Stratford Times July 26, 2024 Its BYOV, or bring your own vinyl, at] Revival House EMILY STEWART Times Correspondent Vinyl record collectors can share their music during Bring Your Own Vinyl Nights at Revival House. The Revival Vinyl Society (RVS) was formed in 2016 after DJ Darren Dumas, a.k.a. “Mista D,” found out Revival House owner Rob Wigan was looking for ideas for a new monthly event. Du- mas suggested a Bring Your Own Vinyl Night and said he would host it. Over the past eight years, the Bring Your Own Vinyl Nights would run from 8 p.m, to 11 p.m., and sometimes finish at midnight. Attendees would bring their own records and write down the tracks they would like to hear on a sign-up sheet. Dumas keeps the records safe in a milk crate during the night. “We encourage a social environment for record collectors to share their love of vinyl and music in general among like-minded individuals,” he said to the Stratford Times. Dumas said Revival House, located at 75 Brunswick Street, is the best place to host a Bring Your Own Vinyl Night for several reasons. “The owner, my good mate, Rob Wigan, and his own Leos love for vi- nyl,” he said. “Beyond that, his staff are a fantastic group of people, the food and drinks and always amazing, and while we are usually up in The Belfrey for RVS, we have sometimes held the night down in the main room for special occa- sions with larger crowds, or even outside on the patio if the weather works in our favour Although streaming has been a pre- dominant way of music consumption over the past two decades, the vinyl re- cord is still loved by many. Dumas said that vinyl is still as popular as ever, as it offers something tangible that streaming cannot. “Viewing the album artwork and pack- aging while diving deeper into the music by reading the liner notes is an experi- ence that was commonplace until the ar- rival of the iPod, and a lost art to most of those born in the age of streaming,” he said. “In 2024, vinyl is the most popular physical form in which people purchase music, and the creativity in some special vinyl releases these days is at its highest. FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC “It’s a fun thing to collect, and music holds memories for everyone. In addition to listening to a variety of vinyl record tracks while socializing over food and drink, RVS also has record giveaways from their sponsor Sound Fix- ation on Bring Your Own Vinyl Nights. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Looking to share your favourite albums with others? Stop by Revival House on Bring Your Own Vinyl Nights, which usually happen on the final Thursday of every month. RVS also runs record conventions and vinyl dance parties. Bring Your Own Vinyl Nights usual- ly run every last Thursday of the month, unless said otherwise. More information can be found by visiting www.facebook. com/revivalvinylsociety. Something Rotten! and La Cage aux Folles extended to mid-November Both musicals — Something Rotten! and La Cage aux Folles ~are being extended to mid-November. These shows are thrill- ing audiences and reminding people of the joys of live theatre. Something Rotten!, the show that launched the Festival’s 2024 season in April, is being hailed by critics and audi- ences as one of the best musicals ever. Helmed by director-choreographer Don- na Feore with music director Laura Burton, Something Rotten! is a hilarious, laugh-a- minute musical, filled with dazzling dance numbers and unforgettable songs, includ- ing “God, I Hate Shakespeare,” “Hard to Be the Bard” and “Welcome to the Renais- sance.” It follows a pair of discouraged play- wrights, Nick and Nigel Bottom — played by Mark Uhre and Henry Firmston — as they try to find a way to succeed in the- atre when their main competitor is the rock star William Shakespeare, played by Jeff Lillico. When Nick consults the soothsay- er, Thomas Nostradamus, played by Dan Chameroy, he sets out on a path to develop the world’s first musical, and true hilarity ensues. The production also features Starr Domingue as Bea, Juan Chioran as Broth- er Jeremiah (did we mention there are sing- ing and dancing Puritans?), Steve Ross as Shylock and Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane as Portia. Each and every performance is produc- ing super-fans, who are returning time and again, asserting that Something Rotten! is really something fantastic. Less than half- way into the run, more than 4,000 people have returned to see the show for a second time — some more than twice! If you love musicals, this show’s for you! If you love Shakespeare, this show’s for you! And if you HATE Shakespeare and/or “musicals, you,will revel in the good-heart- ed roasting both genres take in this hilari- ous theatrical sendup. Over at the Avon Theatre, the musical La Cage aux Rolles WEE earned its eee lines with a De ing B ieteni hich at its heart is a touching family story about acceptance in a politically divided world. It features Sean Arbuckle, as Georges, the manager of a drag club in St. Tropez, and Steve Ross as Albin, his life partner and the club’s star performer. Georges agrees to “play it straight” to meet the ul- tra-conservative parents of their son’s new fiancé, while Albin is shocked to discov- er that he is being sidelined. The ensuing clash unravels truth and consequences with heartwarming grace — and fabulous drag performances! The production is directed by Thom Alli- son and choreographed by Cameron Carv- er with music director Franklin Brasz. It features Juan Chioran as Edouard Dindon, mes Daly as Jean-Michel, Aidan de- Salaiz as Francis, Starr Domingue as Jac- queline and Heather Kosik as Anne. The production features the unforgetta- ble anthem “I Am What I Am,” sung by Steve Ross in what many are calling the performance of a lifetime, as he brings the character of Albin to vivid life: by day, a caring, if dramatic, spouse and parent, by night a star performer, the headliner of La Cage aux Folles, home of Les Cagelles. These drag performers entertain in su- preme style, with opulent costumes and sensational hair and makeup. Their cab- aret-style performances range from sexy and sultry to zany and outrageous. The show is a perfect combination of guts and glitter — with a whole lot of love thrown in. = Tickets for the additional performances by calling the box office at 1.800.567.1600. listed below go on sale Friday, July 19, and Tickets are still available for current per- are available at www.stratfordfestival.ca or celticfestival.ca formances. o August 5-9, 2024 Archie Fisher & Garnet Rogers Karan Case) ry Allison Lupton Band iA Matt & Shannon Heaton Rory M: wi O'Jizo Heron Valley Portage Jane & Ki ha & | Bennie Gallagher