Mike Dubue of the Hilotrons will be performing a live soundtrack to "Nosferatu" at Wakefest Aug. 28 at the Covered Bridge

It’s a silent film with a killer soundtrack. And you can see it first hand at the Wakefield, Quebec Covered Bridge Aug. 28, as Wakefest is presenting the original “Nosferatu” Dracula film, but with a twist.

Hilotrons lead singer Mike Dubue has written up an entire modern score for the film and he will be performing it live on the covered bridge with the Mayfair Theatre Orchestra, as well as the Semara Winangun Gamelan Ensemble.Wakefest Artistic Director Elizabeth Logue said she is “thrilled” to have such a funky event for Wakefest, she just hopes she has time to check it out.

Aug. 19 front page

“I am very excited, but just hoping I can see it.”

“To me, a film on the bridge is it.”

The feature is the original silent film “Nosferatu”, an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula by German director F.W. Murnau, with a tagline that reads “A Symphony of Horrors.”

Although the title may suggest a spooky evening, Logue still feels the film will be appropriate for children.

“It’s art. I think it’s fine for kids,” she said.

“If your kid is prone to nightmares, then maybe not.”

The show was put on at the Mayfair Theatre in Ottawa in April and was very well received by patrons, as it sold out completely. Logue feels that this is going to be the real highlight of Wakefest.

“I think that night is going to be a really fun time,” she said.

“It’s a classic.”

Aug. 28 will also feature another shorter film entitled “the Railrodder”, which stars Buster Keaton. This film will also be accompanied by a live score, which will be performed by Wakefield’s own Hoodlum. The films begin at 7:30 p.m.

There are several other events going on at this year’s Wakefest, beginning the night before with the launch of the nude calendar at Café Molo Aug. 27. Wakefest continues throughout the weekend as well with workshops, readings and performances at several different venues.

Saturday Aug. 29 will feature an exercise ball workshop, as well as a continual music jam at the Wakefield Market that will feature rotating musicians. There will also be a clown workshop at Café Molo on Aug. 29, taught by Nick Di Gaetano of Ottawa.  There will also be writing and poetry workshops throughout the day at Solstice Books in Wakefield.

Participants can also take a chance to meet several Wakefest artists at a vernissage at 5 p.m. Aug. 29 at Solstice books. The Black Sheep Inn will then play host to Mi Casa theatre group’s one-man show “Inclement of Weather” as well as Crush Improv, an international improvisation company. Performance artist Alexis O’Hara will also grace the Sheep stage, making for “something a little different,” said Logue.

“We wanted to mix it up at the Sheep instead of just music,” she said.

Aug. 30 will feature more poetry and reading workshops throughout the village, as well as the two-man theatrical performance “Countries Shaped like Stars” from Mi Casa, which was named Outstanding Overall Production at this year’s Ottawa Fringe Festival. “Countries Shaped like stars” will take place at Kaffe 1870 at 9 p.m. Aug. 29.

There are several other smaller things going on throughout the village for Wakefest like silk-screening workshops at Le Moo, and an open mic/screen at Café Molo throughout the weekend.

Café Molo will serve as the festival headquarters for Wakefest and it will be open late all weekend to serve as a late-night festival bar.

For more information on Wakefest and for a full schedule, visit the website at www.wakefest.org.

Tagged as: Dracula, Mike Dubue, Nosferatu, Wakefest, Wakefield Quebec