The International Symphony Orchestra (ISO) will fill venues on both sides of the border with joyous holiday music this weekend.
The orchestra, symphony singers, and a guest choir will perform "The Messiah" at Temple Baptist Church in Sarnia on Friday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m. A performance will also be held on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Port Huron High School Theatre in Michigan, U.S.
ISO Executive Director Anthony Wing said the performance runs about 90 minutes total with intermission.
"This is the second year of the Messiah program," he said. "We used to do a more full Christmas program with all of the fan favourites and just a bit of Messiah so we thought, why don't we go the whole way and see what works? It was spectacular last season so we're bringing it back."
Remaining tickets can be purchased online. https://theiso.org/
Meanwhile, the new ISObar Gallery will open in downtown Sarnia on December 15 at 4 p.m. with a retrospective exhibit from Sarnia artist and instructor David Moore.
Moore's family moved to Sarnia from Talara, Peru when he was nine years old. After graduating from Fanshawe College, he taught at Lambton College from 1989 until 2000 and worked at Gallery Lambton from 2006 until 2013, read a media release.
"Many of the images I created are strongly influenced by the people of the City of Sarnia and the Village of Point Edward and the shorelines of the great Lake Huron, inspired by the thousands of young people I've had the privilege of meeting over a lifetime of work as an artist in this community and by my [three] wonderful sons John Cooper, David Cooper, Evan Moore and my lovely wife Liz," said Moore in a statement.
The exhibit called "Sarnia—It's Good To Be Home" will run until March 31.
The new ISO space is located on Christina Street North, beside the Imperial Theatre. The venue will be open for happy hours on most nights the theatre has shows.
Wing said the multi-media space is available to rent out as well.
"We're just trying to develop this area as this regional hub as a great cultural stop," Wing said.