Four Calgary pianists will tickle the ivories in Okotoks’ town square in an outdoor gathering that’s gaining popularity.
Okotoks Culture and Heritage has lined up Calgary talent for its Picnic at the Piano with a pianist each in May, June, July and August to entertain the young and old during the noon hour one Wednesday each month. Picnic at the Piano was implemented in 2015.
“It’s gaining popularity,” said Allan Boss, Okotoks Culture and Heritage manager. “We tend to get seniors there, with busloads coming down from local senior residences. We sometimes get groups of kids that are in daycare who enjoy the lunch in the park and listening to music and often times people who are working downtown, if they’ve got an hour off at lunch, hang out in the park and listen to music.”
Boss said picnic at the piano is a free event that builds community.
“We’re creating gathering places for our community,” he said. “It’s everything that we should be doing as a municipality to try to create those opportunities. It’s an hour in the afternoon in the middle of your work day to get out of the office on a Wednesday to have a great day.”
Those planning to attend are invited to bring a blanket and picnic lunch or pick up lunch nearby. In poor weather the event will move to the Rotary Performing Arts Centre.
Boss said he’s excited about this season’s lineup of musicians. Steve Fletcher performs May 22, Kenna Burima on June 26, Derek Stoll on July 24 and Kate Melvina on Aug. 28.
“We reach out to those people we know in the music industry,” he said. “The public piano program in Calgary has lots of connections and supplied us with some names. It’s an easy gig. You come out, play for an hour, it’s beautiful. People enjoy it.”
Returning this year is Burima, who treated last year’s attendees to a sing-along.
“I do a lot of sing-alongs,” she said. “It’s fun to do and it’s a nice way to be able to get people to sing together with no pressure.”
Burima said she also likes to talk about the context of each song she sings and cater the songs to her audience.
“I try to know who my audience is and then perform songs that I think people will like,” she said. “I will have a whole new set of songs. People can contact me on my website if they’re going to be at the performance so they can request a song.”
Picnic at the Piano for Burima is an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while entertaining.
“There’s something special about live music and then making it a collaborative experience that just makes it fun for me,” she said.
Boss said this year’s Picnic at the Piano is sponsored by the Okotoks Art Council.
“They’re helping us put on this great event for the community,” he said. “The event itself isn’t a huge amount of money to put on, but by involving our key stakeholder groups in the town hopefully that starts to spread the word.”
To learn more go to okotoks.ca To request a song or learn more about Kenna Burima go to kennaburima.com
