The Polaris Centre for the Performing Arts is calling on Rocky View County locals to come see a host of free artistic performances on Sept. 11 and 18, held in conjunction with Alberta Culture Days.
Carlos Foggin, the venue's manager, said the Balzac-based Polaris Centre applied for a grant in hopes of being able to put something like this together, and was eventually awarded.
“We got two days worth of funding, which is awesome,” he said. “We want people to come and see the theatre and show it off as well.”
The Polaris Centre, located on Wagon Wheel View near the CrossIron Mills shopping mall, is also the home of the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra (RMSO), which Foggin is the music director of.
“We are just excited people can come and see things for free,” Foggin said. “They can come try the theatre out and enjoy a cool line-up.”
Alberta Culture Days runs from Sept. 1 to 30, according to alberta.ca. The provincial government’s website stated the aim of the month is to encourage community organizations to explore and transform how this annual celebration is shared with Albertans, either through online or in-person events.
While there may be only two set days, Foggin said he has organized nine musical acts that attendees can take in across a wide spectrum of musical genres. A concert from Chestermere-Strathmore MLA Leela Aheer, a highland dance demonstration, a Natyam ensemble, and Esteban Herrera’s Quartet are just a few of the options on display.
Another performance taking place at the Polaris Centre during Alberta Culture Days is a concert performed by Flint & Feather. One half of the duo is Joel Kamps, who is currently Alberta’s Artist in Residence/Art Ambassador.
While the grant money didn’t allow for Foggin to host an RMSO concert, he said what may be a small amount of grant money from an orchestra perspective is quite a bit for bands and other local acts.
“We wanted to take that approach, rather than not doing anything at all,” he said. “We just want to highlight all of our musical friends in the Alberta arts community.”
According to Foggin, what makes the two days of events so great is being able to offer people a wide range of different performances for free.
“You can hear some great music,” he said. “Part of our mandate as the RMSO is to showcase music of all styles and all genres.”
Foggin hopes the events will bring residents out to the Polaris Centre and see what the venue has to offer ahead of the RMSO’s sixth concert season, which will start at the end of October.
“We have built this for the rural community,” he said.
Free tickets can be picked up by visiting polariscentre.ca
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
