WHAT TO DO IN NIAGARA ON VICTORIA DAY WEEKEND

Exciting events all weekend long with Niagara Parks!
Join us at the Victoria Park stage for a special opening night concert and fireworks display, marking the 125th Anniversary of Queen Victoria Park. The Mantini Sisters will kick off the 2013 Coca Cola Concert Series.
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Free concert by the Mantini Sisters and fireworks display Victoria Park Stage [Map]
We’re rededicating Queen Victoria Park. Grab some free cake and then check out the new photo exhibit in the Victoria Park Gift Shop. Later, look to the skies for the Niagara Glen Star Gazing Event!
11:00 a.m. – Noon Queen Victoria Park Rededication Queen Victoria Place [Map]
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Spring in the Niagara Glen Tour – Free Guided Hike Niagara Glen [Map]
1:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Niagara Glen Star Gazing Event Niagara Glen [Map]
We’ve got more fireworks and a free concert by Second Heaven. Come early and take a stroll through the Floral Showhouse for the Hydrangea Show, on now.
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Free concert by Second Heaven and fireworks display Victoria Park Stage [Map]
Happy Victoria Day! Don’t miss a special holiday fireworks display and concert by The Madhatters at the Victoria Park Stage. Want prime fireworks seating? Edgewaters Restaurant boasts unbeatable views on the patio. Reserve a table online or call 905.356.2217.
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Free concert by The Madhatters and fireworks display Victoria Park Stage [Map]

Chorus Niagara, Niagara’s premier 100-voice choral ensemble in St Catharines

From  A Spark to a Flame – Celebrating 50 Years of Choral  Brilliance!

Giuseppe  Verdi’s  Requiem – A Gala Presentation

 Chorus  NiagaraNiagara’s  premier 100-voice choral ensemble, with Artistic Director Robert Cooper, present  Giuseppe Verdi’s masterwork Requiem Saturday May 4th, 7:30pm,  at the historic Lake Street Armoury,  81  Lake StreetSt.  Catharines.  Audiences are invited to attend a  post-concert reception for the historic lighting of Chorus Niagara’s  50th Anniversary Candles and to enjoy a sample of the anniversary  celebration cake.

 

This  50th Anniversary season finale features over 200 singers and  instrumentalists and showcases a brilliant quartet of Canadian Opera stars.  Joining the 100 voices of Chorus Niagara  are Choralis Camerata and Chorus Niagara’s Community and  Side-by-SideHigh  School Chorales.  The Niagara Symphony  Orchestra accompanies the massed choir. This gala performance celebrates not  only the Golden Anniversary of Chorus Niagara, but also the 200th anniversary of the birth of Giuseppe Verdi,  Italy’s  most celebrated operatic composer.

 Audiences  will be dazzled by a Canadian superstar operatic quartet, comprised of Leslie  Ann Bradley, soprano; Anita Krause, mezzo-soprano; David Pomeroy, tenor and  Stephen Hegedus, bass-baritone.

 

Leslie  Ann Bradley, soprano,  possesses a voice described as ‘warm,  voluptuous and beautifully expressive’.  Opera Canada has described her as ‘A  stylish singer that recalled a young Renee Fleming.’  Equally at home in opera, concert and recital, Ms. Bradley has performed with  the Calgary Philharmonic, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Opera in Concert,  Brott Summer Music Festival, Boston Midsummer Opera, Toronto Operetta Theatre  and the Aldeburgh Connection.  A  graduate of the University of Toronto  Opera Program with a Master’s Degree, Ms. Bradley is also the winner of several prestigious  awards. She has appeared on BRAVO television in ‘Love  Story’ and recorded two episodes of ‘Opera  Easy’ for  BRAVO.

Verdi’s  Requiem was first performed in Milan Italy in May of 1874.  It was composed in  memory of Italian poet and novelist Alessandro Manzoni, who was much admired by  Verdi.  Giuseppe Verdi is the  composer of many well-known operas including Nabucco,  Rigoletto, Aida, Otello and Falstaff,  favourites of opera companies around the world today.  Requiem,  was a departure for the composer, who was considered to be an agnostic.  Verdi’s operatic style lent a complex  and theatrical flair to the Mass format, making it a dramatic audience  favourite.

Tickets  are available from the Brock University Box Office in  St.  Catharines 905-688-5550 ext. 3257; toll free 1-866-617-3257; online www.arts.brocku.ca , or from a chorus  member.   Media  Contact Paul Price 905-227-2356 paul.price@cogeco.ca 

Looking for accommodations in Niagara on the Lake call 1-866-226-4730

Wine & Herb Touring Pass event returns in May 2013

 

 


ENTERTAINMENT: Wine & Herb Touring Pass event returns in May

NIAGARA – The Wine & Herb Touring Pass Event returns in May 2013 and brings with it 27 unique VQA wine and food pairings created by the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Wine & Herb takes place Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in May from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Wine & Herb is a casual, light-hearted event that is ideal for guests exploring the art of pairing wine with food, and Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country,” says Tim Coons, Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake Touring Events Committee Chair.

