The Arts, Theatre and Cultural Attractions

While the total population in Ontario's Sunset Country is small by big city standards, the number of groups and organizations dedicated to promoting culture, the arts and theatre is truly amazing.You can enjoy a complete cultural experience from folk art to drama, from oil painters to musical performers - it's all here!

Kenora

Kenora’s artistic interest groups have no boundaries. Whether it is local arts and crafts displayed in shops and galleries, musicians, or drama and theatre groups, both on the stage and behind the camera, it is apparent that Kenora is enriched with loads of creative inventors.

The Rogue Apples – The Rogue Apples are a comedy troupe based in Kenora who write, produce and perform their own material. The group, with an ever-changing group of cast members, has existed in the area since 2000. The group can work both with previously written sketches as well as improvisational acts. Often in performances the group will ask for audience participation as well. The Apples perform both in public for events such as dinner parties and organization gatherings as well as for private audiences.

Rogue Apples Website Phone 1-807-466-6530

Try Light Theatre Productions

Located in Kenora’s First Baptist Church, Gordon Day Janz runs a community theatre program designed for those who share a love of acting. The company produces and performs two plays a year, usually rotating between a musical production and a dramatic show.

807-468-8224

Find more info on the Lake of the Woods Arts Collective.

Concerts and Festivals along the Harbourfront

During the summer Kenora hosts many concerts and performances on the Harbourfront, better known as the ‘Summer Concert Series.’ The performances include a wide variety of acts, as members of Kenora as well as tourists are able to see acts not only from Kenora but surrounding areas as well. The Concert Series performers consist of classical, jazz and blues musicians, pop and rock vocalists as well as dancers and other musical acts.

The acts can vary from a cultural show, such as a Native American Jingle Dress dance group to a traditional Ecuadorian band to a local band or musician giving a concert or benefit. These concerts are a great way to spend an evening on the lake with the family and best of all – every performance is free!

Similarly to the Summer Concert Series is a free musicians jam session at Kenora’s Anicinabe Park. Held weekly on Wednesday nights, the pavilion at the beach is set up with amps, microphones, a drum kit and P.A speakers. Freelance musicians, instrumentalists as well as vocalists, both from Kenora as well as tourists are welcome to perform in front of a crowd of friendly fans and people passing by – all that is required is an instrument or a voice to sing with.

E-mail Nancy at anicinabepark@live.com. Summer Concert Series – Lucia Melnyk

Dryden

Visit the Dryden Area Cultural Partnership Facebook page.

The all volunteer Dryden Entertainment Series has lots to offer visitors and locals alike in the City of Dryden!

Find out more information about some of the activities and events put on by the Dryden Regional Arts Council.

The Dryden Regional Training and Cultural Centre is a fantastic place to learn and to be entertained.

Atikokan

Atikokan Centre for Arts and Alternatives

The Atikokan Centre for Arts and Alternatives gives the townspeople a chance to express what they believe is the spirit of Atikokan through visual, performing, youth and child programs and alternative art. The Centre is located by the beautiful Quetico Park, a location that parallels the unique and creative artworks created by the group inside the centre for arts and alternatives. The Centre, open to all, focuses itself on four categories, which are: performance art, such as theatre productions, coffee houses and other local musician performances on display.

The second category is visual arts, such as photography, painting and drawing. A more hands on way of creating art such as pottery, wood carving and other tangible creations are the third category and finally is alternatives – which in short symbolizes the lifestyle choices made by those involved in the group. This category includes dance and sport classes/workshops as well as diet and exercise tips. These classes vary from soccer to yoga – there is something for everybody.

The centre’s mandate is to create a safe and inspirational space for all people, young and old alike to be able to express their creativity and to develop skills and talents that embody the community identity. The Centre holds public festivals, concerts and exhibits frequently to showcase the growing talent in Atikokan.

Atikokan Arts Website Phone: 807-597-8738

Fort Frances

Fort Frances has many entertainment and cultural groups and events held throughout the year that are used to promote the talent in the town as well as to invite others who may be interested in involve themselves or to be a part of the crowd. The town of Fort Frances is also heavily involved in the promotion of surrounding areas’ cultural and art events.

Tour de Fort Concert Series

Tour de Fort is a non-profit organization who finds interesting and enjoyable entertainment to the town of Fort Frances. These acts include jazz musicians, hip-hop artists, nationally acclaimed plays as well as dancers and musicals. The Series began in 1993, and they have been growing strong bringing in 6-10 shows a year.

Tour de Fort Website 807-274-3704

The Little Theatre Group

Also known as ‘Actors Without Borders’ this is a strong, non-profit community driven theatre group that have been in existence for nearly 40 years. This semi-professional group’s repertoire ranges from full-length plays, to comedy sketches to short vignettes. They are available for public performances as well as private parties for entertainment.

The Border Concert Series

Events are held in International Falls, Minnesota, just south of Fort Frances. These concert series hold about 6-8 shows a year, with a wide variety of styles and they are easily accessible to both local residents, tourists as well as nearby American residents.

Fort Frances-List of Attractions (807) 274-9276.

The Little Beaver Cultural Centre in Fort Frances is a meeting place for music, the arts and culture.

Sioux Narrows

Sioux Narrows Arts Festival

Each year, people come from all over to see the wonderfully crafted pieces at the Sioux Narrows Arts Festival. The festival began almost 50 years ago, and since then it has grown to be a famous festival! Crafts from both local Canadian artists as well as the United States include pottery, paintings, woodcarvings, jewelry, fashion, glass as well as fishing equipment, furniture and nature photography.

The festival also include musicians from the surrounding areas that give the festival a sense of locality. Sioux Narrows Arts Festival is a great way to unite the local artist’s spirit with the trendy art of surrounding areas and the U.S. The festival is all ages and is a great way to spend a day in Sioux Narrows with the family!

Summer Concert Series

Sioux Narrows also holds a Summer Concert Series; a weekly event held in the evening that includes musicians either from local or surrounding areas. The concerts are free of charge and are all ages - a great opportunity to spend time with the family.

Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls Website 807-226-5293

Red Lake

Red Lake has a lot going on culturally speaking. A great place for more information on events and activities is the Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre.

Ear Falls

Trout Forest Music Festival

Each year, Ear Falls hosts their “Music in the Woods” celebration, The Trout Forest Music Festival. This festival has been held in Ear Falls for 14 years on the performance stage at their local Waterfront Park. Earlier stages of the festival were only day festivities, but the event now spans three whole days of music, workshops, late night jam sessions and unique shops put up.

The Trout Forest Music Festival is a great chance to experience Ear Falls’ culture, art and a perfect opportunity to take in the striking scenery as a backdrop for a campground! The festival gives visitors a sense of being in the great outdoors, while still allowing people to be in walking distance of all amenities in the town district. This short distance is appreciated, as although there are quite camping passes, many campers at the festival enjoy taking part in the all night jam sessions held in the woods.

Trout Festival Website 807-222-2404

Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay is by far the largest city in Northwestern Ontario. It has a rich artistic and cultural base with many great performers, artists and arts/cultural organizations.

Check out Definitely Superior a Centre and Gallery run by artists, for artists.

Get Your Arts and Cultural Organization Listed Here!

If you are part of an arts or cultural organization that operates in Northwestern Ontario and you would like information about what you do listed here, please contact Gerry Cariou at Ontario's Sunset Country Travel Association 1-800-665-7567. Email gcariou@sunsetcountry.net

There is no charge for arts and cultural groups to get listed.