2627 PAC Present Season at First Ontario Performing Arts Center

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (PAC) has announced its 26/27 PAC Presents season, with more than 80 shows planned across its four spaces in its downtown St. Catharines venue.

The new season, which begins Sept. 22 with the Crash Test Dummies in Partridge Hall, brings together national and international performers, local artists, family programming, film, comedy, dance, education and community events.

PAC CEO Colleen A. Smith said the season is built around the message that “The arts belong here. And so do you.”

“Community is at the heart of everything we do,” Smith said. “This season celebrates the extraordinary talent that exists right here in Niagara alongside artists from across Canada and around the world.”

A major focus of the season is local talent, with 24 performances featuring Niagara artists, events and partners. New programming highlights include the Double Vision series, which will see local musicians perform one set of familiar music and one set of original work. The lineup includes Sean McClelland covering Joni Mitchell, Sammy Jackson covering Alicia Keys, Serena Pryne covering Bonnie Raitt and Nicole Cerminara covering Led Zeppelin.

Additional local-inspired content will include the standing-room-only Let’s Dance series with My Son the Hurricane, The Free Label and Shania Twink. Sunshine Express, one of the most prolific bands to emerge from Niagara's fast-growing alternative scene, will be featured in Partridge Hall with a 12-piece orchestra. Rounding out the local experience will be a Spring Newcomers Market and Songwriter’s Showcase with Bridges Niagara, and the fifth annual Black History Month Variety Show and Vendor Market.

The broader season includes Canadian rock acts Trooper, Big Sugar, I Mother Earth, Men Without Hats, Matthew Good and His Band and Gowan.

Literary icon Margaret Atwood will make her PAC debut, while William Prince, Matt Andersen and Ben Caplan are among the singer-songwriters featured.

DakhaBrakha, the award-winning quartet from Kyiv, returns to the PAC for a third time, bringing its mix of Ukrainian folk music and “ethno-chaos.”

The season also includes Women Fully Clothed, Caroline Rhea and Debra DiGiovanni, Choir! Choir! Choir!, and an interactive sing-along with the music director from the Pitch Perfect film series.

The PAC’s SPARK Gala returns Oct. 24 with a special performance by The National Ballet of Canada. Proceeds from the gala directly support exceptional and diverse cultural experiences that are accessible for the community.

The imPACt Education Series will offer daytime performances for students, including The Secret Path Live, The Velveteen Rabbit, Ocean Blue, and First Ladies of Jazz at $10 per ticket.

Members receive early ticket access beginning June 19. Tickets go on sale to the public July 16 at firstontariopac.ca, by phone at 905-688-0722, or at the Box Office at 250 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines.