Random locations, random artists: free, live performances to pop-up across Calgary all summer

Arts Commons wants to give back to the city with some free, live performances this summer. But you can't book a ticket.

The pop-up performances from local artists will be at random locations.

"We wanted to help, and we wanted to give back, and the best way we know how is through the arts," Josh Dalledonne, producing and engagement associate with Arts Commons, told The Homestretch.

"We thought summer is short and sweet, and the easing of restrictions allows us to sort of gather together — two metres apart of course...we decided this is the best way to go forward."

It's called Arts Xpedition.

Dalledonne says most of the performances will be musical — the first one was a light jazz performance in Central Memorial Park — but there could also be breakdancers, tap dancers, clowns or musical theatre.

"We are showing up in different places all around the city. So parks, street corners, care facilities, we are showing up and putting on shows," he said. "It's a little bit of a secret. We're only letting folks know where we're popping up an hour before the show starts." 

Dalledonne said that's to avoid attracting a large crowd during these COVID-19 times.

"It's a strange world for a producer like me who wants to invite as many people down to a show as possible, but of course these are definitely different times for us," he said. 

Dalledonne said part of it is to help relieve the mental stress everyone is experiencing.

"There's a lot of concern around mental health care for Calgary and obviously isolation is taking a toll," he said. "We're giving back the best way we know how."

The first concert was played to a surprised lunch time crowd of about 30 people, spread out on the shady grass of the park.

"Man, it was it was fabulous. Lots of smiling faces, lots of lots of kids running around as they do in parks and really glad for it. So frankly just a lot of a lot of grateful folks that they're able to sort of see live performance and live music again."

Dalledonne said it's just as nice for the performers as it will be for the audience.

"A lot of families that were there having lunch, and some folks on break from work, those that are still still in offices and whatnot," he said. "It just warms my heart to see an audience again and I know that was the same for the artists too."

The Arts Commons building has been officially closed since March, and remains closed, but is still able to function thanks to long-term sponsor support and ticket buyers who donated their tickets back to the organization.

"This is really really important to us," Dalledonne said. "A bit of a gift to Calgary, a bit of a way for us to sort of reconnect again safely, so all of these are absolutely free."

Short of wandering around the city and hoping to catch a concert, Calgarians can get some good hints by checking @yycarts on social media, around an hour before lunchtime or happy hour.

"We'll definitely be going throughout the summer here," Dalledonne said. 

With files from The Homestretch.