Strathmore to host fifth annual festival
By Melissa Piche Times Contributor
This year marks the fifth annual Strathmore Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) beginning April 10 and running steadily through to April 24.
Last year’s festival had 141 participants with this year on track to be the biggest participant turn out yet.
Loralee Laycock is the current president of the SPAF and she is excited about the upcoming festival.
“This year, we have a week and a half of classes being offered,” said Laycock. “We have classes in string, choir, speech, contemporary and classical voice, and musical theatre and then we have six days of piano. In addition, we have instrumental and band running simultaneously. In other words, we have a lot going on and lots to see.”
This year Laycock is excited about the number of entrants for the contemporary voice category, which is happening on the evening of April 11.
“That’s kinda a fun category. People get to sing with a microphone … they can use different types of accompaniments other than just piano,” she said. “They sing popular music, country music, faith-based music and that’s also the night of our family class, which is always a big hit too.”
The fundamentals of the SPAF is to encourage the arts in and around Strathmore by providing a safe and positive environment for everyone involved – audience members, adjudicators and performers alike. The festival is primarily for elementary, junior high and high school students from the immediate area.
“We have so much community support,” said Laycock of the tremendous sponsors who have generously donated to the festival. “We appreciate every dollar we receive that helps go towards running the festival. In addition to sponsors, other ways we see community support is through the volunteers that come to help run the festival. Our board is all run by volunteers, but additionally we require tones of people on the ground running each session.”
Laycock said each session requires two volunteers. Last year there were upwards of 40 volunteers for the festival and this year they are looking for the same. If you would like to volunteer and be a part of the festival you can send an email (volunteerspaf@gmail.com).
The festival is capped off with the final concert on April 24, which is always a huge draw for people.
“Everyone wants to come to the final concert, see the outcome of everyone’s hard work,” she said.
This year’s final concert is generously sponsored by Carey Rose, RE/MAX Key with an admission of $5 per person or $10 per family and can be purchased at the door.
“I would love to encourage more people to come to more of the (daily) sessions,” said Laycock. “This year admission is by donation only.”
Donations can be made at the door or e-tranfer (strathmorepaf@gmail.com).
“We would really love to see more people attending the daily sessions. Having more people in the audience encourages the performers and helps them feel like they are performing to an audience,” said Laycock. “This is a great way to support the community and support the young people who are trying to pursue their passion in music.”
The SPAF is very thankful for the use of the venues for the festival. Those venues are The Strathmore United Church, The Strathmore Alliance Church, Holy Cross Collegiate, the Strathmore High School and
Hope Community Covenant Church for the final concert on April 24. The festival wouldn’t be able to run without the support of these generous local facilities.
The full festival schedule and adjudicators’ bios can be viewed on the SPAF website (www.strathmorepaf.com).
The festival runs from April 10 to April 24, with the final festival showcase performance and awards night on Wednesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. at the Strathmore Hope Community Covenant Church, located at 245 Brent Blvd Strathmore.