Martin Gold
3 things I love about the Stratford Area:
There is a unique and eclectic mix of arts and artists. There is a lot happening in the summer to keep me returning and discovering what's new. Great live theatre, and a really impressive line up of concerts and venues.
3 Favorite local hidden treasures you shouldn't miss:
Stratford Summer Music has, in its tenth year, become a major festival of
performers that appeals to every musical taste and in the most intimate
surroundings. As well as in the theatres, concerts are held in heritage churches, and on open barges along the river.
Down the Street is the Bohemian decorated
bar where Stratford's young and hip, local artists, and Festival actors like to
hang out at night. It also has a great kitchen in which local organic
ingredients are enhanced by various ethnic flavours.
Balzac's
Coffee in Stratford is the
original location for this coffee house named after the prolific French
journalist and author. It was once a livery for a stable across the street, but
is now a landmark café of antique ambience to which the actors, tourists, and locals,
all go to relax with a coffee, and to get the word on what's happening around
town.
My perfect day spent in the Stratford Area:
I would begin my day with a coffee and a fresh pastry at Balzac's Coffee. It seems to be the place to go to chill out, people watch, and check out the posting of what's on. I would check out some of the interesting shops around town. I like to come to Stratford during the Stratford Summer Music Festival, so at this point I would probably go to The County Food Co. to take out a heaping healthy lunch and head to the river side to watch jazz performers on floating barges play to audiences camped in the grass along the shore. After the show I would walk to Art in the Park where a variety of artists display their diverse works, and are very casually available to meet and speak. It's a very natural and friendly atmosphere. Following more browsing and perhaps a show at one of the Festival's theatres, I would like to go to The Church Restaurant and Belfry for a post-theatre cabaret featuring members of the Stratford Festival's acting company. Cabarets begin at 11:30pm, but there are plenty of other venues like Pazzo Ristorante Bar & Pizzeria which serves up live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights; and throughout the winter blues artists play live concerts at City Hall.