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News, Things To Do

Linus Hand Productions: Drama Academy & Princess Parties

February 18, 2015 clynn Leave a comment

Reading Time: 4 minutes -*Pictured Above: Linus Hand Productions provides Princess Parties, such as a visit by Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen”.
Does your child have a passion for acting? Are you looking for a positive and rewarding way for your child to gain confidence, teamwork ability, cooperation, memory skills, and leadership capability in a fun atmosphere?
Linus Hand Productions does just that. Through the Drama Academy classes, local children will learn to develop skills as singers, dancers, and actors. This is an opportunity to study drama, singing, and choreography with professional artists.

Linus Hand was the general manager of the Royal Alexandra and the Princess of Wales theatre in Toronto from 1990 to 2004. He soon had a goal in mind to bring family friendly theatre to Niagara. In 2005, as executive producer, Linus brought Disney’s “Aladdin” to Niagara Falls by obtaining the licensing process required to stage a Disney production. He put on that production, and well as “Beauty and the Beast”. This was followed by “Seussical”, “Scrooge” and Disney’s “High School Musical”.
During the production of “Suessical”, they were having a hard time obtaining a group of children required that could act as well as they could sing. Eventually, they found the children needed, but it sparked an interest in Linus to provide a theatre to provide the necessary tools required to develop the appropriate acting ability in such a high calibre and competitive field.
The Linus Hand Drama Academy was then born! It is here that children learn projection, mime, posture, body movement and vocal skills. Social skills and expression come with the territory here, thus building the groundwork and pathway for their future milestones.
He founded and continues to over-see the Linus Hand Drama Academy as well as summer musical theatre camps. His career and skill in the arts has transformed students of all ages, and at the Scotiabank Convention Centre, Linus Hand Productions has presented “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “Annie”, “Peter Pan” and “Oliver”. Additionally Linus has produced “RENT”, Bodies the Exhibit and the Disney Princess Show.
Junior, Intermediate, and Senior lessons are provided within his Drama Academy Camps. There are 10 classes every Saturday for a duration of 90 minutes. His Winter Camp has already begun, with the final class always concluding with a Young Production. For the Winter of 2015, it will conclude with “Hairspray”. The cost is $260 for enrollment.
For the next seasonal upcoming camp, contact Linus Hand Productions at 289-213-8001 or handlinus@gmail.com for information.
Students of Linus Hand Productions most recently concluded 2014 with Linus Hand’s Production of “The Wizard of Oz”. A musical that took place at the Scotiabank Convention Centre for two weekends in December.

Photo cred: Anthony Rizzo

The musical, based on the iconic 1939 movie starring Judy Garland, was a big production that showcased the immense talent that the students at the Linus Hand Drama Academy had to showcase. His amateur students tackled roles such as Dorothy, the munchkins and citizens of Oz. Professional actors took the roles of the Wizard, Glenda the Good Witch, the Wicked Witch of the West, Tin Man Scare, Crow and the Cowardly Lion.

Some footage of his young students from the Drama Academy performing in the “Wizard of Oz” (munchkin scene):

Linus Hand Productions:
5743 Thorold Stone Road,
Niagara Falls, ON.
Contact:
Linus Hand
handlinus@gmail.com
NEW…Princess Parties!

Linus Hand Productions now provides something extra special for your little one — Princess parties!

“The Princess Experience” is a Niagara-based princess company, performing for birthday parties and regular shows around the Niagara region. Children have a variety of characters to choose from, such as Elsa or Anna from “Frozen”, Belle, Rapunzel, or Snow White.

“The Princess Experience” is on Facebook. Click here to see some pictures, read what parents are saying, and to keep in touch with what’s new!

Elsa Package

Be enchanted as Princess Elsa sings some of her favourite songs, guests join in on a sing-a-long and participate in magical games!
60 mins – $125.00
Grand Package

Imagine the enchanting Elsa, Belle, Rapunzel or Snow White perform at your very own party. Have the Princesses give live performances, join in on sing-a-long and play games with all your guests!
60 mins – $125.00 1 Princess
60 mins – $225.00 2 Princesses
To book, contact Linus Hand Productions at (289) 213 – 8001 or click here to email.
Visit Linus Hand Productions online at www.linushandproductions.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

