The Elora Festival will be holding a series of free concerts in the green space throughout the month of July. Come on down and enjoy the music! 

Our second concert in our Music in the Village series...

Shimmers of Bronze

Gamelan (gah-muh-lan) is an Indonesian term for music ensemble. On the island of Bali, one among thousands of the Indonesian archipelago, there is a rich array of gamelan – including flute ensembles, mouth harp groups, and percussion ensembles of varying sizes and instruments, some of which feature dance and voice. At the 2024 Elora Music Festival, the UWaterloo Balinese Gamelan and Grebel Community Gamelan Warga Santi perform on the gamelan semara dana – an orchestra of mallet percussion instruments consisting of tuned gongs and bronze-keyed metallophones led by a double-headed drum. A late 20^th century invention by renowned composer, inventor, and gong-smith, I Wayan Beratha, gamelan semara dana amalgamated two older gamelan from the 1600s and early 1900s to create a new gamelan that would realize both the sonic imagination of innovative Balinese composers and the time-honoured repertoire of their ancestors. Join us in experiencing the shimmering sounds and electrifying rhythms of Bali, Indonesia.

Artistic director: Dewa Suparta, composer, Artist-in-Residence at Conrad Grebel University College

General director: Maisie Sum, ethnomusicologist, Associate Professor at Conrad Grebel University College

The Elora Festival’s 45th Season opens with The Creation, Joseph Haydn’s masterpiece for choir and orchestra, that transports you to the dawn of time. Cheerful hosts of “cooing” birds, calls of tender doves, “nimble stags”, “sprightly steeds,” and “cattle in herds” make this the perfect work for Opening Night in the Elora Festival’s Gambrel Barn! The Elora Singers are joined by sensational soloists Claire de Sévigné (Gabriel & Eve), Isaiah Bell (Uriel), and Tyler Duncan (Raphael & Adam) and Musicians of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony.

$75/$65/$20 | $20 Student

 When people come to the Elora Farmers’ Market, they not only find great local foods, treats and artisanal products, they find each other too! Our market is a true community hub and our customers’ energy is what makes the market so special. Traditionally, the market operates from May to December each year. Beginning the first weekend in May, we are located alongside the beautiful Grand River in Bissell Park in Elora. The market has grown, thriving and changing with time, but our vision remains the same: a true farmers’ market, one where every Saturday people can find local, sustainably grown produce, meats, cheeses, delicious baking and preserves and artisanal crafts in a vibrant space.

PLEASE NOTE: SATURDAY AUGUST 17th - THE MARKET WILL BE AT AN ALTERNATE LOCATION.  PLEASE VISIT www.elorafarmersmarket.ca for more details

Shoestring Opera revisits Mozart’s most famous opera, and offers an ideal introduction to the glory of this art form. In the whimsical story, Allegra finds a golden flute on her way home from school.  Blowing on it, her street turns into a dark forest. She blows again and out pops Papageno, a strange bird-catcher with a padlock on his mouth. Through the power of music and the magic of make-believe, Allegra and Papageno embark on an adventure of sharing and self-discovery involving a four-legged, two-winged, fire-breathing dragon and the scary Queen of the Night. How can Allegra help her new friend and get home in time for her music lesson?

$20 | $10 Kids

On Newdon Industries Swim days, the Township will grant free admission to the first forty (40) children and youth who arrive at the admissions desk within fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled start time of the swim.

Benjamin Britten is often called Great Britain’s greatest composer of vocal music since the 18th Century’s Henry Purcell. Experience the profound emotion and the rich tapestry that define the legacy of Britten’s vocal music. Join The Elora Singers, tenor Isaiah Bell, pianist Erika Switzer, and organist Christopher Dawes for a beautiful program of Britten’s glorious music for choir and solo voice.

$50 | $20 Student

Join multi-award winning vocalist, pianist and songwriter Laila Biali for a memorable evening of live music, “masterfully mixing jazz and pop, bringing virtuosity and unpredictability to songs that are concise and catchy” (Washington Post). Expect pop hits reimagined, jazz classics as you’ve never heard them before, Canadian songbook gems, plenty of original material, and personal stories that weave it all together with warmth and joy.

