Chestermere’s Synergy Youth and Community Development Society is extending Halloween celebrations with a masquerade event Nov. 2 at the Calgary Central Library, in the city's in downtown Calgary.
The adult-only event, which will be held at the library’s Patricia Whelan Performance Theatre, will feature an acrobatics performance from Le Cirque de la Nuit, as well as sets from Calgary DJs John Delerious and Shawna Applebaum.
“This is quite a big event – we’ve never done anything like this before,” said Patty Sproule, Synergy’s executive director.
Along with live entertainment, the masquerade will include an appetizer buffet – including Halloween candy, to go with the theme – and a cash bar featuring local craft beers. Attendees are also encouraged to wear costumes, Sproule added.
“It’s just going to be a nice evening, with lots to see and lots of unique entertainment,” she said.
The motivation behind the masquerade, according to Sproule, is to show gratitude to those who have supported Synergy.
“Just getting them all in one room and celebrating with them – that’s what I’m looking forward to,” she said.
Founded in 2013, Synergy is a registered charity that caters mainly to youth in Chestermere, Langdon and the rural communities of southeast Rocky View County. According to its website, Synergy’s mission is to “empower youth and community groups to build strong connections through relationships, education, leadership and programming.”
Sproule said Synergy was created to “fill the gaps” that existed in youth programming in the region.
“It was very purposeful in its design to not duplicate anything anyone else was doing, but to do things that were identified in the community as being needed for young people, as well as the community at large,” Sproule said. “Each one of our programs is tailor-made from the feedback we received from the community.”
One of the society’s main programs is the Youth Encouraging Lasting Leadership (YELL) Youth Council for 13- to 17-year-olds. That council organizes a yearly anti-bullying campaign called Pretty in Pink.
Synergy also boasts the Homework Helpers tutoring program and the SHOUT Boys and Girls councils. The councils offer guidance to youths aged 10 to 12 on the development of social skills, teamwork, critical thinking, self-awareness and positive relationships.
Sproule said, as the charity continues to grow and add programs, Synergy is becoming a vital part of the community.
“We don’t have a boys’ and girls’ club, we don’t have a YMCA, we don’t have any of those things,” she said. “Synergy is kind of all of those things wrapped into one.”
Tickets to the Halloween masquerade cost $75 per person and can be purchased online at bit.ly/2MQr433
Proceeds from the event will support Synergy’s programs.
While the Patricia Whelan Performance Theatre can hold more than 300 people, Sproule said, Synergy hopes to cap attendance around 200.
“It’s a really big venue, [but] because we have these wonderful DJs, we’re wanting to have enough room so that people can dance, if they want,” she said.
