Free entertainment, fresh air, and an opportunity to support local talent will be in the spotlight as the Township of Langley celebrates our nation鈥檚 milestone birthday with a Canada 150 summer concert series.
Performances will take place at 7 p.m. every Thursday throughout July and August, at the new amphitheatre in Willoughby Community Park.
The outdoor stage, with tiered grass seating for 200 to 250 people, is located in the 7700 Block of 202A Street, next to the Langley Events Centre, and was officially opened with a free concert on May 25.
Now, the Township is unveiling almost a full lineup of acts that will perform in this summer concert series starting next month.
On tap on the grass
To celebrate Canada 150 and the opening of the new amphitheatre, the Township is working with volunteer Peter Luongo, past organizer of Langley Has Talent, to present the summer concert series.
鈥淓veryone is encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy free performances in a beautiful setting,鈥� said Luongo, adding the series will feature something for everyone.
鈥淲e chose an eclectic range of musical acts that are locally and regionally-based, all of which are family friendly and will suit a variety of musical tastes,鈥� he said.
People won鈥檛 have to go far to find creative and talented people for the concert series, said Peter Tulumello, the Township鈥檚 director of arts, culture, and community initiatives.
鈥淲e have booked everything from a musical comedy presentation to an alternative rock concert this summer at the amphitheatre,鈥� Tulumello said.
The Langley Ukulele Ensemble will be featured on Thursday, July 6, and the Langley Community Chorus presents Happy Birthd鈥檈h Canada on July 13.
On July 20, an Aldergrove alternative rock band, Her Brothers, will take the stage. Featuring brothers Gabe, Josh, and Levi Penner, along with their dad Jonathon, Her Brothers was the only band to ever win the Langley Has Talent competitions.
Portraits of Us, a folk music duo from Chilliwack, made up of Jason and Anna Ratzlaff, will perform on July 27..
Then, on Aug. 3, a lively performance of Western, Celtic, and traditional tunes will be presented by Langley Community Music School faculty members, including Rachel Button on vocals, Andrea Taylor on violin, Ray Pullen on electric guitar, and Mike Michalkow on drums. They will be joined by the LCMS Fiddlers.
Tiller鈥檚 Folly, a Celtic roots band with former Langley ties, will present Stirring up Ghosts on Aug. 10.
On Aug. 17, two acts will take the stage: Langley鈥檚 own Emily Taylor Adams, a country singer, as well as Jackson Hollow, a four-piece bluegrass band.
Confessions of a Grocery Clerk, a musical comedy written and directed by Lauren Trotzuk, who was born and raised in Langley and graduated from D.W. Poppy Secondary, will be presented Aug. 24.
A single spot in the summer concert series remains open, and the Township has put out a call for performers, Tulumello explained. Groups and individuals interested in taking part can fill out an application form, available online at tol.ca/events.
鈥淲ith a review of submissions, we hope to create an inventory of available talent to potentially feature in future concerts at the amphitheatre,鈥� he added, noting that the amphitheatre is a parks amenity that can be booked and rented to community organizations that would like to host events there.
For more information, contact parksadmin@tol.ca.
Making it all possible
The federal government supported this $260,000 amphitheatre construction project to the tune of $130,000, through a Canada 150 community infrastructure grant.
鈥淕athering places help communities share cultural experiences and showcase local talent,鈥� said John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why the Government of Canada is proud to support the Township of Langley鈥檚 new amphitheatre. I wish everyone a good time at the summer concert series, and at the many performances that will take place here for years to come.鈥�
In addition, Tulumello thanked local businesses who helped make the Canada150 concert series possible, including Long & McQuade Musical Instruments.
鈥淲ithout their generous support, we wouldn鈥檛 be able to pull off this showcase of talent at the amphitheatre this year. We are grateful for their participation,鈥� he concluded.
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