It was the first time Edmonton actor Clinton Carew hosted the St. Albert Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts. And judging by the laughs and applause at the Enjoy Centre last Friday night, he and his minions hit the mark.
Carew, charged with developing a concept similar to Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge, took viewers to a turn-of-the 20th century gritty seaport. Costumed in an impresario’s top hat, slightly ratty tails and purple eyeliner, Carew boomed spontaneous quips throughout the evening.
Sticking to him were 10 minions – doxies, gigolos, down-on-their-luck dancers plying their trade and your quintessential accordionist squeezing out the woes. The effect was a diverting mish-mash of eroticism, spontaneity and over-the-top silliness.
Traditionally, this is the time of year to single out artists who have made an impression and present them with an award.
Piano teacher Frances Schuchard received the Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously, a recognition that looks at the artist’s body of work as well as its affect on the community. Her youngest daughter, Martha Livingstone, accepted the award and presented a well thought out speech on her mother’s achievements.
Garry Engler, a parent of one of Schuchard’s students, added his own personal thoughts.
“She believed everybody should not only have access to music, but she also believed everybody could play music,” he said. “She was so encouraging, so affirming. Mrs. Schuchard left a legacy in all the students she taught.”
Folk-pop singer Ella Coyes was tapped for Youth Artist Award while opera singer Lesley Dolman, now studying in New York, personally picked up the Emerging Artist Award.
The Established Artist Award went to contemporary ballet dancer Ashley Werhun, for her work with Les Ballet Jazz de Montréal and piano teacher Carolyn Garritano took home top honours for Excellence in Arts Teaching.
Deirdre Allen received a well-deserved Arts Leadership Award for more than two decades of service while Friends of Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival Society nabbed the Community Arts Group Award.
Dolman, who also performed two operatic pieces in a lush mezzo-soprano voice, stole the fashion show in a red strapless evening gown.
“I was very surprised,” she said after the ceremonies. “I hadn’t been expecting it. I was standing with my family and they pushed me to the stage.”
Each recipient receives a $1,000 cash prize as well as a trophy. The former Paul Kane graduate plans to continue her studies at the Royal Welsh College for Music and Drama next year.
“This is definitely going into my Wales fund,” laughed Dolman.
Instead Werhun, who now lives in Montreal, returned to Canada after a five-week European tour with Les Ballet Jazz, and was unable to attend.
However, the Gazette caught up with her on Saturday and she had this to say: “Most of all I was honoured. I feel as if I’m still on my journey as an artist and winning this award somehow feels surreal. I wouldn’t really consider myself as accomplished yet. But coming from St. Albert, this means a great deal to me.”
Werhun returns to Edmonton on April 25 with Ballet Jazz as part of a special Brian Webb Dance Company presentation.
The celebration of the arts committee put a high premium on the entertainment component and selected an eclectic artistic lineup. Opening the show were the rich sounds of Mission Hill Brass followed by the lovely Julia Nicholson, rockin’ the stage with a couple of powerhouse country tunes – Black Camaro and a slow, haunting version of Folsom Prison Blues she definitely made her own.
Although not listed on the program, Jessy Mossop was also featured singing a robust German song and modern ballet dancer Kirsten Tullis performed a short slow piece specifically choreographed for the celebration.
Ella Coyes, with the vocals of a folk troubadour similar to Feist, sang two songs including Lie My Way. Accompanied by Nancy Watt on piano, Lesley Dolman showed us that her numerous years of training are shaping her into a top-tier operatic vocalist and actor. Closing the show was roots singer Nathan Carroll performing a ballad about Frankenstein, the modern Prometheus.
This year, the organizing committee of the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts placed a strong focus on entertainment. While the show came across as light, fun and tightly choreographed, it was missing a heartbeat.
This event was launched to recognize and award St. Albert artists with an artistic trophy. With the exception of the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, everyone else is presented with a trophy, an envelope and is quickly ushered off the stage.
Judging by how some put a hand on their chest or throat, it is obvious this is an important, emotional moment they would like to share with peers and the audience.
When committee chair Mark Moran was asked why recipients were discouraged from speaking a few words, he replied, “I always thought of it as more of a show than an awards presentation. But we can consider that for next year.”
All in all, Moran was delighted with the results.
“The show went off really well. We had fantastic performances. Every performer that appeared up there was a star. St. Albert has a way of producing some great talent. I couldn’t be happier.”
