LOCAL EVENTS CALENDAR
It’s a sure bet that Meatloaf isn’t served up too often by community choir groups.
But Revv52 isn’t your typical a cappella group singing bebop, gospel hymns and old-time ditties. Rather, the volunteer group comprised of 18- to 70-year-olds from all walks of life, has a vast catalogue of modern pop and rock — think Lady Gaga and The Weeknd. It’s backed by some of Calgary ’s best studio musicians, including Steve Pineo, Kit Johnson and Derek Stoll.
It also has a 14-member ensemble called ReMix which performs at galas, fundraisers and special events.
Revv52 has been entertaining for more than 65 years, formerly as the Calgary Choral Society. The 50-strong choir performed in the Stampede Grandstand Show in 2017 and the year before travelled to New York for a performance at Carnegie Hall.
It will perform three shows in Calgary at the MRU Bella Concert Hall on May 11 and 12 (two evenings and a matinee). The set list ranges from the Beatle’s Day Tripper and Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves to Queen’s Bicycle Race and Moondance by Van Morrison. They tend to wrap the night with songs such as Too Good at Goodbyes by Sam Smith and the epic Meatloaf rocker Paradise by the Dashboard Lights.
Most of the songs are exclusively arranged for Revv52.
“Music is a part of everyone’s life.” says artistic director Brian Farrell. “The music selected for this show will bring you through every aspect of your day from waking up in the morning, commuting to work and finally to the end of the day.”
Tickets are available at www.Revv52.com.
The Schizophrenia Society is embarking on its first Strides of Hope walk om May 24.
The one-hour walk is also being held in five other cities in Alberta to show support for those affected by schizophrenia, a treatable brain disorder. Participants are encouraged to wear purple or white colours.
The event goes from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. and starts downtown in Olympic Plaza. The society notes that one in 100 people are diagnosed with schizophrenia, which equates to more than 40,000 people in Alberta.
The Schizophrenia Society of Alberta offers support programs at six locations and also provides online programs to ensure that all Albertans have access to support.