Category Archives: Arts and culture

Join comedy legend Colin Mochrie and master hypnotist Asad Mecci at the River Run Centre on Thursday, January 30, at 8 p.m. Continue reading Mind-bending improvisational comedy with Colin Mochrie and Asad Mecci

Famed Canadian troubadour featured in River Run Centre’s Miijidaa Life Stories series GUELPH ON January 8, 2020 – One of Canada’s most beloved performers, Valdy has earned admiration from fans and critics during a career spanning five decades and 16 recordings. The celebrated troubadour discusses his life and career during In Conversation with Valdy at River Run Centre on Wednesday, January 22, at 8 p.m. The Co-operators Hall performance is presented as part of the Miijidaa Life Stories series. During an evening titled Celebrating 50 Years of Touring, Valdy shares stories about his life in music, including his rise to prominence with the 1972 single Rock ’n’ Roll Song, winning Juno Awards as Folk Singer of the Year and Folk Entertainer of the Year and… Continue reading Valdy: Sharing his life in music

The Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame inductees perform selections from their catalogue of hits at River Run Centre on Sunday, January 19, at 8 p.m. Continue reading Rocking with Canadian icons 54•40

Guelph, Ont., January 6, 2020 – The media are invited to attend the official launch of the Guelph Arts Apprenticeship Program (GAAP). The GAAP is a pilot program, which connects new graduates from the arts and humanities disciplines at the University of Guelph with local employment opportunities. The objective is to retain skilled talent within our community and help new graduates launch their career in Guelph. Employers who commit to a 12-month contract with a program participant are reimbursed for four months of salary to a maximum of $4,000 per month. Guelph’s pilot program is looking to fill 10 positions in 2020. What Bridging the GAAP: Official launch of Guelph Arts Apprenticeship Program Photo and interview opportunities Who Mayor Cam Guthrie, City of Guelph Franco… Continue reading Bridging the GAAP: Official launch of Guelph Arts Apprenticeship Program January 7

The band brings its unique brand of music to River Run Centre on Friday, January 17, at 8 p.m. Continue reading Raucous bluegrass courtesy of The Slocan Ramblers

The City of Guelph invites artists to apply for a chance to become the City’s next Artist in Residence for 2020. Continue reading Are you Guelph’s 2020 Artist in Residence?

Trio performs heartwarming ‘Songs for a Snowy Season’ shows at River Run Centre GUELPH, ON December 6, 2019 – Guelph musicians Katherine Wheatley and Tannis Slimmon – along with new Boreal member Angie Nussey – welcome winter with outstanding harmonies, brilliant songwriting and beautiful lyrics during Songs for a Snowy Season at River Run Centre on Friday, December 20 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 21 at 2 p.m. The Co-operators Hall performances are presented as part of the Borealis Music Series. Boreal’s seasonal concerts of original songs and holiday classics have become a tradition across Ontario for more than a decade, celebrating the coming of winter and beauty of the season. Change is in the air for the trio in 2019, with longtime member… Continue reading Boreal continues a wintertime tradition

Young members of legendary musical family perform at the River Run Centre GUELPH, ON November 29, 2019 – Joyful, positive and energetic. Young members of the legendary Leahy family will share the spirit of the season during A Next Generation Leahy Christmas at the River Run Centre on Saturday, December 14, at 7:30 p.m. The Main Stage performance is presented as part of the Guelph Infiniti Music Series. A Next Generation Leahy Christmas features Leahy siblings Adele, Gregory, Angus, Cecilia, Joseph and Evelyn displaying their outstanding talents in a youthful Celtic holiday celebration. All 16 years old or younger, the siblings are accomplished multi-instrumentalists whose live performances feature the high-energy, infectious Celtic-based music associated with the Leahy name. Fiddle, cello, French accordion, singing, piano and… Continue reading A Next Generation Leahy Christmas brings holiday cheer to Guelph

