2022 Programming
See the list of programming below and follow @creativebarrie on Instagram and Facebook for updates!
Culture Days programming is accessible and free, taking place in person, online, and through self-guided exploration (including the Downtown Barrie's Open Air Dunlop).
The Ice Project: An Immersive Installation by Sue A. Miller
September 22 to October 23The exhibit is an imagined, multi-sensory immersive experience that expresses the artist’s personal response to climate change and in particular the critical situation in the Canadian Arctic. The exhibit includes large scale oil paintings, smaller illuminated works on mylar and an audio soundscape. This exhibition is supported by the Ontario Arts Council.
Artist’s Tour: October 11th at 11am (see details below)
The Campus Gallery is located in the Helen and Arch Brown Centre for Design and Visual Arts (D building), Georgian College, 1 Georgian Drive. The gallery hours are 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday, and 12pm – 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Becoming Rock: Sculpture & Selfie Project
October 1 to 16 | Barrie Waterfront, self-guidedInstructions placed at seven rocks around Barrie's waterfront between the bottom of Mulcaster Street and the South Shore Community Centre remind us of the importance of connecting with nature while inviting participants to strike a 60-second pose to create a one-minute sculpture. Participants are encouraged to take a selfie or allow others to take a snapshot and share a black and white photo of their Becoming Rock sculpture @ptartcolab to become a more permanent part of the project's digital archive.
Inspired by the playful one-minute sculptures of Austrian artist Erwin Wurm and instructional art of the 1960s, “Becoming Rock" is an interactive public art project developed by local artists Jill Price and Frances Thomas. Pairing art history with everyday activities, the project reinforces the long tradition of humans interacting with rocks as material, site, and symbol.
25th Annual Barrie Film Festival
October 14 to 23Join us for a ten-day film lover’s delight as the festival celebrates 25 years of bringing people together to experience extraordinary films from Canada and around the world. Includes guest speakers, parties and an international short film competition. BFF - your best friend for film! Visit barriefilmfestival.ca for more information.
Enjoy free, interactive performances and art activities, learn about community arts organizations, and take guided tours of downtown Barrie's history and public art. Featuring:
- Collaborative Mural Painting with local Metis artist Monica Loney
- The east end (puzzled) activity with local artist Andrew Maize
- Community arts booths
- Brightening Barriers Public Art Guided Walking Tour
- Historic Walking Tour with Barrie's Town Crier, presented by Heritage Barrie
Performance Schedule 10am Kempenfelt Players Workshop & Performance – Come dressed in your favourite 70’s attire, be prepared to move, and join in on a performance from Mamma Mia! 11:30am Poetry performance by Ty the Poetess, accompanied by contemporary dancer Jay T.G. Turner 11:55am Hip Hop performance by Myndset 12:15pm Musical Performance by Alyssa Tess 1pm Salsa Beats performance and Latin dance lesson 2pm Rock/blues performance by catl. presented by the Downtown Barrie BIA 4:30pm Rock performance by Bootlegged the Band Open Air Dunlop
All day eventDunlop Street is closed for cars and open for pedestrians to roam freely and enjoy the streetscape, shopping, live music, patios, buskers, and various art and family activities. Open Air Dunlop is hosted by the Downtown Barrie BIA.
Barrie Farmers' Market
8am – Noon | City HallVisit the Barrie Farmers' Market, rain or shine, year-round. Every Saturday from 8am to noon. Find unique arts and crafts, delicious seasonal offerings from the garden and the oven, as well as a variety of meats and fresh fish. The Farmers' Market often features live music and free family activities.
Comic Fest and Game On!
10am – 3pm | Barrie Public Library (Downtown Branch)Dust off your superhero cape - BPL Comic Fest is back in-person! Join the Library for a free, family-friendly event that showcases pop culture in Barrie with local vendors, cosplayers, artists and more. In partnership with the City of Barrie Game On! event, where you can re-live the nostalgia of retro video and board games or go head-to-head in a Gamer's Tournament. Learn more about Barrie Public Library's Annual BPL Comic Fest.
Indian Block Prints
10am – 1pm | Intersection of Mulcaster and Dunlop StreetsHave fun creating art with us outdoors! Families are invited to join regional artist Angela Aujla and learn more about the history and purpose of Indian block printing by creating an artwork using a variety of softoleum stamping techniques. This activity is organized by the MacLaren Art Centre.
