Artists at the Market adds spice to summer
Moncton injects a little extra culture into the offerings at the popular Saturday gathering place
Are you a habitual patron of the Moncton Market?
If you are, you may have noticed an enrichment of the experience the last couple of weeks.
If you aren't, you may want to give it a try. For the second summer, the City of Moncton presents Artists at the Market.
"We try to enhance the downtown ambiance and the Moncton Market experience with this series," explains Community Development Officer Colette McLaughlin. "We want to make arts and culture accessible to broad audiences, to bring it to where the public is."
From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. each Saturday all summer long, favourite familiar artists and soon-to-be favourite emerging ones will take the stage at the Market. There's no charge for any of the performances.
The Series grew out of the popular Music at the Market series of a few years ago, and it is hoped that it will be a permanent summer attraction at the Market.
"Moncton has so many wonderful local artists, and Artists at the Market is one way we can showcase them to the community," Colette continues. "There are great things happening here culturally, and we're happy to provide this venue and format."
Some performers will share the two-hour Saturday time slot, and some will fill it themselves. July 5 features Darrell Grant, followed by DansEncorps -la jeune troupe.
On July 12, 1-2-Trio and Fiddling Friends have the stage, and the George LeBlanc Accordion Festival fills the two hours on July 19.
The following Saturday boasts performances by Sylvia Campbell and Fous Tziganes, and August is kicked off by the Dixieland Ramblers and Silverwire.
The Atlantic Dance Festival will entertain on August 9, while a week later the Keats share time with the Capitol School of Performing Arts Summer School.
August 23 sees Khalil El Idrissi and Isaac & Blewett take the stage, and the series winds up on August 30 with Michelle Thibodeau and Half Strung.
"Most of the submissions we've been receiving are from musicians," says Colette, "but we're hoping to diversify the art forms presented over the next few years. So far we have music, dance, and drama, so we're well on our way."
Half Strung and Michelle Thibodeau are both emerging artists who appreciate this opportunity to bring their talents to the public. Half Strung plays acoustic folk, blues, and roots.
"We've only being together for about a year, and we're hoping that the exposure we'll get at the Market will help us," says spokesman Vaughan O'Connor. "That's why we're doing it."
Michelle is a 15-year-old voice student of Melody Dobson, who plays a little guitar and keyboard as well. She welcomes the opportunity the Market series offers her to perform popular songs, including some she has written herself.
Moncton's talent pool is filled with diversity, and that is certainly reflected in the performers on the 2008 Artists at the Market schedule.
Their diversity of style and experience will complement the diversity and energy to be found at the Moncton Market.
"One of our guiding principles," remarks Colette, "is to promote art and artists as well as our beautiful Moncton Market."
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