Arts supporters honoured
One of the “perks” of writing a column is the opportunity to add our congratulations to people and groups who’ve been recognized for their contributions to our community.
So it’s a pleasure to report the Allied Arts Council recently honoured six southern Albertans for their longtime support and involvement in community arts activities. Donna Gallant, gallery director at the Bowman Arts Centre in the 1980s, has continued to play a role in many art groups for many years. Kathy Hopkins, the city’s community services director for many years, helped with the public art program as well as expansion of the Bowman and plans for Casa. Dr. Barbara Lacey, a city council member for 15 years, helped frame the city’s programs for the arts, including a “cultural corridor” with the construction of Casa and expansion of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery.
Laura Kenwood served as president of the arts council’s board of directors, initiated the “Mayor’s Luncehon for Business and the Arts,” and also engaged community members to support the Casa project. Ronald Brown, a 12-year member of the board, helped expand its role with the “Arts Re: Building” campaign which drew support to the Casa and SAAG projects.
Shirley Wyngaard, the arts council’s executive director from 1988 to 2002, also managed the Bowman Centre, served as curator for its three galleries, and developed educational programs in collaboration with local arts groups. Congratulations, all! *** Saluting its 25 years of service, the public library’s board of directors has named the Friends of the Lethbridge
Public Library as winner of its Distinguished Recognition Award for 2018.
The volunteer group contributes “so much to what we do through volunteer hours, donations and passion in helping the library achieve its goals,” says board chair Wendy Kalkan.
She particularly cited their help with the Word on the Street event, with book sales and with the “booktiques” at both library branches. Well done! *** What’s new on the music scene? Singer/songwriter Wayne Burton has been announced as the headliner April 21, during a fundraising “Resurrection Concert” in support of the Ogan village school for girls in Nigeria. A dozen more groups and individuals are also on the bill, with music ranging from choral and gospel to steel drums and brass. The event is set for 7 p.m. at College Drive Community Church, with admission by donation. *** To help rebuild a summer camp partially destroyed by wildfire in Waterton Lakes National Park, West Coast singer/songwriter Jim Strathdee and his wife Jill will present a 7 p.m. concert on Tuesday at McKillop United Church. Strathdee selections — “Dance with the Spirit,” “In Loving Partnership,” “What Does the Lord Require of You” and many more — are found in many of today’s hymn books.
Proceeds of a freewill offering will help replace cabins at Canyon Church Camp, a part of southern Alberta families’ lives for many generations. *** Next Saturday, April 14 will see Dennis Allen open the evening for Lethbridge Folk Club guest Ken Whitely, one of Canada’s most respected “roots” musicians and a seventime Juno nominee. The venue is The Cave at Lethbridge College, and tickets are available from Blueprint Records. *** More upcoming concerts include “Heroes and Villains,” a spring presentation by the Lethbridge Community
Band’s “Gold” ensemble. It’s scheduled for April 14 at 7 p.m. in College Drive Community Church. Tickets available at the door.
On April 20, the Musaeus string ensemble will welcome soloist Catherine McLaughlan to its 7:30 p.m. concert at La Cite des Prairies. For tickets: www.lethbridgesymphony.org
The next day, April 21 will offer a season-ending recital at Casa, featuring Suzuki violin students and the Stringendo Orchestra. It’s set for 1 p.m. And on April 24, Casa will be the setting for a presentation of world drumming with the WHIP (We Hit It Percussion) ensemble. The 5:30 p.m. concert is billed “admission by donation,” helping send the WHIP group to a cultural experience in Hawaii! *** And we have an extended list of last-minute reminders this week.
This evening, four local choirs will lend their support to a “Dreams Carry Us” concert at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, to assist a resettlement group supporting two Syrian refugee families who’ve arrived recently. Tickets for the 8 p.m. event will be available at the door.
Dory and the Weathermen are launching a new recording, “Black Velvet” — now available on iTunes — with an evening at KC’s Pub in the Coaldale Inn. There’s no cover charge for the 18-plus event.
End-of-term concerts on campus at the University of Lethbridge include the Global Drums at 7:30 p.m. tonight; a free presentation April 10 by the U of L Collaborative
Ensemble, 7:30 p.m.; and the U of L Wind Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. on April 12. Call the university box office, 403329-2616 to check on ticket availability.
Tomorrow afternoon downtown, a university group will present “Voices in Spring,” featuring sopranos Krysia
Ferguson and Alexandra Morgan, in selections from Mozart, Chausson, Faure, Puccini, Mendelssohn, Andre Previn and more. That's at 3 p.m., in the library's Theatre Gallery; no charge.
And on April 12, the Queen Scarlet Cinema series continues with “Sunset Boulevard,” 7 p.m. at Casa with tickets at the door.