Category Archives: River Run Centre

The self-dubbed “Dennis the Menace” of magic offers a different type of show   GUELPH, ON January 16, 2025 – Murray the Magician incorporates comedy into his mastery of magic for an entertaining show that tickles all the senses. Prepare to laugh your socks off from the edge of your seat as your jaw drops at Murray’s mind-bending illusions. Season Sponsor Richardson Wealth supports Murray the Magician on the Main Stage at River Run Centre, Friday, February 7 at 8 p.m.   Hailing from Burnaby, BC, this award-winning performer is an international star. He has delighted audiences from stage and TV and is known as the magic world’s top social media influencer and viral sensation, with content reaching more than 6.5 billion views.   Murray… Continue reading A comical blend of mishaps make for one entertaining magic show

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Charming show for all ages offers a poetic, entertaining story with a bicycle at its centre GUELPH, ON January 14, 2025 — This amusing one-man show tells a touching story full of rich imagery without using any words. Life-Cycle playfully combines acrobatics, illusion, mime, and music. Presented as part of River Run Centre’s Wooly Family Series, Life-Cycle can be enjoyed by all ages, although it is designed for those over 6 years old. River Run welcomes this production to the Main Stage on Thursday, February 6 at 7 p.m. Supported by Series Sponsor The Wooly Pub and 24/25 Season Sponsor Richardson Wealth, this show is cheerfully larger-than-life, incorporating a variety of art forms that appeal to a broad audience. Delightfully different, innovative, and inspirational, Life-Cycle… Continue reading Life is like riding a bicycle…

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The story of The Dragon’s Gate engages children and inspires adults   GUELPH, ON January 9, 2025 — Park Eatery Kinderconcerts is an interactive music series curated to expose children five years and younger to the magic of music and instruments. The Dragon’s Gate is the second show in this series, with 30-minute performances taking place Saturday, February 1 at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. in River Run Centre’s Studio Theatre.   Performed by musicians from Guelph Symphony Orchestra (GSO), Kinderconcerts introduce young minds to music, bringing the symphony to life through an exciting and enriching hands-on experience. These shows are engaging and interactive, with audience participation highly encouraged. Children can sit close to the musicians to immerse themselves in the sounds, storytelling,… Continue reading A Kinderconcert to delight toddlers and parents

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Ultra creative duo Video Phase offers an alternate reality with their multisensory show, Alt-Escape.  GUELPH, ON January 8, 2025 – This award-winning, innovative digital performance deserves its own category — it combines music, video, and technology into a new, hybrid art form that exhilarates the senses. Video Phase – Alt-Escape is the brainchild of artists Julien-Robert and Julien Compagne. Presented as part of The Wooly Family Series, this production takes River Run Centre’s Main Stage on Thursday, January 30 at 7:30 p.m. With its multidisciplinary nature, Alt-Escape appeals to a wide range of audiences. From mesmerizing music to electric bright lights, Alt-Escape offers something for everyone. This show inventively blends various art forms, using digital technologies to integrate live music with video projection, creating a… Continue reading (Alt)-Escape to another dimension

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54•40 deliver decades of west-coast inspired rock and energetic performances GUELPH, ON January 7, 2025 — Nine-time JUNO Award-nominated rock band 54•40 have been at it for over 40 years, and there is no stopping them. Known for their electric concerts, they are bringing their legendary reputation to River Run Centre’s Main Stage on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 7 p.m. Part of Sleeman-Spring Mill Music Series, presenting some of the best Canadian and international band, this show is supported by Sleeman Breweries, Spring Mill Distillery, and LOTS ON Season Sponsor Richardson Wealth. 54•40 is made up of founding members Neil Osborne (vocals, guitar, chief songwriter) and Brad Merritt (bass), completing the lineup with Matt Johnson (drums), Dave Genn (guitar/backing vocals), and David “Oz” Osborne… Continue reading Party like It’s 1990 with the band that never stops rocking

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Indigenous Music Award winner combines sounds of the forest with acoustic instruments and delicate harmonies GUELPH, ON January 2, 2025 — Mimi O’Bonsawin delivers a hybrid of natural sounds and pop music in River Run Centre’s Studio Theatre on Thursday, January 23 at 8 p.m. The show is supported by Season Sponsor Richardson Wealth and Miijidaa Café + Bistro as part of Miijidaa Music Series, which features a broad range of Canada’s rich cultural landscape. Mimi O’Bonsawin is a contemporary roots singer-songwriter born in Northeastern Ontario and is mixed French Canadian and Wabanaki (Abénaki), a member of Odanak First-Nation. She embraces her ancestral connection to the land, using her music to share stories of nature, healing, and growth. With a creative approach, Mimi incorporates sounds… Continue reading Mimi O’Bonsawin connects music with nature

