By Lizabeth Jenkins-Dale
We all know that Sault Sainte Marie is a sports town. Athletic opportunities abound all year long. For example, just this weekend is the famous 46th Annual International 500 Snowmobile Race. But, do sports and music go together?
Go to any sports event and there is music. Music greets spectators before the game, thrills the audience while introducing team players, instills national pride during the singing of national anthem(s), fills the space during team timeouts, lifts the spirits of fans, and sends spectators home after the game is over. Yes, sports and music definitely go together.
And, music and sports historically have been together in Sault Sainte Marie as there was a thriving music community in the 50’s and 60’s in addition to its sports community. The Soo Theatre Project’s goal is to return, enhance, and create an even more intense music community again. And, for over ten years, STP has been building it, and people of all ages are coming!
Margie Wierzbicki of Sault Ste. Marie states it this way:
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“When I moved here from Detroit over 15 years ago this town did not seem to me to have much in music or arts. It seemed to be mainly a sports town, and in order to participate or enjoy the arts I had to go over the river to Canada. With STARS, the community has a wonderful opportunity to enjoy live theatre, concerts, or even expand their musical interests with the various classes. I think many people thought there was not much interest in fine arts here but STARS showed them that ‘if you build it, they will come.’ How much STARS has grown over 10 years proves there is a lot of interest in music and theatre in our community.”
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Yes, Margie, music interest this past summer was quite evident in the packed historic Soo Theatre for all of the “Fiddler On The Roof” performances. Remember hearing Canada’s Brian Miller with his goose bump-making-deep-booming voice as he sang, “Sunrise, Sunset?” Or when he sang, “If I Were a Rich Man?” How about the ghostly Fruma Sarah character’s entrance over the bed during the nightmare scene so professionally performed by local music teacher Lisa Justin? The audience was wowed over and over again throughout the entire musical!
Do you remember the incredible props for the Hansel and Gretel opera? And, the awesome witch performance by guest performer Scott Wichael of Kansas City?
Still on an artistic high from last summer, the Soo Theatre Project has been diligently working toward creating the 2014 summer season of performances (and summer camps) for this sports AND music town of Sault Sainte Marie and its surrounding communities.
Not only is The Soo Theatre Project preparing for the summer season, but the performers are as well. Those currently taking lessons from STP’s talented teachers are all part of the upcoming season’s groundwork. Come, join the preparation now by taking advantage of the STP offerings: art (sketching, watercolors, drawing), voice (concert, opera, music theatre, choir), instruments (piano, violin, cello, viola, flute, harp, clarinet, accordion), theatre (summer camps, drama), and dance (tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, hula hoop). All these classes going on now will “feed” into the 2014 summer season of performances. Enroll today!
Upcoming exciting event: The Soo Theatre Project is sponsoring a mystery dinner titled “Pasta, Passion, and Pistols” on Sunday, March 2 at 6 pm at the delicious Antlers Restaurant. Tickets are now available for this interactive dinner at the STP office located on Ashmun Street just north of the marquee or (906) 632-1930.
Also, save the date: June 1, 2014 for The Soo Theatre Project’s annual Dance Recital!
