A Beautiful Escape: Why You Must Explore and Visit Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake – One of the Prettiest Towns in Canada

(Version française)

When it comes to the natural wonders of the world, Niagara Falls continues to intrigue. However, you don’t need to stay at a hotel in the busy tourist-filled area. Niagara-on-the-Lake is just a short drive from the Falls along the scenic Niagara River Parkway.

One of the best-kept secrets of Southern Ontario’s most popular and picturesque villages, Niagara-on-the-Lake, is an ideal home base for touring the Niagara region. And it is surrounded by renowned wineries, breweries and even distilleries. Not to mention the Shaw Festival and the many historical sites and scenic walks.

If you’re looking for a great place to escape for a quick weekend trip, Niagara-on-the-Lake is the best option. The area holds plenty of beautiful ways to spend your time. To know more, here’s a guide to look at as to why Niagara-on-the-Lake is worth visiting.

Explore the Town for Its Arts and Entertainment

Exploring the arts and entertainment scenes in the region of Niagara will always keep you on your toes with something to do. If you are someone who enjoys watching plays, the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake is a must see.

Without a doubt, Shaw is one of many reasons to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake. You should plan a trip during festival season from April through October. Once you visited and witnessed the Shaw Festival, you’ll be in awe with its top-notch actors, the world-class production and performance, and the look of its beautiful facilities is a plus too.

You could also listen to the enthralling music that the Niagara Symphony Orchestra provides, as well as perfromances from Bravo Niagara! and Music Niagara. You will find that the cultural hub in the area is warm and relaxing through the hospitality and music they offer.

Diverse Attraction, Limitless Fun!

In the Niagara Region, there are many indoors and outdoors attractions that you can explore.

There are lots of indoor activities that the region offers such as amusing art galleries and lovely historical sites and museums that provide fun-filled hours.

Moreover, if you want to go for something fun in the air, you can hop on a Niagara Helicopter and ride above the Falls or watch it from the Niagara Skywheel. If you are fond of challenging adventures, try zip lining and skydiving or have fun thrilling in a jet boat ride.

If you are one of those sporty and outdoorsy types of people, you can indulge yourself in a wide range of outdoor activities, games, and sports. There are many adventurous activities that you can try such as swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and other thrill activities.

Additionally, you can also indulge yourself in other water sports in the Niagara Region such as scuba diving which is a beautiful way to explore the waters that contain sunken ships and reefs.

Wine Tasting and Wineries

Away from the Falls, the other thing that the Niagara area is popular for is its wine. One look at the expansive, lush hills and valleys of Niagara and you’ll know. The climate in Niagara-on-the-Lake is ideal for grape growing. Not just the place is perfect, but it’s also warm enough in the summer to get red wine and cold enough in the winter season to make ice wine.

If you have never been to a tasting room or a winery tour, you’ll quickly become hooked. Also, if you have never tried ice wine, you are missing out. The ice wine is full of the tastes of tropical fruits which is sticky just like pudding in a glass. The process of making this wine involves allowing the grapes to freeze on the vines, and they are also hand-picked.

Furthermore, you can also explore the local wineries through biking. The area offers tours to suit every need of the tourists. Other than ice wines, there are also cheese and wine tasting, and chocolate and other different wine experiences.

Family Fun!

Spending time with your family such as going on vacation is an essential way of enjoying quality time. You might be thinking about how hard it would be to keep your kids entertained during a vacation. But you will never experience such a problem in the Niagara Region because they provide activities for kids of all ages, and parents as well.

Plenty of activity centers and game hubs can be found in the Niagara Region. Taking your kids for arcade-style games and rides can be exciting to them. You can also take them to experience indoor skydiving and go bowling. You can let them play darts and pool tables and have fun watching the birds and beautiful butterflies.

Takeaway

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a sanctuary of wine, history, culture, and food. The avenues of Niagara-on-the-Lake have served as a getaway destination for visitors and tourists for over a century. The guides as mentioned above are one way to make your free time more enjoyable and filled with fun. So, get your things and pack your bags and discover the great experiences that Niagara-on-the-Lake has to offer.