Mayor Cam Guthrie will light the Christmas tree in Market Square on November 30, 2019 from 7 – 8 p.m. The official tree lighting will take place at 7:45 p.m. Continue reading Join us for the Mayor’s Tree Lighting event

Artists and artist collectives can apply for a chance to create one of two exterior murals on the east wall of the East Parkade facing Woolwich Street. Continue reading Apply to create murals for the East Parkade

Iconic musician performs intimate solo show at River Run Centre GUELPH, ON November 15, 2019 – Rock ’n’ roll icon Burton Cummings continues building on his legendary career. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame member presents an evening of his timeless hits at River Run Centre during Burton Cummings: Up Close and Alone on Friday, November 29, at 8 p.m. The Main Stage performance is presented as part of the Guelph Infiniti Music Series. “Jam-packed with numerous hits by The Guess Who and from his solo career, interspersed with stories behind his best-known songs,” The Daily Courier says of Burton Cummings: Up Close and Alone. In addition to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Cummings is a member of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame… Continue reading Rock ’n’ roll legend Burton Cummings takes the stage in Guelph

The City is bringing back the Guelph Urban Design Awards to celebrate design excellence and recognize thoughtful, innovative and sustainable urban design features that enhance our city’s unique sense of place. The awards were last held in 2006. Continue reading Celebrating design excellence in Guelph

Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the Wilson Street Public Art Project and the Main Street Mural Project starting October 26. Continue reading Take a walking tour of Wilson Street’s new public art

City of Guelph staff proposes that City Council consider moving Locomotive 6167 to John Galt Park following notification from Metrolinx that the City’s lease on their property will expire in December 2020. Continue reading City staff propose options for relocating Locomotive 6167

The City of Guelph will postpone a discussion about the Baker District redevelopment after learning that projected costs for the current library design are higher than they were understood to be when a staff report was placed on City Council’s agenda for Monday, July 22. Continue reading City postpones library discussion in wake of new financial information

The four finalists for the Main Street mural project have been chosen. The artwork is expected to be installed in September 2019 along Wilson Street. Continue reading Artists selected for Main Street mural project

Local First Nations, Métis, Mixed Ancestry, Inuit and the City of Guelph are excited to share the completion of a Sacred Fire space located in Royal City Park. Continue reading Indigenous community partners with City to create Sacred Fire space in Royal City Park

Great entertainment comes to Guelph! Guelph, ON May 28, 2019 – River Run Centre launches its 2019-2020 season of professional entertainment with a lineup that promises something for everyone and outstanding performances and artistry. The programming is supported by Richardson GMP, the new Season Sponsor, and funded in part by the Government of Canada. “We’re looking forward to sharing a riveting 2019-2020 Season with all of you” says River Run Centre Theatre Manager, Bill Nuhn. “We know we’ll have you all on the edge of your seats with the very best artists and entertainers taking the stage right here in Guelph. And we’re thrilled to grow our partnership with Richardson GMP as our new 2019-2020 Season Sponsor. As long-time supporters, they exemplify true leadership in… Continue reading River Run Centre announces a riveting 2019-2020 Season

Balnar Management Ltd. has gifted the City of Guelph a five-panel art piece of the Carousel at Riverside Park painted by Marlene Jofriet. Continue reading New artwork installed in Market Square pavilion

Mallory Tolcher has been named this year’s City of Guelph Artist in Residence. Tolcher’s project, called #GuelphMovesMe, promotes physical fitness. Continue reading Mallory Tolcher is Guelph’s 2019 Artist in Residence

The Guelph Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors is pleased to announce the names of the 2019 inductees who will be celebrated at a ceremony this May. Continue reading Guelph Sports Hall of Fame welcomes five inductees

The City’s Sounds of Guelph video series is the winner of the 2018 Award of Excellence from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO). Continue reading Sounds of Guelph wins Award of Excellence

Sounds of Guelph is a finalist for the 2018 Award of Excellence from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO). Continue reading Sounds of Guelph a finalist for Award of Excellence

