National Music Centre fit for a king

Plans were unveiled last night for the Cantos National Music Centre in Calgary; the results of an eight month global design search and competition. Opened in March 2009, the contest was narrowed to five architecture firms by July, each of whom presented their vision to a public audience at an event dubbed Designs on Calgary. The competition was then moved to a jury made up of artists, architects, and Senator Pamela Wallin.

The new institution will build upon the historic King Edward Hotel (affectionately known as the 'King Eddy'), a legendary house of blues that was shut down by public health authorities in 2004 after falling into serious disrepair. Located in a construction-riddled, slightly seedy part of town, hopes for a revitalized neighbourhood and national koodos are pinned on the multi-million dollar development. Cantos expects up to 120,000 people will visit the centre annually within two years of its opening.

In its new life, the King Eddy will house multiple performance spaces, a museum, educational programs, and play an iconic role in the city's skyscape. It will also serve as the new offices for Cantos Music Foundation.

Allied Works Architecture, an Oregon-based firm known for its landmark performing arts spaces across the United States, will partner with local architects BKDI to design, develop and construct the new centre.

The concept behind the design is building as instrument, a theme picked up by the other competitors as well. A secondary inspiration is the Western landscape, in particular the canyons, mountains and hoodoos of Alberta.

Andrew Mosker, executive director of the Cantos Music Foundation, which spearheaded the competition and re-development, said Allied Works and BKDI were the firms that "jived most" with his staff and "best understood and paid homage to the legacy of the original King Eddy."

Published on The Ampersand, September 24 2009

Operanation and the Mayor's Art Awards

I have indulged in a steady diet of canapés and cocktails since beginning this column, but not before this week have I enjoyed those vices in such excellent company and remarkable settings.

Our journey begins on Friday October 13 with Operanation, a fundraiser for the Canadian Opera Company. Held in the marvelous new Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts, designed by Jack Diamond and associates, we were treated to private performances throughout the evening, a free-flowing bar, and an opera themed selection of snacks positioned brilliantly throughout the three levels of the massive space.

In honour of La Boheme we nibbled on melt-in-your-mouth brie among a selection of other delectable cheeses and pastries. Tosca brought us biscotti, Illy espresso and a selection of sorbets. The Ring Cycle tempted us with bratwurst, sauerkraut, pickles and rich mustard. The best tuna sashimi I have ever tasted, and Lychee martinis, were offered by Madame Butterfly.
A silent auction was also in play, with items ranging from Maurice Vellekoop’s new book, A Nut at the Opera, to donations from New Balance, Flirty Girl Fitness, PASH Jewellery Design, and many others.

The event was aimed at the hip and rich; part of an exciting new campaign to attract young professionals to the opera. The effort is called 'Opera for a New Age', and includes $20 tickets to each performance which are reserved for those under 30. However, Operanation also drew in the more mature set; those who seemed to appreciate the music over the martinis, and who were as engaging as they were truly interesting. The fundraising effort, coordinated by Tami Shapiro, Melissa Than, and a committee of dedicated young opera-lovers, has begun well. The first performance of the season, Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte, is sold out, and the glass walls of the Four Seasons – literally glowing from within - reached their capacity that night. In sum, the COC hosted a very well-staged event.

Mayor David Miller and the Toronto Arts Coalition Foundation [TACF] honored artists of all kinds during an exclusive awards luncheon at the Fairmount Royal York Hotel on Thursday, Oct. 5. The TACF supports artists by providing them with appreciation, visibility, and material resources, subsidizing existing arts council support through private and corporate investors. Master of ceremonies Jian Ghomeshi of CBC kept everyone entertained, while prizes ranging in value from $10,000 to valuable works of art were handed out. Albert Schultz won the William Kilbourn Award for the Celebration of Toronto's Cultural Life, and Sun Life Financial was nominated for the Toronto Business for the Arts Award. The young and multitalented Peter Chin was awarded the Muriel Sherrin Award for International Achievement in Music and Dance, one of the most prestigious awards of the afternoon.

Published in The Women's Post, October 20 2006