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Article contributed by Clarence Rivera. Clarence is an enthusiastic writer who loves writing about innovations and anything interesting. His interest also extends to engineering and architecture. He is also a part-time contributor to The Sleepy Owl. During his free time, Clarence enjoys watching movies and playing board games with friends.

Dig Our Roots – Des événements pour les amoureux du vin


(English Version)

Dig Our Roots est une célébration d’un week-end (du 12 au 14 avril) de l’appellation de Niagara-on-the-Lake. L’événement offrira aux grands amateurs de vin une occasion exclusive de découvrir la riche histoire et le terroir exceptionnel de cette région vinicole unique en son genre.

Durant le week-end de Dig Our Roots, nos vignobles membres ouvriront leurs portes et offriront des expériences incomparables qui mettront en vedette nos vins, nos viticulteurs et notre terroir comme jamais auparavant.

Les événements dans les vignobles auront lieu à plusieurs moments durant chacun des trois jours, donnant ainsi aux amoureux du vin de nombreuses options et une panoplie de formats pour convenir aux préférences de tout un chacun.

Les détails sur ces événements exclusifs dans les différents vignobles seront bientôt disponibles sur le site web des Vignobles de Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara-on-the-Lake est le berceau de l’industrie vinicole canadienne moderne et abrite certains des plus grands vins et vignerons du pays.

Niagara-on-the-Lake est d’ailleurs classée par VQA Ontario comme une région distincte et nos vignobles partagent un climat modéré par l’escarpement du Niagara et le lac Ontario. Cet arrangement géographique unique permet à la région d’être un terreau fertile propice à la pousse du raisin.

Cette étendue de terre est composée de 4 sous-appellations uniques :

  1. Niagara River
  2. Niagara Lakeshore
  3. Four Mile Creek
  4. David’s Bench

Chacune des sous-appellations procède d’éléments distincts du terroir (géologie, sol, altitude, température, précipitations) desquels résultent des vins de qualité exceptionnelle et d’une diversité étonnante.

Les Vignobles de Niagara-on-the-Lake s’étendent à travers ces quatre zones distinctes et produisent des vins qui reflètent le terroir unique de 
leurs vignobles.

Les vignobles de l’appellation de Niagara-on-the-Lake ont connu une grande expansion et produisent des vins de renommée internationale à partir d’excellentes variétés de vigne cultivée depuis près de quatre décennies. Les viticulteurs savent mieux que personne quelles variétés poussent le mieux à tel ou tel endroit et comprennent comment traiter le raisin dans le processus de fabrication du vin pour y capturer la meilleure expression du terroir d’où il provient.

Durant le week-end Dig Our Roots, les participants pourront découvrir ce qui rend notre ville et nos vins si spéciaux, directement de la bouche viticulteurs de renom qui ont joué un rôle crucial dans le positionnement de Niagara-on-the-Lake comme région vinicole exceptionnelle.

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Dig Our Roots – Events for Avid Wine Lovers


(Version française)

Dig Our Roots is a weekend-long (April 12-14) celebration of the Niagara-on-the-Lake appellation. It will offer avid wine lovers an exclusive opportunity to discover the rich history and unique terroir of this one-of-a-kind wine growing region.

During the Dig Our Roots weekend our member wineries will open their doors and offer one-of-a-kind and unique experiences that showcase our wines, our winemakers and our terroir like never before.

Winery events will be held at various times on each of the 3 days offering wine lovers plenty of options and a variety of formats to suit everyone’s preference.

Details about these exclusive winery events will be available on the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake website.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is the birthplace of the modern Canadian wine industry and home to some of Canada’s most renowned winemakers and iconic wines.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is classified by VQA Ontario as a distinct area and our wineries share a climate moderated by the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario.

A unique set of geographical elements create a specialty crop area where tender vinifera grapes thrive and flourish best.

This expanse of land is comprised of 4 unique sub-appellations:

  1. Niagara River
  2. Niagara Lakeshore
  3. Four Mile Creek
  4. David’s Bench

Each sub-appellations has distinct elements of terroir (geology, soil, elevation, temperature, precipitation) that result in wines of exceptional quality and surprising diversity.

The Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake span across these 4 distinct areas and produce wines that reflect the unique terroir of their vineyards.

Wineries in the Niagara-on-the-Lake appellation have been growing and producing world-class wines from premium vinifera varieties for nearly four decades. Grape growers have a deep knowledge of what grows best in different locations and winemakers understand how to treat the grapes in the winemaking process to capture the best expression of terroir in their wines.

During the Dig Our Roots weekend, participants will discover what makes this place and our wines so special from the renowned winemakers who have been instrumental in positioning Niagara-on-the-Lake as a premium wine growing region.

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Is there anything better than wine and chocolate?

(Version française)

Indulge in decadence at Days of Wine & Chocolate this February

The only thing better than wine and chocolate is when they are expertly paired to deliver a harmonious balance of flavours.

This is what you can experience at Days of Wine & Chocolate.

So mark your calendars as this popular touring pass program is only a couple of weeks away!  Get ready to explore the decadently sweet and savoury art of wine and chocolate pairing at the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake every weekend in February.

Visit our member wineries and taste over 20 premium VQA wines perfectly paired with chocolate-infused dishes. There is something to satisfy everyone’s palate from classically sweet flavour combinations to unexpected surprises.

The Days of Wine & Chocolate pass entitles you to one VQA wine tasting and food pairing at each of our 26 member wineries and is valid February 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, and 22-24 from 11am to 5pm.

Driver passes are also available for purchase and they include one non-alcoholic beverage and food pairing at each member winery.

Take a look at this year’s pairings!

Explore the decadently sweet and savoury art of wine and chocolate pairing.

Our wineries have come up with some brilliant combinations that are sure to impress. From rich and indulgent sweet treats to inspired savoury creations – these mouth-watering delights are enhanced by the exceptional VQA wines that accompany them.

The Days of Wine & Chocolate touring pass program offers exceptional value and it’s a great way to embrace the winter season in the heart of wine country.

We encourage you to plan your winery visits over a few weekends so you can savour the decadent pairings at a relaxed pace and make the most of the experience. If you are travelling with a group of eight or more we recommend calling ahead to wineries you plan to visit with an approximate arrival time so hosts can plan for your group’s arrival.

Whether you are interested in a romantic celebration for two or a fun girls’ getaway weekend, Days of Wine & Chocolate is the must-do event of the season in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

PURCHASE YOUR PASS today and download the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake map to plan your personalized route.

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Qu’y a-t-il de mieux que le vin et le chocolat?

(English version)

La seule chose meilleure que le vin et le chocolat, c’est quand ceux-ci sont jumelés par des experts pour un parfait équilibre des saveurs.

Faites-vous plaisir en février avec le festival Days of Wine & Chocolate!

C’est ce que vous pourrez expérimenter lors des Days of Wine & Chocolate.

Alors notez bien la date à votre calendrier car nous ne sommes qu’à quelques semaines de cet événement de tournée des vignobles. Préparez-vous pour explorer l’art savoureux et décadent du jumelage du vin et du chocolat dans les Vignobles de Niagara-on-the-Lake tous les weekends de février.

Visitez nos vignobles participants et goûtez plus de 20 excellents vins VQA parfaitement jumelés à des plats inspirés par le chocolat. Il y en aura pour satisfaire le palais de tous, des combinaisons les plus classiques aux saveurs les plus inattendues.

Les passes des Days of Wine & Chocolate vous donnent droit à une dégustation d’un vin VQA et d’un plat assorti dans chacun de nos 26 vignobles et est valide du 1er au 3, du 8 au 10, du 15 au 17 et du 22 au 24 février de 11h00 à 17h00.

Des passes sont aussi disponibles pour les chauffeurs désignés et incluent une boisson non alcoolisée et un plat assorti dans chaque vignoble.

Jetez un coup d’oeil aux accords de cette année!

Explorez l’art savoureux et décadent du jumelage du vin et du chocolat.

Nos vignobles ont imaginé de brillantes combinaisons qui vous impressionneront à coup sûr. Des friandises sucrées et riches aux créations savoureuses et inspirées, ces délices qui vous donneront l’eau à la bouche sont mis en valeur par les vins VQA exceptionnels qui les accompagnent.

