Local talent to shine at Rotary evening

Music touches us all. No matter what culture we come from, it can become an expression of who we are.

An expression of humanity, it makes the world go round as performing arts aficionados will discover when they tune in to the inaugural Rotary Evening With the Stars.

The newbie talent showcase debuts on Wednesday at the Arden Theatre. Designed as both a platform for exceptional Rotary Festival performers, it also functions as a fundraiser for the St. Albert Rotary Music Festival.

“We want to grow it over the years so it can be an additional source of revenue for the festival. Every year we give away many scholarships and no one wants to see that disappear,” said event chair Lynda Moffat.

What’s not to like about an evening of great food and eclectic entertainment peppered with a dash of scene stealing?

While the preshow wine and cheese reception is a palette-teasing appetizer, the real goodies are the entertainment.

Top billing goes to two Rotary Music Festival recipients who developed international reputations – contemporary ballet dancer Andrew Murdock, now based in New York, and singer Janelle Gallant, who just touched down from Los Angeles where she was recording a new CD.

Murdock graduated from Juilliard in 2007 with a bachelor in fine arts degree. He headed back to Canada joining Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal before establishing himself with Azure Barton and Artists in the Big Apple.

Murdock will perform two dances: a self-choreography titled I’m Still Here and Elysium, dedicated to his mother, a passionate woman of the arts who always supported his career choice.

“He’s a very exceptional young man and we’re delighted to have him,” Moffat told the Gazette.

Gallant, on the other hand, is a multi-discipline artist. She starred as a kittenish femme fatale in St. Albert Children’s Theatre 2004 production of Honk! and later, in 2009, sailed under the Art of Dance’s masthead as a dancer on Princess Cruise Lines performing an homage to Cher.

The St. Albert chanteuse will belt out two songs: This Is What It Is from the musical The Wild Party, and a duet, The Start, with her partner Alex Hinsky.

Accompanying Gallant is former Rose Bowl winner (the highest honour accorded Rotary Festival participants), pianist David Fraser, 19.

An emerging star on the local classical music scene with two solo piano albums to his name, his nimble fingers will also flicker through Maurice Ravel’s three-movement Sonatin.

“If you sit and hear him play, he will inspire you. He is the kind of student who personifies the calibre of student who goes through the festival.”

The Sturgeon Composite Jazz Band, which has been on two tours of Cuba, brings their expressive Latin rhythms to the party.

“They won the Rose Bowl in 2010. They were the first band to receive it in our history. The Rotary has been doing it for 18 years and the Kiwanis did it before us.”

St. Albert Children’s Theatre pops up with two songs from their upcoming musical, The Adventures of Flat Stanley, and Visionary Voices strolls on stage with a surprise performance that is being kept under wraps.

The Art of Dance swings into Moon Over Parador, a sensual Mexican character ballet.

“It’s a five-minute performance that is very colourful and very high energy.”

Last but not least, the 2012 Rose Bowl winner and two other worthy festival performers will receive an opportunity to strut their stuff.

“This community is very supportive of young people in their endeavours – everything from sports to creative efforts,” said Moffat. “There are 2,000 people going through the festival and it impacts their lives. We want people to enjoy the performances and take pride in what they do with their lives. And community support has a lot to do with it.”