Music with Bite kicks off Harbourfront Centre’s family Sundays on September 18 with a children’s cabaret
Toronto, August 24, 2005—Music with Bite launches ZOOM! Family Sundays, Harbourfront Centre’s fabulous family programme, with an eclectic season of concerts. Embark upon magical musical journeys with cabaret singer Patricia O’Callaghan, stirring classical guitarist Daniel Bolshoy, a theatrical string quartet performance titled All for One and One for All, a cappella sensation Cadence, African rhythms with H’Sao, Chinese folk songs with Silk Road Music, thundering taiko drums with the Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble and brilliant trumpet and accordion duo, Guy Few and Joseph Petric.
Music with Bite, part of ZOOM! Family Sundays, is a refreshing, interactive experience in which children can sit up close to the artists and, after the concert, ask them questions, while enjoying a complimentary Natrel milk beverage and cookies. Concerts take place on select Sundays at 1 p.m., at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. Admission is free. For information, the public can call
416-973-4000 or visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com.
Music with Bite, a co-production with Jeunesses Musicales of Ontario, is designed to bring families to Harbourfront Centre to give them the opportunity to sample music of all styles in a friendly, accessible format. All of the artists selected to perform at the concerts bring an element of interactivity, education and entertainment to their programs. Jeunesses Musicales of Ontario is affiliated with Jeunesses Musicales of Canada, who since 1949 has dedicated its work to musical excellence and the promotion of young artists and music for young people. Jeunesses Musicales of Canada is a member of Jeunesses Musicales International.
SEASON LINE UP:
September 18 Patricia O’Callaghan
Patricia O’Callaghan, a world class cabaret singer, is excited about her first cabaret performance for children. Joined by Robert Kortgaard on piano and Andrew Morris on percussion, O’Callaghan’s performance includes the music of Francis Poulenc, Franz Schubert, Kurt Weill, as well as Sesame Street and excerpts from Peggy the Lamb, one of her own children’s stories with music.
October 16 Daniel Bolshoy
Daniel Bolshoy, an engaging young musician, is dedicated to bringing classical guitar to the attention of audiences everywhere. Bolshoy is regularly praised for his friendly and informative spoken introductions and progressive programming of solo and chamber music. Bolshoy has won international top prizes including the Canadian Music Competition and the Stevens Competition in Arizona where he was awarded a concert guitar built for him by the American luthier, Eric Sahlin.
November 13 All for One and One for All
All for One and One for All is a theatrical performance by Cosmos, an ensemble of four young string players, who are all nervous and competitive as they audition for the World Orchestra at the King’s palace. As they begin to play for each other, their love for music triumphs over their competitive differences. The repertoire stretches from Dvorak to the Beatles. Cosmos is made up of Meran Currie-Roberts (cello), Aya Miyagawa (violin), Marcin Swoboda (viola) and Anita Walsh.
December 18 Cadence
Four men, four microphones, no instruments, this is the formula for Toronto’s celebrated vocal band, Cadence whose members include Dylan Bell, Carl Berger, Kevin Fox and Ross Lynde. This formidable foursome has been celebrating its unique blend of harmony, instrumental imitation and high-energy audience interaction to sold-out audiences. Cadence creates a full range of instrumental and vocal sounds using only their voices as a tool. The quartet illustrates that the voice is the most versatile of all instruments in a programme of Christmas favourites.
February 19 H’Sao
H'Sao is a young, talented group formed in Chad in Central Africa that embodies a blend of cultures and influences, drawing inspiration from the traditions of their country of origin and neighbouring African ethnic regions. They combine gospel, soul and jazz into their own original compositions and have been applauded around the world for their outstanding live performance and magnetic appeal. Caleb, Mossbass, Israel and Taroum Rimtobaye and their childhood friends, brothers Charles and Service Ledjebgue perform original music with beautiful melodies and dances.
March 12 Silk Road Music
Silk Road Music offers a unique world music sound—jazz, folk and Celtic music played on traditional Chinese, Western and world instruments. The ensemble presents Village Tales featuring traditional Chinese folk songs translated into English, arranged for cross-cultural instrumentation and performed in both English and Mandarin. The group features Qiu Xia He (pipa), Zhi Min Yu (Ruan), Feng Jun Wang (vocals), Willy Mikes (vocals and bass guitar) and Andre Thibault (guitar, oud and percussion).
March 26 Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble
The Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble has enthralled audiences with its mesmerizing and thrilling performances on the Japanese drum (taiko) since its formation in 1998. Under the direction of Kiyoshi Nagata, the ensemble combines thunderous, primal drumbeats with subtle, intricate rhythms to produce a wide spectrum of sound. With their vast array of Japanese taiko, gongs, bells, wooden clappers, shakers and bamboo flutes, the ensemble takes audiences on a musical journey beyond all borders. The ensemble features Kiyoshi Nagata (taiko, shinobue and shakuhachi), Scott Kokichi Kusano (taiko, shinobue and shakuhachi), Heidi Chan (taiko and shinobue), Aki Takahashi (taiko, vocals and shamisen), Eddie Yuji Kishibe (taiko) and Kyoko Ogoda (taiko).
April 2 Guy Few and Joseph Petric
Guy Few and Joseph Petric present a brilliant concert that combines Few’s virtuoso trumpet and piano playing and Petric’s superb skill on the accordion. Few is also a fine baritone who combines exquisite musicianship with high-voltage energy of the old-fashioned showman. Petric provides a brilliant demonstration of the capability of the accordion that delights audiences.
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Media Contact:
Linda Liontis
416-973-4381
lliontis@harbourfrontcentre.com
Updated on September 13, 2005