In addition to their award winning jazz and blues shows, Diana and Chris have online and live school shows and unique musical productions that tour.
February 2024-
Online show – Celebrate Canada’s Black History with Diana Braithwaite is a 30 minute online show for elementary students that looks at Canada’s Black history with amazing stories about various African-Canadian legends from coast to coast.
The show uses music, storytelling, images and videos to introduce students to the wonderful accomplishments and fascinating history of African-Canadians since the late 1700’s.
Interviewed on CBC Radio February 2021, Diana Braithwaite is a musician and historian that brings in her own family history to the show. Both Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley add songwriting and music to the story.
For fee and more information or to book the virtual presentation, please contact dianabraithwaite@yahoo.ca
Please see below for reviews on Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley’s previous shows that have toured within schools in Canada for the past 15 years.
Please preview one of the videos included in the virtual presentation here:
Live School and Concert Hall shows!
Sugar and Gold – The story of the Underground Railroad in Canada with Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley! The school production has toured for 15 years to over 160,000 students.
The school show is a multi-media performance utilizing images and songs to tell the inspiring and uplifting historical story of the underground railroad.
To book a school show please email: dianabraithwaite@yahoo.ca or call 416-857 4951.
Read more about the Sugar and Gold School show below:
SUGAR AND GOLD – THE STORY OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Now Booking Black History Month February 2024!
Looking for an outstanding Black History Month musical presentation for your students?
Canada has some very proud, interesting and wonderful stories to tell!
Now in their 14th year of presenting award winning shows!
Sugar and Gold – The Story of the Underground Railroad in Canada is a 50 minute lively, interactive performance that includes songs, and storytelling to tell the exciting history of the Underground Railroad in Canada. School performances are suitable for grades 3 and up, and have been seen by over 150,000 students across Canada.
“Although there are no exact figures recorded, approximately 100,000 captured people came to Canada through the underground railroad. This is their extraordinary story.”
CBC Radio regularly features blues performers Braithwaite and Whiteley with the artists most recently being interviewed on Michael Enright’s Sunday Edition and Holger Peterson’s Saturday Night Blues.
Performance is one hour in length including a 10 minute Q&A.
For schools with higher student numbers, (more than 350 students) a fee reduction for 2 shows at one school can be arranged.
Please ask about prices for schools in and outside of the GTA.
Sugar and Gold is a school show supported by the Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council and Mariposa in The Schools. The show was developed by blues musicians Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley, multiple award winners in Canada and recipients of eight Maple Blues Award.
To book a school presentation of Sugar and Gold, email dianabraithwaite@yahoo.ca or call 416 857-4951.
All About the Blues School Show! With Diana & Chris – A Student’s introduction to the music called ‘ The Blues!
All About the blues school show is a lively interactive musical performance featuring songs, slides and the spoken word presented by nine time Maple Blues Award winning performers Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley.
The 50 minute presentation takes audiences on a musical journey through the history of the blues with all of its unique songs, intriguing personalities and unusual stories. Audiences learn about musical instruments used to play blues while discovering the roots of this traditional music and its connection to the contemporary music of today.
Diana and Chris tell the story of how the blues became a loved musical form around the world and reveal their own personal connection and contribution to keeping the blues alive over the past decades.
To book a school presentation of All About The Blues, email dianabraithwaite@yahoo.ca or call 416 857-4951.
THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS – AND RAVE REVIEWS!!
Apart from their blues and jazz concerts, If you are a looking for a another kind of general audience theatrical production for a concert hall, festival or theatre… Diana and Chris have a very unique two act 90 minute larger scale musical production with band for larger theatres, performing arts centres and concert halls that has received rave reviews and standing ovations!!
Learn more about this larger scale concert hall and theatre, general audience production :
The new theatrical 90 minute musical story goes beyond the underground journey to relate the story of the arrival, challenges, and riveting experiences of the African-American men and women who became members of Canada’s first Black pioneer communities from coast to coast.
Read what the Artistic Director’s had to say about this dynamic show!
“Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley captured our attention from the beginning to the end with songs and stories of the underground railroad.” RONNIE BROWN, OAKVILLE CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
“Sugar and Gold had our audience captivated from the opening number. They were so enthralled that not a single person got up from their seat for any reason during the entire show… until the curtain call, when everyone quickly leapt to their feet!” ERIC GOUDIE, FERGUS GRAND THEATRE
“More than songs, this performance is a living, breathing testament to the stories of those fighting for freedom and equality.” RONNIE BROWN – OAKVILLE CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
“A memorable experience… it’s a show that I felt good about bringing to my community.” ERIC GOUDIE, FERGUS GRAND THEATRE
“Sugar and Gold is inspiring and one of the reasons we all keep on striving for equality!” RONNIE BROWN, OAKVILLE CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Watch Promo Video for this unique 90 minute theatrical production- Sugar And Gold! Stories Of The Underground Railroad.