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Based in Japan, this group uses drums of their homeland to spread joy around the world   GUELPH, ON December 19, 2024 — YAMATO Drummers deliver a powerful production of “physical music” — something beyond what is often captured by the word “performance.” Their versatile drumming styles coupled with unique movements, a stunning set, costumes, and incredible lighting create a truly captivating experience. This show is part of River Run Centre’s Sleeman-Spring Mill Music Series and takes the Main Stage on Sunday, January 19 at 7 p.m.   YAMATO Drummers are well-known internationally, travelling the world to bring their spectacle to everyone. Their motto reflects their desire to connect people through the power of percussion: “We go everywhere when somebody needs YAMATO!” Their 2025-26 world… Continue reading The boom of YAMATO Drummers — A feast for the senses

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Beautiful music, outstanding choreography, a breathtaking production GUELPH, ON December 17, 2024 — With timeless music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and fresh choreography by Bengt Jörgen, Ballet Jörgen – Sleeping Beauty is a modern version of the classic production. Part of Movement – The Dance Series, this show is generously supported by Season Sponsor Richardson Wealth and the Department of Canadian Heritage. This beautiful ballet will grace River Run Centre’s Main Stage on Sunday, January 12 at 2 p.m. River Run is thrilled to present a Ballet Jörgen production each year, including the Local Participant Program, which gives young dancers the opportunity to perform with a professional dance company. The production’s supporting cast features 12-15 dance students and two theatre students, based on recommendations from… Continue reading Ballet Jörgen reimagines a classic: Sleeping Beauty

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Canada’s favourite folk rocker brings new music and East Coast feel GUELPH, ON September 24, 2024 – One of Canada’s finest folk-rock frontmen brings exciting new music to Guelph’s River Run Centre this spring. On Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 8 p.m., Alan Doyle takes the Main Stage for an incredible night of beloved hits and new music. Most well-known as frontman and one of the founders of the chart-topping, award-winning band Great Big Sea, Alan Doyle is also an actor, producer, and best-selling author. With five solo albums under his belt—including the JUNO-nominated Back to the Harbour (2021)—he has been touring internationally for the last decade. A Newfoundlander born and raised in Petty Harbour, his warm energy is infectious and his performances quickly have… Continue reading Alan Doyle announces new tour coming to River Run

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2024-25 lineup features dance, comedy, music, magic, and more Continue reading River Run Centre kicks off LOTS ON Season – something for everyone

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City of Guelph is Festival Hub, including pay-what-you-can performance at River Run Centre     GUELPH, ON September 5, 2024 – The upcoming Culture Days Festival is an annual, cross-Canada celebration of free arts and cultural events. Guelph, long heralded as a supportive arts community, has for generations attracted artists of all mediums to work and create here. The city is also proudly home to several renowned festivals featuring outstanding talent in music, dance, theatre, and more. Now, with Culture Days on the horizon, Guelph proudly boasts its title as one of the Festival Hubs, with several free, public events for all ages to enjoy.     As one of Guelph’s pivotal arts institutions, River Run Centre is pleased to host a culturally and historically… Continue reading Culture Days festival sweeps across the country – touching down in Royal City

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BMX, basketball, breakdancing, and more come to River Run Centre’s Main Stage   GUELPH, ON April 18, 2024 – Experience adrenalin pumping thrills with the supercharged urban circus 360 ALLSTARS, coming to River Run Centre’s Main Stage on Wednesday, May 8 at 7 p.m. The show is part of River Run Centre’s 2023/24 RESOUNDING Season, sponsored by Richardson Wealth. Offering entertainment to delight grandkids and thrill grandparents alike, it offers the perfect cap to an exciting season, which offers something for everyone.   360 ALLSTARS features world record-holding athletes in a spectacular fusion of artistry and street culture. The show features jaw-dropping skills in BMX trick-riding, acrobatics, and basketball-handling wizardry set to an energetic soundtrack of beatbox, breakdance, and drumming. This tour celebrates the show’s 10th anniversary which… Continue reading 360 ALLSTARS deliver theatre for thrill-seekers

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The 19th annual touring production comes to River Run Centre as part of comedy series GUELPH, ON April 4, 2024 – Get ready for an award-winning night of standup when the annual Just For Laughs Road Show returns to River Run Centre’s Main Stage on Friday, April 26 at 8 p.m. The 19th edition is presented as part of the GuelphToday.com Comedy Series and this year, the show boasts an impressive lineup for its special Canadian edition. Mike Rita, The Second City’s Cream of Comedy winner, hosts the event. Funny, smart, and relatable, Rita has garnered an impressive fan following. He was runner-up for NOW Magazine’s Best Male Stand-Up in 2014 and 2015, has appeared at Just For Laughs Festival, starred alongside Russell Peters on Roast Battle… Continue reading Just For Laughs Road Show returns to Main Stage with Canadian comics