Each winery’s approach to wine and food pairing is as unique as the winery itself, resulting in 27 distinct offerings, some of which feature newly released wines and wines only available at the winery.



Highlighting the TripAdvisor ranking of Niagara-on-the-Lake as Canada’s #1 Food and Wine Destination (Travellers’ Choice, 2011), a number of wineries are working closely with in-house chefs, or local restaurants and suppliers. The result is an array of wine and food pairings that use the featured herb and regional ingredients in fresh and innovative ways.

Local garden centre, Mori Gardens is once again partnering with the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake and supplying the herbs on display at each winery.

Touring passes are $43 per person (plus HST), entitling the holder to a VQA wine and food pairing at each of the 27 Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake and can be used any event weekend.

Touring passes can be purchased online at www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/wine-herb or by calling 905.468.1950. They will be available for purchase at Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake in April 2013.

Designated driver touring passes are $35 per person (plus HST) and entitle the holder to a food pairing and non-alcoholic beverage at each of the 27 Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Designated driver touring passes are valid any event weekend and can be purchased online at www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/wine-and-herb or by calling 905.468.1950. Limit one per purchase.

Learn more about the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake by visiting www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com or www.facebook.com/wineriesofniagaraonthelake.

Every day the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake welcome guests into wine country to savour the richness of the region and to experience the 27 distinct wineries, each with its own personality reflected in the wines they craft. The members of Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake are: Between the Lines, Cattail Creek, Château des Charmes, Colaneri, Coyote’s Run, Diamond Estates, Hinterbrook, Inniskillin, Jackson Triggs, Joseph’s, Konzelmann, Lailey, Marynissen, Niagara College, Palatine Hills, Peller Estates, Pillitteri, PondView, Ravine, Reif, Riverview, Small Talk Vineyards, Southbrook, Stratus, Strewn, Sunnybrook Farm and Trius Winery.

Follow the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake on Twitter @NiagaraWine.

Need overnight accommodations? Call us at 1-866-226-4730

Oast House – Micro-Brewery in Niagara on the Lake

First Draught: a saison from Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Oast House Brewer

 

By David Ort
This saison pairs well with just about any food (Image: David Ort)

New breweries seem to sprout up in groups. The once-dry Junction now has two; new ones are opening in Muskoka and now Niagara has a few. Last November, Oast House joined Silversmith Brewing Company in the growing club of breweries in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Farmhouse Saison is a notable selection from Oast House’s small portfolio of beers.

The two beers in Oast House’s Farmhouse series (the second one, the Biere de Garde, will be released soon), are bottle-conditioned for at least two months. This treatment gives the saison a cloudy haze that lends a glow to the dark straw colour. The aromas and flavours twist together spicy notes like clove and cardamom with fruity notes of orange peel and banana. There is a good deal of European-style hops in the background that leads smoothly into the refreshing, dry finish.

Historically, the saison style (originating from the French-speaking southern half of Belgium) was made in the early spring and stored for summer consumption during the busiest time of year for farm workers.

That said, I think saison’s ability to pair with just about any food helps it break free from the seasonal typecasting more than other hot-weather beers like wits and weissbiers. The bottle-conditioning provides a lively carbonation that cuts through the grease from fried foods; the fruity, herbal and floral notes contrast with darker meat flavours; and the slight hop bitterness keeps spicy food in line.

I look forward to sampling more of the brewery’s offerings, like the Barnraiser Country Ale and the Crop Duster Belgian IPA.

Appropriately for Niagara, Oast House partners Cian MacNeill and Mike Berlis are both accredited sommeliers with winery backgrounds. The brewmaster and third partner, Kevin Somerville, helped get Niagara College’s brewmaster program off the ground.

If you can’t make it out to Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Oast House saison is also available in Toronto at barVolo, The Rhino and Indie Ale House. Other beers from the catalogue are carried by Tequila Bookworm, Wvrst and Bar Hop.

MacNeill sees what he calls the “new Niagara” as encompassing more than just wine (or even beer), but also distilleries, restaurants, food trucks and markets that are about “diversity, creativity and ambition.”

Niagara Oast House Brewers Farmhouse Saison, $11 for a 750 mL bottle at the brewery

In addition to covering beer, new restaurants and food trucks for Post City, David Ort writes about food and drink for several Toronto publications including Spotlight Toronto and his own site, Food With Legs. For more of his thoughts on food, beer and life in general, follow him on Twitter.

A True Wine Lover’s Weekend at Strewn Cuvèe En Route March 1-3, 2013

Strewn Winery
A True Wine Lover’s Weekend at Strewn Cuvèe En Route March 1-3
Dear Friends of Strewn,
Order your tickets now for a true wine lover’s weekend! Cuvèe En Route, taking place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 1-3, is a unique opportunity to sample some of Niagara’s best wines, library selections and limited edition wines, many presented in horizontal and vertical tastings.
Touring passes, which provide access to tastings at more than 20 wineries cost

Winemaker’s Selection

$30 per person.  Purchase your pass by calling Strewn at 905-468-1229 and we will have it waiting for you when you arrive at the winery. Or if you RSVP prior to Feb.17, we could send your touring pass in the mail.
Strewn’s “Winemaker’s Selection” is a side-by-side tasting of our flagship red wine Strewn Three from three outstanding vintages: 2005, 2007 and 2010.  So you can compare these to a young wine, the flight also includes a barrel sample of 2011 Canadian Oak Meritage.  If you’d like to taste with an expert, Winemaker Marc Bradshaw will be on hand between 11 am and 3 pm to discuss the wines.
Note: a very limited supply of Strewn Three 2005 will be available for sale during Cuvee en Route (limit two bottles per purchase). This wine is sold out except for our library reserve.

