TWO DAY DIRECTORS WORKSHOP! Only 18 Spots availble $65 per person (cost covers both days) August 18th 1:30pm-5:30pm August 19th 12:00pm-4:00pm Workshop lead by Ron Cameron-Lewis CLICK HERE to sign up Ron will be covering each stage of direction, beginning with pre-production work: analysis, research, style, working with the production team on design issues, and coordinating with the producer within the realities of rehearsal and theatre spaces, budget, time-line, personnel and resources. Then he will address auditions and share his half-century of experience casting productions in a wide variety of theatrical genres. Next, he will work through the stages of rehearsal from first read-through, table work, advice for blocking, running scenes and the full show, adding technical elements, dress rehearsal, opening and running the show and the post-mortem. Participatory exercises are a big part of this element: physical and vocal exercises, improvisation, exercises for character development, channeling ensemble energy and exploring the emotional arc of characterization. He will ...
More
Review by Brian Hay The great thing about Emm Gryner’s songs is the strength at their core. Her studio albums are richly arranged but the songs themselves not only hold up well under unadorned presentation, they thrive on it. Part of it’s because Gryner’s an accomplished musician and seasoned performer but a lot is due to her songs just being really good. Her set list featured several numbers from her new disc ‘Only Of Earth (Days Of Games)’ and an array of pieces from various places in her catalogue. A rendition of ’Space Oddity’ that used Bowie’s original lyrics marked her time in his band and the subsequent collaboration with Chris Hadfield was given a heartfelt reading that conveyed much of what she feels about those times. ’Summerlong’, a track from year 2000’s ‘Dead Relatives’, displayed the virtue of revisiting older pieces — that song became so fresh it seemed brand new. ...
More
CHEEKY MONKEY NOW HAS 519 ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE FREE to pick up and enjoy! This free monthly publication is the only entertainment magazine in the Detroit/Windsor area, with 25,000 printed copies available at select locations from Detroit to London. 519 features 12 digital issues per year and 6 print editions (June, August, October, December, February, April) featuring current and relevant artists, musicians, actors, theatres, writers, creators and publishers. From international touring stars to unsung local heroes, 519 is strong, proud and free - yes, you heard that right, free - there’s no charge, unless you want one delivered to your home. Giving you another reason to be proud to live in the 519. Next issue will feature stories and interviews with Cheap Trick, Heather Rankin, Toto, Fred Penner and Sarnia's own Eric Ethridge.
More
Are you interested in getting involved with local theatre? Wardrobe Workshop - August 9 - 4:30 - 6:00 pm
More
Newest CD WORKER now on sale @ Cheeky Monkey. Take a listen to a couple of songs from it... To say that musician and songwriter Nic Swales, gets around is not an understatement. With his roots firmly planted in Sarnia currently, he has traveled many miles over the last decade honing his craft and getting his music out to the public. His style of song writing and singing is at warm and inviting with a haunting lilt to it that leaves you wanting more. Known to be one of Sarnia's premier song-smith's, back in 2007, Nic relocated briefly to Halifax Nova Scotia and independently recorded and released an acoustic EP "Sunny River" along with a full length pop/rock album "Bohemian Summer". Both were recorded, engineered and produced by Dennis Field at Denmark Productions. A total of sixteen songs were recorded with a successful CD release party in Sarnia and a brief ...
More
July First Friday at the Cheeky Monkey: Life Signs as a Three-Piece (Or Life Without Their “Fiddely-Bitter”) Written Saturday July 7, 2022 by Brian Hay Life Signs were missing their lead guitarist this time around but the change added a different element to their work. John Foster, who was unavailable due to work commitments, was definitely missed at times, as well he should have been. His kind of tasty work is hard to replace (especially when another member has to do double-duty and make things up on the fly) but being faced with situations like this often brings out things from band members that aren’t seen otherwise. That was true to the max in this instance. For one thing, the band’s rhythm section stepped things up a notch. That’s always good but when the players have the skills drummer Scott Elliot and bassist Mike Vasek bring to the fore, mesh nicely as a unit ...
More
The International Symphony Orchestra is pleased to be sponsoring an Introductory Summer Strings Programme, open to ages five and above. Adults/seniors are also welcome to take part. Sessions will run from July 30th to August 3rd, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. each morning, and will consist of instruction in the beginning elements of string playing, including: sound production; names of notes; correct hand and finger position; posture etc. Participants may choose to play either violin or cello, and instruments will be provided. A graduation recital will be taking place on the final day, August 3rd. Classes will be held in the Sarnia location, 251 North Vidal Street. The fee for one person is $60; $110 for two; and $150 for three (in the same family). Bursary assistance is available subject to financial need. To register, please contact the ISO Office, 251 North Vidal Street, Sarnia, (519) 337- 7775/ (810) 984 - 8857, or email: iso ...
More
While supplies last - The Beatles cloth tote bag... perfect size for carrying home your Cheeky Monkey purchases ONLY $12.99 each OR - get it for $4.96 with the purchase of any new vinyl record at Cheeky Monkey Is made of black cotton with Abbey Road cover silhouette in silver with small inside pocket.
More
June 15, 2022 - Just this week we noticed new signs up across the street on the former Greenwood Inn/Liquid Johnny's building. We had heard rumours for a while, but now it looks offial. Hawgs Bar is moving in. No date we are aware of. So watch for more details to come. Have to give big thank you to the new owners of the building. They have done a marvelous job cleaning it up and giving it some class.
More
What a wonderful June First Friday it was at Cheeky Monkey thanks entirely to the local 5 piece band El Camino. I have to admit, the store was so busy, I was not able to fully listen to the band. Having said that, a few songs really caught my attention and brought back fond memories of my younger years. Music, played well has that magical ability. Two songs in particular really stood out for me. James Taylor's 'Fire and Rain' and Cat Stevens 'Wild World' were outstanding. I was evidently not alone in enjoying the band seeing how many people lingered to hear them play. It is hard to critique individual members since together they create such sweet sounds. The original core members of singer/rhythm guitarist Scott Whyte, lead/ rhythm player Marvin Eskritt and percussionist Steve Bird where enhanced by newer members Lise Jordan on keyboards/vocals and Glen Perry on bass guitar. We sincerely hope ...
More
