Voices of Freedom Park Official Opening

Posted on October 26, 2018

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

Posted on October 18, 2018

(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

Posted on September 14, 2018

(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 6^th 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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How about a little wine and grill?

Posted on April 19, 2017

Sip and Sizzle

(Version française)

What better way to celebrate spring than a BBQ with expert wine pairings? All weekends in May, Sip and Sizzle will be celebrating all things grilled at over 20 wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Exciting flavours such as grilled Halloumi cheese with a peach on top, forbidden rice salad with grilled mushrooms, grilled chicken taco, or charcuterie skewer. Something for everyone, even dessert! Passes to go to all participating wineries are $45 each and are good for all weekends. If you are the designated driver, there is a pass for you as well!

To experience all of our wineries, you’ll need a whole weekend. Why not book an overnight stay at one of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s fabulous bed and breakfasts, inns or cottages? Book your tasty getaway at Bookyourstay.ca.

Shed Those Mid-Winter Blahs

Posted on February 25, 2015

It’s been a cold, harsh winter by all measurements. Isn’t it time you took a break from the city life, chaos and grime to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Niagara-on-the-Lake? Book a cozy weekend at your favourite B&B where privacy, peace and quiet, and a taste of the local lifestyle are just a few of the reasons to stay. Oh, and of course, there’s that delicious spread first thing in the morning—lovingly prepared and served by your hosts.

Out and about

And if you do choose to head out during your stay, there’s plenty going on to keep you entertained and out of the cold. Check these out:

FEBRUARY 26–MARCH 5:

The popular Fabulicious event comes to town, during which you have the opportunity to dine at some of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s finest restaurants serving special three-course meals at amazing prices. Indulge in three-course lunches for $25 and three-course dinners for $35.

The Fabulicious dining event in on until March 5. Don’t miss it!

MARCH:

Sample a variety of award-winning wines at numerous vineyards throughout Niagara-on-the-Lake. Your B&B hosts are always happy to recommend the best and their favourites and furnish you with complimentary tasting coupons.

And, there’s always Sunday brunch at the ever-popular Ravine Winery—that’s if you still have room after your hearty B&B breakfast servings earlier that morning.

Enjoy a tasty Sunday brunch at the Ravine Winery Restaurant.

APRIL:

On April 4, hippety-hop over to the Annual Bunny Trail at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre where the Kinsmen Egg Hunt begins at 10 a.m. sharp. There’s plenty of family entertainment planned until 1 p.m. too. It promises to be fun for the whole family and everyone’s welcome.

Also on April 4, at 7:30 p.m., BRAVO Niagara! and the St. Catharines Performing Arts Centre, in partnership with the Centre for the Arts, Brock University, present world-renowned piano sensation and “You Tube Star of Classical Music,” Valentina Lisitsa. For tickets and information on other upcoming performances scheduled by BRAVO Niagara!, visit bravoniagara.org.

Pianist Valentina Lisitsa performs on April 4 at 7:30 p.m.

And on April 11, Willowbank is holding an Open House from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. That means Spring is coming! Another great reason to celebrate in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

This is the one and only official website of the Niagara-on-the-Lake B&B Association. Members listed on this site have undergone health and safety inspections, are legally licensed to operate as a B&B and meet all the required standards set out by the association. If you prefer to book online, this option also ensures that commissions go back into the association’s coffers for the benefit of all members of the not-for-profit association and not other, unrelated, commercial entities.

Posted by Donna S. Vieira on behalf of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Bed & Breakfast Association