Arts on 817 announces third concert season

By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor

Arts on 817 announced the launch of their third season with a line-up of six concerts to be held at Strathmore United Church in 2019-20.
Three of the concerts feature young emerging artists, and the other three concerts feature artists in their prime.
“I especially wanted to feature emerging Strathmore and area artists this year,” said Carolyn Steeves, Arts on 817’s artistic director.
The first concert features Sykamore, performing on Oct. 19, 2019. Sykamore, a singer-songwriter from Carseland, now living in Nashville, recently taped an episode for the Stampede City Sessions in Calgary, and she performed on the Coke Stage during the 2018 Calgary Stampede.
“We are proud to present this emerging country artist in her own backyard and give her a platform to share her talents,” Steeves said. “Aspiring singer/songwriters will enjoy Sykamore and the journey she is on as an emerging country artist.”
The season’s second concert, on Nov. 9, is a return performance of the Foothills Brass from Calgary. The Brass, along with guest musicians, will perform music of the Second World War era, with songs of the Andrews Sisters, blues and jazz, the “music heard on every radio during the Second World War.”
“It is going to be a wonderful program presented very close to Remembrance Day 2019,” Steeves said.
On Dec. 7, Lizzy Hoyt from Winnipeg will perform the season’s third concert, a program called Ancient Carols for a Winter’s Night.
Hoyt, along with musicians playing guitar, fiddle and Irish harp, will present an evening of carols, seasonal music and Cape Breton step-dancing, that’s “sure to be a highlight of the Christmas season,” Steeves said.
“Christmas is a wonderful season for many, and Lizzy Hoyt’s concert is going to be a spectacular celebration. It should appeal to all ages.”
The Heebee-jeebees from Calgary will return to Arts on 817 for the season’s fourth concert on Feb. 8, 2020, performing covers of familiar tunes along with their signature comedy.
The Heebee-jeebees are always fun and entertaining and will appeal to the whole family, Steeves said. “What a great concert for a Valentine’s Day out.”
Meagan and Amy, a classical piano and violin duo from Saskatchewan, will perform the season’s fifth concert on March 14. Their performance is co-hosted by Prairie Debut, funded by the Canada Council, which lists an annual roster of artists to be booked in local concert series.
In addition to being chosen by Prairie Debut, Meagan and Amy were chosen by Atlantic Debut and Jeunesse Musicale. Their Strathmore concert is part of their pan-Canadian tour. Classical music fans will especially love the Meagan and Amy concert, said Steeves.
Steeves is “particularly proud” of the season’s final concert, a performance by Strathmore’s Emerging Artists. It will feature four “wonderfully talented” young Strathmore women, aged 15 to 20, on May 2, 2020. Vocalist Rayanne Laycock, Janet Ying and Susanne Sevcik on piano, and Talia Sinclair on violin will perform classical music and musical theatre, with “music from Bach to Broadway”.
“This concert will be such a treat,” Steeves said. “Young students of music will especially enjoy the last concert and seeing where their musical studies can take them.
“The audiences will enjoy this year’s mix of emerging artists and seasoned veterans,” Steeves added. “Artists at the beginning of their career or mid-career all bring their passion for performing and making music.”
To learn more or to buy tickets for Arts on 817’s third season, go to smoreuc.com or call Linda at 403-901-2797.