Ongoing
Barrie Farmers’ Market
City Hall
70 Collier Street
www.barriefarmersmarket.ca
Everything under the sun! Open
Saturday from 8:00am to noon yearround, the market features fresh produce,
creative artisan works, and a delicious
variety of prepared foods. Enjoy special
events trhoughout the year.
MacLaren Art Centre
37 Mulcaster Street
(705) 721-9696
www.maclarenart.com
The MacLaren Art Centre offers a wide
range of exhibitions, special events,
family programs, art camps, and
workshops throughout the year.
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www.barrie.ca
Screen One Film Series
Bayfield 7 Cinemas
320 Bayfield Street
www.barriefilmfestival.ca
This popular monthly film series provides
an enhanced opportunity for audiences
to see the finest Canadian, independent
and world cinema. Screenings are on the
first Wednesday of the month year-round.
Mady Centre for the
Performing Arts
1 Dunlop Street West
(705) 739-4228
http://theatres.barrie.ca
Barrie’s new Mady Centre for the
Performing Arts features a versatile
stage, flexible seating from 120 to 200,
dressing rooms with showers, and box
office. The theatre is host to a variety
of film screenings, theatre productions,
concerts, dance performances, and more
throughout the year.
Georgian Theatre
1 Georgian Drive
(705) 739-4228
http://theatres.barrie.ca
Georgian Theatre is a professional
performing arts facility featuring
a proscenium stage, sound, lights,
fly gallery, and seating from 427 to
690. The theatre is host to a variety
of professional and amateur theatre
productions, concerts, seminars and more
throughout the year.
Spring 2012
March 29 – April 14
Great Expectations
Mady Centre for the Performing Arts
1 Dunlop Street West
(705) 792-1949
www.tift.ca
The world premiere of Richard
Ouzounian’s musical adaptation of
Charles Dickens’ classic novel deals with
how the times we live in keep changing.
Spanning decades, Great Expectations
will have you questioning how you
measure triumph and define success.
March 31
Barrie Earth Hour Music
Festival
City Hall
70 Collier Street
www.earthhourbarrie.com
Observe Earth Hour and come down
to City Hall for live entertainment and
environmental displays.
March 31
Romantic Vocal Music
Collier Street United Church
112 Collier Street
www.huroniasymphony.ca
Glorious vocal music with the symphony
orchestra featuring Erin Lawson and
Aleksandra Balaburska.
April 7
Spring Pancake Breakfast
City Hall
70 Collier Street
(705) 734-1414
www.downtownbarrie.ca
Enjoy an Easter weekend tradition from
8:00am to 12:00pm compliments of
Downtown Barrie and the Barrie Farmers’
Market – free pancake breakfast, horsedrawn wagon rides, face painting, and a
visit from the Easter Bunny.
April 11
Concert with
Valdy
Southshore Community Centre
205 Lakeshore Drive
www.barriefolk.com
The Barrie Folk Society presents a concert
by the lake with Valdy, folk icon and
Order of Canada recipient.
April 19
L3: Writers’ Conference
Barrie North Collegiate
110 Grove Street East
(705) 726-6541
www.l3writers.ca
Barrie’s largest literary celebration
welcomes some of Canada’s finest
authors, poets, novelists, journalists, and
activists.
April 28 – 29
Barrie Spring Art Tour
Studios throughout Barrie
(705) 727-4086
www.barriespringarttour.ca
Visit studios and galleries open for the
public to view and purchase unique art
and hand-crafted items from local artists.
May 5
King Edward Choir 60th
Anniversary Concert
Hi-Way Pentecostal Church
50 Anne Street North
www.kingedwardchoir.org
A special concert featuring the premiere
of Lady Simcoe’s Diary by Canadian
composer and lyricist Leslie Arden plus
some old favourites with a new twist.
May 7
Stars Come Out
Georgian Theatre
1 Georgian Drive
(705) 735-9243
www.theatrebythebay.com
Join Theatre by the Bay for a night of
star-studded entertainment. Artists
from the mega-musicals will thrill the
audience with their immense talents
in this variety style show. Definitely the
event of the year!
May 13
‘From the New World’ and
Beyond
W.A. Fisher Auditorium
125 Dunlop Street West
www.huroniasymphony.ca
Dvorak’s beloved Symphony No. 9
with guest musicians from Eastview
Secondary School Senior Orchestra and
Verdi’s “Fantasia Rigoletto for Clarinet
& Orchestra” featuring soloist Heidi Van
Der Wal.
