Annual fundraising event on horizon for Hope Bridges Society

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Every year, Hope Bridges Society brings together an array of musical and visual artists at their annual Artists Among Us fall gala and fundraiser event.
Now in its 13th year, the gala is the largest of various fundraising efforts organized by the society throughout the year. The event has garnered enough popularity over the last decade to continuously sell out a venue that has a capacity of 500 people, helping keep the society afloat.
Hope Bridges Society is a community-based, non-profit organization that utilizes art to connect with adults of all walks of life within Strathmore and surrounding areas. Money raised at the event ensures the organization can continue to offer their programs and be able to grow.
“This is a fundraiser and we do need people, our community, to come out and support Hope Bridges, otherwise we cannot do what we do,” said Wanda Reinholdt, program coordinator with Hope Bridges Society.
“It’s a night for the entire family. There’s laughter, joy, spoken words, music (and) art, and it’s a really fun night.”
The evening will feature 10 acts: Rosebud School of the Arts Chorale, Bill’s Big Band, Chuck and the Amigo’s, the Dearhearts, Alison Wilson, the Wheatland Whirlers, Colin Haydu, Sing Your Right Note, Rachel Konschuh and Lisa Jacobs, and the Audience Drumming Experience – a Hope Bridges Society program made up of three sessions.
The society welcomed the Calgary-based company Circles of Rhythm into their fold three years ago just before their annual gala event. After support from the public to see the program return, Hope Bridges brought Circles of Rhythm back in 2017 and again this year.
The ancient approach has been around for thousands of years to maintain spiritual, mental and physical health by using drums to create rhythm for the promotion of healing and self-expression.
“They provide what’s called adaptive drumming and it adapts to whatever background or experience the person has; it’s very flexible,” said Reinholdt. “If someone is not able to hit the drums with their arms it’s still very beneficial, they can benefit from the vibrations. It’s a really beautiful time of expression. Music is such a universal language and this provides the opportunity for people to experience music in a very unique and custom way.”
The class can take on 12 individuals. There are still places available for the upcoming sessions. Sessions with Circles of Rhythm take place on Oct. 17 and Oct. 24, as well as the performance at the gala, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Hope Community Covenant Church. Sessions are $40.
The Artists Among Us gala and fundraising event is at Hope Community Covenant Church on Oct. 21. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. The evening also includes a pulled pork, salad and pumpkin pie dinner. For those interested in tickets to the fundraiser or registering for the drumming series, call 403-983-3640. Tickets for the gala will also be sold at the door.