A Taste of Westben
A Taste of Westben – Always a Discovery
This Year Westben goes Tuscan!
Welcome to another extraordinary fund-raising event of wine, whim and song proudly presented in support of the Westben Arts Festival Theatre near Campbellford on Saturday, September 13 from noon to 4 pm. Designed and catered by sprucewood event planning & catering, the afternoon offers four superb menus gracing Westben’s pastoral grounds. Wander and graze to your heart’s content while refreshing yourself with an accompanying wine. Just add to these culinary delights a little fine art and some superb music-making, and you are experiencing “A Taste of Westben!”
While all of this is tickling your taste buds, let your eyes dance across a stage full of fine art by some of the area’s favourite painters. Take the opportunity to meet some of the artists right there! Or browse through the eclectic items available in the silent auction or antiques corner (info and on-line bidding at
www.westben.ca).
And in true Westben fashion, let some of the best in music-making bathe you like late summer sunshine!
Besides enjoying the fabulous food, wine, art & music, you will be happy to know that you are helping the Westben Arts Festival Theatre. “A Taste of Westben” is this charitable, not-for-profit organization’s primary fund-raising event of 2008. Westben is deeply appreciative of the generosity of all the many donors (including silent auction item donors and all guest artists) who are helping the event to thrive.
Call the Box Office for more details at 653-5508 or toll free at 1-877-883-5777. Better yet, visit Westben at
http://www.westben.ca for a complete up-date on the silent auction items (available as of June), as well as online bidding.
Join Westben for this veritable late-summer countryside feast for all the senses
Tickets: $75
Contact: Cathy or Donna at The Box Office
Westben Arts Festival Theatre
P.O. Box 1413, Campbellford, Ontario, K0L 1L0
705 653 5508 or Toll Free 877 883 5777
The Magic Ornament
Westben Arts Christmas – The Magic Ornament
A new Christmas Musical based on an original story by Michael Nitsch
November 15 & 16 at 2 pm (St. John’s United Church, Campbellford)
November 22 & 23, at 2 pm (The Westben Barn)
“Victor loved Christmas Eve, especially the trimming of the tree and Father’s reading of the Christmas story from the old family Bible. But the Christmas Eve when Victor was ten came to be remembered for much more…”
Join Victor and his family as their traditional Christmas is transformed when a magical decoration opens up a portal into another world. The Westben Choruses join forces in this choral adaptation of an original story and music by Michael Nitsch. Blending favourite Christmas traditions with an unexpected sense of magic and imagination, the 75 minute production is suitable for the entire family and groups of all ages. Performances at St. John’s are in a comfortable church setting while performances at The Barn require warm winter wear, including footwear. Hot apple cider and propane patio heaters help, but please be advised that The Barn is not insulated.
Westben Youth Chorus, Westben Teen Chorus, Westben Festival Chorus
Donna Bennett & Brian Finley, directors
($15-$30 Ask about the Family pass)
Westben-Concerts at The Barn
Westben – Concerts at The Barn presents its 9th season of world class music in wide open countryside with a performance lineup that includes classical, Broadway, jazz and world music.
This 9th season includes Symphony and Operetta, featuring the return of the UBC Opera Ensemble performing in the opening and presenting Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. Spectacular Saturday Nights features Schubertiad, a evening commemorating the musical genius of Franz Schubert; the return of renowned tenor Michael Burgess, and Classical 96.3FM’s Alexa Petrenko hosts a Saturday Night at the Opera featuring four of Canada’s acclaimed opera singers. Tuesday Evenings concert series welcomes Quebec guitarist Patrick Kearney, Les Voix humaines trapeze artists of the viola da gamba, Louis Lortie, one of Canada’s greatest pianists, and an evening of classical piano with Westben’s Brian Finley. This year’s Broadway in the Barn program is Lerner & Loewe on Love featuring Laura Pudwell, Colin Ainsworth, Curtis Sullivan, Donna Bennett and Brian Finley. Jazz Out of This World features Music of the Mediterranean, presenting Portuguese Fado, Spanish Flamenco and Greek Rembetika.
For a complete schedule of concerts, ticket subscriptions and travel packages log on to
www.westben.ca
Westben brings music, nature, and innovative online technology together in perfect harmony
For Immediate Release
Westben brings music, nature, and innovative online technology together in perfect harmony.
