Carey,
I would like to take someone somewhere different. Where can we go to see a play/opera, or hear some classic music, on a budget?
–Kevin
Hey Kevin:
Just getting back from finally seeing “Avatar” with T & H. Interesting metaphors about colonialism and ‘divine right’. it’s a fantasy, though: the indigenous people win. Maybe someday . . . .
Promotional Photo from Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra website
Regarding music, it’s kind of late tonight for me to be searching around, but I’ve been checking out CalgaryCulture.com it’s a clearing house for into about what’s going on in Calgary,
And if you want, FastForward magazine has an interactive listing. Select Music, and it gives categories, and then you can get to the addresses of the places from the pages it gives you, and sometimes the prices. This is where I got the info when the four of us went out for my birthday. Thanks again. Very cool.
Specific to classical music, on this particular Calgary Philharmonic website page, the ‘Powerful Percussion” is a behind-the-scenes info and rehearsal session designed to give kids access to the orchestral instruments, and to then hear them being used preceding the concert that night,”From Vienna to Rio’. The afternoon thing will be a bit young even for you, Kevin, but the stuff in the evening performance sounds very interesting, from Beethoven’s first symphony to Brazilian-influenced works. This information is at another CPO page with all the poop you’ll need.
“Mozart for Two”, on the CPO page I sent you to first, is mostly unique and beauteous piano music from the most famous composer of all, with a couple of other things added, like Sibelius. Don’t be scared of him: there’s an introductory chat in the lobby of all of their main series concerts at 7:10, where a member of the orchestra or another expert goes on about what you’re going to hear, and why. They can add a lot to the music that’s coming up that night. I’d recommend it, especially since I’m assuming you don’t have a clue what a ‘Sibelius’ is.
All the CPO stuff starts at $19.00 for the choir loft and goes up. The loft can be an amazing seat, depending on the concert, so it’s best to ask them for an opinion. Piano sounds go away from the loft: orchestras don’t have that problem.
Okay, I’m giving you waaayy too much information here, but heaven forbid I be accused of letting your lady miss out on cultural experiences. There’s a really neat series of themed concerts happening this week: all Albertans, one is a jazz/blues night, one is a roots/folk/country night, one is an r&b/funkish night, and one rocks out entirely. The fourth night seems to be a summary of the others, but look it up yourself: The Transcanada Alberta Music series seems like a great option to hear lots of music for not a lot of cash, which is, I think, how this all started out.
Wish I could go to all of them.
Hope your evening(s) work out. Cheers.