Game On! 2v2 Rocket League Tournament
12pmCompete head-to-head in this friendly, all-ages online 2v2 Rocket League tournament hosted by We Got Game and streamed live on Twitch for all to watch starting at 12pm on Saturday, September 24. It's free to enter and competitors are split into two age categories: Child 13 and under and Adult 14+. Register with a partner or on your own and We Got Game will match you up with someone in your age category with similar skill level.
Registration is now open! Sign up for the online tournament.
Prizes: The top two competitors in each age category will win an Amazon gift card! In the Adult category (14+), the prize value is $200 for 1st and $100 for 2nd. In the Child category (13 and under), the prize value is $100 for 1st and $50 for 2nd.
Rocket League is free to download and can be played on any system, including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and PC. Visit the corresponding store on your system or visit epicgames.com on your PC
Historic Walking Tour by Barrie’s Town Crier
12pm – 1pm | Starting at Meridian PlaceThe tour will look at Victorian pioneer Barrie, Heroes, Heroines, Rogues and Scoundrels: a look into life in the early 1800's here in Barrie when it was a wild west type community. Get a bit of exercise, be entertained, and be informed! The tour is given by our Town Crier, Steve Travers, and sponsored by Heritage Barrie.
The Thunderbird and Other Stories
2pm – 3pm | MacLaren Art Centre, The Carnegie RoomFamilies will be engaged in story and song as regional Indigenous storyteller Will Morin brings the Thunderbird and other myths to life. All are welcome! This activity is organized by the MacLaren Art Centre.
24-Hour Playwriting Contest
6pm | OnlineAre you a budding playwright from the Simcoe County region? As part of the City of Barrie’s Culture Days festivities, Theatre by the Bay is back with its 24 hour playwriting contest for the second year in a row!
You will have 24 hours to write a one act script (ie. no more than 45 minutes to read) that must incorporate three secret requirements. Those requirements will be published on Theatre by the Bay’s website, as well as through our social media channels at the start of the contest.
24 hour contests are a fantastic way to dive into playwriting, or to push yourself to create something in a condensed amount of time. No procrastination allowed with this one!
The contest ends on September 25th at 6pm. The winner of the contest will have their script receive a live reading on October 15th and a cash prize!
This initiative is generously supported by the City of Barrie and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Game On! After Dark
7pm – 10pm | Five Points TheatreThe 19+ crowd is invited to attend Game On! After Dark. There will be a cosplay mix and mingle hosted by SnowHawk Cosplay with featured cosplayers onsite. Participants will have the chance to win a prize and be named Barrie's Ultimate Cosplayer of 2022! Explore the video game lounge stations, play online games or kick-it old school at a board game station. One video game station will be a time trial race where players race as fast as they can to get their best score! The winner will get a prize and be crowned Barrie's Ultimate Racer 2022. Visit the Game On! event page for more information.
Together Again
2:30pm – 3:30pm | The Carnegie Room, MacLaren Art CentreSimcoe Contemporary Dancers presents a programme of choreography exploring social connections and relationships. SCD will also present a brand-new structured improvisation inspired by the exhibition letters by Francisco-Fernando Granados which is currently displayed in the Carnegie Room. This activity is organized by the MacLaren Art Centre.
Make a Bookmark with Holly
10am – 10:30am | OnlineTurn on some soft lighting, gentle music and make a bookmark of your own! As Holly creates a floral inspired bookmark, she'll share tips on painting and tassel making. Enjoy watching a watercolour bookmark take shape and try creating one of your own. Hosted by the Barrie Public Library. Learn more about the online event.
Flag Raising for National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
9:30am | City Hall CourtyardThe Flag Raising kicks-off the week of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Lunch and Learn: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Noon – 1pm | Maclaren Art Centre, The Carnegie RoomIn recognition of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, join us for a talk with a residential school survivor Bernard Nelson. Organized by the Barrie Native Friendship Centre.
