Okotokians gathered at the Olde Towne Plaza on Tuesday night, to enjoy some music and fun.
It was the first Acoustic Summer Nights & Art Market, a bi-weekly open mic night that doubles as an art showcase.
The outdoor event continues the Acoustic Nights program which began in 2023 and is hosted at the Old Church Theatre (formerly the Rotary Performing Arts Centre).
President of the Okotoks Arts Council, Russell Thomas, credits town council in brining these artists together.
“It’s made possible thanks to mayor and council’s Arts and Culture Activation Grant; they want to have more arts activities in the downtown core. So, this is an open mic, people that often come together and play acoustic music, and this is happening in the great outdoors.”
Being a continuation of Acoustic Nights, there was already a number of musicians eager to come out and play together.
“What’s really great is that the acoustic music community is coalescing around those events,” Thomas explained. “This community is growing, and they come from all over, it’s not just Okotoks. They’re coming from High River, from Longview, from Bragg Creek, and they play together. That’s just awesome.”
Around a dozen musicians took to the stage over the course of the evening and a few local artists also had their work on display and for sale, with one artist even painting live.
“We thought it was a nice pairing to have lovely acoustic music with local creators, so it’s a mix of music and art right downtown in beautiful Okotoks,” said Thomas.
The Acoustic Summer Nights & Art Market will be held every second Tuesday at the plaza in the summer months.
They’re scheduled for June 18, July 2 and 16, and Aug. 6 and 20 with a 7 p.m. start each night.
