blue Mountains; Fred Smith trio, guitar and smooth vocals
July 13 and 14: My Mind is Like a Radio — 282 Birch St., Collingwood; Kaleb Hikele, indie singer/songwriter
July 16 and 17: Sultans of String duo — Somewhere Inn, 128 St. Paul St., Collingwood; Chris McKhool and Kevin Laliberté, violin and flamenco guitar
July 18 and 19: Where Were You in ’72, 270 Minnesota St., Collingwood; Briar Boake and friends, pop songs from the ’70s
July 20: Infinite Joy — Katherine’s Chateau, 243 Ste. Marie St., Collingwood; Karim Morgan, mixed music, reggae to jazz and a joyful message
July 21 and 22: Boomerang — 61 Georgian Manor Dr., Collingwood; eight-piece horn band, classics from soul/R&B music
July 23 and 24: The Fugitives — 116 Bartlett Blvd., Collingwood; amazing four-piece acoustic folk-roots group, infectious storytelling and musicianship
July 25 and 26: Maria Branje & the Jazz Suite Trio — 288 Beech St., Collingwood; back by popular demand; iconic jazz music of the greats
July 27 and 28: Girls Like Them — 17 Georgian Manor Dr., Collingwood; Deb Fitzsimmons and Greg Gibson feature the music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Carly Simon
July 29: The Tracks — 7 Simcoe St., Wasaga Beach; Kale Penny and Lauren Bowler in a witty crossroads play with original music; very unique location
July 30 and 31: From Opera to Broadway — Craigleith Manor, 9 Craigleith Court, Collingwood; Craig Ashton sings it all with Anne Barnshaw on piano
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