Harvest of Harmony: Singing Workshop for Women
7pm – 9pm | Dorian Parker CentreThis is an opportunity for women of all ages to join Barrie Soundwaves, in a 4-part, barbershop style, a cappella chorus. From 7pm-9pm on September 20, 27, & October 4, gals can join the chorus in studying the voice as an instrument, rehearsing two new pop song arrangements and discovering the Barrie Soundwaves chorus. All of this great learning culminates in a public performance for friends and family on October 11, 2022 @ 7 pm. Interested ladies can join the free event on eventbrite, email members@barriesoundwaves.com, or simply come on out to the Dorian Parker Centre at Sunnidale Park.
Musical Performance by Skyliners Big Band
7:30pm – 9:30pm | City Hall RotundaThe Barrie Skyliners Big Band is comprised of 17 top area musicians. The band plays big band era favorites by Ellington, Basie, Kenton, as well as more contemporary hits. The Skyliners Big Band has selections to keep everyone dancing, listening, and smiling.
Sacred Fire
Sunrise – Sundown | Spirit Catcher, 1 Maple St.The Sacred Fire will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and in honour of all who have been impacted by residential schools. All are welcome to reflect, offer a prayer, learn, and heal together as a community.
Watch, Listen and Learn Together @ BPL Program Porta
Participate Friday, September 30 or any day | VirtualWatch an NFB Curated Playlist of films for Orange Shirt Day and Read Orange Shirt Day Resources through the Library’s Program Portal. NFB: In Focus Film - Barrie Public Library (libnet.info)
September 30th is Orange Shirt Day. Launched in 2013, this day is intended to raise awareness and acknowledge the devastating harms of the past. This day can spark initiatives to weave reconciliation into education throughout the year and the years to come, thus contributing to a more just society. View these National Film Board selections and learn more about this important day as we continue to work towards reconciliation.
The Orange Shirt Story: Library Pop-up
3pm – 6pm | Spirit Catcher, 1 Maple St.Read and learn together with The Orange Shirt Story Walk, located adjacent to the Spirit Catcher sculpture. Prepare for the walk by customizing your own button to wear and an orange flag to fly high.
- The Orange Shirt Story Walk
- Orange Shirt Flag Craft
- Every Child Matters Button-Maker Activity Station
Truth & Reconciliation Community Event
3pm – 6pm | Spirit Catcher, 1 Maple St.Includes kids activities (supported by Barrie Public Library), a Holistic Village: Indigenous Information Booths (supported by Red Quills & City of Barrie), and a Drum Group on site: Mixed Tribe.
Every Child Matters Walk
5pm – 5:30pm | Spirit Catcher, 1 Maple St.Show your support and walk with our Indigenous community on Friday, September 30 by arriving at the Spirit Catcher sculpture (15 Lakeshore Drive) at 5:00pm, to participate in a walk of commemoration hosted by Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Primary Care Team and the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle. The route will loop from the Spirit Catcher sculpture to Centennial Beach, an easily accessible path for participants of all ages.
Open Air Dunlop
All day eventDunlop Street is closed for cars and open for pedestrians to roam freely and enjoy the streetscape, shopping, live music, patios, buskers, and various art and family activities. Open Air Dunlop is hosted by the Downtown Barrie BIA.
Barrie Farmers' Market
8am – Noon | City HallVisit the Barrie Farmers' Market, rain or shine, year-round. Every Saturday from 8am to noon. Find unique arts and crafts, delicious seasonal offerings from the garden and the oven, as well as a variety of meats and fresh fish. The Farmers' Market often features live music and free family activities.
HUES - Emerging Visual Artists' Show
10am – 1pm AND 5pm – 9pmJoin us to discover four emerging local artists who will be sharing their unique art at Spare Room (12 Lakeshore Mews). Stop by to visit some art, discuss creativity, ideas and dreams and stay a while to colour in the Pick-A-Feeling colouring page and add your own colours to the community canvas. Artists Petra, Tiffany, Monica and Ryley look forward to seeing you!
Global Online Gallery
11am – 12pmOnline art gallery featuring six artists from the services (serving and retired), from three different countries. The event is hosted by the Steel Spirit Gallery. To register, visit thesteelspirit.ca.
English Conversation Circle – Drop In
11am – 12:30pm | Barrie Public Library (Downtown Branch)Practice English, meet new friends, and learn more about life and culture in Canada. Challenge yourself to build your speaking confidence!
