River Run announces 2016-17 season

June 1, 2016

Guelph, ON June 1, 2016 – River Run Centre launched its 2016-2017 season of professional entertainment today at a public announcement and celebration.

“We’re offering something for everyone this season within our six different series, including a variety of headline acts,” said River Run Manager Danna Evans in her opening comments. She also noted this season’s NEW VIP Experience, the special perks for subscribers to In the Spotlight, River Run’s monthly e-newsletter and the benefits for those who take advantage of Pack-it-up savings.

This season we welcome a new sponsor for our Family Series – Miijidaa Café and Bistro. The lineup for the Miijidaa Family Series features favourite storybook characters, popular TV characters and a pop music concert. The series opens on November 6 when the magical, marvellous world of Beatrix Potter comes to life in Peter Rabbit™ Tales, produced by Enchantment Theatre Company. Perfect for the holiday season, bunny siblings Max & Ruby star in the musical production Max & Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite December 30. Mini Pop Kids will have the audience singing and dancing on February 18. Mo Willems’s beloved children’s books come alive with a new vaudevillian musical romp Elephant and Piggie’s We are in a Play! April 2.

The Richardson GMP Music Series offers a full spectrum of musical acts. The series opens on October 15 with Canada’s celebrated crooner Matt Dusk who will be accompanied by a full band and horn section. Iconic Canadian band Lighthouse plays October 21. Matthew Barber & Jill Barber weave original works with timeless classics, displaying the siblings’ outstanding talents in The Family Album November 12. Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy accompanied by their step-dancing children and an incredible group of talented musicians appear in A Celtic Family Christmas December 16. Grammy-winning country artist Lee Ann Womack hits the stage January 19. Dazzling guitarist Robert Michaels and his orchestra bring electric energy to the stage February 24. The most sought-after big band in the world today, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, appears March 23. Moe Berg, Chris Murphy, Craig Northey and Steven Page join forces to perform their hit songs and share road stories April 20 to close our season.

In this year’s Wooly Kinderconcerts, members of the Guelph Symphony Orchestra play samplings of works by great composers, providing the soundtrack for fun, interactive stories for children five years old and under. The Saturday morning series includes Jack and the Beanstalk November 5, 1001 Arabian Nights February 25 and The Four Musicians of Bremen April 1.

The RBC Showcase Series features a wide range of entertainment, from drumming to ballet to musical theatre and choral music. The series opens October 23 with the pulsating energy of BAM! Percussion – eXplosion. Back by popular demand, Canada’s Ballet Jörgen re-imagines Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet Swan Lake on January 28. Four of the nation’s finest singers Ben Heppner, Rebecca Caine, Jean Stilwell and Gary Relyea celebrate 150 years of musical theatre and operetta in Canada in Some Enchanted Evening on February 2. The angelic voices of the Vienna Boys Choir return on March 12 to close the series.

Talented Canadian singer-songwriters headline five intimate Friday night performances as part of the Borealis Music Series. An Evening with Séan McCann of Great Big Sea on November 4 features a combination of original songs and stories. Guelph songstresses Jude Vadala, Katherine Wheatley and Tannis Slimmon welcome winter with Boreal’s Songs for a Snowy Season on December 9. The Slocan Ramblers, renowned as one of Canada’s best up-and-coming bluegrass bands is featured on January 27. Acclaimed Ontario folk trio Trent Severn plays February 24. Folk-roots singer-songwriter Dave Gunning takes us on a captivating journey on March 31.

We welcome Guelph Today our new comedy series sponsor. Guelph Today Comedy Series showcases comedy favourites and a hit television series. Creator and star of the hit television sitcom Corner Gas, Brent Butt opens the series on October 27. Kenny vs. Spenny continues where their hit television series left off on January 21. Shaun Majumder promises a night of laughs not to be missed on February 11. Now in its 14th year touring Ontario, The Just for Laughs Road Show offers the perfect way to sample some of the festival’s funniest stand-up acts on March 30.

Tickets are on sale June 8. Pack-it-up and save 20% by creating your own package of four or more shows. Visit riverrun.ca/pack-it-up and discover the benefits. As part of the uGO program, tickets for university and college students are $20 each and through the eyeGO program, high school students may attend for just $5 each. Tickets may be purchased online at riverrun.ca, by phone at 519-763-3000 or in person at the Box Office from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Media Contact:

Angela McEwen
Marketing and Development Coordinator
River Run Centre
519-837-5662 extension 2493
[email protected]

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