Algoma Fall Festival manager Louisa van Lith takes you on the road with some of the world's best entertainers.
I am sometimes asked “what’s the best part of being the Fall Festival manager?” And when I reflect on the years of reviewing extraordinary Canadian and international talent, attending numerous performances, negotiating deals, working with event management colleagues and local volunteers I am reminded of the cavalcade of artists that have streamed through Sault Ste. Marie. And how I got to meet them!
In the quiet moments after a thunderous performance an artist sits in his or her dressing room preparing to go back to the hotel for a drink or a bite to eat. This is my job. I hear the band chatter about this or that moment on stage, when something went wrong that nobody noticed, when something got an unexpected laugh. I listen to stories of shows around the world, bad promoters, lost instruments and life on the road. I love this part of my job. It is a real treat to know the artist in these off-stage moments. It is a true gift to be in the company of these talented minds and creative souls. And each October a new crop arrives and I get to do it all over again. The autumn season is heating up and I am getting ready for Entertainment on Fire!
Each year in October Sault Ste. Marie plays host to one of Northern Ontario’s biggest arts festivals - the Algoma Fall Festival. And this year from October 5-27 you can enjoy the best in Canadian and international performing arts with a line up that caters to every taste and every genre.
Opening the Festival on October 5 is music legend Bruce Cockburn. Performing as a trio audiences will be treated to music from his prize winning songbook. Other top calibre artists include jazz songstress Holly Cole with Laila Biali, celebrated Celtic fiddlers, husband and wife duo Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, international artists Kadir Bedi and Lisa Ray along with Sampradaya Dance Creation perform TAJ- a love story surrounding the Taj Mahal and Dutch pianist and organist Jan Vayne and Martin Mans. You can check out the full program of concerts and events at algomafallfestival.com or call 705-949-0822.
Young audiences will pack the Essar Centre arena to catch Canada’s brightest new pop star Carly Rae Jepsen on October 10th. Tickets are selling fast and are available at essarcentre.ca.
A very special feature of this year’s Festival is our Gal Pal Getaway. This is your chance to indulge your artistic and culinary tastes while enjoying a weekend of fun fun fun with your favourite gal pals. From October 18-20 this weekend offers giggles and nibbles, healing and hits. Friday night the hilarious Andrea Martin stars in an outrageous evening of comedy and music. Your Saturday is packed with fun when Chef Lynn Crawford shares culinary secrets for her new cookbook At Home with Lynn Crawford and later that night the passionate and powerful Gino Vannelli hits the stage performing his most requested classics. On Sunday afternoon join Canadian author Amanda Lindhout as she shares her story of courage and resilience from her new book A House in the Sky.
This fun-filled Getaway weekend comes with specially priced passes starting at $115.00 and promotional hotel packages at Algoma’s Water Tower Inn and Suites and the Quality Inn and Suites Bay Front.
Heat up your autumn nights with a visit to Sault Ste. Marie when the Algoma Fall Festival presents Entertainment on Fire.
Visit www.saulttourism.com for more information on things to see and do in Sault Ste. Marie!