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Park Eatery Kinderconcerts use storytelling to expose toddlers to classical music GUELPH, ON February 29, 2024 – This season’s final iteration of Park Eatery Kinderconcerts tells the exciting tale of a quest for stardom in The Sword in the Violin Case on Saturday, March 23 at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. Park Eatery Kinderconcerts are an enriching, hands-on experience designed by the Guelph Symphony Orchestra (GSO) to expose children five years and younger to the magic of music and instruments. Set to the music of Saint-Georges de Chevalier, The Sword in the Violin Case tells the story of Saint Georges, a champion sword fighter, and his quest for stardom. Members of the GSO bring the symphony to life through an engaging and interactive… Continue reading A tale of intrigue for toddlers: The Sword in the Violin Case

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The Mudmen return for an exciting, energetic performance GUELPH, ON February 28, 2024 – A blast of Celtic energy is set to hit River Run Centre when the Mudmen take Main Stage on Saturday, March 23 at 8 p.m. This tour celebrates the band’s 25th anniversary, and the band known for energetic live concerts does not plan to hold back. This show is part of the Sleeman-Spring Mill Music Series, which features exciting Canadian and international music icons. Established in 1998, the Mudmen have earned their reputation as Canada’s Celtic rock warriors. Blending bagpipes, drums, and a raucous spirit, their music is energizing and has become part of the Canadian soundtrack at various sporting events. In 2008, the Mudmen recorded the theme song for Hockey Night in… Continue reading Canada’s Celtic rock warriors bring electric kitchen party to River Run Centre

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Power trio makes Guelph stop to celebrate iconic album GUELPH, ON February 27, 2024 – The legendary Big Sugar is set to rock River Run Centre’s Main Stage on Friday, March 22 at 8 p.m. The Guelph stop is part of a cross-Canada tour celebrating the deluxe vinyl release of their groundbreaking album, Five Hundred Pounds. The show is part of the Sleeman-Spring Mill Music Series, which features a lineup of Canadian icons and international heavy-hitters. First released in 1993, Five Hundred Pounds stands as a defining masterpiece in Big Sugar’s discography. The album marks the pivotal moment that Gordie Johnson defined his own genre with the perfect blend of blues, rock, and reggae. Driven by Johnson’s masterful guitar and accompanied by his soulful blues falsetto, the album… Continue reading Big Sugar brings theatrical performance to River Run Centre

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Tickets going fast for Guelph stop of cross-country anniversary tour GUELPH, ON January 18, 2024 – One of Canada’s favourite rock bands returns to Guelph when The Trews take the Main Stage at River Run Centre on Saturday, February 10 at 8 p.m. The Trews – House of Ill Fame 20th Anniversary Tour celebrates the band’s iconic, platinum-selling debut record. The show is part of the Sleeman-Spring Mill Music Series, which features a lineup of Canadian icons and international heavy-hitters. Released in 2003, House of Ill Fame is the first full-length album of The Trews. Last year, the record was certified Platinum in Canada, reaching over 100,000 copies sold. With a 12-song track list written primarily by the four members of the band at that time – Colin… Continue reading The Trews perform iconic album House of Ill Fame start to finish

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Rising R&B star set to blow the roof off the Studio Theatre on February 9 GUELPH, ON January 17, 2024 – Multi-talented singer, songwriter, and one of Guelph’s most exciting performers returns to River Run Centre when D’eve Archer plays the Studio Theatre on Friday, February 9 at 8 p.m. This show is presented as part of the Miijidaa Music Series, which features a broad range of Canadian artists. Knar Jewellery supports this performance as the exclusive Show Sponsor. D’eve Archer is making waves with her powerful voice, honest lyrics, and dynamic presence. Classically trained, she was drawn to the rhythmic sounds of jazz and soul at a young age. This combination of strong, classical training and smooth, funky rhythms combine expertly in her music to deliver a… Continue reading D’eve Archer returns to Guelph with performance at River Run Centre

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Park Eatery Kinderconcerts are designed to expose toddlers to music GUELPH, ON January 10, 2024 – This iteration of Park Eatery Kinderconcerts takes young ones to the African Sergenti in the traditional tale of The Lion and the Mouse, presented at River Run Centre on Saturday, February 3 at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. Park Eatery Kinderconcerts are designed to expose children five years and younger to the magic of music and instruments. The Lion and the Mouse is an African folklore which tells the story of Enyi, a timid mouse, who accidentally disturbs Aza, the lion. In an act of kindness, the lion allows the mouse to escape, only to have it later save his life in return. The simple story teaches… Continue reading African folklore through symphony: The Lion and the Mouse

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