Fine Arts & Multi Media Centre, Olds

September 19, 2009 Alberta Arts Days

Olds will celebrate the contribution of rural artists, and the role of cultural experiences in building a strong community with arts workshops, video conferencing, performances and more. All events are free!

www.communitylearningcampus.com/fine-arts-multimedia-facility.shtml

Media Release

Community Showcase

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the TransCanada Theatre
(Special performance by Jo Hikk at 1:00 p.m.)

Artist Profiles:

Jo Hikk
Based in Crossfield and Olds, Jo Hikk has been sweeping the music scene across Canada and beyond. Recent highlights for this country rock band include two 2009 Canadian Country Music Awards nominations for 'Group or Duo of the Year' and 'Rising Star Award'; single "My Kind of Radio" hit #12 on Mediabase and R&R charts and landed a spot on Universal Records Country Hits 2009 Voume 2; "Pimp My Tractor" chosen for Big Rock compilation disc; "Sweet City Woman" hit #21 on R&R charts. Jo Hikk is comprised of brothers Kelly Sitter (lead vocals/bass) and Kenny Sitter (guitar/vocals), Dylan Gillett (vocals/guitar), Al Doel (drums/vocals) and OLDS NATIVE Don Jorgensen (keyboards/mandolin/vocals).

Prairie Four – Prairie folk singer/songwriter/musician extraordinaire, Donna Durand from Red Deer, will be joined by Prairie Four.

Doll Sisters – Jenna (17) and Shelby (16) from Rocky Mountain House have been busy performing bluegrass, celtic, cowboy/western, gospel and folk music at events in Central Alberta, as well as a short tour in BC.

Cal Werezak – A 2006 Star Search winner, Cal was raised on a farm east of Olds and now lives near Bergen where he is working on new material for an upcoming CD to showcase his single 'Without Reason'.

Deadnote –This five-piece teen alternative rock group from the Tofield/Ryley area of East Central Alberta has earned scholarships and contests with their interpretation of rock's biggest metal bands.

7 Fiddles Worth – This engaging group of young musicians from Cremona and Sundre perform at functions thoughout Central and Southern Alberta, and were a popular appearance at the grand opening of the Fine Arts & Multi Media Centre.

Divine Dance Academy – This popular studio in Olds offers a variety of programs for students of all ages, from Baby Boogie to Ballet, and successfully showcased several students at the grand opening of the Fine Arts & Multi Media Centre.

Rachelle Jans – Just entering grade 11 at Bowden Grandview School, this singer/guitarist has already garnered several first class honours in classical and musical at both the Olds and Red Deer Kiwanis Music Festivals.

Cindy Anderson – This singer/songwriter has just returned from Olds after two years of studying music.

Sundre Community Dance – Everyone involved with Sundre Community Dance is committed to providing quality dance instruction at affordable prices to residents of Sundre and the neighbouring communities through their studio in the Sundre Arts Development Centre.

Jake Peters – An award-winning singer/songwriter/guitar and banjo-picker from Didsbury, anything with strings is fair game to Jake – he also designs original string instruments and restores vintage pieces.

Cesar Juarez-Vargas – A classically trained singer from Lloydminster, Cesar brings his classical singing techniques to well-known favourite pop tunes of the 60s, 70s and 80s.

The Culls – Didsbury musician and journalist, Rick Overwater, provides lead vocals/guitar/lap steel for this off-beat country band, which was hosted by the Ironwood Stage and Grill last November for the release of their debut CD "If Your Horse Returns Alone."

Phil Richards – This talented 16 year-old pianist from Olds composed a melodic piece called Waves last year that landed him a spot on Oprah Winfrey's list of World's Most Talented Kids.

Cesar Aquillar – Arriving from Mexico as an exchange student in 2006, this 18 year-old classical vocalist initially shuffled between Sundre and Olds before heading south to study music at the University of Lethbridge.

  • Please note: The artists involved in the daytime Community Showcase are subject to change.

