Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts is thrilled to present an eclectic mix of performances in early 2025, showcasing a diverse array of genres, talents, and stories. From the dynamic ukulele stylings of Jake Shimabukuro and the passionate compositions of classical maestros to the evocative narratives of ballet and the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, this series promises something for every palate. Dive into a world where music, dance, and storytelling unite to celebrate creativity and community. Here's your guide to experiencing the arts in Oakville like never before.

Spotlight on Oakville: A Celebration of Arts and Culture

This March, Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts presents a vibrant tapestry of musical and theatrical events. From the inclusive harmonies of Choir! Choir! Choir!, to the rock anthems of Finger Eleven, and the cultural storytelling of Susan Aglukark, each event brings its unique flair. Attendees can relish in the nostalgic precision of Classic Albums Live or join in the laughter with the Tony-winning play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Oakville is set to resonate with eclectic sounds and stories, promising unforgettable experiences for all.

March Melodies: A Celebration of Diverse Sounds at the Oakville Centre

As May unfolds, the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts becomes a hub of diverse cultural experiences. From Pavlo's Mediterranean guitar rhythms to a vibrant opera and harmonica performance, the center showcases an array of musical talents. Book lovers and storytellers find their voices in engaging conversations and story slams, while Gowan and Global Bollywood pay tribute to the power of music across genres and cultures. The month closes with a classic rock homage, ensuring every art enthusiast finds something to celebrate.

A May to Remember: Celebrating Artistic Diversity at Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts

“We created something that endures and connects. We don’t dress up or wear any sort of costume. All our energy is put into the music. We want the performance to sound exactly like the album. These albums are sacred to people. We deliver exactly what we promote - ‘note for note, cut for cut’ accuracy,” says Classic Albums Live founder, Craig Martin.

Classic Albums Live: Animals

Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts

Bageshree Vaze’s Global Bollywood is a tribute to the rich musical landscape of Indian film music and the music composers who defined what is now celebrated as Bollywood music. Featuring a multicultural cast of dancers and musicians, the show displays a tapestry of global and eclectic influences of Indian popular music from the 1950s until now: jazz inspired by Benny Goodman, to the 60s sound of the Beatles, to Disco and beyond.

Global Bollywood

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, and raised in the Tropic of Canada, Lawrence Gowan enjoyed a lengthy and successful solo career with four Platinum and three Gold albums and one Gold single to his credit, prior to joining Styx in 1999 as keyboardist and one of their three lead vocalists.

Gowan

Filled with laughter and tears, our Story Slam Series provides an authentic and powerful interaction between storytellers and audience. The stories we tell connect us… The mental health movement has never been more important. Story Slams are presented in support of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Story Slam

The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts

When a daring art heist takes place at the Regency Grand, Molly’s life is threatened. The question is who’s out to get her, and why? Long-buried secrets will be revealed in this intriguing and heartwarming novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 'The Maid' and 'The Mystery Guest'

In Conversation with... Nita Prose

Enjoy this menu of rhythmic flavours where we explore the irresistible connection between music and movement. Indulge in the romance and lush worlds of operas by Puccini and Gounod sung by Ana Isabella Castro, a young local soprano that is not to be missed. And be dazzled by the Canadian premiere of Levy’s Harmonica Concerto, an energetic and extremely virtuosic work to be played by Argentine leading harmonica virtuoso Federico Linari who will also demonstrate the intricate technique of diatonic harmonica in two other selections from Tango to Jazz. Lastly, the Mexican Danzón will surely bring the season to an end in a way like no other.

Vibrant

Enjoy an evening of Mediterranean guitar and imagine you're on the island of Santorini for a few hours as you enjoy this feel good concert with Pavlo’s signature blend of Spanish/Greek/Rumba/Flamenco music. Opa!

Pavlo in Concert

Theater Terra presents the new family musical Rapunzel, based on the famous European fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, for ages four and up.

Rapunzel

Justin Bacchus is a versatile performer, proudly able to connect soulfully with all musical genres over the last 20 plus years. Justin otherwise keeps himself busy inspiring a new generation of performance hopefuls, while spreading the good news of music at the Merriam School of Music where he has the pleasure of leading their vocal department, teaching, performance coaching, and also producing live event and community outreach.

Justin Bacchus

“Won’Ma Afrique”, which means “Our Africa” in the Sousou language, is a smaller version adapted from Africa in circus.

Cirque Kalabanté

Jim Cuddy has written many of the songs that have become indelible in the soundtrack of Canadian lives. With the release of his sixth solo album, All The World Fades Away, he continues to contribute to that extraordinary songbook. The songs on All The World Fades Away map Cuddy’s unique compendium of memories and the emotions they stir. They are poignant, personal, and relevant, not just to his life, but also to our own.

Jim Cuddy

Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical is the captivating masterpiece of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.

Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical

If you want to know why the local star William Leathers is rising rapidly as one of the most exciting artists of our times at only 22, come listen to him perform not only Tomasi’s virtuoso trumpet concerto, but also Mozart’s piano concerto no. 23! Delve into the beauty of Barber’s rework of Bach’s chorale “Christe, du Lamm Gottes” and Mozart’s warmth and elegance. And witness Stravinsky’s iconic The Firebird, a musical masterpiece about a tale of redemption and triumph.

Fearless

Classic Albums Live: Brothers in Arms

It all “Started With a Song” over ten years ago, and ever since, Brett Kissel has had an extraordinary rise to super-stardom in the Canadian country music scene.

Brett Kissel

Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is Durang’s cheeky comedic homage to all things Chekhov. The bucolic bliss of siblings Vanya and Sonia is thrown into disarray when sister-turned-movie actress Masha returns home with her new, rather dimwitted, lover in tow, sparking a fiery bout of rivalry, lust, and opportunity.

WEST - Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Let us tell you a story. An impossible to believe, yet, true story. Once upon a time there was a teenage boy working on his family farm in apartheid South Africa. This boy loved to sing, in fact he loved to sing so much that he allowed himself an impossible dream. In his dream he would create a group of singers, from his family members, to perform all over South Africa and become the greatest music group his country would ever know. How could such a dream come to a young farm boy in a country rife with hardship, violence and trouble?

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Classic Albums Live: Ziggy Stardust

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music as we gather in the spirit of a Cape Breton Kitchen Party, hosted by renowned artist Jimmy Rankin and an array of talented Atlantic Canadian Songwriters.

Jimmy Rankin

When Gobo Fraggle discovers a legend about a long-lost Fraggle treasure called the Great Song Stone, his pals Mokey, Boober, Wembley, and Red join him on an adventure to find it, and end up celebrating the greatest treasure of all - something much more special than they could have ever imagined!

Jim Hensen's Fraggle Rock

Inuk singer/songwriter Susan Aglukark is one of Canada’s most unique artists and a leading voice in Canadian music. She blends the Inuktitut, indigenous and English languages with contemporary pop music arrangements to tell the stories of her fellow people, the Inuit of Arctic Canada and her fellow indigenous groups.

Susan Aglukark

Finger Eleven, the alternative rock band from Ontario, and one of the best-selling Canadian bands of all time, have released a series of consecutive hit albums and become among the greatest live bands to ever emerge from the great White North.

Finger Eleven

Choir! Choir! Choir! is the fully interactive, participatory show that turns audience into performer! All voices are welcome and no experience is necessary. They Teach, You Sing! Everyone Wins!

Choir! Choir! Choir!

Appleby College is excited to present Jesus Christ Superstar, the iconic rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Super Talented Youth!

The Gruffalo said that no gruffalo should, ever set foot in the deep dark wood...

Gruffalo's Child

Join us as we celebrate a community that recognizes the dignity and worth of every person.

Rotherglen School is proud to present “James and the Giant Peach Jr.” at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. There are 97 students in the cast, ages 10 to 14 years.

James and the Giant Peach Jr.

"We created something that endures and connects. We don’t dress up or wear any sort of costume. All our energy is put into the music. We want the performance to sound exactly like the album. These albums are sacred to people. We deliver exactly what we promote - ‘note for note, cut for cut’ accuracy,” says Classic Albums Live founder, Craig Martin.

Classic Albums Live: Exile on Main Street

Jully Black is a true Canadian Icon. Named as one of ‘The 25 Greatest Canadian Singers Ever’, (CBC Music) she has been dubbed ‘Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul’ by fans and industry leaders alike. As a platinum selling recording artist, her music career has yielded multiple singles reaching the Top 10 pop, R&B and dance music charts.

Jully Black

Created by award-winning choreographers, Roberto Campanella and Robert Glumbek, ‘The 9th!’ provides an immersive experience that captures the essence of freedom and resilience witnessed during the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The 9th!

Four composers inspired by passion across ages – and worlds! The pianist rising-start Victoria Wong will present her vibrant renditions of the exuberant first concerto by Chopin. Inspired by the most famous and tragic love of all times, Prokofiev explores the drama in his magnificent retelling of Shakespeare’s text. And for the first time, a Suite of Love Themes by the most popular composer of our times with the music you will recognize music from Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones and E.T.

Passionate

If you know the `ukulele, you might know the name, Jake Shimabukuro. He has captivated audiences around the world with his unique and dynamic style. With his mother as his first teacher of the instrument, Jake embraced a deep love and respect for the `ukulele and has explored new and unexpected ways to push the boundaries of what was possible on the humble four-strings.

Jake Shimabukuro

In HYPROV (pronounced hip-rawv), your evening begins with World Renowned Hypnotist, Asad Mecci welcoming 20 volunteers on stage to be hypnotized. The most receptive to hypnosis then join Colin Mochrie (Whose Line is it, Anyway?) to improvise the rest of the show, while hypnotized.

Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts

16 - 17 May, 2025

Classic Albums Live: Animals

May 15, 2025

Global Bollywood

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Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts