Yesterday the orchestra did their annual run-out performance in Lloydminster, at the Vic Juba Theatre. I believe this is the sixth year of this special performance - this year the concert had a Thanksgiving theme, and featured Vivaldi's Four Seasons. This performance takes place thanks to The Nelson Group, which sponsors the concert and directs all proceeds to a local charity - in this case, the Lloydminster SPCA.

Some fun for today - Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue as played by... Gershwin. Or rather, played by a player piano using a piano roll that Gershwin himself cut.

There is something way more interesting about this than just listening to a recording of Gershwin - you really get a sense of the physical aspect of the performance. Video after the break...

It's that time again - civic election season!

It seems as if only one or two issues might dominate this year's discussions leading up to October 18, but it is important to remind our future leaders that the arts plays a significant role in Edmonton; we are known as the "Festival City" after all, so it's an issue that should be front and centre.

Now that the cannon smoke has cleared, it's time to relive Symphony Under the Sky 2010!

Thanks to our bloggers, we've got a pretty good picture (sometimes literally) of the weekend through their posts, in order of performance:

Once again we're pleased to have local bloggers review our Symphony Under the Sky performances!

Last night we opened our festival with our classical night, featuring the music of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and (just to change it up) Prokofiev. Our two reviewers Sarah and Sable typically blog about rather different topics; one writes about girls and bicycles, and the other about choral music. But for one weekend their blogs cross paths... ok, did I mention they're sisters?

Here are their two perspectives on our opening night from:

Girls and Bicycles
The Choir Girl