Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are five things on The Guardian’s radar.
Book launch: Grant Matheson
Friday, 7 p.m., Beaconsfield Carriage House, Charlottetown
A book launch will be held at Beaconsfield Carriage House Friday at 7 p.m. for Grant Matheson’s memoir “The Golden Boy: A Doctor’s Journey with Addiction”. Before opioids destroyed Matheson’s career, he was a pillar of his community. Respected physician, loving husband, devoted father and trusted friend. Grant was a straight-laced kid who grew up to be a clean-living adult. No drinking, no smoking and certainly no drugs. It took everyone by surprise, most of all himself, when he became addicted to narcotics in his 30s. His story hit local press when he was found guilty of professional misconduct related to his addition, including over-prescribing painkillers to patients so he could buy them back–an infraction that caused his physician license to be suspended. Matheson’s memoir is a gritty account of his narcotic addiction and all that it cost him: various relationships, his career and almost his life. The Golden Boy takes the reader from the very first day of Matheson’s drug addiction to that moment when he decided to rebuild his life through rehab and recovery.
Christmas House Tours
Saturday 1- 4 p.m., Meadow Bank
The Meadow Bank Women’s Institute is hosting a Christmas House Tour Event on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. The tour includes five homes in Meadow Bank beautifully decorated for Christmas. Tickets are $15 and also include light refreshments and door prizes. Storm date is Dec. 10. Proceeds are in support of the Cornwall Food Program and Meadow Bank Women’s Institute. Tickets are available (by advance only) from Women’s Institute members Joy MacLaine 902-566-2685, Cheryl Champion 902-388-1592 or Pamela Baglole 902-566-4834.
A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol
Saturday 4-5 p.m., The Guild, Charlottetown
This family-friendly show is full of holiday spirit. The show plays at The Guild Saturday from 4-5 p.m. All your favourite fairy-tale characters take on new roles to retell this adaptation of A Christmas Carol that’s surprisingly true to the original, yet unlike you’ve ever seen it before. You’ll never know who will show up next when the Big Bad Wolf, as Ebenezer Scrooge, meets the ghost of his old business partner Jacob Midas (Marley), who could turn anything to gold. Midas warns Big Bad Wolf that he’ll be visited by the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future (played by a Fairy Godmother, Old King Cole and the Queen of Hearts respectively). The ghosts make Scrooge realize what a scoundrel he’s been to the Charming (or Crachit) family- including Prince Philip, Cinderella and their kids, Hansel, Gretel and Tabitha, their Little Match Girl- and help him remember what the Christmas spirit is all about.
Home for the Holidays
Saturday 7:30-9:30 p.m., Georgetown
‘Home for the Holidays’ returns to the Kings Playhouse, featuring all the best of popular Christmas and holiday music performed by some of P.E.I.’s finest singers: Kendall Docherty, Catherine O’Brien and Caroline Bernard backed up by a great band, The Reindeer Express, with Deryl Gallant, bass, Alan White, drums, Don Fraser, keyboards, and Perry Williams, guitar. This show will be Saturday, 7:30- 9:30 p.m. The icing on this special Christmas cake will be the reading of well-known Island entertainer, Marlane O’Brien featuring Island Christmas stories. This show, ‘Home for the Holidays’ featuring classic and contemporary Christmas music and Island stories will be as warm and cozy as a good glass of egg-nog in front of a crackling fireplace on Christmas Eve. Prepare to have your spirits lifted just as high as that bright shining star so many years ago. This year’s edition has many new songs, as well as old favourites.
National Skating Day
Sunday 1:45-3:45 p.m., Eastlink Centre, Charlottetown
Skating is tightly woven into the social fabric of Canada and part of who we are. On Sunday, Canada 150 Skating Day will offer a unique opportunity for all Canadians to unite and celebrate this timeless piece of our nation’s culture and heritage. Please join Skate Canada P.E.I. and the Charlottetown Skating Club for a free family skate at the Eastlink Centre from 1:45-3:45 p.m. to take part in the fun of National Skating Day. Some highlights include: Public skating with on-ice instruction from professional Skate Canada coaches, a skating exhibition showcasing our local talent, free hot chocolate, skates and helmets available to borrow on a first come first serve basis.
Event Schedule:
1:45-2:30 p.m. - Public skating with Skate Canada professional coaches
2:30-2:45p.m. - Ice resurfacing
2:45-2:50 p.m. - Official welcome
2:50-3:00 p.m. - Skating exhibition
3-3:45p.m. - Public skating with Skate Canada professional coaches
Please contact Skate Canada P.E.I. with any questions about this event at 902-368-4994.
