The 2017 St. Albert’s Mayor Celebration of the Arts has tapped one of the region’s most recognized triple threat performers to host the eighth annual award ceremonies.
Kieran Martin Murphy, an actor, musician and dancer with a broad range of experience on stage, film and recording studios, was this year’s beneficiary.
Murphy’s selection makes sense on several fronts.
The arts celebration, the city’s most high-profile event, gives the local performer a stage to ply his craft. At the same time, his appearance raises the profile of the awards night.
“I was a judge a few years ago and worked in the background. It was cool to see how strong and vibrant the local arts community is. I’d been a resident for years, but I never realized how deep the scope of arts reaches. That opened my eyes to the arts community in the city,” said Murphy, now rehearsing a workshop version of Songs My Mother Never Sung to Me.
To keep audiences laughing, Murphy plans to bring back his most beloved character, the infamous Luciano Paparazzi, a world-class tenor with an insatiable appetite.
“As MC, my job is to keep the evening moving along and not be the centre of attention. But instead of a typical MC, I’m going to be an MC in character,” Murphy laughed.
This year’s theme for the celebrations, a partnership between the arts committee and Night of Artists, is Illuminate.
“The arts and culture work together to illuminate a community. We thought Illuminate would highlight the arts in our community,” said Tamsin Brooks, City of St. Albert’s Community Cultural Coordinator.
The celebration arts committee also released the names of entertainers for the awards evening.
Jazz musician and recording artist Peter Belec is booked for the one-hour preshow that consists of a reception and silent auction. To showcase the Illumination theme, three local artists were commissioned to create lanterns that will be auctioned.
During the award ceremonies, St. Albert raised Meghan Schech, founder of CircoFit, will spring on stage performing several circus arts.
An integral part of the local choral scene, the robust St. Albert Singers adult choir will also pitch their varied repertoire.
“We’re hoping for a large contingent,” Brooks said.
The infectious and alluring Thursdays ska band that easily turns a sobre evening into a dance party is eager to once again strut their stuff.
“They’re very strong musically and they get better every time you see them. They’re very community minded and they epitomize what I believe a young band can do.”
The final act is Toy Guns Dance Theatre performers Anna Pratch and Justin Kautz, who works with St. Albert youth at a Focus Music program, will shake a leg with a some fancy moves and grooves.
Local visual artist Samantha Williams-Chapelsky is contributing St. Albert themed paintings as the original piece of artwork each award recipient receives.
“She’s well known and well recognized in the community. She’s really put her brand out there. Since 2011, she’s progressed by leaps and bounds and in doing so brings recognition to St. Albert.”
The Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts is Thursday, March 9 at the Enjoy Centre. Tickets are $25 and are available in person at the Arden box office or at 780-459-1542 or at ticketmaster.ca.
