McDOUGALL CENTRE TUNES UP
Alberta musicians to showcase talent during free weekly concerts at provincial building
Calgary’s McDougall Centre will have a change of tune this summer, from hosting political meetings to a summer music series.
The provincial government building will be the backdrop for a free, weekly summer music concert in the courtyard every Thursday during the noon hour until Aug. 30, weather permitting.
A variety of artists will play, including Calgary’s Tom Phillips and Kate Stevens, Bow Valley bluegrass trio Elk Run & Riot, and Lethbridge’s Ryland Moranz.
The series, hosted by the government and CKUA Radio, is promoting local talent, while highlight musical festivals across southern Alberta this summer.
The Music at McDougall: Summer Concert Series begins at 11:45 a.m. every Thursday, July 19 and runs until Aug. 30. McDougall Centre is at 455 6th St. S.W.
The Rabbits have roped in a new producer for their Rodeo.
Laurel Green will take over as festival producer for the High Performance Rodeo. She take over from Kelly Reay, who is moving to Lethbridge. Green was most recently director of artistic programming for Alberta Theatre Projects and has worked for years in professional theatre across North America as a director, producer, and administrator.
"We looked for someone with a passion for the arts and for contemporary theatre in Calgary,” said Blake Brooker, artistic director of One Yellow Rabbit.
Green will head up her first Rodeo in January and she’s raring to go.
As a past festival artist and avid audience member, I love the energy, risk, and excitement. Where else but the Rodeo can you see a show by your favourite artist, or catch something totally new; experience thought-provoking performances made in Calgary, alongside boundary-pushing works from across Canada and around the world?
“For me, the Rodeo is a destination that fosters new voices, offers artistic adventures, and makes space for change.”
A Calgary author has had several of her stories included in the popular Chicken Soup For the Soul series. Ellie Braun-Haley will see seven of her works published in four different books in the series, including three stories in one book coming out this fall.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Miracles and More includes a story Braun-Haley wrote about healing after she spent four years collecting stories about miracles for her own book. When she found out she was going to be included in the Miracles and More edition, she cried. “It was exciting to the point of tears. Miracle stories are my favourite type of story.”
She had another story included in the June edition, Chicken Soup for the Soul Empowered Woman, which donates royalties to Dress For Success, a charity which helps women prepare for the job market.
Two more stories will appear in the August edition, Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Power of Yes, and three more will be in an upcoming book, out in October.