The City’s Culture Hub and Makers Market, presented earlier this fall in celebration of Culture Days, has been recognized for outstanding participation. Continue reading Guelph named runner-up in Culture Days spotlight program

Guelph has made the Top Ten Cities and Towns list for their Culture Days celebrations in 2018 placing eighth in their size category. Continue reading Media release: Guelph makes Culture Days’ top 10 list for fourth year

Guelph, Ont., June 27, 2018 – It’s official. Bus rides to and from ticketed events at River Run Centre and Sleeman Centre will continue to cost riders $1 for each one-way trip. On Monday night, City Council voted unanimously in favour of making the Special Event Fare program permanent. The program was introduced last September as a pilot program to increase ridership and assist in alleviating parking and traffic pressures in Guelph’s downtown core. To receive the $1 special event fare, riders must show their event ticket to the transit operator at the time of boarding. This is a savings of $2 per trip. The special event fare begins three hours prior to the event start time and continues until end of bus service on… Continue reading Guelph Transit’s Special Event Fare program here to stay

Guelph, Ont., June 19, 2018 – The community has selected the final design for the Ward to Downtown Bridge. Option one, featuring a bench, wide deck for river viewing, and a lookout area was voted as the favourite design option. “We’re very excited to see this project come to life,” says Luke Jefferson, manager of Open Space Planning with the City of Guelph. “Our community has waited a long time for a safe and vibrant bridge that connects one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods with the downtown.” Three designs were presented at a community open house on April 12, 2018 and 37 residents filled out a survey in person and online to select their favourite option. Option one was the most popular, with over 60… Continue reading Final design selected for the Ward to Downtown Bridge

Guelph, Ont., June 14, 2018 – Starting June 18, you can buy Guelph Transit single bus tickets or monthly passes at any of the Guelph Public Library branches in the city. Main library, 100 Norfolk Street Bullfrog Mall, 380 Eramosa Road East Side, 1 Starwood Drive Scottsdale Centre, 650 Scottsdale Drive West End, 21 Imperial Road South Westminster, 100-31 Farley Drive “We’re excited to extend our vendor locations to include Guelph’s library branches; giving you more options on where you can purchase tickets and passes,” says Robin Gerus, interim general manager of Guelph Transit. The Guelph Public Library accepts debit, credit and cash as payment for tickets and passes. Monthly bus passes can be purchased at any vendor location about two weeks prior to the… Continue reading Bus tickets available at Guelph Public Library branches

KIAM looking for images of the six wards for #YourWard project Guelph, Ont., June 4, 2018 – Kiel and Amanda Wilson-Ciocci (KIAM) have been named this year’s Artist in Residence team. KIAM’s project, titled #YourWard, will use images of each of Guelph’s wards to create six large-scale paintings that explore transitions in the urban environment. Their artistic style uses thick layers of acrylic paint and gel mediums, photographs and washes to create mixed-media paintings that draw attention to the contrasting perspectives on one canvas. “KIAM’s proposal ticked all of the boxes,” says Stacey Dunnigan, manager of culture and tourism for the City of Guelph. “Their project will foster collaboration and connection with Guelph’s historic wards.” To complete the pieces, KIAM is asking the community to… Continue reading Artists selected for 2018 Artist in Residence program

Nature and the urban combined in new installation Guelph, Ont., May 16, 2018– Robert Cram and Eldon Garnet have been commissioned to create the Wilson Street public art project — a permanent, outdoor art installation — at the corner of Wilson and Gordon streets. “We couldn’t be happier with the winning proposal,” adds Stacey Dunnigan, manager of Culture and Tourism for the City of Guelph. “This artwork will come to life alongside the Wilson Street Parkade and give natural animation to the streetscape.” Their project concept features four standing, polished bronze deer contrasted against urban downtown Guelph. The deer will be embedded with simple architectural shapes that reference the Basilica of Our Lady, the historic Priory residence, Guelph Farmers’ Market and the former Carnegie Library.… Continue reading Artists selected for Wilson Street public art project

