Find out what’s Happening

The Minden Hills Cultural Centre will host a free screening of Sons (2024) on Thursday, December 4 at 1:00 PM. Directed by Newfoundland filmmaker Justin Simms, this deeply personal National Film Board documentary follows the first eight years of the life of Simms’ son Jude, exploring what it means to raise a boy in today’s world. Blending luminous home footage, candid reflections, and archival imagery, the film examines fatherhood, masculinity, and the cultural forces shaping boys’ lives in the 21st century.

Presented in collaboration with the Haliburton County Public Library, this screening is open to all ages. Admission is free. No pre-registration is required.

The Accidental Canadian

Who: Dougie Walker

Tickets: $15/person

Bio

Douglas Walker is thrilled to be taking on an exciting new role at the Highlands Summer Festival this season, having been recently appointed as the festival’s Artistic Producer! This significant new position builds on his history with the Festival, which includes a moving performance in Every Brilliant Thing and his directorial debut with the hilarious 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. As Artistic Producer, Douglas will now be helping shape the entire festival experience.

His creative talents extend beyond directing and producing, though. Douglas has also showcased his writing and performing chops in Candid Cabaret with R.C.S., and his choreography has been featured in The Rink at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum at the Haliburton Summer Festival.

On stage, Douglas has toured extensively across Canada and beyond, appearing in popular productions like Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia, and The Soul Of Motown (Stage West), as well as Avenue Q on its UK National Tour. He’s also performed in The Voice of the Turtle and Affairs of State (Classic Theatre Festival), Miracle on 34th Street (Pitlochry Festival Theatre), and even Scooby Doo Live: The Mystery of the Pyramid (UK National Tour, Warner Bros.). His theatrical journey has taken him across the globe, including performances with The Tenors (Netherlands Tour) and Sesame Street (Universal Studios Japan).

Beyond the stage, Douglas has appeared in several television productions, including Frankie Drake Mysteries (CBC), A Christmas Exchange (Lifetime), In The Dark (The CW), Jazz Ramsay: A K9 Mystery (Hallmark), and Rabbit Hole (Paramount). He’s also lent his voice to Hyperscape (Ubisoft) and the audiobook Unrest by Gwen Tuinman (Penguin Random House).

As he steps into the exciting role of Artistic Producer, Douglas is dedicated to fostering artistic excellence, innovation, and community engagement at the Highlands Summer Festival.