Grand Opening Ceremonies & Gala for the NEW Midland Cultural Centre June 9, 2012 · Jun 11, 05:24 pm
So many wonderful events, including an official Ribbon Cutting at 10:30am to a large crowd outside for the Grand Opening of the New Midland Cultural Centre, to be known as the MCC.
Tours of this beautiful building started at 11am .. with live music by different local musicians performing all day inside the MCC lobby – many of which have performed here at CLAUSTRO … and to name a few … Scott Cooper, Karla Crawford, Sarah Calvert, Dylan Lock, Heath Canyon & Kelly Davies … all the while, people were milling about and viewing the 4 different Quest Art Galleries, touring the Huronia Players Theatre and the Rotary Hall, where two CLAUSTRO Sculpted Paintings were being displayed in suspension 30 feet from the floor. What a sight! ART, THEATRE, ARCHITECTURE, and CULTURE … and so many people enjoying this new Centre with so much activity happening indoors and out all day and into the evening!
The Opening Ceremonies included a Black Tie Gala in the Rotary Hall held by the Huronia Foundation for the Arts & The Board of Directors for the MCC. What a wonderful evening! As we arrived, we saw that activities for the Grand Opening was continuing with a live performance by the Dirty Little Swing Things (AMAZING BAND!!!!) so we decided to join in on the fun before heading inside to begin our gala evening. What fun!
Once inside, local Lefaive sisters, were performing classical violin, while everyone enjoyed wine and h’or doeuvres in the Reception Hall prior to the Dinner.
And the evening continued to just get better and better – a beautifully decorated Rotary Hall with tables set with calla lilies, spring green chiffon accents, a centre stage with a magnificent 7 foot Black Steinway Grand Piano, all backdropped with two stunning CLAUSTRO sculpted paintings, suspended 30 feet from the floor, and appearing light as air. Elegant!
The evening was to honour Mr. Reinhart Weber, the man responsible for this New 30,000 square foot building to be Midland’s Cultural Centre for the Arts. Work on the $8 million project began in September 2010 following a donation from Reinhart Weber and the Weber Foundation, which provided a $7.5 million donation, which is described as the largest single charitable donation in the history of Simcoe County.
What an honour to be a part of this marked event (and the Centre is only one block from our CLAUSTRO Studios & Gallery!).
The evening started with a Piano Recital by accomplished local classical pianist, John French. John is the first to have performed on this Grand Piano, another donation and permanent instrument of the Rotary Hall. To a darkened room, other than spot lighting on John French, and the two CLAUSTRO paintings suspended above Mr. French, the audience was captivated by John’s passionate performance by composers, Schubert, Brahms, Beethoven, and Bartok.
After a very fine dinner by Chef, Ivars Rasa, and his wonderful staff, Louis Lefaive & the Kings of Swing, quickly got everyone to their feet dancing! Two saxaphonists, an Upright Bass, Drums, Keyboardist, and 2 vocalists with backup – they were OUTSTANDING! What an absolutely wonderfully memorable and fun evening!
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Grand Opening of MCC June 9, 2012.
Stu Leggett at the Grand Opening Ceremonies of the New MCC in Midland.
Face Painting and Painting on the Street for the Grand Opening of the MCC.
Artist, Donald Pettit, painting a piano at the MCC for the grand opening ceremonies.
People viewing the art in one of the Quest Galleries at the grand opening of the MCC in Midland.
Some dancing for Kelly Davies of Dirty Little Swing Things at MCC Grand Opening.
Dirty Little Swing Things perform live outdoors at the MCC Grand Opening.
Stu Leggett and Stefan Kramp do a little jig for the camera before the MCC gala.
Kelly Davies of Dirty Little Swing Things at the MCC ... Kelly will be performing solo at CLAUSTRO June 16! Don't miss it!
Having fun outside the MCC before the Gala!
Musician, Scott Cooper, dancing his heart out at the MCC Grand Opening.
Pat File, dancing, and looking beautiful before the MCC Gala.
Carol Currie dancing to the Dirty Little Swing Things outside the MCC, prior to the Grand Opening Gala.
The Lefaive sisters performing classical violin at the MCC Gala during reception.
MCC Grand Opening Gala Reception, June 9, 2012.
MCC Gala, backdropped by CLAUSTRO painting, Fred Hacker, talks about MCC Patron, Mr. Weber.
Backdropped by two CLAUSTRO paintings, Classical Pianist, John French, performs 4 beautiful pieces for the Gala.
Dancing up a storm at the MCC Gala to an amazing local swing band.
What fun - great music, dancing, food and art at the MCC Gala Opening!
— Carol Currie
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