In the mountains and plains of Alberta the artists wait: composers big and small, those who sing in the
shower and those who can’t get enough of the stage. They wait for their chance to be showcased at one of the
most innovative festivals in Canada. The TransCanada Alberta Music Series is where everyone needs to be.
This four-day festival in Calgary is hailed as the lifeblood of Alberta. Luka Symons, Epcor Centre for the
Performing Arts’ programming co-ordinator, shares that the point of the event is to celebrate culture in the
ever-growing province. “The musicians who play are from Alberta and call this their home, or they are from
away and make this their home; I want this to be its snapshot of the current situation.”
Artists from all over the province have the chance to come together and perform their music for their musical
peers, as well as loyal and curious fans alike.
With more than 180 submissions to sift through, artists of various musical categories are chosen to perform.
Those selected include both experienced and budding artists.
Symons says she has never seen anything like it before. “Everything in combination sets up a vibe… There is
so much respect, artists come and pour their hearts out. The kind of people who come are there for the
stories… The audience is enamoured and the love comes right back.”
The festival, which is generously supported by TransCanada, is held in Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts,
providing an immaculate yet intimate space for the artists to perform. In a space that was remade using parts
of a theatre from 1911, this room, holding 180 seats, provides the artists with everything they need from
impeccable acoustics to that at-home feeling every artist craves. To enhance that feeling, this year
co-ordinators decided to create the look of an at-home recording space by putting rugs on the stage and
hanging low swag lamps to give the space ambience and intimacy. Its aim is to have the audience feel like
they are “flies on the wall,” witnessing the raw talent of these musicians. The warm atmosphere invites the
artists to connect with their sounds and allows the audience to become undeniably entranced.
Symons hopes that every artist will leave knowing exactly where he or she came from: “I want them to take
away a part of what’s going on, and recognize and celebrate what’s going on in the backyard. I want Alberta
musicians to know this is a good place to be and that we will celebrate them.” •
Entering its 14th year, the event has a track record of shows being sold out three of the four nights,
and co-ordinators are sure this year will be no different. Festival dates are March 23 to March 26. Tickets
can be bought online at epcorcentre.org.