                Include lunch or dinner at Terroir La Cachette – but make a reservation!

You can also experience Fabulicious’ fixed price menus that weekend at the Signature Kitchens of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Terroir La Cachette, the onsite restaurant at Strewn, will be offering a special three-course lunch for $25 and three-course dinner for $35.   Reservations required so don’t miss out! Call the restaurant at 905 468-1222 to book.

STAYING OVER NIGHT -  CALL-   1-866-226-4730 FOR YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN NIAGARA ON THE LAKE

 

Strewn Winery 1339 Lakeshore Road Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario   L0S 1J0 905 468 1229

DAYS OF WINE AND CHOCOLATE

Days of Wine and Chocolate

Come and experience the rustic charm of our Historic Woodruff House Wine Store.  Every Weekend in February Ravine will be offering up a Chocolate Pecan Tart paired with our 2011 Estate Cabernet Franc, made with grapes grown on our organic Vineyard.

Experience two of your favourite indulgences – wine and chocolate – as you never have before. As you tour the 28 Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake, each stop will feature a delectable pairing of a premium VQA wine and a locally handcrafted chocolate. Your palate will be tantalized with classic flavour combinations and unexpected surprises. This decadent event is perfect for a romantic weekend away, a girls-only getaway and everything in between.

For a complete list of the 28 pairings, please visit; www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com
Touring passes are $30 per person (plus applicable tax) and are valid for any of the four event weekends. Touring passes go on sale Thursday, December 5, 2011 and may be purchased online at: www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com or by calling   905.468.1950      . Guests are encouraged to purchase early as touring passes sell out quickly.

For more information about, visit  www.wineriesofniagaraothelake.com or the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wineriesofniagaraonthelake.

Follow the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake on Twitter @NiagaraWine.

Niagara Festival of Lights – 2012

 

Niagara Festival of Lights – 2012

 

Niagara Falls Festival of Lights, Canada
by Peter Mykusz

Niagara Falls Festival of Lights, Canada from Peter Mykusz on Vimeo.

NIAGARA FALLS IN THE WINTER TIME

Winter in Niagara Falls

Niagara on the Lake Cottage Rental

Niagara on the Lake Cottage Rental feels very blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family. This year, was great meeting and hosting so many incredible new guests at our cottage rental. Thank you for being a part of my life and I look forward to a great 2013!! Cheers, Maria

Call us at 1-866-226-4730 to make a reservation over the Christmas Season.

What to do in Niagara on the Lake

ACTIVITIES IN  NIAGARA ON THE LAKE
I have been told there are druids in our midst, and a lone beautiful fir in the nearby forest, currently bedecked with shiny baubles, may be proof. More evidence was the fairy dust and magic in the air at the Kristlemas Market at Stratus.
Everyone was sweet and joyous; the mild weather prevailed, luring folks out onto the patio to sip, savour and shop.
I’m sorry if you missed it all, including the Permtones in the press alley, but there’s hope for you yet: We plan to collaborate with Stratus on an expanded Kristlemas Market next year, among other things!
This weekend’s film at the Shaw is a popular one (W.E.), as will be the LunchMarket vendors: AVella’s Wood Fired Oven with several pizza options, and Curbside Crepes with sweet and savoury choices outside; and Lovin’ From the Oven inside with sandwiches, soup, chili, cheese trays and pomegranate panna cotta.
On the horizon, when you have made it through bustlemas and new cheers, you are invited to the Hottest Night in January: a Trinidadian Fete at the Old Winery Restaurant. The neo-Calypso, ever-adventurous band Kobo Town will keep you moving all night, even as you eat the special West-Indian-themed dishes; and you can slake your thirst with the featured rum-based cocktails. Limin’ strongly encouraged! (Thursday January 10; tickets, $15, available soon!)
Should you feel peckish and social the night before the concert, we will be relaunching the CounterCulture Supper Club on Wednesday January 9th at Balzac’s! Come and join your friends and neighbours over great food and fine spirits of all kinds—some in a glass, some in the souls sitting next to you.
So many more great things in the distance (Singles Minglecoworking! and more!), so much to look forward to. Mainly seeing you!
Merry, happy, joyous, soulful and profound wishes to all. And to all a good night!
Looking for a Bed and Breakfast or cottage rental while in Niagara?
Visit:  http://www.niagara-on-the-lake-cottagerental.com
Lauren O’Malley Norris

is Gathering Niagara  gatheringniagara.com