Guelph, Ont., March 16, 2018 – The City of Guelph is pleased to announce the results of the request for pre-qualifications (RFPQ) process for the Baker District redevelopment project. The four development teams, shortlisted from the 10 proposals received, are: HOK Inc. Turner Fleischer Architects Inc. Windmill Development Group Triovest Realty Advisors Inc. “The successful candidates have demonstrated exceptional experience and capabilities, and we’re confident that any one of the four teams, if chosen as our preferred partner, would bring world-class development and design expertise to this important downtown project,” says Scott Stewart, deputy CAO of Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise. Last November, the City embarked on an open and competitive process to pre-qualify development teams who have the financial capability, master planning and design expertise,… Continue reading City shortlists teams for Baker District redevelopment

Development partner will be chosen this summer Guelph, Ont., February 14, 2018—Last night Council approved four recommendations from staff related to the Baker District development including the size of and costs to design and build a new Main Library as part of this major capital project. The Guelph Public Library’s (GPL’s) business case identified the need for an 8,175 square metre (88,000 square foot) space to meet current and future library needs. Staff supported GPL’s business case in its report to Council and requested that Council approve the size as well as $1.9 million in capital funding to design and build the library as part of the Baker Street development. A development partner is expected to be chosen this summer. Currently the City is evaluating… Continue reading Council approves staff recommendations to include new Main Library as part of the Baker District development

Community votes to keep look of water tower as is Guelph, Ont., December 1, 2017—The results of the community vote for the Verney water tower design competition have been counted. Out of a total of 2,546 votes, the majority—38 per cent—were in favour of not displaying either of the final designs on the water tower. The water tower will be repainted in white with the name “Guelph” in blue next spring. “While we were eager to explore the possibility of displaying community art on such a well-known Guelph landmark, we’ve listened to the voice of the community and will respect what we’ve heard,” remarked Stacey Dunnigan, manager of Culture and Tourism for the City of Guelph. “We want to thank everyone who entered the competition,… Continue reading Verney water tower will display city’s name

Guelph, Ont., November 13, 2017– Guelph has made the Culture Days Top Ten Cities and Towns list for 2017. Guelph moved up two spots in the ranking, placing eighth in the Populations of 50,000 to 499,999 category, tying with Thunder Bay. This is Guelph’s third year in a row as a top 10 city. “Guelph’s creative community has, once again, pulled out all the stops for Culture Days,” says Patti Broughton, executive director for Guelph Arts Council. “Guelph deserves this recognition as one of Canada’s great creative cities, full of year-round opportunities for residents and visitors to engage in the arts.” Guelph hosted over 40 different activities, events and exhibitions during the eighth annual Culture Days weekend in late September. Each year, Culture Days releases… Continue reading Guelph makes Culture Days’ top 10 list for third year

Guelph, Ont. November 29, 2016 – Guelph has once again made it onto this year’s top 10 list of Canadian cities and towns participating in Culture Days 2016. Ranking tenth in the 50,000 to 499,999 population category, Guelph hosted about 40 activities, events, and exhibitions during the seventh annual Culture Days celebration earlier this fall. “We’re thrilled to receive this type of national recognition,” says Danna Evans, general manager of Culture, Tourism and Community Investment. “Guelph’s strong creative community of event organizers, performers and culture supporters is what makes this event such a success.” The Culture Days organization ranked cities and towns by the number of activities published on the event website. London topped the list along with Richmond, Milton, Kelowna, Saskatoon, Oakville, Thunder Bay… Continue reading Guelph makes top 10 list for Culture Days