May 26 – 27
Barrie Waterfront Festival
Centennial Park
65 Lakeshore Drive
www.barriewaterfront.ca
Live entertainment, buskers, midway,
food vendors, and much more.
May 31 – June 16
Parkdale Peter Pan
Mady Centre for the Performing Arts
1 Dunlop Street West
(705) 792-1949
www.tift.ca
The world premiere of Eric Woolfe’s
adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s seminal work,
brings this classic story to modern day
Toronto, Canada. Starring Colin Doyle,
Parkdale Peter Pan will bring you on
the timeless journey to Never Land and
back again.
www.barrie.ca
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Summer 2012
June – August
Lawn Chair Luminata
Heritage Park
www.lawnchairluminata.com
A free summer series offering a diverse
range of entertainment in Heritage Park
every Wednesday evening, weather
permitting. Barrie Thunder Classics
meets each week to showcase their
classic and custom cars and trucks. Some
evenings feature local entertainment and
an outdoor film under the stars. Don’t
forget to bring your lawn chair!
June 1 – 3
War of 1812 Bicentennial
Celebration
Heritage Park
www.barrie.ca
The War of 1812 and the Nine Mile
Portage were pivotal in Barrie’s
development as a community. Join the
festivities on Celebrate Barrie weekend
as the city commemorates the 200th
Anniversary of the War or 1812 with
exciting heritage programming, including
demonstrations, re-enactments, live
entertainment, and the Freedom of the
City Parade.
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www.barrie.ca
June 2
Celebrate Barrie
Centennial Park
65 Lakeshore Drive
(705) 739-4285
www.barrie.ca
Barrie’s 13th annual community
festival with free hands-on activities,
inflatables and rides, animal shows, live
entertainment, and more! In the evening
bring your blanket for a family film night
under the stars.
June 7 – 18
The KOOL FM Barrie Jazz &
Blues Festival XVII
Venues throughout Barrie and Simcoe
County
www.barriejazzbluesfest.com
Featuring some of the best Canadian
and international Jazz and Blues artists
performing in over 25 venues throughout
the Barrie area.
June 9 - 10
Ecofest Barrie
Heritage Park
www.ecofestbarrie.ca
Celebrate water – lifeblood of our world
– at Ecofest Barrie with music, dance,
art, food, laughter, and lively discussion.
Nourish your mind, body, and soul at this
unique community collaborative event.
Take the plunge, learn to live lighter, and
have fun doing it.
June 24
Kids Fishing Day
Heritage Park
www.teachakidtofish.com
The opportunity for kids to experience
fishing, learn about conservation,
and have lots of fun courtesy of the
Kempenfelt Rotary Club.
July (dates to be determined)
Barrielicious
Restaurants throughout Barrie and area
www.barrielicious.com
Try a diversity of culinary experiences at
independent restaurants in Barrie and
area featuring three course prix fixe
menus.
June 30 – July 2
Promenade Days and
Canada Day Festivities
Memorial Square & Dunlop Street
(705) 734-1414
www.downtownbarrie.ca
Barrie’s largest street festival featuring
live entertainment, children’s activities,
petting zoo, midway, street performers,
patios, food, and fun. Downtown
merchants will showcase their fantastic
products at the street market.
July 1
Canada Day Fireworks
Waterfront Parks
(705) 739-4285
www.barrie.ca
Celebrate Canada’s birthday with Barrie’s
annual fireworks spectacular over
Kempenfelt Bay at 10:00pm.
July 5 – 8
Ribfest and Craft Beer
Show
Memorial Square
(705) 734-1414
www.downtownbarrie.ca
A tasty weekend to tempt your taste buds,
including a celebrity cook-off, judge’s
choice award, a variety of food vendors,
craft beer, and live entertainment.
August 3 – 6
Kempenfest
Waterfront Parks
(705) 739-4216
www.kempenfest.com
One of the largest outdoor arts and
crafts festivals featuring over 300
artisans, antique show, food, midway,
children’s activities, and an amazing live
entertainment line-up.
August 11
Rhythmfest
Heritage Park
(705) 739-4285
www.barrie.ca
Celebrate the universal language of
rhythm including live entertainment
and workshops. Interactivity is a central
theme and audiences, young and old, are
encouraged to participate.
July 19 – 22
Barrie New Music Fest
Venues throughout Barrie
(705) 242-1067
www.newmusicfest.ca
A live music festival featuring over
70 touring artists of various genres
performing a series of concerts and
showcases at Barrie’s finest live music
venues.
