{"id":3649,"date":"2015-10-27T13:27:05","date_gmt":"2015-10-27T17:27:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/?p=3649"},"modified":"2015-10-29T19:19:31","modified_gmt":"2015-10-29T23:19:31","slug":"this-weekend-john-rhys-davies-joins-forces-with-symphony-nova-scotia-and-hal-con-for-sci-fi-symphony-almost-sold-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/this-weekend-john-rhys-davies-joins-forces-with-symphony-nova-scotia-and-hal-con-for-sci-fi-symphony-almost-sold-out\/","title":{"rendered":"This weekend! John Rhys-Davies joins forces with Symphony Nova Scotia and Hal-Con for \u201cSci-Fi Symphony\u201d \u2013 ALMOST SOLD OUT!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Concert to feature blockbuster themes from Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and more<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Halifax, NS<\/strong> \u2013 Symphony Nova Scotia meets <a href=\"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/concerts-and-tickets\/concerts\/2015-2016\/sci-fi-symphony-a-hal-con-event\/\">swords, sci-fi, and superheroes<\/a> in an exhilarating ride through some of the most epic music of all time!<br \/>\nWear your costume and join the orchestra and special celebrity guest host <a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0722636\/\" target=\"_blank\">John Rhys-Davies<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Pk-B0s0jOwE\" target=\"_blank\">Sallah in <em>Indiana Jones<\/em><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9LDJzksLB_0\" target=\"_blank\">Gimli in <em>Lord of the Rings<\/em><\/a>) for a one-of-a-kind musical adventure on Saturday, October 31 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 1 at 2 pm at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax.<\/p>\n<p>The orchestra\u2019s first-ever collaboration with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hal-con.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Hal-Con<\/a> features blockbuster themes from Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Spider-Man, World of Warcraft, Game of Thrones, and more \u2013 performed in all their vast, cinematic splendour by Symphony Nova Scotia\u2019s expanded orchestra.<\/p>\n<p>The concert will be led by rising Canadian conductor <a href=\"http:\/\/www.melanieleonard.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\">M\u00e9lanie L\u00e9onard<\/a>, with John Rhys-Davies serving as emcee. John will provide commentary throughout the concert, sharing personal stories, fun facts, and insight into the concert\u2019s music and composers.<\/p>\n<p>The concert will also feature a Q&amp;A with John and M\u00e9lanie, a costume contest with winners decided by the audience, and a post-concert meet-and-greet with John.<\/p>\n<p>The full concert lineup includes music from:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=CNZpiWUjd0c\" target=\"_blank\">Star Trek<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sEneq8fKpQw\" target=\"_blank\">Star Wars<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HjJ1UUbwvOI&amp;list=PLA3778C6FD3E5D6F9\" target=\"_blank\">Lord of the Rings<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=e9vrfEoc8_g\" target=\"_blank\">Superman<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6qcJS_e2_hY\" target=\"_blank\">Spider-Man<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>World of Warcraft<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EB3IokHelRk\" target=\"_blank\">Adagio<\/a> <\/em><\/strong>from<strong> <em>2001: A Space Odyssey<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=s7L2PVdrb_8\" target=\"_blank\">Game of Thrones<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Video Games Live<\/em><\/strong><em>,<\/em> including themes from<strong><em> Halo, Civilization IV, Bounty Hunter, <\/em><\/strong><em>and<\/em><strong><em> Kingdom Hearts<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Sci-Fi Symphony is just one part of Hal-Con\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hal-con.com\/\">diverse 2015 lineup<\/a>. Hal-Con is happening from October 30 to November 1 at the World Trade and Convention Centre and Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hal-con.com\/\">More details are here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Tickets for both Sci-Fi Symphony concerts begin at $30 (HST included), and you can save up to 35% by purchasing a ticket package. Tickets are available at the Dalhousie Arts Centre Box Office (6101 University Avenue, Halifax), 902.494.3820, or online at <a href=\"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\">symphonynovascotia.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3292\" src=\"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gimli-John-Rhys-Davies1-336x173.jpg\" alt=\"Gimli-John-Rhys-Davies\" width=\"336\" height=\"173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gimli-John-Rhys-Davies1-336x173.jpg 336w, https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gimli-John-Rhys-Davies1-60x31.jpg 60w, https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gimli-John-Rhys-Davies1-376x194.jpg 376w, https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gimli-John-Rhys-Davies1.jpg 776w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px\" \/>About John Rhys-Davies<\/strong><br \/>\nIconic British actor John Rhys-Davies, best known to film audiences for his roles in the blockbuster hits Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, was introduced to a new generation of fans in the blockbuster trilogy The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King) in the role of Gimli the Dwarf.<\/p>\n<p>When not busy with these blockbusters, John is a ubiquitous presence in international television and film, where he has essayed numerous military and professorial types, as well as a wide variety of ethnicities. John has also lent his formidable voice to countless animated efforts and video games, making him one of the more well-rounded and revered entertainers from across the pond \u2013 but one who is so chameleon-like in all of his projects, he is able to live a comfortable life of relative anonymity off-screen.<\/p>\n<p>Born May 5, 1944 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, John spent much of his formative years in his mother\u2019s hometown in Ammanford, Wales, while his mechanical engineer father worked in Tanzania. John and his family later joined his father in Africa, residing there until he was nine, when he was sent back to England for his studies at the Truro School in Cornwall. There, John saw his first theatre shows, and by his teenage years, he was top-billed in school productions of classical plays. After graduating from the University of East Anglia and a brief stint as a schoolteacher, John decided to devote himself fully to acting, enrolling at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.