Play The Parks: Calgary Concert Series To Showcase Local Artists & Parks

TORONTO, ON – Play The Parks: Calgary, a new, annual and free multi-genre concert series, launching Wednesday, September 9, is produced by Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) and presented by TD Bank, in collaboration with Calgary Parks and the National Music Centre (NMC).

The concept behind Play The Parks is to celebrate diversity and connect communities while showcasing six parks around Calgary. "At TD, we believe that music unites communities and fosters a sense of belonging," states Robert Ghazal, Senior Vice President of Branch Banking for the Prairie Region. "And we think that 2020 has been a year that has really shown how much of a role that music can play in bringing people together virtually. That's why we're excited to help bring Play the Parks to Calgary for the first time. Calgary is a city known for its rivers, pathways and green spaces, so this concert series is an opportunity to recognize these parks while sharing the music of our talented local artists and creating a sense of pride and connection for our communities."

In the interest of public health, the series of pre-recorded 30-minute performances will be launched virtually in 2020. The goal is to engage additional neighbourhoods, activate more parks and welcome live audiences, COVID-19 permitting, in 2021 and beyond. "Calgary Parks is proud to be partnering with TD, Canada's Music Incubator and the NMC to showcase some of Calgary's most well-known park spaces while supporting local artists impacted by COVID-19," says Marisol Narvaez, Calgary Parks.

A total of nine artist performances will be hosted on CMI’s Facebook page every Wednesday and Friday at 12:00 pm (MT) starting Wednesday, September 9, 2020, through Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Confirmed performing artists include Amelie Patterson, Bebe Buckskin, Kate Stevens, Matt Blais, Ruben Young, Ryan Lindsay, Selci, Static Shift, and Sargeant X Comrade. The six featured parks include Central Memorial Park, Devonian Gardens, Glenmore Park, Prince’s Island Park, Ralph Klein Park, and Stanley Park.

“We’ve been supporting the professional development of local artists and industry professionals through partnerships with the NMC, Alberta Music, Calgary Arts Development and the Alberta Electronic Music Conference for years,” says Jesse Mitchell, Live Events Director, CMI. “Play The Parks: Calgary is an extension of CMI’s ongoing commitment to artist and music sector development in this market.”

In addition, four of the performances will be hosted at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, where the artists will perform live sets intercut with footage showcasing Glenmore Park, Prince’s Island Park, Stanley Park, and Central Memorial Park. The NMC performances will be posted on Fridays.

“Throughout the pandemic, the National Music Centre has continued to find ways to collaborate with the music community, engage audiences virtually, and activate Studio Bell and our recording spaces in creative ways,” says Adam Fox, NMC’s Director of Programs. “It’s exciting to see the possibilities of these partnerships, and there will be many more to come."

About TD Bank Group 

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group ("TD" or the "Bank"). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves over 26 million customers in three key businesses operating in a number of locations in financial centres around the globe: Canadian Retail, including TD Canada Trust, TD Auto Finance Canada, TD Wealth (Canada), TD Direct Investing, and TD Insurance; U.S. Retail, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®, TD Auto Finance U.S., TD Wealth (U.S.), and an investment in TD Ameritrade; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with more than 14 million active online and mobile customers. TD had CDN$1.7 trillion in assets on July 31, 2020. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information, please visit: td.com.

About Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre 

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre (NMC), is much more than a museum. A registered charity and national catalyst for discovery, innovation and renewal through music, NMC is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in Calgary’s East Village. With programming that includes on-site and outreach education programs, performances, artist incubation and exhibitions, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information, please visit: studiobell.ca.

About Canada’s Music Incubator

Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) is a Toronto-based national not-for-profit organization specializing in professional development and ongoing mentorship for artists, managers and music companies. Launched in 2012, CMI supports over 1,000 music entrepreneurs, of all genres, in the development of long-term careers and sustainable businesses and has provided over 10,000 hours of professional development programs and one-on-one mentorship combined.  CMI’s Live Events department works with private and community partners across the country curating paid performance opportunities for artists. To date, CMI has curated 460+ shows and paid $878,000+ directly to artists. CMI also advocates on behalf of music sector infrastructure development and creative entrepreneurship education in high schools. For more information, please visit: canadasmusicincubator.com. For Play The Parks: Calgary performances visit: CMI on Facebook.

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