“It's like I programmed a folk festival, but spread it out over two months,” Ben Sures explains.

He’s talking about the Arden Plaza Series, a summer-spanning set of Thursday night concerts taking place outside of the Arden Theatre in July and August.

You may have checked out previous versions of the Series—this is its fifth year of programming—but a few big changes are in store this summer: first of all, it’s free.

The layout’s shifted, too: the performers will take to a flatbed truck on the street, instead of a stage beside the building, and seating will be bring-your-own-chair. There will be a licensed area with drinks and snacks, but keeping it family friendly is the focus. Sures, a Professional Programming Presenter with the City of St. Albert, notes that his intentions were to open the Series up to as many people as possible.

“My hope is to do a number of things,” Sures explains. “Introduce St. Albert audiences to artists they may or may not have heard, or may have wanted to see again. My hope is to curate music in a way that creates an appetite for both the event and a curiosity to see what I'm bringing … The other consideration is I want people of all ages and all communities to be able to come together and share in the experience.”

Each night has a theme, starting off on July 3rd with “Swingin’ and Singin’”, featuring the Polyjesters and The Jivin’ Belles. “A Fiddle, a Banjo and a Métis Jig” splits the bill between The Myhre Brothers, Jed and The Valentine, and Luc Gauthier. July 17th showcases international jazz guitar sensation Jocelyn Gould under the title of “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”, while July 24th hosts “Mizik, Mizik! Haitian and Caribbean Soul Jazz Party” with Bel and Quinn and Morgan Hanna, and a table from the African And African Descendant Friendship Club. Closing out the month, Sam Brookes and Leaf Rapids will share July 31st’s “Wistful Melodies and Open Heart Songs.”

August’s run of shows starts on the 7th with pop-latin-folk artist Cristian De La Luna under “La Historia Y el Ritmo (The Story and the Rhythm)”, also featuring a dance lesson presented by The St. Albert Latin Cultural Association. “Fiddles on Fire” on August 14th will host two Juno-nominated acts: The Morgan Toney Trio and Shannon Johnson with Jeremiah McDade. August 21st’s “Tall Tales and Barrelhouse Blues” pairs Little Miss Higgins and Debra Power, neither a stranger to Alberta audiences. And the Series will close out on August 28th with the return of Amplify, showcasing St. Albert’s best young and emerging talent alongside the UK’s Morf Music.

That’s an incredible wealth of artists. And Sures notes that the caliber of performer is particularly high for a run of concerts that don’t cost anything to attend.

“Upon reflection, I'm willing to bet it's probably the highest-quality free concert series in Alberta,” Sures says.

Article Written by: Paul Blinov

More information about the Arden Plaza Series can be found at stalbert.ca/exp/arden/events/?series=plaza

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