Spend a relaxing and enjoyable morning with the alpacas and your yoga practice.

We will be right in the field with the alpacas calmly wandering around. Starting with a 45 min all levels yoga practice (co-ed), you will then have a chance to visit with the alpacas and feed them treats. There will be opportunities for fun yoga & alpaca pictures too! 

Finish off the morning with a delicious treat for your self...locally made Udderly Ridiculous Goat Ice Cream or Crumby Cookie Dough!

Spend a relaxing and enjoyable morning with the alpacas and your yoga practice.

We will be right in the field with the alpacas calmly wandering around. Starting with a 45 min all levels yoga practice (co-ed), you will then have a chance to visit with the alpacas and feed them treats. There will be opportunities for fun yoga & alpaca pictures too! 

Finish off the morning with a delicious treat for your self...locally made Udderly Ridiculous Goat Ice Cream or Crumby Cookie Dough!

Free Sunday morning church service featuring the Elora Singers.

Canticles: Te Deum and Jubilate, Collegium Regale (Howells)

Anthem: The Beatitudes (Arvo Pärt)

Learn to Make Your Own gemstone bead bracelet.  A drop-in style workshop.  There are Jewellery artisans on hand to help guide you through the design, selection and assembly of your own personalized bracelet.  Choose your own beads / charms.  Make a bracelet for yourself or as a personalized gift for a loved one.  

Book a birthday party.  A fun & creative Birthday Party Idea for up to 10 attendees. (appt required)

Girls day out.  Stop by to make bracelets and then head out for some shopping & lunch in downtown Fergus.

Every Sunday ..  no appointment required.  Held at ECHOES FERGUS.  240 Saint Andrew Street West.  (beside Fergus Theatre)

The next concert in the Elora Festival's Music in the Village series. 

The ECFTA welcomes you to our 6 part Summer Music Concert Series in our outdoor Pavilion space.  

Bring a lawnchair or a blanket!

Beverages and light snacks will be available for sale.

Donations are graciously welcomed at the gate.

Look for more information here

www.eloracentreforthearts.ca

Look out summer!  Mark your calendars for these 6 free concerts, taking place in the Pavilion in the yard at the Arts Centre this summer!  In support of emerging artists, and to encourage easy ways to connect to each other through performance, we are thrilled to launch this new series for you!

Presented by our amazing community partners at Sorbara Group of Companies, Tribute Homes, and The County of Wellington, The Centre Wellington Community Foundation.

MV Real Estate and Sleeman Breweries are also supporting our community BBQ picnics that are paired with the July 25 and September 5 concert dates.

Visit the Elora Centre for the Arts website for more details.

Canadian baritone Tyler Duncan and collaborative pianist Erika Switzer perform a recital of Ludwig van Beethoven’s An die ferne Geliebte, Lieder by Robert Schumann and a song cycle by Canadian composer Jeffrey Ryan; Everything Already Lost commissioned by and written for these artists. Join us for an afternoon of heartfelt emotion and artistic mastery as this music is brought to life by Canada’s most sought-after recitalists.

$50 | $20 Student

The King’s Singers have represented the gold standard in a cappella singing on the world’s greatest stages for over fifty years. They are renowned for their unrivaled technique, versatility, and skill in performance, and for their consummate musicianship, drawing both on the group’s rich heritage and its pioneering spirit to create an extraordinary wealth of original works and unique collaborations. Experience The King’s Singers live for an unforgettable concert experience in Elora’s own Gambrel Barn.

$75/$65/$20 | $20 Student

15th Annual Local Biz Night at Grand River Raceway

Venue Generously Sponsored by the Grand River Raceway & The GrandWay Events Centre
Local BIz Night is one of our most popular networking & teambuilding events! Bring your friends, family, or co-workers and enjoy a patio party track-side at the Grand River Raceway!

The evening includes:

• BBQ Buffet Dinner catered by The GrandWay Lounge
• Your business is assigned a horse to cheer for in the Local Biz Night Race at 9 pm!
• Official Photo with your group
• A tour of the racing barn with a Grand River Raceway team member
• Reserved seating for Local Biz Night attendees
  
  

Gates open at 5:30pm

Racing starts at 6:30pm

Food will be available following the first race, at 6:45pm, followed by dessert.