La passe pour la programmation de Days of Wine & Chocolate offre une valeur exceptionnelle et est une excellente manière d’embrasser la saison hivernale au coeur de la région vinicole.

Nous vous encourageons à planifier vos visites sur plusieurs weekends afin de pouvoir savourer ces jumelages décadents à un rythme détendu et profiter au maximum de votre expérience. Si vous voyagez avec un groupe de huit personnes ou plus, nous vous recommandons de téléphoner au vignoble d’avance et de planifier votre visite afin que les hôtes puissent préparer l’arrivée de votre groupe.

Que vous soyez intéressé par une célébration romantique ou un amusant weekend entre filles, les Days of Wine & Chocolate sont l’événement à ne pas manquer cet hiver à Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Achetez votre passe aujourd’hui et téléchargez la carte des vignobles de Niagara-on-the-Lake pour prévoir votre route.

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Le Festival International de Jazz Oscar Peterson annonce sa programmation 2019

Oscar Peterson Jazz Festival

(English version)

Le deuxième édition du Festival International de Jazz Oscar Peterson (FIJOP), avec la directrice artistique Renee Rosnes à la barre, mettra en vedette de grands artistes de jazz du Canada et des États-Unis dans des prestations collaboratives uniques.

Le festival aura lieu du vendredi 15 février au dimanche 17 février 2019.

Vendredi 15 février 2019, 20h00
Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra mettant en vedette Ingrid Jensen
Lieu : Église Mennonite Niagara United (1775 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario)

Le Festival International de Jazz Oscar Peterson s’ouvre avec les gagnants d’un prix JUNO Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra mettant en vedette la trompettiste Ingrid Jensen.

Le temps fort de la soirée sera sans aucun doute la première mondiale de la composition de Christine Jensen en hommage à Oscar Peterson, Something In His Smile, commandée par le FIJOP.

Samedi 16 février 2019, 13h00
Conférence et prestation de  Bill Charlap : George Gershwin : The Blues and the American Soul
Lieu : Cairns Recital Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (250, rue St. Paul, St. Catharines, Ontario)

« Le jazz est la voix de l’âme américaine » a déclaré George Gershwin in 1926. Le pianiste renommé et gagnant d’un prix GRAMMY Bill Charlap est non seulement l’un des meilleurs pianistes jazz de la planète, mais il est aussi un excellent éducateur et conteur d’histoires. Durant cet événement d’après-midi, Charlap nous parlera de la grande influence du jazz et du blues sur la musique de George Gershwin.

Samedi 16 février 2019, 20h00
Singin’ & Swingin’: A Jazz Summit
Joe Lovano, Jeremy Pelt, Niki Haris, Renee Rosnes, Russell Malone, Peter Washington, Lewis Nash
Lieu : Partridge Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (250, rue St. Paul, St. Catharines, Ontario)

Dimanche 17 février 2019, 13h00
Music with No Borders
Kenny Barron, Kirk MacDonald, Reg Schwager, Neil Swainson, Lewis Nash
Venue: Stratus Vineyards (2059, Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario)

Music with No Borders promet d’être un concert inoubliable qui mettra en valeur le grand talent du pianiste NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron ainsi que d’autres excellents musiciens du Canada et des États-Unis.

Dimanche 17 février 2019, 18h30
Souper gala des prix Jazz Master canadiens
Lieu : Stratus Vineyards (2059, Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario)

Sous les auspices de Festival International de Jazz Oscar Peterson, le gala annuel des prix Jazz Master canadiens a été fondé dans le but de célébrer et d’honorer les musiciens jazz canadiens d’excellence qui méritent une reconnaissance nationale. Chaque année, deux prix sont présentés : le premier à un artiste vivant et le second à une légende passée du jazz canadien.

Cette année, les musiciens honorés sont deux légendes du jazz. Les prix Jazz Master canadiens 2019 seront présentés au clarinettiste, compositeur et éducateur Phil Nimmons et à la famille du trompettiste et compositeur de grande influence Kenny Wheeler.

