Conservatory celebrates Alberta Culture Days
MRU’s first year hosting
Holly Triebwasser
News Editor
Mount Royal University got to experience another first this year when the conservatory was one of 15 sites in Calgary which played host to Alberta Culture Days.
Stephania Romaniuk, coordinator for Culture Days at the conservatory, chats with students on Main Street. Photo: Holly TriebwasserThe events, which ran from Sept. 28 to 30, brought local artists and performers to the conservatory to showcase their talent with performances and workshops for all ages.
The events, which ran from Sept. 28 to 30, brought local artists and performers to the conservatory to showcase their talent with performances and workshops for all ages.
“It’s important that it’s happening at Mount Royal,” said Stephania Romaniuk, Alberta Culture Days co-ordinator at the MRU conservatory. “This reflects what the conservatory is all about.”
Programs this year ranged from workshops such as flamenco guitar, storytelling and film composition to family programs including drumming and Ukrainian Dance. There were also performances from Calgary Chinese Music Development Authority, UCalgary String Quartet, Bobby Wiens Jazz Trio and Loose Moose Theatre Company.
“These are Calgarians who have something they want to present or share,” said Romaniuk.
Alberta Culture Days began in 2008 as Alberta Arts Day and has since expanded to three days, with 64 host sites across Alberta this year. Romaniuk stated that many people came forward during the application process, eager to showcase their talent and culture with fellow Albertans.
The conservatory was notified that it would be a host celebration site in July after applying in March.
“Alberta Culture Days is making arts accessible to people who may not have the opportunity, and getting people of all ages interested in the arts,” Romaniuk said of the weekend events, which were free of charge and worked on a first-come, first-served basis.
Culture Days weekend takes place across Canada. More than 800 cities and towns joined in the celebrations last year with over 1.2 million participants.
