New city-wide campus champions Brampton’s diverse creative talent, celebrating the rich cultural programming available across city venues
Brampton – To coincide with the launch of the June to December 2023 season, the City of Brampton is proud to introduce its new city-wide campus brand, Brampton On Stage, created to promote the diverse, intercultural talent of Brampton across the city’s unique array of performance venues. Previously known as Performing Arts Brampton, Brampton On Stage will further highlight the depth of excellent, year-round performing arts programming at The Rose Mainstage and Studio, LBP, Cyril Clark, and Garden Square, plus in various parks and public spaces. Affordable pricing – most tickets range from $10 to $49 – plenty of free parking, and a welcoming, inspiring arts community firmly cements Canada’s fastest-growing city as one of its most exciting, accessible arts and culture hubs.
One of the most highly anticipated performances sees Canadian-Pakistani superstar Ahad Raza Mir starring as Hamlet this October at The Rose (Oct. 12 to 18). Seeing a South Asian actor play the role in a major full-scale Canadian production is an important moment of representation for the Brampton community. This production is a furious, fast-paced Hamlet for our times, an electrifying tale of unhinged vengeance and tainted love that will thrill both purist and modern Shakespearean fans.
“The City of Brampton is a multicultural tapestry, and it’s our mission to showcase all of our city’s diversity on our stages. We aim to continue to embrace the incredible cultural fusion specific to Brampton and all our gifted creators, continue to experiment on our stages, and honour the classics but through a unique new lens,” says Executive Artistic Director Steven Schipper. “We’re fortunate to have such immense talent in this city and we can’t wait to see folks breaking barriers in roles that haven’t traditionally welcomed them.”
The season will now be split into two parts: June through December 2023, and January through May 2024. The full season features a dynamic and exciting variety of local and international talent, spanning all types of performing arts, offering a season that truly has something for everyone.
The first portion of the Brampton On Stage season includes several exclusive appearances from Canadian and international stars, including a special evening with Tony Award-nominated, Grammy Award-winning Broadway star Eva Noblezada (Oct. 20), in her first Canadian appearance. Noblezada will perform songs from both classic musicals and pop hits, reimagined as if they were set in a speakeasy, taking the audience through her journey of discovering her deep love for music and theatre.
Stage Door Stories, a new series at The Rose Studio, will host intimate conversations and performances from musical icons, including fiddle wünderkind Ashley MacIsaac (Oct. 10) and Canadian cultural treasure Susan Aglukark (Dec. 5). Burton Cummings & His Band Unplugged (of The Guess Who fame) will perform an unplugged session with his band Oct. 12, while stand-up comedian Whitney Cummings takes the stage at The Rose on Dec. 3.
But – some of the most exciting performances are found within Brampton’s deep pool of up-and-coming talent. Through July and August, music lovers of all ages can enjoy free concerts during the weekly Friday Night Live series in Garden Square, with artists like JUNO Award-winning reggae band Kirk Diamond and The Movement of Ahryel feat. Jônelle (July 7), live band karaoke with Rock Star Live (July 14), an East Coast Kitchen Party (Aug. 4), Wannabe, a Spice Girls Tribute (Aug. 25) and Cree roots rocker Adrian Sutherland with Mimi O’Bonsawin (in partnership with the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund – Sept. 1), and more.
Other free outdoor programming at Garden Square includes Movies by Moonlight, with family movies every Wednesday evening; and Starlight Saturday Movies showing box office hits every Saturday night.
September is packed with must-see live music:
• Back for its second year, Monsoon Sound (Sep. 8) will storm The Rose Lobby with spirit and electricity, bringing the youthful, invigorating energy of South Asian hip hop to mark the end of another summer in the city;
• Meet the best of Brampton’s rising music and comedic talent at the first annual This is Brampton Showcase (Sep. 14), a night of entertainment spanning comedy, hip hop, R&B, jazz, country, rock, spoken word and Broadway, including: Flower City Slam curated by The Wild Woman; HYPE curated by Jemane Kent; Immigrants with Attitude curated by Sunny Chahal; QueeriAHCity curated by Anu Radha Verma and more;
• Flow Fest (Sep. 23), Brampton’s International Drumming Festival, will immerse the audience in a percussive party that celebrates culture, music, and drums from around the world.
Other season highlights include:
• Outlaw by Norm Foster – July 6 to 9, Rose Studio
• Twelfth Night by Brampton’s Own Shakespeare Show, presented by Louie the Goat Production) – July 20 to Aug. 5, various outdoor stages
• Bed and Breakfast (Orillia Opera House Production) – Aug. 24 to 27, Rose Studio
• The Vagina Monologues presented by The Hive – Oct. 26 to 28, Cyril Clark
• The Wizard of Oz presented by Brampton Music Theatre – Nov. 2 to 12, The Rose
• Early Morning Rain: The Legend of Gordon Lightfoot – Nov. 17, The Rose
• The Jay Martin Comedy Series – Nov. 25, LBP
• In My Body by Bboyizm Dance Company and Crazy Smooth, a four-time Dora Award winning performance – Dec. 5, The Rose
• The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition – Ballet Jörgen in collaboration with the McMichael Canadian Art Collection – Dec. 13, The Rose
• A Whole New World: The Musical Magic of Alan Menken – Dec. 16, LBP
• A Next Generation Leahy Christmas – Dec. 17, The Rose
“Arts and culture play a vital role in our community. They help us to express ourselves, connect with others, and share our feelings with the world. Brampton is a diverse city that celebrates each other’s traditions and cultures, and I am proud to see this represented on our stages. We have an exciting season ahead!” said Mayor Patrick Brown.
“Our team has curated a thoughtful and exciting program that will bring together audiences of all different backgrounds,” says Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Community Services. “These performances are reflective of our diverse and dynamic community, and give everyone a chance to connect through arts and culture. Whether you’re a regular visitor to our venues or still have yet to visit, I invite everyone to join us for the first half of the Brampton On Stage season!”