SMALL TALK VINEYARDS
In partnership with
The ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA – NIAGARA BRANCH
Present:
STARGAZING in the VINEYARD
Saturday, September 21st – 8-11PM
Doors open at 7:00pm – FREE ADMISSION!
Available for purchase:
Wine by the glass – $6
Tasting platters with a selection of local cheeses, smoked meats & crackers – $15
Small Talk Vineyards
1242 Irvine Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Looking for accommodations – Call 1-866-226-4730 or 905-980-0346
Aerial Image – Old Fort Erie
The muskets are primed and the cannons are loaded for the 27th Annual Siege Weekend at Old Fort Erie. August 10 and 11, witness a cannon-blast-from-the-past as Canada’s largest battle re-enactment weekend displays the excitement and drama of the War of 1812.
This year marks the 199th anniversary of the desperate fight for the fort and the 27th time the reenacting community will bring the events of 1814 back to life.
If you don’t like: loud noises, the roll of the drums, the smell of gun powder smoke, food cooking over an open fire, the crackle of musketry or a whiff of pipe smoke coming from a lone sentry on picket duty – this event is not for you. If you like your story telling for your kids and grandkids to be colourful, dramatic, even poignant and memorable – this is the event to attend.
Since the reenactors volunteer their time and considerable resources, the camps and battles are free for the weekend. However, the candle lit tour on Saturday night will put you in the action and regular admission to the Fort applies.
There are guided tours and demonstrations throughout the fort and the siege lines all weekend long. The serious action gets underway on Saturday morning at 11:00am when the U.S. Army takes over Fort Erie. At 2:00pm there is a battle on the south side of the Fort marking the battles of Chippawa and Lundy’s Lane. Of course at 8:00pm, the big battle of the weekend will be underway and the candle lit tours of the fort start just after 9:00pm from the new visitor centre, showing the effects of Drummond’s assault. Sunday will include the annual commemorative service at 10:30am and the weekend ends with a recreation of the battle known as the Sortie at 1:00pm.
Call us at 905-980-0346 for more information.
NIAGARA COTTAGE RENTAL
“VACATIOING RELAXED
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Join Niagara Parks to Celebrate Earth Day: Saturday, April 20, 2013
In celebration of Earth Day, The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) will host a number of events on Saturday, April 20, to encourage a greater appreciation of nature and our environmental surroundings. Join us and take part in the following programs:
4th Annual Friends of the Niagara Glen Earth Day Event Niagara Glen Nature Centre 3050 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Friends of the Niagara Glen invite everyone to gather at the Niagara Glen Nature Centre for free guided tours of the Glen, home to Ontario’s
Tree Planting at Niagara Parks
greatest concentration of Species at Risk. Tree plantings, geocaching demonstrations and a photo scavenger hunt will also be offered. The Friends Group and their partners will also be showcasing various displays and educational materials about their conservation efforts. Those planning to spend the day are encouraged to bring their own bagged lunch, refillable water bottles and appropriate footwear for rugged terrain.
NPC will also be offering free mulch for pick-up in the Niagara Glen parking lot. Please bring your own shovel and bags.
“Capture the Moment” Photography Workshop with Teresa Forte Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Conservatory Classroom 2565 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Looking to stay overnight? Call us at 1-866-226-4730 or visit our website at: www.niagaracottage.com
From A Spark to a Flame – Celebrating 50 Years of Choral Brilliance!
Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem – A Gala Presentation
Chorus Niagara, Niagara’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 Street, St. 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
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
Mar 04 2013
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.
By John Law, Niagara Falls Review
Kirk Schriefer is photographed inside of the Angel Inn where he based a film he recently completed on Jan. 22, 2013. Schriefer will be holding a screening of the film at Shaw Festival Theatre on Thurs. Jan 31, 2013. Julie Jocsak/ St. Catharines Standard/QMI Agency
It’s the movie a whole lot of meat pies paid for. Some rhubarb and lemon meringue too.
When transplanted Los Angeles moviemaker Kirk Schriefer wanted to get behind the camera again, the Virgil pastry shop he owns with wife Ruth Anne made it possible. Rather, the friends and customers they’ve made these past ten years did.
To fund the flick, he offered shares in their popular bakery, The Pie Plate. More than two dozen customers snatched them up, helping him raise $20,000 to make his indie drama The Angel Inn.
Yes, that Angel Inn. The one in Niagara-on-the-Lake which was perfect for his tale of three friends reconnecting after a tragedy when they co-inherit a pub.
The Olde Angel Inn, established in 1789 and rebuilt in 1816, is among the oldest pubs in Canada. It once served soldiers during the War of 1812, but in the summer of 2010, it hosted Schriefer and a crew of volunteer film students from Humber College . Starring Daniel Kelly, Carla Albi and Matthew Gonzales, the movie has its gala premiere at the Shaw Festival Jan. 31.
“It’s very photogenic, the inside of the Angel Inn,” says Schriefer. “All the wood, pillars and low ceilings. I wanted to shoot in there but didn’t want to go through the effort of masking over all the Angel Inn signs to call it Bob’s Pub or something.”
“So I said (to the owner) ‘Can I just call it the Angel Inn in the script?’ He said, ‘Ya, sure.’”
When the owner died, just before filming was to start, Schriefer had to ask for permission again to film inside the historic pub. He got the green light a second time.
The community spirit continued during filming. When Schriefer lamented he didn’t have a crane to get some shots, a friend didn’t just suggest a cherry picker, he cut him a $400 check to rent one for the day.
Even with all the generosity, the film’s budget quickly vanished. By the time he wrapped filming, there was nothing left for post-production. The film languished for a couple years.
“I was upset how long it was taking,” he says. “I thought at the time we had done the hardest part – shooting. I’ve come to learn since that it’s not the hardest part!”
“Every step of the way is as hard as the previous step. Nothing’s easy about making a movie.”
Now that it’s finished (with help from a Gemini-winning editor), he’s thrilled to see it screened at the Shaw Festival, of all places.
“It’s a huge, really classy theatre, and they have this huge screen set up for their film series during the winter. It’s going to be awesome.”
After its premiere, The Angel Inn will be shopped around to various film festivals, hopefully getting Schriefer closer to his next film – a comedy about a middle-aged mother who joins her son’s band.
”The best thing that could happen here is if I get the second movie made.”
john.law@sunmedia.ca