Information sur les billets

Le prix des billets varie entre 55 et 100$. Des rabais sont disponibles pour les personnes de moins de 30 ans. Les prix excluent la TVH et les frais de service. Économisez jusqu’à 20% sur les billets avec la passe de 3 jours du festival.

Les billets et les passes pour les 3 jours seront disponibles sur https://www.opjazzfest.org/tickets/.

À propos du Festival International de Jazz Oscar Peterson

Le Festival International de Jazz Oscar Peterson (FIJOP), l’un des événements musicaux hivernaux des plus attendus, a été nommé selon le géant du jazz canadien reconnu internationalement. Il a été créé pour présenter l’essence du jazz et le son du swing.

Sous la direction experte de la directrice artistique Renee Rosnes et de la productrice artistique Kelly Peterson, ce festival est opportunité unique d’entendre de rares combinaisons de musiciens en prestation.

Le FIJOP est produit par Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts en partenariat avec la succession d’Oscar Peterson. Célébrez le passé, le présent et le futur – tout en même temps!

Apprenez en davantage sur https://www.opjazzfest.org/.

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Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival Announces 2019 Lineup

Oscar Peterson Jazz Festival

(Version française)

The 2nd annual Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival, with artistic director Renee Rosnes at the helm, will feature top jazz artists from both Canada and the United States in collaborative, once-in-a-lifetime performances.

The festival runs from Friday, February 15, 2019 through Sunday, February 17, 2019.

Friday, February 15, 2019, 8:00 p.m.
Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra featuring Ingrid Jensen

Venue: Niagara United Mennonite Church, 1775 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

The Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival opens with the JUNO Award-winning Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra, featuring trumpeter Ingrid Jensen.

A highlight of the evening is sure to be the world premiere of Christine Jensen’s composition in tribute to Oscar Peterson, Something In His Smile, commissioned by the Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival.

Saturday, February 16, 2019 – 1:00p.m
Lecture & Performance by Bill Charlap – George Gershwin: The Blues and the American Soul

Venue: Cairns Recital Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, Ontario

“Jazz is the voice of the American soul,” declared George Gershwin in 1926. Acclaimed GRAMMY award-winning pianist Bill Charlap is not only recognized as one of the world’s greatest jazz pianists, he is also a renowned educator and enchanting story-teller. Charlap will discuss and demonstrate the important influence of jazz and the blues in George Gershwin’s music during this free afternoon event.

Saturday, February 16, 2019 – 8:00 p.m.
Singin’ & Swingin’: A Jazz Summit
Joe Lovano, Jeremy Pelt, Niki Haris, Renee Rosnes, Russell Malone, Peter Washington, Lewis Nash

Venue: Partridge Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, Ontario

Sunday February 17, 2019 – 1:00 p.m.
Music with No Borders

Kenny Barron, Kirk MacDonald, Reg Schwager, Neil Swainson, Lewis Nash

Venue: Stratus Vineyards, 2059 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Music with No Borders features an incredible once-in-a-lifetime concert showcasing the exquisite pianism of NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron with top echelon players from both Canada and the United States.

Sunday, February 17, 2019 – 6:30 p.m.
Canadian Jazz Master Awards Gala Dinner

Venue: Stratus Vineyards, 2059 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Under the auspices of the Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival, the annual Canadian Jazz Master Awards (CJMA) was founded to celebrate and honour Canadian jazz musicians of the highest artistic excellence who are deserving of national recognition. Each year two awards are presented, to one living and one past legend of Canadian jazz.

This year’s honourees are two jazz legends. The 2019 Canadian Jazz Master Awards will be presented to clarinetist, composer, and educator Phil Nimmons and to the family of influential trumpeter and composer, Kenny Wheeler.

Ticket Information

Single tickets range from $55-$100. “Under 30” ticket discounts available. Prices exclude HST and service fees. Save up to 20% on tickets with a 3-Day Festival Pass.

Tickets and 3-Day Festival Passes will be available at https://www.opjazzfest.org/tickets/.

About the Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival

The Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival (OPIJF), one of Canada’s most anticipated winter music events, is named for the internationally renowned Canadian jazz giant. It was created to present the essence of jazz and the sound of swing.

