Photo Exhibit by D.A. HILL PHOTO and live performance with Sarah Calvert and evening classical concert with Victoria Thompson & John French · May 29, 07:48 pm

What a diverse a wonderfully attended weekend blast that was!

So many attendees to all our events starting with the Artist Reception Friday evening for local, black and white street photographer, David Hill, aka, D.A. HILL PHOTO. David’s work depicted the raw and uncropped view of the city, taken both from NYC and Toronto. Upon delivery of David’s work, his last words to us was ‘I don’t mind if you choose to install the works in a random way – rather than a mainstream gallery viewing. So after brainstorming, Stu and I chose to hang the works to create a cityscape .. placing David’s photos to depict towering skyscrapers, a suburbia cluster, and some vacant lots. Thanks David for the creative inspiration.

Saturday afternoon, the multi-talented Sarah Calvert provided a musical performance of her jazzy blues originals. Sometimes sultry, sometimes cheeky, and sometimes humourous, her performance captured the audience. Sarah performed on piano, guitar AND harmonica! She, along with percussionist, Evan Ritchie, will be returning to CLAUSTRO for a ticketed evening concert Saturday July 28. Contact us for tickets as they sell out quickly!

Then Saturday evening to another SOLD OUT Concert, the mood shifted to one of the Classical kind … with an evening classical concert performed by well-known Soprano Victoria Thompson and Pianist John French. Victoria’s powerful and precise vocals brought tears to my eyes! Both Victoria and John provided the audience with some enlightening stories about the history of the pieces they performed – often quite humourous! The audience was absolutely captivated. What an beautifully intimate setting to listen to such a powerful performance, backdropped by David Hill’s photography, set by ambiant and stage lighting, and delightful h’or doeuvres and buffet all hand created and served by our gallery attendant, Genna. The performance closed with an awe-inspiring Piano Solo by John French, which brought everyone to their feet for a STANDING OVATION celebrating both John and Victoria’s performance! Thank you to Victoria, John and the wonderful audience who made this evening unforgettable.

Sunday afternoon, Photographer David Hill provided a very informative and inspirational discussion about the history of street photography. He brought along well over 10 photo books that depicted the works of many of the key photographers that influenced street photography. We were all stunned, enlightened and humoured by this great workshop provided by David. One of his key points for us to go home with, was to consider making a photo rather than simply taking a photo .. he asked us to consider our subject, its surroundings, its mood, the point of view, the cropping … so during the discussion, Stu decided to do just that and ‘make’ a few photos of his discussion from different perspectives. What fun! After the discussion and to close the exhibit, quite fittingly, we had a fun photo shoot of David being querky – shot by both his wife (and professional photographer, Chris Mack, who will be exhibiting here in June), and by Stu. What a way to end the weekend! FUN!

Click thumbnail to enlarge each image

  • D.A.Hill Photo Opening Reception at CLAUSTRO.
  • Artist David Hill (back left) at his Opening Reception at CLAUSTRO.
  • D.A. Hill Photo Art Reception May 25 at CLAUSTRO.
  • D.A. Hill Photo Exhibition May 25-27 at CLAUSTRO.
  • D.A. Hill Photo Exhibition, prior to Saturday Afternoon Music with Sarah Calvert.
  • Sarah Calvert Live Performance at CLAUSTRO May 26, 2012.
  • Awseome jazzy blues singer, Sarah Calvert performing her original music at CLAUSTRO.
  • Audience getting a chance to speak with Sarah Calvert during intermission.
  • Multi-talented Sarah Calvert playing both piano and harmonica during her performance at CLAUSTRO.
  • Audience gathering for the Classical Concert Saturday evening May 26th.
  • Audience arriving for the Classical Concert at CLAUSTRO.
  • Stu Leggett introducing Victoria Thompson & John French to begin the evening concert.
  • Soprano Victoria Thompson and Pianist John French starting their evening Classical Concert.
  • John French providing a beautiful introduction to the music they will be performing for the evening.
  • Soprano Victoria Thompson's voice brings tears of joy to the audience during their first piece.
  • During intermission of our classical concert, audience members have the opportunity to talk with Victoria and John, while viewing David Hill's photography.
  • Soprano Victoria Thompson talks a little about the background of their next piece.
  • Soprano Victoria Thomspon and Pianist John French at CLAUSTRO.
  • Soprano Victoria Thompson sharing a very funny story about the background of their next piece during their second set.
  • To close the evening performance, Pianist John French begins what would be an amazing solo!!
  • Pianist John French's solo brought everyone to their feet to a standing ovation and to celebrate the whole evening!
  • After the evening's performance, everyone lingered to socialize and take the time to talk with Victoria and John. Thank you to ALL for a refined and intimate evening!
  • Sunday May 27th, Photographer, David Hill provided a wonderful discussion about the history of photography!
  • During David's discussion, he discussed how to make a photo rather than simply taking a photo ... so Stu took some photos from different perspectives to do just that.
  • Stu making a photo of David Hill during his disucssion.
  • Stu making another interesting photo of David Hill to impress the words of David.
  • Some very humorous moments during David Hill's discussion.
  • Photographer David Hill providing very informative insight behind his photography on Sunday.
  • After Sunday's discussion, we all had some fun during a final photo shoot of the exhibit!
  • David's wife, Chris Mack (also a photographer exhibiting here in June), taking a photo of David being quirky!
  • The photo shoot was a great way to mark the end of the exhibit! Alot of fun! Thanks David and Chris!

— Carol Currie


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