Arts festival at Casa
What is Soar? Organizers describe it as a“five-day, multi disciplinary arts festival for young and emerging artists.”
It’s designed to foster “creative development by combining community inspired ideas with administrative, promotional and facility support.”
And it’s opening Wednesday at Casa, with the first of three cabaret nights.
“Soar cabaret nights are really a celebration of the young talent in our community,” says projects co-ordinator Muffy McKay,
at the Allied Arts Council.
“We have some returning performers from previous years but also some very exciting newcomers.”
New acts will include the Gymfinity Aerials,
“Lethbridge's very own circus troupe,” along with works by choreographer Sydney Murdoch and one-person actor Hannah Rud. Returning this year are spoken word artist Griffin Cork, performance artist Kristin Krein, magician Ben Price, “mentalist” Jeff Newman and actor Jeff Charlton with his one-act play, “Coming Home.”
The cabarets (7 p.m., $10 per night) continue Thursday and Saturday with a different lineup each night.
Soar will also include a new “mail art” exhibition, “I Have Something Important to Tell You – A Postcard to a Friend I Haven’t Met Yet,” with submissions from around the world.
It will also offer a two-day professional development symposium for artists of all kinds.
Tickets and further details are available at Casa. *** Leaving from the Galt Museum, a June 1 walking tour through downtown will explore the colourful history of Lethbridge’s long-gone theatres, from the days of vaudeville and silent movies to concerts, opera and famous performers. Dawn Leite of the Allied Arts Council will lead the walk, starting at 7 p.m. Also on deck at the Galt, Lyndon
Penner will outline the early days of agricultural research stations across Canada, starting a 2 p.m. on June 4. And on June 7, 2 p.m, the Galt will present the music of Floyd Sillito and The Classics.
For a little advance notice, the music of American movie theme specialist John Williams will be featured June 10, during the season’s final “Evening at the Pops” presentation by the Lethbridge Community Band Society, Both the Gold and Silver bands will perform during the 7 p.m. concert at College Drive Community Church. *** That same week, the Lethbridge Jazz and Blues Festival — June 9 to 17 — will offer an exciting array of talent from near and far. We’ll highlight the events in next week’s column, including some nocharge events — but meanwhile you can check out www.lethbridgejazzblues.com
*** And much, much sooner: Canada has one of the world’s highest rates of juvenile diabetes, and a fundraising walk today at Nicholas Sheran Park may help find a cure. The event, open to all interested, will begin at 11 a.m. today, with registration opening at 9 a.m.
Another cause, the Jumpstart program for active kids who need help with sports gear or registration fees, will benefit from a “Toonie Carnival” and car show today in the former Save-On parking lot, presented by the northside Canadian Tire. It’s set to run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; attractions also include a barbecue, popcorn, a dunk tank and games.
For folks with a lot of toonies, the annual Western Tailgate Party is set to run from 5 p.m. at the North Pavilion in Exhibition Park. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, it’s a fundraiser to support a number of Catholic charities.
And for a quieter evening, the annual Bellows to Brass concert will include selections for accordion and other instruments, under the direction of
Karen van de Vendel. It’s scheduled for 7 p.m. at College Drive Community Church, with tickets at the door.