It isn’t every day that you would expect to see classical music lovers in the same audience as electronic music fans, but that’s exactly what’s planned for Newmarket’s Splash of Culture free outdoor concert Friday night.
“Splash of Culture was created to provide an opportunity for Newmarket to feature live high-end entertainment with a focus on local and emerging artists and especially music," recreation and culture programmer Janis Luttrell said. "Downtown Newmarket has a vibrant and emerging cultural core district for which the Riverwalk Commons Urban Plaza provides the canvas where we can celebrate, play, create, enjoy and collectively re-imagine Newmarket’s foremost creative public space.”
The Tim Hortons Skating and Water Feature will be the “stage” upon which seven string instrumentalists from the York Chamber Ensemble will twist the likes of Bach and Beethoven with electronic music artists known for their synth sounds of techno, drone and dub beats.
An animated light sculpture installation on the stage, made in collaboration with local digital innovation hub, NewMakeIt, along with a Pfaff Volkswagen, provides the backdrop for the beats.
Experimental electric violinist Dr. Draw, aka Eugene Draw, who has been described as the “Beethoven of Beats”, will be accompanied by the York Chamber Ensemble, as well as emerging artist Aaron Paris.
Paris, a classically trained violinist, instrumentalist, producer, composer-arranger, educator and street performer based in Toronto, creates synths in a variety of styles, including hip hop, trap and R&B.
Toronto artist Jeff-Antoine Cote, formerly known as BSMNT but who know goes by the moniker DJ Acote, mixes minimal techno, dub and bass music in a live hardware and DJ setting.
York Chamber Ensemble members set to perform at the event include: Ian Clarke (CM) and Susan Beth Barak (ACM), 1st violin; Anita Hancock (Principal) and Dave Colpitts, 2nd violin; Susan Connolly, viola; Barbara J. Dickson, cello and; Diana Parker Hood, bass.
“I encourage all to join us and be mesmerized by music, water and lights,” Luttrell said.
Splash of Culture takes place on Friday, Sept. 14 from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Tim Hortons Skating and Water Feature, Riverwalk Commons, 200 Doug Duncan Dr. You’re advised to get there early and bring your own lawn chairs. The rain date for the event is Saturday, Sept. 15. There is no admission charge.
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