Oakville Festivals of Film and Art Online is presenting its 2nd Annual International Women’s Day Film Series celebrating women’s stories, achievements and increasing visibility in the film and arts world, with a series of female-focused and directed films every Friday in March.
In addition to the films, organizers have also organized special performances by up-and-coming female musicians.
Accompanying the final film of the series, Carmen [directed by Director Valerie Buhagiar], will be a special performance by Blind River musical trio Women in Song.
“We have been invited to close out the [event],” says Lois O’Hanley-Jones, who with Patty Dunlop and Debbie Rivard, makes up Women in Song.
Jones was surprised when organizer Michaela Hutchison reached out to the group.
“We were on board immediately,” she says, noting that Hutchison discovered the trio via the Internet.
“The power of the internet is that you can be from the most northern regions of Canada and can still get a national/international audience for your music.”
Although none of the members of Women in Song have a direct connection to the community of Oakville, they definitely feel a connection to the festival’s focus.
“We are a good fit because the festival is celebrating women in film and the arts, as well as International Women's Day,” says Jones.
“It is unusual to see three senior, retired women in the North, writing, singing and recording music. We found each other late in life and this success is very rewarding to us. I think people love to hear good harmony. This festival will bring us to a wider audience.”
As the event is online, Women in Song had to pre-film a performance of their song, Life of a Woman from the trio’s debut album.
The performance video was produced by Jones’ daughter Sarah Jones.
“It was shot in my rec room,” laughs the senior Jones.
“We hung our Women in Song banner and added a string of outdoor lights and voila we had ambience. Living in a rural area, we don't have access to fancy studios. So our videos are as homegrown as our music.”
The trio thought the festival performance was a great opportunity for them.
“Not only does the event showcase the work of women in film, art and music, some of the proceeds go to a good cause, Women United.”
Jones also notes that the online event provides an opportunity for communities in the North who do not have cinemas of their own to watch new films.
“The pandemic saw the closure of many theatres,” says Jones.
“An event like this provides access to great films [and performances] in the safest place, your home. You get four movies over four weeks in March, and although the first movie will be screened live, the other three can be watched over the course of a week with a date and time of your choosing.”
In addition to their upcoming performance at the film event, Women in Song are in the planning phase of recording a Christmas album with 12 original songs.
“We will be recording right here in Blind River at Riverview Studio. We have six [song] all ready to go. Now with restrictions being lifted, we want to have an album release party and start playing live shows again.”
Jones also notes that later this year she will be inducted into the Northern Ontario Country Music Association's The Great Northern Opry.
“Patty and Debbie have already been inducted and my induction is scheduled for November at the annual Northern Country Music Awards in Sault Ste. Marie. We are looking forward to that as well.”
Find out about how you can take part in this year’s International Women’s Day Film Series on the Oakville Festivals of Film and Art website.
Find out more about Women in Song on their official Facebook page.