Hues: Group Art Show
1 pm – 4 pmJoin us to discover four emerging local artists who will be sharing their unique art at Spare Room (12 Lakeshore Mews). Stop by to visit some art, discuss creativity, ideas and dreams and stay a while to colour in the Pick-A-Feeling colouring page and add your own colours to the community canvas. Artists Petra, Tiffany, Monica and Ryley look forward to seeing you!
Barrie Theatre Lab
6pm – 9pm | Barrie Public Library (Downtown Branch)A get-together for playwrights seeking to have new scenes and plays read out loud by local actors, and local actors looking for a chance to cold-read!
LOCAL PLAYWRIGHTS AND ACTORS UNITE! Are you a budding playwright? Are you an actor looking to hone your skills? Theatre by the Bay presents The Barrie Theatre Lab. Readings are followed by a quick discussion about the work, sending the playwright away with new inspiration and notes for their script. This monthly event is also open to the community to come together, talk about theatre and network, everyone is welcome.
Submit your scripts to: barrieplaywrights@gmail.com for consideration.
Open Mic Night with the Barrie Folk Society
7pm – 8:30pm | Barrie Public Library (Downtown Branch)Listen to the sound of live music or take the mic and perform your favourite tune on stage. Join the Barrie Folk Society as they share their passion for folk music. This not-for-profit organization that cares about the growth and nurturing of the folk music movement in our community. Learn new songs, connect with like-minded musicians or simply sit back and enjoy the tunes. All ages welcome, musicians can sign up starting at 6:30 pm for a chance to perform.
Harvest of Harmony: Singing Workshop for Women
7pm – 9pm | Dorian Parker CentreThis is an opportunity for women of all ages to join Barrie Soundwaves, in a 4-part, barbershop style, a cappella chorus. From 7pm-9pm on September 20, 27, & October 4, gals can join the chorus in studying the voice as an instrument, rehearsing two new pop song arrangements and discovering the Barrie Soundwaves chorus. All of this great learning culminates in a public performance for friends and family on October 11, 2022 @ 7 pm. Interested ladies can join the free event on eventbrite, email members@barriesoundwaves.com, or simply come on out to the Dorian Parker Centre at Sunnidale Park.
Podcast Creation Course and Contest
5:30pm – 8:30pm | OnlineShare your culture with your community through audio storytelling! Indigenous 150+ Podcaster Samantha Loney shares the art of audio storytelling and challenges you to share a story from your community for the chance to with a $250 dollar cash prize! Winners will be announced during an online listening party on October 16, where all submissions will be shared with listeners across the internet!
Voices at Word Up
7pm – 9pm | Barrie Public Library, Downtown Branch, Angus Ross Room, and OnlineVoices at Word Up hosts authors, poets and spoken-word artists. Hear the work of professionals and amateurs and take the mic to share your own work.
Join In Person: To join this program at the library, please drop-in.
Join Online: To join this program, please visit Word Up Barrie's website, where a Zoom link will be made available the day of.
Live Digital Portrait Drawing at The Wheeled Brew Bottle Shop
6pm – 10pm | 19 Clapperton Street, BarrieJoin us for a Live Art and Beer Experience. We’re bringing strangers and friends together for a unique Culture Days event.
Enjoy watching live art on a big screen as portraits are drawn digitally by local portrait and caricature artist Linda Laforge. Only 12 portrait slots available! Sign up today. You’ll receive your one-of-a-kind art by email after the event.
Learn about the Artist and her Work and the cool location, The Wheeled Brew Bottle Shop.
Open Air Dunlop – Thanksgiving Pop-up
All dayDunlop Street is closed for cars and open for pedestrians to roam freely and enjoy the streetscape, shopping, live music, patios, free yoga, buskers, and various art and family activities. Open Air Dunlop is hosted by the Downtown Barrie BIA.
Barrie Farmers' Market
8am – Noon | City HallVisit the Barrie Farmers' Market, rain or shine, year-round. Every Saturday from 8am to noon. Find unique arts and crafts, delicious seasonal offerings from the garden and the oven, as well as a variety of meats and fresh fish. The Farmers' Market often features live music and free family activities.
English Conversation Circle – Drop In
11am – 12:30pm | Barrie Public Library (Downtown Branch)Practice English, meet new friends, and learn more about life and culture in Canada. Challenge yourself to build your speaking confidence!
