COVY MOORE/Rocky View Publishing

Organizers of the second annual Airdrie Rotary Festival of Perfomring Arts report that entries are up for this year's event, to take place at Bert Church Theatre and Genesis Place, March 18 to 23.

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Airdrie Rotary festival organizers pleased with numbers

Organizers for the second annual Airdrie Rotary Festival of Performing Arts are pleased with the number of entries they have received for this year’s edition, to take place March 18 to 23.

Although the number of participants, at 551, is lower than last year’s 607, the number of entries for the festival has grown from last year’s 221 to 347.

Performers from a number of disciplines, including speech arts, junior and senior piano, strings, band instrumentals, musical theatre, choir and voice, have registered for the festival, to take place at Airdrie’s Genesis Place and Bert Church Theatre.

“We are excited about the festival and that our registrations are up from last year,” said Nadine Low, president of the festival.

Eleven choirs, from Airdrie schools, as well as the community, have registered for the festival and will be competing March 18. According to Joleena Drolet, festival coordinator, the public is welcome to attend the five junior choir performances between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Bert Church Theatre, three high school performances between 2:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. and community choir performances, between 7 and 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Drolet said performers, ages six to adult, will be taking part in the five-day festival.

Solo performances will take place throughout the week, and Drolet said the public is welcome to attend those sessions as well. A full schedule is available on the festival homepage at http://airdrierotaryfestival.org

“At the end of the week, we showcase the best of the festival,” said Drolet. The concert will be held at the Bert Church Theatre, March 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available all week at both festival venues and at the door.

“We are going to try to get people from each category involved, with awards handed out for the best of each,” said Drolet.

Organizers are also putting on a benefit concert, April 19, for performers who will be attending the provincial festival later this spring. Tickets will be $10 and will be available during festival week at the Bert Church Theatre or Genesis Place or at the door.

Details will be available on the festival website.

Drolet said organizers are hoping to raise at least $4,000 to cover the expenses of those who will attend the provincial festival for the first time.

“Come and hear the best performers in the city of Airdrie,” said Drolet.