With Shrek The Musical wrapping things up at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre this weekend, the big stage won’t stay empty long, with a variety of performances coming up in February for lovers of classic stage genres — and one bigtime children’s entertainer to boot.
First up is dance, with Adagé Studio presenting their Winter Highlights on Wednesday, Feb. 8.
The show will include dancers of all ages and skill levels, from the adorable tiny tots to accomplished teen in genres from hip hop to ballet.
The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $32.50 for adults and $19.50 for children.
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On Friday, Feb. 10, enjoy professional musicians as the Cowichan Symphony Society presents Musical Genius: Pundits & Puzzles.
Under conductor Christian Kluxen, with Brian Yoon on cello, the Victoria Symphony presents a concert that is “all about compositional feats of intellectual genius!” says a press release for the show.
“From the clockwork intricacy of Biber’s ‘Battalia’ to Gulda’s bizarre orchestral ‘battle of the bands;’ from a dashed-off Mozart masterpiece that surprised even himself to a literal puzzle-piece by Knussen; these works comprise a dazzling showcase of the crystalline visions and inspired minds that could conceive such brilliance.”
The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $55 for adults and $10 for students and children.
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Then on Saturday morning, Feb. 11, The Met Opera: Fedora hits the theatre’s big screen.
This is the first time in 25 years that the Met has presented this opera by Umberto Giordano.
“Packed with memorable melody, showstopping arias, and explosive confrontations, Fedora requires a cast of thrilling voices to take flight, and the Met’s new production promises to deliver,” says a press release for the show.
Soprano Sonya Yoncheva sings the title role of a 19th century Russian princess who falls in love with her fiancé’s murderer, Count Loris (tenor Piotr Beczala).
David McVicar is directing.
Tickets are $35 for adults, $32 for seniors, and just $5 for students in grades 8-12 who want to try out the opera. The show starts at 9:55 a.m.
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Next up is the ballet. Ballet Jorgen’s Cinderella, to be exact, on Thursday, Feb. 16.
The company promises an “innovative and contemporary take” on the classic fairy tale of the downtrodden girl who plays servant to her wicked stepmother and stepsisters until she is chosen by the handsome prince at a grand ball, after some magic from her fairy godmother and a glass slipper, of course.
Contemporary it may be, but the music is Prokofiev, with Bengt Jorgen choreographing.
Tickets are $48 for adults, with a special student rate of $36, a family rate of $120 and a high school Grades 8-12 rate of $5. The family and high school tickets must be purchased by phone or in person at the Cowichan Ticket Centre in the lobby of the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan. The show starts at 7 p.m.
But for dancers, Ballet Jorgen isn’t just offering the show.
Dance classes are on offer from the company on Wednesday, Feb. 15. There’s a master class for ages eight through 11 at 4 p.m., a master class for ages 12 through 16 at 5:30 p.m. and a pointe shoe clinic at 7 p.m. Tickets for classes are $10.
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And then, for something completely different, beloved children’s performer Raffi will take the stage on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m.
“Raffi was a pioneer in quality recordings for children on his independent label, Troubadour. For millions of fans, Raffi’s music was the soundtrack of their childhoods, and they took his signature song ‘Baby Beluga’ to heart. These ‘beluga grads’ now share his music with their own children,” says a press release for the show.
Raffi recently released a new album with Lindsay titled Nursery Rhymes For Kinder Times.
Raffi has been recognized with the Order of Canada, the Order of BC, the U.N. Earth Achievement Award and four honourary degrees.
Tickets for the show are $64.50 for Tier 1, $54 for Tier 2 and $44 for Tier 3. Babes in arms is not available for this performance; everyone must have a ticket.
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Finishing off the month is Reel Alternatives, the fundraiser for Cowichan Hospice that brings critically acclaimed, lesser-known films to the big screen at the Cowichan Theatre.
On Monday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. the film is EO.
The film is described as a “gripping drama” by Polish filmmaker Jerzy Skolimowski that follows a senient donkey as it experiences the best and worst of humans.
The story is told through vignettes. It shared the Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes competition.
Tickets are $17.
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To purchase tickets for shows, go to cowichanpac.ca, or call the Cowichan Ticket Centre at 250-746-2722 or visit in person in the lobby of the Cowichan Community Centre on James St. in Duncan.