State of the Arts
Sudbury Arts Council
April 10/11
Judi Straughan
Music, Dance and Visual Arts Shower Us in April
Emergence Art Exhibition: Until May 2
The Art Gallery of Sudbury’s annual juried exhibition of talented artists from Grades 9 to 12, Emergence 2024, runs until May 2 at the Art Gallery’s temporary 174 Elgin St. location. Since 1970, Emergence has shone a spotlight on artistic development in painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and mixed media. This exciting exhibition is an opportunity for the students to share their vision with family, friends, and the public. The closing reception is Thursday, May 2, from 5 to 7 pm.
Latin dancing
Experience a night of Latin culture and dancing the last Friday of every month. Zoi Monroy invites everyone to dance to Latin rhythms with internationally renowned DJ Ritchie Rich pumping tunes from 7 to 11:30 pm at the Idylwylde Golf and Country Club on Walford Road. A free Salsa Class is taught by Monroy at 8:45 pm, giving the reluctant courage to step on to the dance floor. No experience necessary. Tickets for April 26 and every month are available at zoimonroy.com at $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Jazz is alive and well!
There’s a growing passion for excellent jazz in Greater Sudbury.
Every Wednesday, Jazz Sudbury presents free jazz from 6 to 8 pm at the Place des Arts Bistro. On April 17, featured singer Zoey Skye is backed up by the talented duo of Jamie Dupuis and Chris Dardick. Each Wednesday spotlights different local jazz performers. Come early and have a bite to eat or arrive any time for jazz and a beverage.
Thursday nights at 7 pm, Dorland Music presents a special jazz guest artist backed up by Sudbury jazz locals.
SAC wants your critter photos
Sudbury Arts Council (SAC) invites amateur and professional photographers to submit images for a 2025 desk calendar.
The 2025 theme is Creatures Large and Small. SAC is looking for photos of domestic or wild Northern Ontario creatures without any human beings in the shot.
Deadline for submissions to is June 1. Complete information regarding submissions is available at the SAC website: www.sudburyartscouncil.ca.
Thirteen colour images will be selected by members of the arts council board, one for each month plus a cover shot.
Each selected photographer will receive and honorarium of $80, four calendars as a thank-you as well as a credit in the calendar.
Images are limited to two per participant and the photographer must live in Greater Sudbury. Images should be submitted in separate emails and include the name and contact information of the photographer.
Images will be used for the 2025 calendar only. All images must be the property of the photographer.
State of the Arts is a bi-monthly column by the Sudbury Arts Council. To become a board member or to submit an arts event, go to
Tickets for this 8 pm show are $48.50 and available on the Place des Arts website maplacedesarts.ca.
MAiD: May 7
Tickets are now available for an evening with author and medical doctor Dr. Jean Marmoreo. In her new best-selling book “The Last Doctor”, Dr. Marmoreo takes readers on a journey through her experience with medical assistance in dying (MAiD) She introduces unforgettable characters as she examines end of life. Marmoreo is a gripping story teller and an excellent source of information.
Three organizations present this on-stage interview with Dr. Marmoreo: CFUW Sudbury, YWCA and LEAF (Women’s Legal and Education Action Fund.)
Tickets for this May 7, 7:30 pm event at Sudbury Secondary School are $20 and available through Eventbrite under ‘Celebrate Women’ and at Adoro Olive Oils and Vinegars 1984 Regent Street or Jett Landry Music 1119 Lasalle Blvd. Go to cfuwsudbury.com /Celebrate Women for more details. Books are available for purchase on site May 7.
Poetry Month
Established in Canada in 1998, National Poetry Month takes place every April bringing together communities and poets from across the country to celebrate poetry and its vital place in Canada’s culture.
The rumour (penned in iambic pentameter) hints that Sudbury will celebrate poetry month by announcing a new poet laureate to replace Kyla Heyming whose term has come to an end. Heyming has been Sudbury’s poet laureate since 2022 and has done an extraordinary job impacting Greater Sudbury with many projects and initiatives. Sudbury Arts Council thanks Heyming for her passion, expertise and dedication.
Greater Sudbury’s Poet Laureate serves as an active advocate for poetry, literacy, and literature by initiating and participating in readings and other events throughout the community. The Poet Laureate’s mandate also includes the creation of a legacy project that will be unique to them.
We look forward to meeting our new poet laureate.
Your Pet for Mayor
Do you share your daily life with a furry, feathered or scaly animal who likes to read alongside you? Perhaps your pet is destined to become the first pet mayor of Panache bookstore in Place des Arts on Larch Street.
How does it work?
The Panache Book Store invites people to submit an application for their animal(s) to become ayor. The form can be found on the Panache Bookstore website. Because this is a fundraising campaign, there is a fee of $25 per animal. Application deadline is May 17 at 11:55 p.m.
For more information, go to the Panache Bookstore website or e-mail Your pet’s political career is about to begin.