Christine Lynn

clynn@cliftonhill.com

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Things To Do

Komedy for Kidneys Benefit Show

February 13, 2015 clynn Leave a comment

Reading Time: 2 minutes -The Niagara Falls Comedy Fest is pleased to announce the 8th annual Komedy for Kidneys Rodney Pentland Memorial Benefit Show on Thursday, March 5th, 2015.
This popular Niagara Falls event will take place at the Greg Frewin Theatre, and will feature over two hours of comedians performing. Proceeds made from Komedy for Kidneys will benefit the OneFoundation for Niagara Health System in support of Dialysis Care in Niagara.
The charity event was renamed in memory of comedian Rodney Pentland, who passed away in 2009 from complications related to kidney disease. Pentland grew up in Niagara Falls and performed at the very first Komedy for Kidneys show. Throughout his long battle with the disease, Rodney continued to perform and make people laugh. Making people laugh was his first priority, so the Komedy for Kidneys Rodney Pentland Memorial Benefit Show will do just that.
He was best known for his impressions of Robert DeNiro, Bill Cosby, and Marlon Brando.
Komedy for Kidneys has raised over $30,000 so far, all in support of the Niagara Falls Dialysis Centre. The Niagara Falls Comedy Fest hopes to bring that number to $50,000 in 2015!
Headlining this year is Canadian Comedy Legend, Mr. Mike MacDonald. He has worked as a stand-up comedian for over three successful decades across stages throughout North America. He has appeared on “Late Night with David Letterman”, “The Arsenio Hall Show” and “Just For Laughs”. He was nominated for Gemini Awards, and has starred in three specials for the CBC in Canada and for Showtime in the US.

Other Comedians scheduled to appear at the Komedy for Kidneys Rodney Pentland Memorial Benefit Show are:
Mark Matthews
Graham Davidson
Maycee Galoni
Paul Haywood
Clifford Myers
Rob Trick
Mark Walker
K. Trevor Wilson
The Doors open at 7:00 pm and Advance Tickets are now available for only $24.98 plus taxes/fees.
You may purchase the tickets directly from the Greg Frewin Theatre by calling 905-356-0777 (1-866-870-3002) or from their website at www.gregfrewintheatre.com/concerts

Christine Lynn

clynn@cliftonhill.com

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News, Things To Do

Northern Pikes Front Man coming to Seneca Queen

January 7, 2015 clynn Leave a comment

Reading Time: 3 minutes -*Pictured Above: Northern Pikes front man, Jay Semko (www.jaysemko.com)
The Seneca Queen Theatre, located in Niagara Falls, is a beautifully restored 300-seat intimate theatre that currently showcases a number of live entertainment performances.
On Saturday, March 7th, 2015 the theatre is excited to announce an acoustic concert by Nothern Pikes front man, and Saskatchewan born, Jay Semko.
Jay formed the Northern Pikes, a Canadian guitar-based pop rock group in 1984, alongside band members Bryan Potvin, Merl Bryck, and Don Schmid.
As a member of the Northern Pikes, Jay was awarded four Gold records and one Platinum, with sales of over 1 million units worldwide. Hit singles included “Teenland“, “Things I Do for Money”, “Wait for Me”, “Hopes Go Astray”, “She Ain’t Pretty”, “Girl with a Problem”, “Kiss Me You Fool”, “Twister”, and “Believe”.
A couple of these songs appeared in the USA Billboard Charts, and you couldn’t go very long on MuchMusic in the 1990’s without catching many of the band’s videos within the Top 5 countdown. “Girl with a Problem” in particular reached the #1 spot.
The Northern Pikes received 8 Juno Award nominations, with Jay Semko receiving two Canadian Music Publishers Association Awards.
The Northern Pikes have released twelve albums over their career, and in 2012 they were inducted into the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Northern Pikes – She Ain’t Pretty:

“I am so much looking forward to playing in Niagara Falls – this is a solo acoustic tour; me and my guitar, playing songs from the Northern Pikes, Due South, my solo albums, storytelling and truth-telling,” said Semko from his home in Saskatchewan.

The band’s 1990 album, Snow in June, became their biggest seller in Canada and the US. That album’s lead single, “She Ain’t Pretty”, received heavy play on MuchMusic and was nominated for a Juno Award.

The show at Seneca Queen will provide fans with an intimate and interactive performance by Semko, reliving some of the history behind The Northern Pikes.

“I’ve never had more fun onstage – the one-on-one connection we’re getting every night is beyond description – laughter, tears, singing, sweating – a rare and precious thing – so amazingly cool,” he added.

This year marks the bands 30th Anniversary for The Pikes and the band, now a trio after the departure of Merl Bryck.

Jay Semko is also an award-winning music composer for numerous film and TV productions, including Canada’s most successful internationally syndicated series, “Due South”. His new album is entitled “Flora Vista” – an acoustic guitar based journey of love, loss, spirituality, addiction and recovery.
TICKETS
When: Saturday, March 7th, 2015
Ticket Price: $19.75 *Subject to HST plus $2.75 processing and handling fee
Show Time: 8:00 pm (Doors open at 7:00 pm)
Tickets are on sale now and available online at the Seneca Queen Theatre website: www.senecaqueen.ca
You may also purchase them via the box office at Druxys Famous Deli: 4434 Queen St., Niagara Falls OR call 905-353-9461
Coming from out of town and want to make it a couple’s getaway? No problem! Book with the Clifton Hill Niagara Falls Hotel and take advantage of the “Niagara Couples Getaway Package“. We are located less than a 5 minute drive from the Seneca Queen Theatre, and offer great value and LOCATION for your Niagara Falls adventure.
Click the image below for more information:

Christine Lynn

clynn@cliftonhill.com

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