Treat yourself to a lively lunch hour
Downtown concert series offers an eclectic lineup of entertainment
They call it the cheapest lunch date in town. Certainly, it’s one of the most musically enlightening.
Each Wednesday, the ProArts@ Noon concert series sends music ringing through downtown’s Cathedral Church of the Redeemer. One week you might hear a soprano singing opera; the next, it might be a klezmer group, a poet reciting his or her latest work or a saxophone quartet. You might even see flamenco dancers twirling up a storm.
For Damon Johnston, artistic director of the ProArts Society, it’s all about exposing Calgarians to a wide variety of performers in a unique venue.
“Our hallmark is music. This is such a great place for music, with its neo-gothic architecture. And we try to provide a very casual atmosphere,” says Johnston, who joined ProArts in 2007. The society started in 2002,. “It was struggling and the audiences were quite small … We’d be staging concerts often for less than 10 people. We’re now averaging about 80 people a concert.”
The performances start at 12:10 p.m. and run to 12:50. They draw a varied audience.
“We’re free,” says Johnston. “That really helps attract a much broader spectrum.”
Funding comes from a number of corporate sponsors, as well as the Alberta Lottery Fund, Calgary Arts Development and Alberta Foundation for the Arts.
“We have a lot of young and emerging artists,” says Johnston.
During Stampede, ProArts@ Noon hosted a performance by mezzo-soprano Maria Drost.
“People really enjoyed Maria’s work,” says Johnston.
Upcoming shows include John Rutherford during the Calgary International Blues Festival on July 30, and an Afrikadey! performance on Aug. 6.
Frank Rackow has performed in ProArts@Noon shows for five years. He’s played in a klezmer group, a saxophone quartet, and is conductor of the Vocal Latitudes World Music Choir.
“This is the best choral space in the city, with the best acoustics,” he says of the cathedral. “You get 30 people on the risers, and you can (vocally) fill this hall.
“I always look forward to playing here because I know the audiences will be attentive. There’s the beauty of exploring this space, whether through voice or instruments.”
For information visit proartssociety.ca, or call the concert info line at 403-214-1811.