<\/p>\n<p>In 1992, he began lending his voice to animated series, starting with Batman, and video games, including the Wing Commander series. He performed in quite a few animated features such as Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Shark Bait, and Tom and Jerry. In 1995, he revived Sallah again in a short feature filmed for the Indiana Jones ride at the Disneyland Resorts. That same year, he enlivened the science fiction series Sliders, as blustery science professor Maximillian Arturo, who traveled through time with three younger companions. John also penned two episodes of the series. He also appeared as a holographic Leonardo Da Vinci in several episodes of Star Trek: Voyager. More recently, John is the narrator of the Truth &amp; Life dramatized audio New Testament Bible, a 22-hour, celebrity-voiced, fully-dramatized version of the New Testament, and has appeared on the television series Psych, as well as in the features Sophie, Return to the Hiding Place, and Concrete Blondes.<\/p>\n<p>John spends his time between The Isle of Man and New Zealand.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3651\" src=\"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Melanie-Leonard-CROP-211x173.jpg\" alt=\"Melanie Leonard-CROP\" width=\"211\" height=\"173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Melanie-Leonard-CROP-211x173.jpg 211w, https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Melanie-Leonard-CROP-488x400.jpg 488w, https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Melanie-Leonard-CROP-60x49.jpg 60w, https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Melanie-Leonard-CROP-376x308.jpg 376w, https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Melanie-Leonard-CROP.jpg 1867w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 211px) 100vw, 211px\" \/>About M\u00e9lanie L\u00e9onard<\/strong><br \/>\nKnown for her youthful vibrancy and dynamic versatility with musical genres and styles, M\u00e9lanie L\u00e9onard is increasingly sought after as a guest conductor. She served as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra\u2019s Resident Conductor from 2009 to 2012 and as Associate Conductor for their 2012\/13 season.<\/p>\n<p>A Montr\u00e9al native, M\u00e9lanie illustrates her virtuosity on the classical and jazz scenes. 2007 marked her first of several collaborations with the Montr\u00e9al International Jazz Festival. She has served as Artistic Director of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Classical Choir and was also the founder, Artistic Director, and conductor of Ensemble Prima, a Montr\u00e9al based chamber ensemble devoted to 20th and 21st century music.<\/p>\n<p>M\u00e9lanie\u2019s impassioned love of music, her charming stage presence, and her rapport with musicians and audiences are quickly becoming known on the national music scene. She guest conducted with a number of Canadian orchestras including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre M\u00e9tropolitain du Grand Montr\u00e9al, I Musici, Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra.<\/p>\n<p>M\u00e9lanie has worked with acclaimed artists including Herbie Hancock, Isabel Bayrakdarian, Shauna Rolston, Chantal Kreviazuk, Jens Lindemann, Colin James, Nikki Yanofsky, The Tenors, Oscar Lopez, Pink Martini, and Chris Botti. In 2012, she was honoured with the Jean-Marie Beaudet Award in Orchestra Conducting by the Canada Council for the Arts. In 2014, she founded the Wild West New Music Ensemble in Calgary, for which she acts as Music Director and Conductor. She also serves as Artistic Director for the Calgary New Music Festival launched in May 2015. In addition to her conducting career, M\u00e9lanie joined the team of La Crois\u00e9e des Chemins on ICI Radio-Canada Premi\u00e8re in Calgary as music correspondent.<\/p>\n<p>M\u00e9lanie holds a Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Montr\u00e9al, where she studied with Maestri Paolo Bellomia and Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Rivest. She received her Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Music Theory from the same university, and completed her Master\u2019s of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Hartt School of Music, where she studied with Maestro Christopher Zimmerman.<\/p>\n<p><strong>About Symphony Nova Scotia<\/strong><br \/>\nSymphony Nova Scotia is Nova Scotia\u2019s orchestra. Each year more than 50,000 audience members (including 15,000 young music lovers) join us in communities across Nova Scotia for performances of the music they love \u2013 from baroque and classical to pop and rock and folk. Under the inspirational leadership of Music Director Bernhard Gueller, Symphony Nova Scotia is one of the most broadcast orchestras in the country, with over 20 commercial releases and multiple East Coast Music Awards. Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\">symphonynovascotia.ca<\/a> to learn more, listen online, or get tickets today!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">###<\/p>\n<p><strong>For more information, please contact:<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Heidi MacPhee<\/strong><br \/>\nDirector of Communications and Marketing, Symphony Nova Scotia<br \/>\n902.421.1300 x. 226<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:marketing@symphonyns.ca\">marketing@symphonyns.ca<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\">symphonynovascotia.ca<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Concert to feature blockbuster themes from Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and more Halifax, NS \u2013 Symphony Nova Scotia meets swords, sci-fi, and superheroes in an exhilarating ride through some&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/this-weekend-john-rhys-davies-joins-forces-with-symphony-nova-scotia-and-hal-con-for-sci-fi-symphony-almost-sold-out\/\">More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3495,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3649"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3649"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3649\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3652,"href":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3649\/revisions\/3652"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3649"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3649"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/symphonynovascotia.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3649"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}