According to report on Blackburn News... After being closed to the public for half the year, Sarnia’s Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery and The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts are welcoming back visitors. “Group of Seven: Their Visions revisited 100 Years Later” runs until August 22, 2021 and “Z’otz* Collective” runs until March 7, 2021. Curator Blazek said visitors will be expected to wear a mask or face covering, unless they’re exempt from the city bylaw, and stay home if they’re feeling unwell. The gallery will be operating under new hours, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays. It’ll be closed Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. The gallery has reduced its room capacities and timed-ticket entry is being implemented to ensure physical distancing. Visitors are asked to book their tickets in advance at jnaag.ca The Lawrence House will be open three days a week on Fridays, Saturdays and ...
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We had an in-store draw that ended on August 31, 2021 for a chance to win a Bill Walters original artwork. Happy to say the winner is a young lady that is a regular customer. Congratulations Nicole Allan.
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Stop in to Cheeky Monkey to fill out a ballot for a chance to win an orginial painting by talented local plein air artist Bill Walters. Draw will be held on Saturday, August 31st No purchase necessary One ballot per person please
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Evan & John: May 5th First Friday at the Cheeky Monkey by Brian Hay The harmony singing by the duo of John Pilat and Evan Dawe was great right from the start. Their vocal work on ’New York’ by the Milk Carton Kids was easily up to the standard of the recording released by the original group. The parts for their guitars and the ease with which they wove them together were exemplary and their interpretation carried some individual touches while remaining faithful to the original piece. That it rolled off them so effortlessly shows they put a lot of work into getting things right. The reading given to Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Mrs. Robinson’ was an attention grabber of the best kind. Subtle weaving of guitar parts and brilliant harmony singing was again the dominant force in their delivery. Moving to ’Snake Eyes’ by the Milk Carton Kids before playing ‘Wednesday Morning 3:00 ...
MoreFrom D Wayne to Flatheads with a dash of colourful art and a pinch of Rock of Ages musical thrown in, the September 2, 2021 First Friday was a tasty blend of entertainment. The newest art exhibit and sale titled "The Onset" by Bill Walters once again showcases his talent for capturing the beauty that is all around us in the great outdoors. Whether it be a close study of a phlox plant in full bloom or a downriver oil refinery, Bill manages to find the stately elegance of the subject matter. His use of colour is impressive in that it is vibrant and understated at the same time. All that is mastered while sitting outside in the elements and creating his pieces quickly before his "model" changes. On top of his works being pleasing to the eye, they are pleasing to the wallet too. Every piece is very reasonable priced making ...
MoreJune First Friday with Marniol Nation, Bill Walters & Pat McGill We sure had a room full of talent for the June First Friday at Cheeky Monkey. Local musicians under the name of Marinol Nation provided the entertainment for the night. Below is an in-depth review by blogger, Brian Hay. It was also the opening night of a new art exhibit and sale called "From Here and There" by Bill Walters. With Plein air paintings (painted outside in the moment) ranging from nearby locales such as Canatara Park to farther points on the compass such as Lake Berkley Florida, our three back walls are a colourful travelogue. Bill's works are not your normal 'landscape' art. To me, they have a dreamy, warm feeling even if they are of a snow field or summer storm building in the clouds. In the pictures posted here and on our website Photo Gallery (CLICK HERE), ...
MoreQuiet Mind: Contemporary Acoustic with Style Live at the Cheeky Monkey for Sarnia's November First Friday Celebration by Brian Hay They also had something to say, which is the most important thing. That the members of Quiet Mind, singer and guitarist James Hill and lead guitarist Pat Rice, were concerned with performing more than just filler was clear even from the covers they chose. One group whose material they obviously liked exploring was the work done by Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam. "An Elderly Lady Behind the Counter in a Small Town" was an absolute nugget for Pearl Jam with its richly unfolding portrayal of the two people who meet in the scenario conjured within the music. The interpretation Hill and Rice gave it wasn't Pearl Jam's and it wasn't anyone else's. Hill's singing captured the yearning that inevitably surfaces when one hearkens toward distant but fond memories. Rice threaded wonderfully melodic ...
MoreOctober 2, 2021 - October 2, 2021 Cheeky Monkey Map and Directions | Register Description: Over the years of being a premiere venue for Sarnia's downtown First Friday Cultural Walkabouts, Roland and Mary Anne have had the honour of hosting many wonderful musicians and visual artists. The evening of local entertainment has proven to be mutually beneficial for all involved, including for the audiences in attendance. Acts and artists of all ages have been part of the eventst exposing Sarnia's local talent to a wider audience than they previously had. For the October 2 First Friday, Cheeky Monkey, located at 130 Christina Street North is pleased to welcome back EL CAMINO playing live from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Consisting of singer and rhythm guitarist Scott Whyte, lead and rhythm player Marvin Eskritt and percussionist Steve Bird they are a tight three piece group. Local music reviewer Brian Hay had this to say about their previous performance ...
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New WALK OFF THE EARTH album called "Sing It All Away' is due out June 16. (Now taking orders). This is exciting news for 2 reasons. First they are an awesome band out of Burlington, Ontario. Secondly is because of the cover art. Local artist who now lives in Toronto, Jen Rome designed it!! Jen was one of the very early artists we displayed during First Friday here at Cheeky Monkey. We were totally impressed by her and her work and just knew she would GO PLACES! Congrats Jen on where your life journey has taken you so far. We wish you continued success and fulfillment in all you do.
MoreDuring the summer of 2009, Danny Alexander design and painted a mural on the north facing Cromwell Street side wall of Cheeky Monkey. The mural is a depiction of a rock musician in his glory along with song lyrics that have meaning to us. They include Tom Waits, Blue Rodeo, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen along with local musicians like Jim Chevalier, Mike Stevens, and Romney Getty to name a few. The slow process of stenciling the lyrics on the wall fell to Danny's mom, Fran who painted them as high as she could reach on the ladder. Both Fran and Danny did an amazing job that still looks as fresh and interesting as the day if was finished. Over the years, our wall has taken on an identity of it's own. We have noticed many a photographer using our mural as the backdrop to all sorts of pictures including weddings, family ...
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