SuperSTARS Show
For 14 young singers ages fro six to 19, this is the chance of a lifetime. Cafe Heritage and the Azilda Lions Club present SuperSTARS 2024 April 28 at 1 p.m. in the Lionel E. Lalonde Centre in Azilda.
Each of these talented youngsters has auditioned and been coached by a professional. They are ready to bravely face the world to entertain all – a wonderful unveiling of fresh new talent.
Art Shows Aplenty
Whether photography, watercolour, acrylic or mixed media, there are art shows galore in Greater Sudbury.
Sudbury Shutterbugs invite everyone to their photography exhibit at the Sudbury Public Library on Mackenzie Street from April 28 to May 11. The opening reception is April 28 from noon until 2 p.m. For those interested in adding more photography to their life, the club always welcomes new members.
The Art Club of Sudbury holds its spring art show May 4 and 5 from 10 to 4 p.m. It’s well worth the visit to either browse the entire collection or purchase the perfect art piece that speaks to you. The Carmichael Centre is located at 1388 Bellevue St. Those attending are asked to bring something for the Sudbury Food Bank.
Walden Art Club invites the public to their spring exhibition Artists in Action on April 13 and 14 at the Tom Davies Community (Walden) Arena in Lively. The hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. More than 20 artists and their works will be exhibited.
A reminder to everyone that the Art Gallery of Sudbury temporary location is at 174 Elgin St. in downtown Sudbury. Do drop in!
Congratulations Gillian Schultze
Sudbury Artist Gillian Schultze shares this bit of good news.
“My artwork is in this month’s issue of ‘House and Garden’ magazine in the Artist section, “ said Schultze. ”I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to create a custom textile commission for a lovely couple in Sudbury. I’m currently working on a new collection inspired by the breathtaking beauty of the Great Lakes in Canada.”
Eric Johnston’s “Undeniabull”
On May 2, comic Eric Johnston provides a night filled with quick wit, impeccable timing and relatable storytelling. Influenced by his charismatic professional wrestler father, Johnson’s performances are always engaging and entertaining. From cross-country comedy tours to sold-out shows at top venues such as “The Laugh Factory” and “The Comedy Store”, Jonhston’s comedy leaves everyone in stitches.
The show will be held at Knox Hall, 73 Larch St. Tickets are $35 and available online at www.derekyoungmarketing.com, by phone 705-918-2601 or at the door.
Sudbury Burlesque
Sudbury Burlesque presents “Pop! Goes Burlesque: Icons Exposed,” a sensational show at The Grand Theatre on Elgin Street, May 10 and 11. Show time is 7:30 p.m.
See your favourite icons from movie and fashion trends, to popular characters, and influences that shaped the mainstream. This large cast burlesque show features more than 20 travelling and local performers. Online tickets are on sale now through Showpass. Go to the Sudbury Burlesque website at sudburyburlesque.com for complete information.
This is a 19+ event and ID is required.
Well done Bill Rowson!
The new conductor of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra made quite a musical splash in front of a sold-out audience this past weekend at the Fraser Auditorium. He’s both talented and personable, telling stories and giving context to the pieces he conducted. Talk about a musical score for Sudbury! Rowson and family will move from British Columbia this summer. Sudbury Arts Council welcomes Bill Rowson to our city.
Big Band End of Season
May 30 is the final performance of The Hilltoppers, Sudbury’s big band which plays every Thursday from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Branch 76 Legion on Weller Street. The Hilltoppers provide a truly memorable afternoon, whether you go simply to hear the music or to dance the time away. Enjoy the final few weeks before the season ends. Admission is $5 at the door.
Broadway, Classical, Jazz or Scottish Music?
Sudbury’s community radio station CKLU 96.7 caters to all music tastes.
“The Sounds of Scotland” has developed into a must-listen for Scots and non Scots worldwide. For more than 20 years Andy Mack has been playing a great weekly mix of Scottish music. The Sounds of Scotland airs Sundays at 10 a.m. and Wednesdays at noon.
John Kraus, host of “Maestro’s Picks” Sunday at noon is a professional musician, conductor, music festival adjudicator and retired educator. Originally from North Bay, this motorcycle riding, hockey goaltender is not your average classical musician. He shares stories and an eclectic variety of musical selections during his weekly show.
Broadway fans are in their element Mondays at 11 a.m. as they tune into “Sounds of Broadway.” It’s everything you want it to be.
Allan Walsh’s take on the jazz world in “Jazz Sounds” is always worth listening to Wednesdays at 2 p.m. JazzMania airing Saturdays at 6 p.m. is equally informative and entertaining.
Most CKLU radio shows are aired twice weekly. Check out the schedule at cklu.ca and listen to what you love.
Sudbury Arts Council (SAC) State of the Arts is a bi-monthly column. Send your arts event to . Interested in becoming a board member? E-mail SAC.