Artist's Tour of Exhibition: The Ice Project by Sue Miller
11am | Georgian Campus Gallery, D BuildingThe Ice Project is an imagined, multi-sensory immersive experience that expresses artist Sue Miller's personal response to climate change and in particular the critical situation in the Canadian Arctic. Come for the unique opportunity to experience the Artist's own tour of the exhibition on October 11th. The exhibition is on until October 23rd.
The Campus Gallery is located in the Helen and Arch Brown Centre for Design and Visual Arts (D building), Georgian College, 1 Georgian Drive. The gallery hours are 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday, and 12pm – 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Harvest of Harmony Concert
7pm – 9pm | Dorian Parker CentreThis public performance is the culmination of workshops for women of all ages interested in joining the Barrie Soundwaves, in a 4 part, barbershop style, a cappella chorus. Interested individuals can join the free event on eventbrite, email members@barriesoundwaves.com, or simply come on out to the Dorian Parker Centre at Sunnidale Park.
Culture Night Out
6pm | Five Points Theatre, 1 Dunlop Street WestGather with members of the arts community to share ideas and information, hear about upcoming projects and opportunities, take in some local entertainment, and experience an inspiring keynote by Indigenous knowledge-keeper, Brian Charles.
Tech-Deck Painting with Katie Green
7pm – 9pm | Spare Room, 12 Lakeshore MewsCome celebrate the sport of skateboarding in miniature! All materials will be provided to decorate your own mini skateboard deck. Teck-Deck inspired artwork Sweet Moves from Brightening Barriers will also be on display. Inside or outside, weather dependent, at Spare Room 12 Lakeshore Mews. Come Friday, October 14 at 7-9pm for an Open Studio and tour of Spare Room artists and get crafty, or join in the morning of Saturday, October 15th 9-11am and make it part of your Farmers' Market and Downtown adventure!
Tech-Deck Painting with Katie Green
9am – 11am | Spare Room, 12 Lakeshore MewsCome celebrate the sport of skateboarding in miniature! All materials will be provided to decorate your own mini skateboard deck. Teck-Deck inspired artwork Sweet Moves from Brightening Barriers will also be on display. Inside or outside, weather dependent, at Spare Room 12 Lakeshore Mews. Come Friday, October 14 at 7-9pm for an Open Studio and tour of Spare Room artists and get crafty, or join in the morning of Saturday, October 15th 9-11am and make it part of your Farmers' Market and Downtown adventure!
Diwali Storytime
10am – 10:30am | Barrie Public Library (Downtown Branch, Tinker Lab)Join us for a special story time about Diwali for school-aged kids and kids under 5.
English Conversation Circle – Drop In
11am – 12:30pm | Barrie Public Library (Downtown Branch)Practice English, meet new friends, and learn more about life and culture in Canada. Challenge yourself to build your speaking confidence!
The Balance of Art: Online Art Exhibition by Steel Spirit Gallery
11am – 12pmThe Balance of Art will feature creations by serving and retired service members. For more information and to register for this event visit thesteelspirit.ca.
Lunch and Learn: The 60s Scoop
Noon – 1pm | Maclaren Art Centre, The Carnegie RoomJoin us for a talk with a 60's Scoop Survivor Matthew Rutledge. All are welcome. Organized by the Barrie Native Friendship Centre.
Podcast Creation Listening Party
Time TBD | OnlineThis is part two of the Podcast Creation Course and Contest, provided on October 5. There will be a chance for everyone to share their podcast creation during the listening party, and a $250 dollar cash prize will be awarded to a winner. The winner’s submission will then be shared with listening across the internet! This event is hosted by Indigenous 150+ Podcaster Samantha Loney.
Partners
Culture Days wouldn't be possible without the coordination of many in Barrie's arts sector. Thank you to all of our partners for your passion and dedication to a healthy and vibrant cultural sector:
For even more programming, visit the Barrie Public Library’s Calendar of Events and check out the Maclaren Art Centre’s current exhibitions.
Each year, the City of Barrie is proud to celebrate Culture Days, a Canada-wide celebration designed to catalyze and inspire public participation in arts and culture.
Culture Days programs invite the public to show appreciation for arts and culture in their own communities and nationwide. The Culture Days organization supports a Canada-wide network of arts, culture, and heritage organizers to facilitate free public events in their communities every year.
Running September 23 until October 16, 2022, Culture Days events and activities promise to spark creativity, build community, and celebrate nationally.