Musical theatre and concerts burst out in and around Stratford:

• Stratford Shakespeare Festival launches the spring starting April 23^rd. Enjoy the 76 trombones and 110 cornets Americana of The Music Man or the smoky and dark sensibilities of Weimar Berlin in Cabaret.
• Two of Ontario’s most respected concert bands and orchestras, The Stratford Concert Band, as well as the Stratford Civic Orchestra offer a thrilling range of classical and popular performances in our historic churches and halls.

For those who want to tap their toes to some great country music, two country music competitions are just right for you.

• Discover some up and coming country music performers at the Ontario Open Singing Contest at the Blyth Festival Theatre from May 22nd until the 29th.
• Get those toes ready for down-home foot tapping at the annual Southwestern Ontario Fiddle and Step Dance Competition in Tavistock, just a few minutes drive outside Stratford on June 27th and 28th.

Make a trip to Listowel, just outside of Stratford, on June 19th for a rare chance to see the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride, their only performance in Ontario this year.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Stratford Summer Music from July 21 until August 17 with 85 events including:

• Measha Brueggergosman’s four outstanding recitals
• St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir, Edinburgh with music of the British Isles
• After-Theatre Cabarets including Jackie Richardson as Mabel Mercer; Salute to Rogers & Astaire; the jazz energy of Jane Bunnett & the Spirits of Havana Band
• Bill Richardson’s music and witty verse about famous composers and their pets
• Janet Cardiff’s Forty-Part Motet – a sublime audio installation from the National Gallery of Canada, combining 16th century music and 21st century technology
• Four weeks of free concerts on a music barge on the Avon River. Newfoundland folk musicians to South American flutes. Quebec step dancers to Korean drummers. Plus unexpected surprises from our Guerrilla musicians in the heritage shopping district.

For more music and spring events see our Event Calendar

Photo of Measha Brueggergosman by Paul Elledge

Stratford Summer Music
25 Ontario St. Stratford
Tel: 519.271.2101

Southwestern Ontario Fiddle and Step Dance Competition
Tavistock, Ontario
Fri. June 27 and Sat. June 28

Ontario Open Country
Singing Contest
Blyth Festival Theatre
423 Queen St, Blyth
Box Office: 1.877.862.5984
www.blythfestival.com