Arts, Entertainment, Entertainament, Studio X, Studio X - October 10, 2008, Studio X - October 17, Studio X-November 14th 2008, Studio X - November 21, Studio X-November 28, Studio X-December 5, Art, Banff Film Festival, Entertianment

Local talent: Belleville's Art of War production by George F. Walker, will take part in the Eastern Ontario Drama League competition this Wednesday, March 25, 2010 in Peterborough. The production is directed by (left to right) Steve Forrester and features local actors Jackie Sutherland, Robert Lloyd and John O'Connor. As well as Stephen Wilkinson, Ryan Zaback and Heather Barker. Four plays by four different amateur theatre groups will take part in the festival.Photo by Michelle Siu

Belleville's Art of War production by George F. Walker, will take part in the Eastern Ontario Drama League competition this Wednesday, March 25, 2010 in Peterborough.

By Khush Bhandari

Waking up every morning and figuring out what to wear can be a tedious task. What do Belleville fashion merchants say about fashion, and what do stores have to offer?

Marina Boretski, owner of Borestski gallery on Front Street in downtown Belleville, has plenty to say about women’s fashion in today’s generation.

“What people are intrigued by is the vintage factor this place offers. There are many unique dresses with exquisite fabrics, which are handmade. I have many vintage hats and everything is high-end quality,” says Boretski.

Cineplex Entertainment President and Chief Executive Officer Ellis Jacob, left, Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis, and Executive Vice-President Dan McGrath officially re-open the renovated Galaxy Cinemas in

Peter Bates sketches model Kimberly Lawday with pastels at the Village Art Studio on Front St. Belleville on Feb. 18. Photo by Kaitlin Balogh.

By Adrienne Eisen

Ribbon cutting: Cineplex Entertainment President and Chief Executive Officer Ellis Jacob, left, Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis, and Executive Vice-President Dan McGrath officially re-open the renovated Galaxy Cinemas in Belleville on Feb. 18. Photo by Adrienne EisenGalaxy Cinemas Belleville has a new look.
Guests attended an invitation-only gala at the Galaxy cinema in Belleville, Feb. 18 to celebrate the $2.5 million makeover that the theatre was given.
Dan McGrath, vice president of Galaxy Cinemas, is a Belleville native and said it’s been too long for Belleville to not have a state-of-the-art complex.
“It’s just really exciting to be able to give back to the community. This community really deserves a first class theatre.”
New features include a brand new and expanded concession area that include Yogen Fruz and Far Coast. Party rooms have been rebuilt, and there is a new digital signage program with LCD screens in the lobby.

By Samantha Cusimano

Media students have been a presence in the city of Belleville since 1967.

Belleville has been understanding of the students, their projects, and their constant hunt for the best shots and angles.

For first-year students like David Villeneuve, “bugging” the community is something they have to get used to. Quinteview is one half of the TV new media news magazine show; it features the Quinte area and the people who make it a community.

By Kelly Brooks

Fresh out of high school, most young adults can be found traveling along relatively similar paths. Jonny Villeneff, born and raised in the heart of Belleville, is no exception when it comes to plans for college and university, and having big dreams for the future. However, he has detoured from the mainstream route, and his dreams for the future may be just around the corner.

Just two months ago, eighteen-year-old Villeneff produced his first CD, Holding on to Simplicity. Copies were available both online and in local record stores. Over 100 copies were sold during the first month, and soon sold out. All 300 copies produced were paid for with money out of his own pocket.

By Tiffany J. LeBlanc

With his debut recital under his belt and a provincial music award in hand, 17-year-old pianist Luke Bell has big dreams for his future.

On Feb. 6, Bell performed live at St. Matthew's United Church, in Belleville. In order to raise money for an upcoming class trip to Paris over March break to explore French culture, the Bell family co-ordinated this event and raised almost half of the money needed.

By Bromley Chamberlain

With Valentine’s Day approaching, movie theatres have been stocking up on chick flicks.

Dear John, When in Rome and Valentine’s Day are all playing at the Cineplex in Belleville.

Romantic movies are not openly watched by most males, but some secretly love watching them. Women are drawn to them. Curling up on the couch and watching a good chick flick is usually just what women want to do. When Chris Hall, a worker at Rogers Video, was asked what his favorite chick flick was, he paused.

By Kaitlin Balogh

Blues: Longtime rhythm and blues singer, Ila Vann poses for a portrait in her home Feb. 2. Vann and her band Koko Vann perform regularly at Brandees in Kingston and will be performing a Valentine’s Day concert at the Bohemian Penguin in Belleville Feb. 13. Photo by Kaitlin Balogh.One of the most well-respected rhythm and blues artists in the Kingston area, Ila Vann has warmed the hearts of many with her unmistakable warmth and stage presence that exudes from a deep love for music.
Vann began her musical career at an early age. Her mother taught her and her six other siblings to perform together. After work each evening, she would gather the children around the piano and sing together. Eventually, this training led to working with established artists.
“We walked on for everybody: Sam Cooke, all the big gospel stars,” Vann reminisced.
Southern gospel was her first musical influence, but since she was 13, she dreamed of becoming an R&B singer in New York. At the age of 19, Vann ventured out in the pursuit of a music career and landed her first recording contract in New York. Soon after, she was recording demos regularly for different recording companies. She sang backup for some of the R&B legends like Louis Armstrong and other well-known artists.

Longtime rhythm and blues singer, Ila Vann poses for a portrait in her home Feb. 2.

By Corrie Williams

Swing: Wayne Mills of the Freddy Vette band blows a mean sax during Rock for Relief 2 fundraising concert at The Empire Theatre Jan. 30. The Freddy Vette band was one of nine bands that played at the benefit that raised more than $50,000 for the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Relief effort.The Quinte community made a great effort to raise money for Haiti relief but last week Andy Forgie, promotional manager of the Empire Theatre, raised the bar.
The theatre hosted a night to remember Jan. 30, as 700 locals attended the Rock for Relief 2 concert in support of Haiti relief. In the upbeat atmosphere, the crowd was there to rock to the nine bands that performed three songs each.
“Tonight is a celebration of the human spirit for the people in Haiti,” said Forgie.
One hundred per cent of the proceeds, which totaled $50,000 (including government donations), were given to the Canadian Red Cross for Haiti.
Besides ticket sales, an auction took place at the end of the evening to add to the total fundraised amount. Items included two guitars that were signed by Colin James, George Thorogood, and everyone that performed that night. There were some offbeat items as well, such as 40 pounds of award-winning maple dale cheese, three months of guitar lessons and a house that was made by a Haitian artist.
“The house is a wonderful handmade model, its very beautiful. It is made up of hand-rolled paper,” said Forgie.
The concert was led by opening act, the Centennial Secondary School choir. Forgie sang lead vocal on their second song.
Local band, Freddy Vette, got great reception from the crowd during their old school rock ‘n’ roll performance. The band had a combination of saxophones and guitars, and knew how to get the crowd up and moving.

Wayne Mills of the Freddy Vette band blows a mean sax during Rock for Relief 2 fundraising concert at The Empire Theatre Jan. 30.

Katie Shannon shares her talent in support of a fundraiser for Haiti. Photo by Jessica Mulholland