ReMix to kick off Arts on 817
By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter
Photo Courtesy of Bekah Peterson
Last year, the inaugural Arts on 817 concert series was formed following the arrival of a new grand piano at the church in May 2017. Since then, three concerts were performed as part of the series to showcase both local and non-local musical groups, and to give them the opportunity to play the new piano.
Due to the wide success of the first concert series, a second concert series has been added to the playbooks and will feature six concerts from now until May 2019.
Arts on 817 concerts are ReMix: powered by Revv52 on Oct. 27, Ton Beau String Quartet on Nov. 24, the Calgary Fiddlers on Dec. 1, Women of Note on Feb. 2, 2019, The Arrogant Worms on March 22, 2019 and The Dearhearts will conclude the concert series on May 10, 2019.
ReMix: powered by Revv52 will open the concert series on Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Strathmore United Church.
The live band with custom arrangements of classic songs from the last five decades of pop music will feature 13 singers uniquely blending harmonies and powerhouse vocals to create a unique and tastefully designed show.
“We sing an eclectic range of popular music ranging anywhere from Justin Timberlake to Prince to ABBA and the Beatles. We do not fit into one genre. You will hear our own take on well known tunes with many of our own arrangements performed in a highly energized way,” said Bekah Peterson, one of the vocalists from ReMix and a local to Strathmore who has accompanied the École Brentwood Elementary Choirs along with playing piano and singing in her church.
The vocalists and musicians come from Revv52, a Calgary-based performance ensemble made up of over 50 singers representing all walks of life and professions. In order to play smaller venues, private functions and public events, the band ReMix was created using vocalists from Revv52. Although Revv52 has been around since 1952, ReMix is in its fourth year with the members changing over the years.
Although the band usually performs locally, they have recently played at Carnegie Hall in New York City and at the 2017 Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show.
“While we sing with a band for a lot of our show, we love to do some things a cappella as well,” said Peterson, adding that the Strathmore United Church has wonderful acoustics and that the band is excited about showing off some a cappella skills by performing songs like Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and Moondance by Van Morrison.
As for the rest of the show, you will have to attend to see what else is in the band’s repertoire.
Season tickets can be purchased for $145, the three fall concert tickets, or the winter concert tickets can each be purchased for $75, or a single adult ticket for ReMix can be purchased on the website for $30 while youth tickets are $10. Tickets can be purchased at www.smoreuc.com or by calling 403-901-2797.
“You can expect great music that will make you dance, snap your fingers, sing along and, perhaps, even move you. Our audiences tell us that our harmonies make their skin tingle, which makes us really happy. We have something for everyone,” said Peterson. “We’re all about bringing strong vocal chops and unique arrangements to songs everyone knows … we’re really pumped to bring an entertaining, thoughtful and inspiring show. If you love the human voice, this is the show to come and see.”
The Strathmore Times is the official media sponsor of the Arts on 817 series.