Arts in the spotlight at gala

Artists continually strive for excellence and St. Albert’s Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts Gala is a public pat on the back that acknowledges hours of hard work.

Attendees sitting in the Arden Theatre’s brand spanking new comfy chairs will get a chance to see another level of artistic achievement through the evening’s entertainment.

Once again, Nancy Watt, co-chair of the non-profit St. Albert Cultivates the Arts Committee, has programmed a showcase evening of exceptional talent. “It’s eclectic from classical to rock, and from soloists to large groups.”

Full of sparkle and glitz, the award ceremony kicks off with an outdoor red carpet paving the way into the Arden lobby, where a reception is in progress. As ticket holders stroll up the red carpet, artistic director Criselda Mierau conducts the full complement of pure floating voices of the St. Albert Singers.

Once in the lobby, acoustic guitar player Joel Kristiansen, 24, offers his guitar picking in a range of styles from classical through to jazz and Latin. “He’s pursuing a professional career. He’s studied music at the university and he’s quite accomplished,” Watt says.

Leading the Arden’s onstage charge is Aly Yusuf singing O Canada. Both a local improv actor with Beer Prov and dedicated singer, Yusuf has completed one year at Sheridan College. At 16, the St. Albert tenor was the youngest singer to perform with Edmonton Opera Chorus.

“Aly has a really strong voice and an amazing stage presence. He is someone who is going to make it big on the stage,” Watt adds.

Next on the bill is Citie Ballet, a performance based company with 12 semi-professional dancers including St. Albert instructor Danica Smith. Artistic director Francoise Chevennement is choreographing a new ballet specifically for the occasion.

“I love to feature dance. The first year, we had Shumka. Last year, we invited Andrew Murdock, and ballet is something we haven’t done before. The time was right.”

Once again Watt, a local piano teacher, teams up with the legendary St. Albert raised Ina Dykstra for an unprecedented piano duet.

The two pianists are slated to perform Franz Schubert’s Lebenssturm (The Storm of Life). “It has huge dramatic moments and huge tranquil moments. There are sections that are heart-achingly sweet and then abruptly change to loud, intense moments.”

In a move towards more community outreach, Pro Coro Chamber Choir will also be a featured guest. Watt credits Pro Coro artistic associate Trent Worthington, a longtime St. Albert resident, for making the appearance possible.

As a salute to St. Albert’s aboriginal community, Edmonton poet Anna Marie Sewell, fluent in both Cree and Micmac, will conduct a poetry reading. “She’s very active with gestures. She almost acts out her poetry.”

And finally the six-piece band Jeff Stuart & the Hearts release their indie pop/rock/roots vibe. “They’re high energy. They’re well-established but with the release of their new CD, Equal Parts Reason and Moonlight, they will be well-known soon.”

Attire for the gala is semi-formal.