Guelph, Ont., October, 27, 2016—Tomorrow, Stantec will start an archeological assessment of the site underneath Baker Street where City workers discovered bone fragments earlier this month. The assessment will determine the presence or absence of further unmarked grave shafts or human remains and any other cultural material at the site. Stantec expects to be on site for about a week. A licensed archeologist will excavate the area of the initial discovery by hand. All soil will be screened through fine cloth to  recover any cultural material or human remains. The bone fragments that were removed from the site by the forensics unit will also be assessed. Once the City has a report from the archaeological assessment, it will declare the nature of the site. If the… Continue reading Archaeological assessment of site where bone fragments found starts Friday

Guelph, Ont., July 22, 2016 – Today, Mayor Cam Guthrie and Guelph Storm Partner and Governor Rick Gaetz announced a new 10-year agreement that will keep the team in Guelph until 2026. “This is great news for Storm fans, and great news for our entire city,” said Mayor Guthrie. “This agreement means that Guelph will continue to be known as ‘Storm City’ for at least the next decade.” The Council-approved agreement solidifies the strong partnership between the City and Guelph Storm Hockey Club. It also ensures an anchor tenant for the Sleeman Centre, home to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team since 2000. “The Guelph Storm are a vibrant part of our city in so many ways, economically, socially, wonderful entertainment and perhaps most of… Continue reading City, Guelph Storm announce new 10-year agreement

Guelph, Ont., June 21, 2016 – Guelph artist Lisa Hirmer has been named this year’s City of Guelph Artist in Residence. Introduced in 2014, this cultural initiative engages the community in creative experiences and embeds artistic activity in a variety of public spaces. In a public call for entry earlier this spring, artists were invited to submit proposals that considered the role of art in urban placemaking through a lens of curiosity, playfulness and originality. Placemaking is an urban design process that helps cities to achieve public spaces that are engaging, practical, and well designed. Following review of 12 submissions, the City’s Council-appointed Public Art Advisory Committee unanimously recommended awarding the residency to Hirmer. Her proposal, entitled, ‘Weather Watcher,’ seeks to capture artistic, poetic, and… Continue reading Lisa Hirmer is City’s 2016 Artist in Residence

Colleen Clack, who has served as the City of Guelph’s general manager, Culture, Tourism and Community Investment for the past six years, has been appointed by the Executive Team as the City’s newest deputy chief administrative officer (DCAO) of Public Services. In her new position, Clack will oversee Culture, Tourism and Community Investment, Emergency Services, Guelph Transit, Operations, and Parks and Recreation. Continue reading Colleen Clack appointed as City’s newest Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

Wellbeing Grants awarded to 48 community organizations Guelph, Ont., February 12, 2016 – The City of Guelph is pleased to award $282,200 to 48 local not-for-profit organizations through its Wellbeing Grant Program. The grants will support a variety of programs and services aligned with the goals identified by the community in Guelph’s Community Wellbeing Initiative. These goals include: increasing democratic participation, increasing the city’s living standards, promoting healthy living, improving community vitality, and supporting endeavours in arts and culture, leisure, education, and environment. This year, the City received requests for more than $732,000 in funding. After reviewing the 73 applications, the grant allocation panel, made up of eight citizens with expertise in community benefit organizations, awarded $124,200 to 20 human and social services applicants; $121,000… Continue reading City awards $282,200 to non-profit organizations

Guelph, ON, May 29, 2015 – Guelph has been selected for DestinationNEXT, a global strategic tourism initiative to help grow local tourism economies. Colleen Clack, general manager of Culture, Tourism and Community Investment, made the announcement at Monday night’s City Council meeting and explained the initiative is a partnership between the City of Guelph and Ontario’s Regional Tourism Organization 4 (RTO4). “Guelph has huge potential to grow its tourism sector, and this project will help us develop that potential—at no cost to local property taxpayers,” said Guelph’s Mayor, Cam Guthrie. Clack added, “The due diligence and review processes undertaken in the past few years have served as important building blocks for tourism development in Guelph. This work has been a key factor in positioning Guelph… Continue reading Guelph selected for global strategic tourism initiative