Under the expert guidance of Artistic Director Renee Rosnes and Artistic Producer Kelly Peterson, this annual festival provides a unique opportunity to hear rare combinations of musicians and individual stars, in performance.

The OPIJF is produced by Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts in partnership with The Estate of Oscar Peterson. Celebrate the past, the present, and the future — all at the same time.

Learn more at https://www.opjazzfest.org/

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Voices of Freedom Park Official Opening

(Version française)

 

Voices of Freedom Park officially opens November 2, 2018, 2 pm at 244 Regent Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Voices of Freedom Park gives expression to the silenced and forgotten stories of people of African descent, enslaved, freed, and free, whose sacrifices, labour, skills, and talents contributed to the development of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

This significant art installation in the heart of Old Town Niagara-on-the-Lake permanently inscribes these Black men and women on the historical and cultural landscape of the Town.

Curated by Bravo Niagara!, the official opening performances will feature acclaimed vocalist Alana Bridgewater, JUNO-winning pianist Robi Botos, and Shaw Festival actor Allan Louis.

For more information, visit www.vofpark.org

Voices of Freedom Concert

Bravo Niagara! Presents Voices of Freedom Concert November 3, 2018

On November 3rd, Bravo Niagara! presents the Voices of Freedom Concert at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines.

The concert comes one day after the official opening of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Voices of Freedom Park, dedicated to commemorating Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Black history and the 225th Anniversary of the Act to Limit Slavery in Upper Canada.

November 3, 2018, 7:30pm
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines

Curated by Céline Peterson, daughter of legendary Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, the Voices of Freedom Concert will bring together some of the best in Canadian jazz and soulful music to highlight inclusiveness, empowerment, and the importance of freedom.

“The entire Voices of Freedom concept excited me from the moment I first heard about the project. The park, the concert – it’s all such a beautiful and meaningful celebration,” says Céline Peterson, Artistic Producer and host of the Voices of Freedom Concert.

“Some of our nation’s greatest musical storytellers will be gathered in one place performing music that is bound to resonate with every audience member. As a lover of music and a proud Canadian, I can say with complete certainty that this will be an unforgettable and mesmerizing event.”

The evening will feature performances by Officer of the Order of Canada, singer/songwriter and philanthropist Molly Johnson.

The concert will also feature NAACP Image Award, Gemini, Dora, and JUNO Award-winning singer/actress Jackie Richardson, as well as performances by Grammy Award winner Larnell Lewis on drums (Snarky Puppy), multi-JUNO Award winners Robi Botos on piano and Mike Downes on bass, and up and coming saxophonist from Barbados, Joseph Callender.

These all-star Canadian artists will be joined by 80 students from the Laura Secord Secondary School Concert Choir.

For tickets and more information, visit www.bravoniagara.org/vofconcert.

Don’t miss this moving, inspirational event! Book your stay!

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Taste the Season this November

(Version française)

Visit the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake for Taste the Season – the Holiday-inspired wine and food tasting event held every weekend in November.

This is when we celebrate the season’s bounty with exceptional VQA wines and locally inspired food pairings.

The Taste the Season pass entitles you to one VQA wine tasting and food pairing at each of our 26 member wineries and is valid November 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, and 23-25 from 11am to 5pm. Driver passes are also available for purchase and they include one non-alcoholic beverage and food pairing at each member winery.

This touring pass program offers exceptional value and it will give you a reason to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake during this lovely time of year.

As an added bonus, you just might get some inspiration for your Holiday celebrations and dazzle your guests with some creative wine and food pairings. Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone you got the recipe from us, we’ll just say it’s a family secret!

So take a look at this year’s delicious pairings! They are sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Our wineries have come up with some truly inspired combinations and there is something to please everyone’s taste. You will undoubtedly discover some new favourite VQA wines to take home with you and share with family and friends at your next Holiday party.

Don’t miss Niagara-on-the-Lake’s must-do event of the season! Book your stay!

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Leading Classical and Jazz Artists in the Niagara Region

(Version française)

Bravo Niagara!’s fifth season will bring the world’s leading classical and jazz artists to the Niagara Region.

