Celebrating icons, cultural heritage, and musical mastery: This week in arts & culture

Here's a look at this week's top arts and culture stories on Classic 107.

Dame Maggie Smith dies at 89

Legendary British actress Dame Maggie Smith, known for her roles in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter series, has passed away at the age of 89. Her career spanned seven decades, earning her multiple accolades, including two Academy Awards. Fans around the world mourn the loss of a true icon in theatre and film.
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Artists rally behind Montreal concert hall after court orders it to stop making noise

Benoit Pinette, known by his stage name Tire le coyote, was set to perform his upcoming album at Montreal's La Tulipe concert hall next year. But after the Quebec Court of Appeal recently ordered the venue to stop making noise that is audible inside an adjacent building, the historic venue temporarily closed its doors.

Voices in Concert: Manitoba Choral Association presents free outdoor choral festival

This weekend, choristers converge on Assiniboine Park in a free outdoor festival celebrating the joys of group singing.  

First presented by the Manitoba Choral Association in 2022, “Gather” was originally thought to be a one-off opportunity for choirs and audiences to come together safely outdoors as society emerged cautiously from the pandemic.  

That is until the Winnipeg 150: City of Song initiative came calling.  

Dame Maggie Smith dies at 89

Dame Maggie Smith, the legendary British actress known for her iconic roles in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter series, has passed away at the age of 89.

Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, confirmed that she died peacefully in hospital on Friday, September 27, 2024, surrounded by close friends and family.

"An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end," the statement said. "She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.

Intermezzo at 1 p.m.: The Tone Poems of Jean Sibelius

On Thursday, September 26 and Sunday September 29, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra will be joined by renowned Canadian pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin in a performance of Chopin’s beautifully expressive and virtuosic piano concerto no 2. Also, on the program, the WSO will be performing Sibelius’ single movement Symphony no 7.