August 6 – 25
Jacob Two-Two Meets the
Hooded Fang
Mady Centre for the Performing Arts
1 Dunlop Street West
(705) 739-4228
www.theatrebythebay.com
Presented by Theatre by the Bay, Jacob
Two-Two has to say everything twice
to be heard simply because he is the
youngest of five children. His quest to be
taken seriously takes him into a fantastic
world of larger than life characters
including Master Fish, Mistress Fowl, and
(gulp!)... The Hooded Fang!
August 17 – 19
Caribfest
Centennial Park
65 Lakeshore Drive
www.caribfest.ca
Celebrate the sights, sounds, and tastes of
the Caribbean.
July 26 – August 18
Man of La Mancha
Mady Centre for the Performing Arts
1 Dunlop Street West
(705) 739-4228
www.theatrebythebay.com
Presented by Theatre by the Bay. Also
known as “The Impossible Dream
musical”, this award winning musical
tells the story of Don Quixote, the mad,
aging nobleman who embarrasses his
respectable family by his adventures.
Backed by his faithful sidekick Sancho
Panza, he duels windmills and defends his
perfect lady Dulcinea.
August 9 – 26
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Mady Centre for the Performing Arts
1 Dunlop Street West
(705) 739-4228
www.theatrebythebay.com
Presented by Theatre by the Bay, Sir John
Falstaff gets more than he bargained for
when he simultaneously pursues two
wealthy married women. Upon receiving
identical copies of Falstaff’s love letter, the
spirited Mistresses Ford and Page cook up
a scheme of their own to teach the knight
a lesson, with uproariously funny results.
August 25
Barrie Dragon Boat
Festival
Heritage Park
(705) 728-1010
www.barriedragonboatfestival.ca
The 10th annual event will feature the
excitement of dragon boat racing, plus
exhibits, children’s activities, and live
entertainment.
www.barrie.ca
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Fall 2012
September 21
Mark Reeves in Concert
MacLaren Art Centre
37 Mulcaster Street
www.barriefolk.com
The Barrie Folk Society presents a fun
concert with the always entertaining
Mark Reeves.
September 21 – 30
Barrie’s Colours of Music
Venues throughout Barrie
www.coloursofmusic.ca
Wonderful music, wonderfully performed
featuring talent from across Canada and
around the world.
September 21 – 29
Barrie Fall Fishing Festival
Kempenfelt Bay
(705) 720-7132
www.bfff.ca
The Rotary Club of Barrie Huronia
welcomes all ages to take part in their
catch and release perch tournament on
beautiful Kempenfelt Bay. Over $50,000
in prizes!
September 27 – 30
Carnegie Days
MacLaren Art Centre
37 Mulcaster Street
(705) 721-9696
www.maclarenart.com
Annual arts festival inspired by the
gallery building’s origins as a 1917
Carnegie Library. Explore the role
language plays in contemporary art
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www.barrie.ca
through exhibitions, public art projects,
performances, readings, artist talks, film
screenings, tours, and workshops at the
gallery and locations throughout Barrie.
September 28 – 29
Barrie’s Oktoberfest
Eastview Arena
453 Grove Street East
www.barrierotary.com
The 4th Annual Oktoberfest, presented
by the Rotary Club of Barrie, celebrates
traditional Bavarian culture in a
festhallen atmosphere – authentic food,
beer, souvenirs, and oom-pah-pah music
featuring Walter Ostanek, Canada’s King
of Polka.
September 28 – 30
Culture Days
Venues throughout Barrie
(705) 739-4299
www.barrie.ca
Check out Barrie’s arts and culture scene,
and participate in hands-on and behindthe-scenes activities in unique venues
throughout the city.
October 5 – 8
Images Thanksgiving
Studio Tour
Studios throughout Barrie and area
www.images-studio-tour.com
Enjoy the scenic fall colours of Simcoe
County while touring 23 different studios
featuring over 40 outstanding artists
and crafts people – painters, potters,
photographers, and more.
October 12 – 21
Barrie Film Festival
Uptown Theatre & Bayfield 7 Cinemas,
other venues
(705) 481-1004
www.barriefilmfestival.ca
The 15th annual celebration of film is a
ten day film lover’s delight. The festival
brings people together to experience
extraordinary films from Canada
and around the world and includes
guest speakers, parties, a short film
competition, and director’s brunch. BFF
– your best friend for film!
October 19
Karen Savoca in Concert
MacLaren Art Centre
37 Mulcaster Street
www.barriefolk.com
The Barrie Folk Society presents a great
concert with Karen Savoca.