James Ehnes

The new season launches October 12, 2018 as Bravo Niagara! welcomes back Grammy and 11-time JUNO Award-winning violinist James Ehnes and acclaimed pianist Andrew Armstrong.

Hailed as “a violinist in a class of his own” (The Times), Ehnes will perform an intimate recital featuring a program of Beethoven, Ravel, Brahms, and Corigliano at the historic 1792 St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

James Ehnes has established himself as one of the foremost violinists of his generation. Gifted with a rare combination of stunning virtuosity, serene lyricism and an unfaltering musicality, Ehnes is a favourite guest of many of the world’s most respected conductors including Ashkenazy, Alsop, Sir Andrew Davis, Denève, Dutoit, Elder, Ivan Fischer, Gardner, Paavo Järvi, Noseda, Robertson and Runnicles.

Ehnes’s long list of orchestras includes, amongst others, the Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, New York, London Symphony, Philharmonia, BBC Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic, DSO Berlin and the NHK Symphony orchestras. Ehnes is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and in 2010 was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. He plays the “Marsick” Stradivarius of 1715.

Voices of Freedom Concert

On November 3, 2018, Bravo Niagara! presents the Voices of Freedom Concert curated by artistic producer Céline Peterson, daughter of the late jazz legend Oscar Peterson, at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre’s Partridge Hall in St. Catharines.

The Voices of Freedom Concert will bring together some of the best in Canadian jazz and soulful music to highlight inclusiveness, empowerment, and the importance of freedom.

The concert will feature performances by Officer of the Order of Canada, singer/songwriter and philanthropist Molly Johnson, NAACP Image Award, Gemini, Dora and JUNO Award-winning singer/actress Jackie Richardson, Grammy Award-winning Larnell Lewis on drums (Snarky Puppy), multi-JUNO Award winners Robi Botos on piano and Mike Downes on bass, up and coming saxophonist from Barbados Joseph Callender, and the Laura Secord Secondary School Concert Choir.

Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival

The season continues in 2019 with the second edition of the Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival from February 15-17.

Led by artistic director Renee Rosnes, artistic producer Kelly Peterson, and executive producers Christine Mori and Alexis Spieldenner of Bravo Niagara!, the inaugural Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival in 2018 brought “true jazz to Ontario… evoking jazz’s golden afterglow of the 1960s and early 70s” (The Globe and Mail).

The second edition of this festival promises another exciting weekend of true, swinging jazz in picturesque Niagara wine country. The artist lineup will be announced in November 2018.

Spring into Music Series

From April to May 2019, Bravo Niagara! will celebrate its 6th Annual Spring into Music Series with internationally-acclaimed jazz and classical artists, as well as rising young stars.

The five-concert series features four concerts in the Stratus Vineyards “Press Alley” which is repurposed into an industrial chic concert venue:

  • Cheng² Duo (April 12)
  • Nat Cole: A King’s Centennial featuring Paul Marinaro and Ben Paterson Trio (April 13)
  • Grammy-nominated Cuban jazz pianist Alfredo Rodríguez, a protégé of Quincy Jones, with percussionist Pedrito Martinez (May 11)
  • Jamie Parker and The New Gen (May 12), a unique project that pairs two of Canada’s rising classical musicians with renowned pianist Jamie Parker.

The series finale features the inaugural Gala Concert for Piano Six: Next Generation (May 25) at St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Modeled after the original “Piano Six” group including Janina Fialkowska, Angela Cheng, Marc-André Hamelin, Angela Hewitt, André Laplante, and Jon Kimura Parker.

Piano Six: Next Generation features a collective of six internationally-renowned Canadian concert pianists: Marika Bournaki, David Jalbert, Angela Park, Ian Parker, Anastasia Rizikov, and Daniel Wnukowski.

Ticket Information

For tickets, visit http://bravoniagara.org/tickets/ or call (289) 868-9177.

Prices range from $30 to $80. ‘Under 30’ ticket discounts available for ages up to 29. Prices exclude HST and service fees.

Bravo Flex Passes available by phone only. Purchase 3 concerts or more and save.

Niagara-on-the-Lake has lots of great experiences for you to discover, book your stay today at one of our beautiful bed and breakfast’s, inns or vacation rentals.

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