March music scene reaching a crescendo
If I used the word “Bolero,” few readers would think of the slow-paced Latin dance. Most would recall the most famous work by French composer Maurice Ravel.
First performed nearly 90 years ago, the orchestral stunner builds from an almost inaudible beginning to a cataclysmic conclusion.
And that comes close to describing Lethbridge’s arts and entertainment scene as March comes to an end. After building in intensity week by week, the performance schedule has reached fever pitch.
Try as you may, it could be impossible to take in all the events that are on tap today and Sunday.
On stage, the Lethbridge and District Music and Speech Arts Festival wraps up this year’s proceedings with its “Stars of the Festival” concert, today at 2:30 p.m. in Southminster United Church.
Then at 7:30 p.m. in Southminster, the University Singers will present their season-ending spring concert.
Over at College Drive Community Church, the Lethbridge Community Band organization will present its Silver Band in an evening of “Folk Music and Fantasy,” starting at 7 p.m.
Also this evening, the final performance of the U of L drama department’s two-part “A Barne in Bedlam: Two Approaches to Medieval Plays” is set for 7:30 p.m. in the intimate David Spinks Theatre.
Back downtown at the public library, a 2 p.m. matinee screening of “The Land Beneath Our Feet” in the Theatre Gallery will conclude this year’s nocharge Lethbridge International Film Festival. At the Geomatic Attic, Tin and
the Toad will be the featured performers this evening. At the Owl Acoustic Lounge, the attraction will be an Arrows North Songwriters Round, featuring Kimberley MacGregor, Makiisma and Curtis Glas. For a little outdoor adventure, the Helen Schuler Nature Centre will be offering youngsters a Junior Naturalists session on rabbits, at 10 a.m., as well as a session on the art of fly fishing for all ages, at 1:30 p.m.
Back inside, the Galt Museum will be offering a look into spring flowers at 1 p.m., as part of its family programming. Back at the downtown library, there’s a “book share, book swap” event today, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Kids Corner, featuring readings from local authors Dorothy Graham and
Ginger Lee Malacko. Children — and the authors — are invited to dress like a storybook character.
Then on March 31, the Friends of the Lethbridge Public Library will be holding their “spring blowout” book sale, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in the Theatre Gallery. For $5 to $10 per bag, visitors can load up on adult, young adults and children’s books as well as “audiobooks” — and possibly a computer or
monitor. On Sunday afternoon, the Emerging Sounds concert series will host “Saxophone Sunday,” 3 p.m. in the Theatre Gallery. Students from the U of L sax studio will show their licks during the no-charge event. Looking ahead, the U of L Jazz Ensemble will be staging its final concert of the season, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. in University Theatre.
On Tuesday evening, from 6 to 8 p.m., students are family members are invited to “Dehr to Care” — an art gala, show and sale at the Galt Museum. The free, family friendly event will raise funds for the McMann Youth Hub, which assists at-risk and homeless youth. The evening is sponsored by the Diversity, Equality and Human Rights committee of the Lethbridge Public schools local of the Alberta Teachers Association. Next Saturday, March 31, it’s the annual “Eggstravaganza,” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Galt Museum. The family event will include take-home crafts, egg dying and face painting — and a visit from the Easter Bunny. That day, bunnies, rabbits and hares will also be the subject in Indian Battle Park, when staff at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre explain what makes these creatures unique. Events, running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will also include a story walk on the trails, indoor activities and crafts.
Then from April 3 to 6, the annual “Coulees and Culture Camp” for children aged six to 10 will include sessions at Galt Museum and the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, as well as the nature centre; call 403-320-3064 for details. Coming up in April, Playgoers of Lethbridge will host this year’s Regional One Act Festival on April 6, starting at 7 p.m. in Casa — with tickets at the door.
Later in the month, a lineup of Lethbridge musicians will be heard in a “Resurrection Concert,” in support of the Ogan School in Nigeria. It’s set for April 21 in College Drive Community Church, with admission by donation.
And we’ll close with a tip of the hat to the folks at Economic Development Lethbridge. Their
“Ignite YQL 2017” project topped the mid-sized cities category for community economic development at this year’s award presentations by the Economic Developers Alberta organization. The awards of excellence were presented this week in Banff.