UNews - Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge

CASA opens its doors

trevor.kenney — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:08:05 +0000

The City of Lethbridge, Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge are excited to announce the Grand Opening of CASA, a truly functional 42,000 square foot arts centre with a striking building design.

CASA is the realization of a 20-year dream, shared by many in the Lethbridge arts community, to expand or replace the Bowman Arts Centre and provide a home for the arts in one central location.

"I am very pleased to participate in today's celebration, which will usher in new opportunities for Lethbridge and southern Alberta's artistic community," says Jim Hillyer, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

"Worthwhile projects such as this create jobs and encourage economic growth, while also providing Canadians with valuable cultural spaces."

Funding for the $20.69 million project includes $6 million from the Building Canada Fund – Communities Component (with $3 million provided by both the Federal Government and Alberta Transportation under BCF-CC), $14.4 million from the provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative (administered by Alberta Municipal Affairs) and $200,000 from the City of Lethbridge.

"We're pleased to support local priorities and build communities through the Municipal Sustainability Initiative," says Greg Weadick, Associate Minister of Alberta Municipal Affairs and MLA for Lethbridge-West.

"Facilities like CASA bring together families and neighbours while they enrich lives, entertain and create more vibrant economies."

CASA will allow for students of all ages to learn and explore many different mediums of art, drama, music, dance, yoga and more. It will become home to many local groups and events.

After the 11 a.m. Grand Opening, and for the remainder of the week, special events will be taking place in the evenings, with a Party On the Plaza from noon until 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. This community festival is free and will include many local musicians and entertainers, from the Lethbridge Community Taiko Association to the U of L Conservatory of Music.

Other events during the week include dance, theatre, film, the inaugural CASA art exhibit opening and the music of Oscar Lopez.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music has numerous events planned that showcase both the new facility and their diverse programs.

U of L Conservatory information, including program registration and upcoming events listings, can be found at this website.

"Our local arts community has been waiting for this day for a long time. For decades to come, this new arts facility will be a significant cultural and economic asset for downtown Lethbridge and for the entire community," says Mayor Rajko Dodic.

Along with the Allied Arts Council, who will be overseeing the facility, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is also a major partner with its Music Conservatory moving to this facility.

"We are extremely proud of U of L Music Conservatory Director Peggy Mezei and her team, and their achievements as they move in to CASA's bright and beautiful space," says Dr. Mike Mahon, the U of L's President and Vice-Chancellor. "Our commitment to the community takes on many forms, and being such an integral part of the CASA group is something we are very pleased to be a part of. This new facility will be of great benefit to our present and future Conservatory students, and also to the many members of the arts and culture community who use the facility to express their own creativity."

The Rotary Clubs of Lethbridge have also provided support to the project which has led to the naming of the Rotary Plaza, the location of the festivities on Saturday, May 18.

CASA will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 pm. on Sundays. Classes and workshops, including the opportunity to try "sampler" classes for a nominal fee, will begin the week of May 20.

Information on Grand Opening Week events as well as information on classes, workshops, facility rentals and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Music Conservatory can be found at the CASA website.

Dean Emeritus Robert Cook passes away

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:27:55 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge extends its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Robert M. Cook, Dean Emeritus (Faculty of Fine Arts), who recently passed away.

Cook came to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 1981 to assume the position of director of the newly-formed School of Fine Arts, comprising the departments of art, drama and music and their ancillary units, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Art Gallery, theatre and music conservatory. He was promoted to the rank of professor during his first year as director.

A graduate of Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y., Cook also held an MMEd degree from Boston ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. American born, he came to Canada in May 1971 as the supervisor of music in Alberta's Department of Culture, Youth and Recreation. Two years later he became director of Alberta College's Conservatory of Music. He returned to Alberta Culture in 1974 as director of performing arts, a position he held for seven years.

During this time period, Cook became a Canadian citizen and earned Canada's Jubilee Medal for his contribution to the arts. He also served as a director and honorary life member of the Canadian Choral Federation and the Alberta Band Association.

Before coming to Canada, Cook was an associate professor of music and Chair of the music department at Gonzaga ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Spokane, Was.

Since his retirement in 1989, Cook has been active in several provincial and community arts organizations. He was a founding member and Chair of Music Alberta. He was conductor and artistic director of the Lethbridge Community Band, which he founded in 1987. He was named conductor emeritus for the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra Association, served as a director of the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge and received a Distinguished Band Director's Award from the Canadian Band Association in 1995.

Actors wanted for Bridge festival

trevor.kenney — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:06:35 +0000

Members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community interested in flexing their acting muscles have the opportunity to participate in the festival celebrating the 100th anniversary of the CPR High Level Bridge.

The "In the Shadow of the Bridge" festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009 and a number of strolling actors will be required to add to the festival atmosphere. The characters (researched & developed by Belinda Crowson at the Galt Museum & Archives) are relevant to the people and professions in Lethbridge 100 years ago. The characters include: a coal miner, coal miner's wife, nurse, newspaper editor, business man, Chinese immigrant, prostitute, farm mother, preacher's wife and a Dutch immigrant.

DETAILS FOR STROLLING ACTORS:

• 6 actors are required from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
• 6 actors are required from 3 p.m to 6 p.m.
• Each "character" is a 3 hour shift
• A "festival pass" will be provided to gain access to the festival area
• You are welcome to a beverage/snack at the volunteer tent
• No vehicle access to festival site is allowed. Shuttle buses leave every 1⁄2 hour from City Hall, west Lethbridge Lodge parking lot, parking lot north-side Safeway, Enmax and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Lot "M".
• You must check at the Volunteer tent 1⁄2 hour before shift begins.
• In appreciation, an honorarium of $25 per hour will be provided. (each 3 hour shift = $75)

For more information about the strolling actors/characters, contact Teresa Ternes, Manager Special Events, Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge, at 403-320-0555 or via e-mail at teresa@artslethbridge.org.

UNews - Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge

CASA opens its doors

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