Westben Arts Festival Theatre co-founders Brian Finley and Donna Bennett are proud to announce the launch of Westben’s new website http://www.westben.ca
In 1999, The Westben Arts Festival Theatre was formed as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating, enriching and integrating professionals and amateurs in musical projects and educational activities. Now a charitable organization, it has become one of the most unique cultural experiences in Ontario. Westben’s primary venue, “The Barn”, is located three kilometres north-west of Campbellford, on gently rolling farmland. This magnificent 400 seat timber-frame barn opens onto a lush meadow, surrounded by the gently rolling hills of NorthumberlandCounty. The stage hosts an incredible array of renowned Canadian and international artists, from full symphony orchestras and choruses to chamber music and soloists presenting classical, broadway and world jazz music.
Although Westben has had an online presence for sometime, they felt it was time to refresh the site and take it in a new direction. “Westben truly is a magical experience and we want a website that reflects that magic and provides an online experience that is as unique as the venue itself.”, says co-founder Donna Bennett. “The website needs to be a natural extension of the experience that we have worked so hard to create for our patrons”, she adds.
The website – http://www.westben.ca – was created by the team at Belleville-based ad agency They Integrated Inc., the same agency responsible for the recent revamp of their annual brochure and print advertising, including ads in the LCBO’s Food & Drink Magazine. The new website features an interactive blog, dynamic photo gallery, online ticket system, interactive calendar, and information on the venue and performers. It also features a robust Content Management System that allows Westben to control all of the content on their site while maintaining the integrity of the design.
For additional information about The Westben Arts Festival Theatre, visit the website at http://www.westben.ca or contact Donna Bennett.
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Westben Arts Festival Theatre, Inc.
P.O. Box 1413,
Campbellford, ONK0L 1L0
Telephone: 1-705-653-5508
Toll-free: 1-877-883-5777
Fax: 1-705-653-3180
Imagine an out-of-city experience!
Welcome to world class music in wide open countryside.
Looking for a new way to enjoy world class music? Try visiting the Westben Arts Festival Theatre just outside of Campbellford, Ontario. Founded by internationally-renowned musicians, soprano Donna Bennett and pianist Brian Finley, Westben is where the best of music and nature spring to life in your company. http://www.westben.on.ca
Nestled amongst the peaceful hills of Northumberland County, ninety minutes east of Toronto, Westben’s primary performance venue is a custom-built, timber-frame barn. The Barn seats 400 and combines state-of-the-art acoustics with a rustic yet sophisticated atmosphere. On sunny days from June to September, massive walls and doors roll away allowing music to waft over the surrounding meadow. Imagine sunshine, smiles and fresh country breezes while listening to everything from Bach to Broadway favourites, opera and jazz!
Round out your experience with area guest packages, or a Meadow Passes with gourmet picnic basket. Please visit our concert listing page.
Press Release 2007
Westben – Concerts at The Barn celebrates its 8th season with a performance lineup to excite music lovers of all ages. World class music in wide open countryside includes classical, Broadway, jazz and world music.
The 2007 season launches on Saturday, June 30 with the symphonic Chopin & Champagne Gala, featuring pianist Janina Fialkowska and the Westben Festival Orchestra and Chorus. The UBC Opera Ensemble returns with Gilbert & Sullivan’s frolicking operetta, The Gondoliers. Renowned musicians include pianists Angela Hewitt, 2006 Gramophone Artist of the Year; André Laplante, Officer of the Order of Canada and Minsoo Sohn, winner of the 2006 Honen’s International Piano Competition. Also on stage is Guido Basso and the True North Brass and pipa virtuosa, Yadong Guan. Westben’s ever-popular Broadway review at The Barn features favourites from Oklahoma to South Pacific in Summertime & Hammerstein.
Westben also launches Saturday evening concerts, including Saturday Night at the Opera hosted by CBC’s Howard Dyck, and featuring Mark DuBois, Donna Bennett and Bruce Kelly and Al Purdy at the Quinte Hotel. Jazz Out of This World takes on a Latin twist with Norteno Tango Nuevo, Hilario Duran and the Herencia Latina 12-piece salsa band.
For a complete schedule of concerts, ticket subscriptions and travel packages log on to http://www.westben.on.ca