Barn tours will happen between 7:30pm and 8:30pm

Local Biz Night Race will be at approx. 9:00pm

Bring your friends, family or co-workers and have a FUN night of Networking and Horse Racing!!

The event will take place within The GrandWay Events Centre, with reserved seating both on the trackside GrandWay Patio & in the Grand Hall

• Guests will have access to washrooms inside The GrandWay
• Wagering will be available through mutuel tellers and mobile betting kiosks/terminal. Please remember all betting is done in cash; there is an ATM on site.

Join The Elora Singers and instrumentalists for an enchanting morning of music in the Sandy Hills Regional Forest. Audience members will be transported by bus to and from a nearby trail where a 45-minute, gentle walk in the woods will be enhanced with the sounds of song! Music in the Woods is a magical experience you don’t want to miss!

Groups will depart from Grand River Community Church every 20 minutes between 8:00 AM and 9:40 AM. Maximum 40 people per group.

PLEASE NOTE:  Pre-registration for a specific time slot is required. Tickets will NOT be sold on site. There are no restrooms available at the parking lot but there will be a portable toilet at the start of the trail.

$20

Join The Elora Singers and instrumentalists for an enchanting morning of music in the Sandy Hills Regional Forest. Audience members will be transported by bus to and from a nearby trail where a 45-minute, gentle walk in the woods will be enhanced with the sounds of song! Music in the Woods is a magical experience you don’t want to miss!

Groups will depart from Grand River Community Church every 20 minutes between 8:00 AM and 9:40 AM. Maximum 40 people per group.

PLEASE NOTE:  Pre-registration for a specific time slot is required. Tickets will NOT be sold on site. There are no restrooms available at the parking lot but there will be a portable toilet at the start of the trail.

$20

Join The Elora Singers and instrumentalists for an enchanting morning of music in the Sandy Hills Regional Forest. Audience members will be transported by bus to and from a nearby trail where a 45-minute, gentle walk in the woods will be enhanced with the sounds of song! Music in the Woods is a magical experience you don’t want to miss!

Groups will depart from Grand River Community Church every 20 minutes between 8:00 AM and 9:40 AM. Maximum 40 people per group.

PLEASE NOTE:  Pre-registration for a specific time slot is required. Tickets will NOT be sold on site. There are no restrooms available at the parking lot but there will be a portable toilet at the start of the trail.

$20

Join The Elora Singers and instrumentalists for an enchanting morning of music in the Sandy Hills Regional Forest. Audience members will be transported by bus to and from a nearby trail where a 45-minute, gentle walk in the woods will be enhanced with the sounds of song! Music in the Woods is a magical experience you don’t want to miss!

Groups will depart from Grand River Community Church every 20 minutes between 8:00 AM and 9:40 AM. Maximum 40 people per group.

PLEASE NOTE:  Pre-registration for a specific time slot is required. Tickets will NOT be sold on site. There are no restrooms available at the parking lot but there will be a portable toilet at the start of the trail.

$20

Join The Elora Singers and instrumentalists for an enchanting morning of music in the Sandy Hills Regional Forest. Audience members will be transported by bus to and from a nearby trail where a 45-minute, gentle walk in the woods will be enhanced with the sounds of song! Music in the Woods is a magical experience you don’t want to miss!

Groups will depart from Grand River Community Church every 20 minutes between 8:00 AM and 9:40 AM. Maximum 40 people per group.

PLEASE NOTE:  Pre-registration for a specific time slot is required. Tickets will NOT be sold on site. There are no restrooms available at the parking lot but there will be a portable toilet at the start of the trail.

$20

Join The Elora Singers and instrumentalists for an enchanting morning of music in the Sandy Hills Regional Forest. Audience members will be transported by bus to and from a nearby trail where a 45-minute, gentle walk in the woods will be enhanced with the sounds of song! Music in the Woods is a magical experience you don’t want to miss!

Groups will depart from Grand River Community Church every 20 minutes between 8:00 AM and 9:40 AM. Maximum 40 people per group.

PLEASE NOTE:  Pre-registration for a specific time slot is required. Tickets will NOT be sold on site. There are no restrooms available at the parking lot but there will be a portable toilet at the start of the trail.

$20