Art Displays

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Foyer and Stained Glass Room

Olds Art Club – The Olds Art Club has been in existence for nearly 50 years, with the ongoing goal of teaching and promoting art in the Olds area. Members range from seasoned artists to fresh beginners, including members from neighbouring communities.

Wellspring Visual ArtNetwork Association – This umbrella organization was formed in 2006 to advance and promote appreciation of visual arts in rural communities. Members host art shows, children's programs, festivals and workshops, and facilitate a presence of quality, juried Fine Art with a purpose to enrich culture throughout Central Alberta.

Olds High School Artwork – As the Fine Arts & Multi Media Centre provides multi-function use primarily for high school art, drama and music classes, we are including student work in today's display. Olds High School has a rich tradition of nurturing visual and performance art, culture and social justice. It received UNESCO designation for efforts to create a culture of peace through activities that address cultural education, human rights, the environment, global concerns, and the role of the United Nations.

Exhibits – 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Art Room

Artsparks – Accessible for all people at any skill level, artsparks will be facilitating an artist trading card swap meet, as well as a make and take card activity throughout the day. Olds Municipal Library, along with Rocky Mountain House Library and the Drumheller Library, received funding from the Public Library Development Initiative to implement a series of exciting community arts projects called artsparks.

Woodcarving workshop – During his 34 year teaching career, Bill Windsor of Olds led his biology students to an appreciation of the wonders of all living things. It was on a trip to Arizona after his retirment when Bill was handed a piece of wood and a pattern, and his discovery of woodcarving began.

Pattern drafting – Students and instructors from Olds College's Apparel Technology Program will demonstrate fabric draping and pattern drafting.

Evening Concert

7:30 – 10:00 p.m. in the TransCanada Theatre

Gord Bamford

Gord Bamford is country through and through. In the way he lives his life and in the way he writes his songs, Gord brings a unique outlook to his music in which his heartfelt sincerity can instantly be heard. Whether in front of 35,000 screaming fans opening for Tim McGraw at Commonwealth Stadium or playing a quiet town hall for 150 people, Gord is right at home!

Gord was born in Australia and has lived in Lacombe since he was a young boy. His love of country music struck a new chord in 1994 when he won a local Search for the Stars contest, which included a session at a professional recording studio. Since then, Gord has become a professional recording artist whose tours pack audiences and garner rave reviews. He received both the Top New Male Talent and Record Production of the Year awards at the Canadian Country Music Awards in 2008, and is a Juno-nominee. We are pleased and proud to host Gord Bamford as the headline performance at our evening concert!

The Polyjesters

Brothers Jason and Sheldon Valleau will share their highly energetic and entertaining folk music through their award-winning hits with The Polyjesters. From Billie Holiday to The Beatles, from old swing to alternative country, The Polyjesters appeal to a wide range of musical taste. They have released four CDs and toured the world. The brothers grew up in Didsbury and lived in Europe for four years before returning to Carstairs. In 2006, they began the Mountain View Music Fest, which is now showcasing talent from all over the country and is building an international profile. The Polyjesters are proud to be a part of the growing interest in arts and culture in the area, and we are happy they will be part of the Alberta Arts Days celebration!

Jenn Beaupre

On November 19, 1982 in Edmonton, Jenn Beaupre let out her first note that left even the seasoned birthing team in awe. "That's quite a set of lungs!" her mom was told again and again at the hospital that day. She quickly continued down her career path, as the first word she uttered was "music." By age 14, Jenn had an opera coach and was preparing for a career in opera, but she decided to try her hand at songwriting and taught herself piano. Her first CD, My Life So Far, was burned on her home computer when she was 16, and sold over 6,000 copies. Jenn has won the Calgary Stampede Youth Talent Showdown's most promising artist, and enjoyed a successful run on Canadian Idol. She recorded her newest album, Lullabies for Grown-ups, in late 2007. Jenn resides in Red Deer.