Historic Molson’s Mill Celebrates its 8th Summer Program

The Old Art School (Molson’s Mill) in Port Hope will once again be transformed into a spectacular music, art and drama program for children 6-13 this summer. Celebrating its 8th successful summer JTTA’s Summer Program has attracted over 1,000 children to its picturesque location along the Ganaraska River. Throughout July and August budding artists, actors and musicians flock to the mill to experience the widest range of arts interaction in Northumberland. Guitar strings are plucked, paintings are created, plays are performed and songs are composed under the guidance of Ontario College of Art and Design graduate Christine Benson, local musician and guitar instructor Mike Woods and York University acting graduate Sarah Foord all Port Hope natives. JTTA was founded in 2002 as a way to promote the importance of music, art and drama as staples in a child’s growth and development.
The Summer Program is housed inside a wonderful mill that in 1924 became part of a very colourful chapter in the history of Canadian art. From 1924-1941 it was the Ontario College of Art Summer School which was organized and taught by renowned Canadian artist J.W. Beatty. During that time it was a formative experience for young art students who have described their summers at the mill as “the best in their lives”.
This history combined with the exciting projects, performances and friendships formed provides children with an unprecedented experience in the arts. JTTA’s 2009 Summer Registration is now open. Please attend our Registration Day on Saturday, June 6 from 10:00-11:00. For more information please visit www.journeythroughthearts.com or email journeythroughthearts@bellnet.ca

The Forsyth Report - The Woolgatherer

Hailed as “a truly hysterical play, in both the funny and the crazy sense of the word this award-winning "dram-edy" is set in South Philadelphia and revolves around Rose and Cliff, two half-crazy people searching for love in a world gone mad.”
Hypersensitive Rose is haunted by her past and obsessed by destruction. She has compassion for everything--from the chair she rescued from the curbside to the dead cactus she won't throw out, because, as she says hopefully, "You never know."
Rose works behind the candy counter of the five-and-dime, and dreams of true love and how she'll meet a man one day who doesn't smoke, drink, curse or make fun of her, a guy "with a smile you can hang onto," someone she can speak to "without words."
Instead, she encounters the fast-talking, wisecracking Cliff, a transcontinental truck driver waiting for his rig to be repaired, who wanders into her store looking for some wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am action. He’s a beer-swilling, wannabe parachute jumper who mocks Rose, her dilapidated apartment and her antiquated value system, even as he tries to seduce her.
Despite their seeming incompatibility this odd couple is drawn together by a mutual fear of commitment and by a longing for love. While Cliff is perplexed by Rose's oversensitivity and her love of poetry, he senses he can trust her. And while Rose is repelled by Cliff's vulgarity, she respects his desire for "life before death" and his way of laughing off the everyday tragedies.

I went to see The Woolgatherer at the Capitol Theatre and I can tell you that Lauren Page Russell and Beau Dixon are extraordinary in what must be very difficult parts to nail down. They nailed ‘em. I saw Lauren last year in “The Last Five Years” and Beau in “The Full Monty”. Casting them together in The Woolgatherer is inspired, as is Tim Russell’s direction. Tim is Lauren’s dad, an actor and the technical genius at the Capitol theatre whose directing skills are very exciting. Sincerely hope he does more.

Selena Forsyth.