October 27
Halloween Spooktacular
City Hall
70 Collier Street
(705) 734-1414
www.downtownbarrie.ca
Celebrate autumn with Downtown Barrie
and the Barrie Farmer’s Market from
8:00am to 12:00pm – costume contest,
pumpkin decorating, face painting,
horse-drawn wagon rides, and free
apple cider.
Winter 2012-2013
November 2
Jory Nash in Concert
MacLaren Art Centre
37 Mulcaster Street
www.barriefolk.com
The Barrie Folk Society presents a fun
concert with Jory Nash.
November 17
Tree Lighting Celebration
Memorial Square
(705) 734-1414
www.downtownbarrie.ca
Start the holiday season with this annual
tradition held in conjunction with the
Santa Claus Parade. Stop by Memorial
Square in downtown Barrie for the
festivities – carols, horse-drawn wagon
rides, hot chocolate, Santa, and more. As
the parade finishes at the Square, join
Santa for the lighting of the tree and a
fantastic fireworks show.
November 17
Santa Claus Parade
City streets
(705) 721-5000
www.barriechamber.com
Welcome Santa at Barrie’s annual
night parade! As the parade finishes
at Memorial Square, take in Downtown
Barrie’s tree lighting celebration and a
fantastic fireworks show.
December 14
Songs for a Snowy Season
MacLaren Art Centre
37 Mulcaster Street
www.barriefolk.com
The Barrie Folk Society presents a fun
concert with a great trio of women –
Katherine Wheatley, Tannis Slimmon, and
Jude Vadala.
December 31
Barrie’s Downtown
Countdown
City Hall
70 Collier Street
(705) 739-4285
www.barrie.ca
Barrie’s annual New Year’s Eve party!
Family fun featuring live music, fireworks,
and activities for kids. Come ring in
2013 in downtown Barrie.
February 1 – 3
Reel Stories
Uptown Theatre
55 Dunlop Street West
(705) 481-1004
www.barriefilmfestival.ca
The Barrie Film Festival’s Reel Stories
returns for a thought-provoking weekend
festival of documentary and feature films
from Canada and around the world that
are inspired by real people and true
events.
January – February (dates to be
determined)
Barrielicious
Restaurants throughout Barrie and area
www.barrielicious.com
Try a diversity of culinary experiences at
independent restaurants in Barrie and
area featuring three course prix fixe
menus.
February 2 – 3
Winterfest & Festival of Ice
Heritage Park & Downtown Barrie
(705) 739-4285
www.barrie.ca
One of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals and
Events. Grab your mittens and celebrate
winter with dog sled rides, ice sculptures,
snow slide, lumberjack show, midway,
polar bear swim, pancake breakfast, and
much more.
January 30 – February 3
The February Blues Festival
XVI
Venues throughout Barrie and Simcoe
County
www.barriejazzbluesfest.com
Shake off cabin fever at the annual
February Blues Festival featuring Blues
and Jazz music performed by some of
Canada’s most brilliant artists.
February 16
Ice Fishing Tournament
Southshore Centre
205 Lakeshore Drive
(705) 728-5030
www.icefishingbarrie.ca
Canadian Home Builders’ Association of
Simcoe County presents the annual ice
fishing tournament on Kempenfelt Bay
with over $50,000 in prizes!
www.barrie.ca
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Barrie is home to a variety of exciting community events and festivals
throughout the year. Fundraisers, parades, sporting events, music
festivals, and community events - there’s something for everyone to
enjoy. Special events and festivals add to the wonderful quality of
life that we enjoy in Barrie - enhancingand celebrating our culture,
showcasing our beautiful waterfront and downtown, encouraging
recreation and tourism, and providing economic benefits to local businesses and
community organizations. Enjoy all that our city has to offer, and join the celebration!
Sincerely,
Jeff Lehman
Barrie is the place to be! We welcome you to participate in the many exciting arts and
culture opportunities, including a variety of festivals and events throughout the year.
The guide you hold in your hands will provide you with the information necessary to
start planning your 2012-2013 experience in Barrie, one of Canada’s most dynamic arts
and culture communities.
Whether you are viewing visual art masterpieces, enjoying a concert in the park,
getting caught up in the emotion of the theatre, or spending the day at one of our
signature festivals, you will find that we are a community
committed to excellence.
We encourage you to explore our community and enjoy
its rich arts and culture scene. Visit us at barrie.ca for
more information and join the celebration!
City of Barrie
Department of Culture
(705) 739-4299
[email protected]
www.barrie.ca
For more information visit us at
www.barrie.ca