Classical Caberet at the Old Mill Inn

CLASSICAL CABARET AT THE OLD MILL INN FALL SEASON

LAUNCHES WITH QUARTETTO GELATO, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Followed by Fiddle on Fire October 20 and

Vera Lynn Tribute with the Grand Salon Orchestra November 3

The Old Mill Inn continues to serve up classical concerts with excellent cuisine. Classical Cabaret at The Old Mill Inn kicks off its fall series with Canada’Äôs internationally celebrated Quartetto Gelato, Tuesday, September 22 at 21 Old Mill Road (minutes from the Old Mill subway; ample free parking).

Dinner is served from 6 p.m., with live music beginning at 7 p.m. For $65, patrons can enjoy the concert and a three-course meal. For information and reservations, call 416-207-2020, e-mail info@oldmilltoronto.com, or visit www.oldmilltoronto.com/entertainment_concert.html.

Classical in intent, eclectic by design, Quartetto Gelato has enchanted audiences and critics worldwide with its exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion and charismatic presence. The artists ’Äì Peter DeSotto, tenor/violin/mandolin; Alexander Sevastian, accordion; Kornel Wolak, clarinet; and Carina Reeves, cello ’Äì thrill audiences with the mastery of six instruments, plus the unexpected bonus of a brilliant operatic tenor. Performed without scores, their shows radiate a sense of spontaneity and excitement rarely seen on the classical stage. (www.quartettogelato.ca)

Violin virtuoso Lance Elbeck takes the stage on October 20 for Fiddle On Fire, a delightfully entertaining musical theatre presentation. The versatile Elbeck stars as ’ÄúThe Fiddler’Äù, with an accompanying pianist, and a dancer performing in Celtic and modern dance styles. The great Leonard Bernstein recognized Elbeck’Äôs talents at an early age, and conducted the Chicago Symphony and New York Philharmonic with Elbeck as soloist. Fiddle on Fire portrays the historical relationship of several famous violin virtuosi, while the ’ÄúFiddler’Äù dazzles the audience with a fascinating display of violin wizardry.

Orchestra conductor and Classical 96.3 radio personality Kerry Stratton is the effervescent master of ceremonies for Classical Cabaret at The Old Mill Inn. Having opened the series in April with his elegant Grand Salon Orchestra, he brings the Orchestra back on Tuesday, November 3 for Vera Lynn: We’Äôll Meet Again ’Äì an evening of dining and dancing.

As a Remembrance Day prelude, the powerfully moving mezzo-soprano voice of Barbara Sadegur recreates the memorable songs of the ’ÄúForces Sweetheart’Äù Vera Lynn, which buoyed the Allies during World War II. Such memorable 1940s favorites as White Cliffs of Dover and We’Äôll Meet Again provide an unforgettable close to the first season of the Classical Cabaret at the Old Mill Inn series.

The Old Mill Inn and Spa, on the Humber River, is Toronto’Äôs premier place for great dance music and excellent cuisine in a party atmosphere. Live dance music has been an Old Mill tradition since 1921. Michael Kalmar, President of The Old Mill Inn, says, ’ÄúMusic and dancing are fabulous social activities that make you feel great! The element of dining adds an up-close and personal experience that is hard to find today.’Äù

Classical Cabaret at The Old Mill Inn: Historical Notes:

The series concept originated in New York’Äôs ballrooms in the 1960s and lasted 30 years as the ’Äúin’Äù place to go. Celebrities, such as famed pianist/conductor Skitch Henderson, jazz pianist Billy Taylor, and journalist and broadcaster Alistair Cooke, read the program notes for the audience ’Äì much as Kerry Stratton does at the Classical Cabaret at the Old Mill Inn series.

The Old Mill became an entertainment hub as a tea garden and place of leisure on the first day of World War I, 95 years ago (1914). A destination for live dance music since the early 1920s, the Old Mill featured the resident duo of pianist Nelson Hatch and violinist Cec Ryder. After playing dance music for patrons since 1921 in the Print Room, in 1929 they expanded to a nine-piece live orchestra.

More info on The Old Mill’Äôs history, with photos is at www.oldmilltoronto.com/History.html.