Celebrate Galentine's Day at Proof Kitchen + Lounge

Green Light Arts presents Beyonsea and the Mothers, a new play by Teneile Warren.

“There are demons here, but there are also brooms to sweep them away.”

A young girl named Beyonsea is sent to North America to join the mother she only knows through phone calls, barrels, and remittances. Simone, Beyonsea’s mother is a busy immigrant working two jobs. Michael, their neighbour, who fled a Jamaican community, befriends Beyonsea and eventually introduces her to his alt persona, Melody Knowles. Beyonsea and the Mothers tells the story of three Jamaicans who are brought together by circumstance in a place meant to give them second chances.

This play discusses Jamaican culture, queerness, blackness, being an immigrant, and features strained family relationships. Recommended for Ages 12 years. 80 minutes. 

Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | 7:00 PM (Private Event)
Thursday, January 30, 2025 | 7:00 PM (Opening Night)
Friday, January 31, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Saturday, February 1, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Sunday, February 2, 2025 | 4:00 PM (pay-what-you-can)
 
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Friday, February 7, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Saturday, February 8, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Sunday, February 9, 2025 | 4:00 PM (pay-what-you-can)

The Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts
Warnock MacMillan Theatre
36 King St W, Kitchener, ON N2G 1A3

The Conrad Centre is an accessible venue. Please reach out to Steven Jackson (steven@greenlight-arts.com) if you need to coordinate any specific accessibility needs for your visit.

TICKET LINK: https://www.ticketscene.ca/series/1297/ 

More information: https://www.greenlight-arts.com 

Swing Rueda is a round or wheeled group dance that is adapted from the salsa rueda. Everyone moves in unison to the Lindy Hop figures that are called. There are plenty of partner passes and switches throughout the dance.

Class 1: 1:00-2:00pm Foundations

Learn the basic structure and flow of the dance. Review swings outs, cross body leads, circles, turns, and start your first partner passes and switches.

Class 2: 2:15-3:15pm New Fun Fancy Figures

Expand your swing rueda repertoire including figures never taught in KW. Traffic jam, turn style, reverse, coca-cola and more.

Class 3: 3:30-4:30pm Charleston Rueda

We are taking swing rueda to a whole new level by incorporating Charleston figures. Transition to basic charleston, dame, double kick, slide, swap and more.

Practice: 4:30-5pm

Classes are $25 each, or $50 for the whole event.  For members it’s $40 for the whole event or $20 per class.

London’s award-winning Jazz songstress Sonja Gustafson is a talented vocalist with a unique style and polish.  Her traditional approach reflects an appreciation for the forerunners of vocal jazz, bringing a cool verve to classic and lesser-known standards.  Honest and soulful in her delivery and grace, Sonja Gustafson is dazzling whether performing torch ballads, scatting with abandon, or crooning popular covers. Her collaborations with many of London’s top jazz instrumentalists led to the release of her debut CD “Sonja Gustafson” in 2007, as well as a double Christmas CD entitled “Comfort & Joy” released in December 2010. Both albums were well-received and can be heard on CBC radio and found on iTunes, or ordered at www.sonjagustafson.com.

Her audience is often surprised to learn that she is also an accomplished classically trained soprano with a MMus from UWO. She is a popular guest with symphonies, choirs and big bands alike and has been soprano soloist at First St. Andrew’s United Church in London, ON since 1999.  Sonja also has her own opera company, Diva Lounge Productions, which produces fully staged chamber operas.  But make no mistake, when it comes to jazz, she is the “real deal” according to her listeners and colleagues – her mellow jazz vocals are worlds away from her soprano roots. So whether singing in an intimate jazz club or in front of a symphony, this multi-faceted performer is an engaging songstress who connects deeply with her audience and shares her love of song with passion.

This performance is part of the WOMEN IN JAZZ series, sponsored by DIVA INTERNATIONAL, makers of the Diva Cup.