This year we’re bringing something new to the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre; an outdoor summer music series.
Dubbed the Strada Coffee Co. And Artisan Bakery Summer on the Plaza Series, this exciting new endeavour brings patrons to an outdoor stage, right on campus on the Verda McNeill Plaza. It’s located on the plaza between the centre and the University of Alberta’s Augustana forum building.
It’s a special outdoor series with three performances in August. In the event of inclement weather the show will move indoors to the Cargill Theatre.
Kicking off the series is Andrew Allen who performs Tuesday, Aug. 1. He’s an artist with an impressive CV. The singer-songwriter has a slew of top Canadian hits, followed by an equally impressive collaboration list with stars such as Meghan Trainor, Rachel Platten, Cody Simpson, Carly Rae Jepsen, Matt Simon and Conrad Sewel.
He’s also toured with renown performers such as Bruno Mars, The Barenaked Ladies, Andy Grammer, and more. The biggest thing Allen has found over the years of touring is seeing folks recognize his music.
Allen is a pop singer who knows how to entertain. He brings an intimate experience to the stage with himself and his percussionist engaging with the audience, and with themselves on stage.
“The first half of the show is often a sit down, listen, enjoy the experience,” explained Allen. “And then the last half of the show is often get up dance and have fun.”
While the performance is on an outdoor stage, the limited seating of 199 creates a more intimate experience, especially during the later afternoon hours of August.
Allen enjoys that intimacy, saying it gives fans a chance to take in the whole gamut of emotions that come with his performances.
It’s that very quality that has seen Allen perform at large venues such as Calgary Stampede, and then into special home concerts. There are many milestones he’s added to the list but Allen says it was the 2010 Paralympics in B.C. that really stayed with him.
“I wrote a song years ago called Amazing that was used for the closing ceremonies of the Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. That was a phenomenal experience to play the piano on that showcase,” Allen stated.
In addition, Allen co-wrote a song with Matt Simons, called Light in You for Italian performer, Marco Mengoni, that’s become extremely popular with his fans. For Allen, seeing his work performed on such large stages are memories he’ll always have.
What’s Allen been up to recently? Well, there has been a recent swell of country musicians move to the Okanagan Valley, which has created opportunities for collaborations and songwriting for the genre.
Some of those collaborations include working with members of The Washboard Union and Cole Bradley. “I’ve spent a fair bit of time in Nashville, writing with different writers and producers there.”
Allen says there is a definite crossover between country and pop music through storytelling.
He’s also excited to get back to Camrose, having performed here some years ago. That in itself was a memorable experience as he was invited to visit a fellow musician’s farm and tour the equipment and land.
Join us for the Battle River Big Band on Thursday, Aug. 10 and then Argentinian artist, Paula Neder, performing on Friday, Aug. 18 who is doing a special residency in Camrose. She is also collaborating with our season launch opener, Ryan Frank for a songwriting session.
Buy tickets to Andrew Allen here. Buy tickets to all three shows and save!
