Lights. Cue the music. Signal the visual artists to start painting. It’s time for ninth annual St. Albert’s Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts.
It is the city’s biggest arts awards night, and this year’s newly elected Mayor Cathy Heron will do the honours at the Enjoy Centre on Thursday, March 15.
Always tweaking and reinventing, the St. Albert Cultivates the Arts organizing committee has made a few changes to the program.
The biggest change is the traditional pre-show art slam that involves three artists creating a painting on the spot. Artists are normally placed side-by-side in the middle of the room, an area that generates a lot of buzz.
“This year we’re spreading the artists around the room and each will be paired with a musician. We’re doing this not only so you can see the artists better, but to create movement and make it easier to mingle,” said event coordinator Tamsin Brooks.
Visual artists Megan Gilson, Lorraine Shulba and Kateryna Young will be paired with one of the following musicians: cellist Julia Darby, double bassist Logan Lindstrom and guitarist Peter Belec playing an OP1 portable synthesizer workstation.
Another change is the one-host award presentation format. This year, in conjunction with Mayor Heron, seven past recipients will present the awards.
“By approaching past recipients, it’s an opportunity to showcase them and highlight them once more as artists. It’s a great shout out to these artists that live in the boundaries of St. Albert,” Brooks said.
St. Albert’s theatrical power couple Maureen Rooney and Paul Punyi, 2013 award recipients, will present Dr. Lillian Upright with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The other presenters include Julia Nicholson (2016), Peter Belec (2013), Andrea Daly (2016), Nancy Watt (2016), Tracy Aisenstat (2017) and Samantha Williams-Chapelsky (2013).
Six individuals and ensembles are slated to perform throughout the ceremony. Front and centre is Altameda, a four-man rock band also nominated for an Emerging Artist Award. The gifted musicians include Troy Snaterse, Erik Grice, Matt Kraus and Todd Andrews.
“They’re one of the best bands in the region. They’re just so special in the way they write and they’re a great live band,” said cultural services professional programming presenter Caitlin North who booked the night’s entertainment.
Spoken word artist Celine Caruso first caught the organizers attention at Amplify Youth Festival.
“She’s very eloquent and speaks about her life as a minority. We didn’t want to showcase only music. There’s so much more to St. Albert, and we especially want to support emerging artists,” North said.
Another performer, Indigenous dancer Mark McKennitt's colourful beat-driven dances received numerous accolades at the International Children's Festival of the Arts.
“When I saw him, he was so beautiful and graceful on stage and I made a note to invite him to perform at the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts.”
Offering a more formal take on music is The String Beans Quartet. One of the chamber music quartet’s members, first violinist Ryan Herbold, is nominated for Excellence in Arts Teaching.
The Royal Canadian Artillery Brass Quintet also joins the cast following their successful performance with St. Albert Chamber Music Society in October 2017.
“They’re an unconventional choice, but so many members of the military live and play in St. Albert and they’re such fine musicians.”
In addition, the three top finalists for the St. Albert Poet Laureate position will read their works. Names will be revealed Monday, March 12.
North closes by saying, “This is an important event because we as a community are known for our rich culture and it’s important to acknowledge the people who live, work and play in our back yard.”
Tickets for the St. Albert Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts are $25. Call 780-459-1542 or go online to http://www.ticketmaster.ca
