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Downtown event shows off local talent

Talented artists will have their skills on display for all to see every Thursday evening throughout July and August.

Talented artists will have their skills on display for all to see every Thursday evening throughout July and August.

The Town of Okotoks is eager to showcase the region’s abundant musicians and artists in its annual Downtown Summer Thursdays on McRae and Railway Streets from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event kicks off July 6 and ends Aug. 31.

“It will be a really fun evening in downtown Okotoks,” said Allan Boss, Okotoks culture and heritage manager. “You can come to the Okotoks Art Gallery, sit at one of our picnic tables, do a little shopping, listen to some music, grab some food and enjoy music and do some people-watching.”

The evenings will include art on the lawn in front of the Okotoks Art Gallery, an open mic on the gallery porch at 6 p.m., children’s activities at nearby Triangle Park from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and outdoor fitness classes for families at 6:15 p.m. and adults at 7 p.m. ranging from yoga to kickboxing.

All activities are free and donations will be accepted to support the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Inviting local artists to sell their creations and musicians to show off their talent is part of Okotoks culture and heritage’s mandate, said Boss.

“There is so much talent in the community and this provides an opportunity for those great musicians all around Okotoks to come down and be able to play in front of an audience, maybe test out new material or show off the strongest thing they have,” he said. “It not only provides a great atmosphere for the audience, it provides an opportunity for the musicians to grow and develop a music scene here in Okotoks.”

Downtown Summer Thursdays allows Okotoks Art Gallery members to sell their creations and get their names known in the community, said Boss. Anyone interesting in joining the event must sign up with the gallery membership, Boss said.

“One of the things that we do in culture and heritage is try and provide opportunities for our local artists,” he said. “We do the Spirit of Christmas sale every year that’s a member show, we have our gift shop in the gallery for members and we do member shows often times during the year. We thought this would be one more opportunity in which we can allow our members to come and sell their wares at the art gallery. It’s a really great opportunity for artists to enrich the community with what they do at no charge at all.”

Okotoks artist Shirley Paradis displays her art in the event every year. This summer’s selection includes jewelry, stained glass and metal gates with copper enhancements.

“I love seeing some of the paintings and seeing friends from other shows and meeting new people too,” she said. “It’s so much fun.”

Paradis said this event is perfect for her tastes.

“I don’t like to run around too much and set up a big show,” she said. “I can just bring my tent and table and just enjoy the afternoon.”

Musical talent will range from performers used to being in front of an audience to those stepping on stage for the first time, said Boss. In some cases, parents bring children who are learning an instrument or taking voice lessons to the open mic to perform before a live audience.

“Music provides atmosphere and makes it feel good all around,” said Boss. ““In my mind any good event needs music.”

Those interesting in showing their art or performing at the open mic can call 403-938-3204 or go to okotoksculture.ca to register.

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