Music

BuckingJam Palace (BJP) Music Foundation is currently exploring what a purpose-built or renovated venue for small to mid-sized live/performing arts organizations might look like in Calgary. If you are a musician, collective, or small to mid-sized organization looking for space to create, produce, and present your work - we invite you to connect with us by filling out this survey. 

Since 2014, BJP has been hosting local, national, and international jazz artists in our historic home in Mount Royal where musicians spend time collaborating, recording, and performing for our small audiences of 50. More recently, we have also been hosting concerts at external venues within Calgary to meet the demand of our touring artists and growing audiences.

We know that we are outgrowing our house concerts, but we still want to maintain the spirit of our house concerts and offer space for our musicians to not only perform; but also to create, record, and collaborate with each other. As such, we are looking for alternative venues and what it might look like to collaborate with other artists, collectives, and small to mid-sized organizations.

We have prepared a survey to start the conversation and to have a better understanding of your needs. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and we ask you to fill it out by October 31, 2025. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Aimee-Jo Benoit, Executive Director at BJP Music Foundation at ed@buckingjampalace.com. 

For more information about BuckingJam Palace Music Foundation, please visit our website at https://buckingjampalace.com/about/ 

A Christmas Carol, with Vocal Collective 

Sunday, December 7, 2025 from 3 - 5 pm

Pro Coro Canada is proud to return to the stage with our newest holiday tradition, Charles Dickens’ beloved classic A Christmas Carol set to music by Grammy-nominated composer Benedict Sheehan. Joined by Vocal Collective (dir. Mona Holton & Daryl Weisenburger), this performance will also feature Adam Robertson reprising his role as the narrator, guiding you through this timeless tale of redemption and holiday cheer now with an improved sound system.

After the performance, all attendees are invited to a sweet and festive after-concert reception, perfect for celebrating the season with friends and fellow music lovers. Whether you’re a long-time fan of A Christmas Carol or experiencing it for the first time, this heartwarming event is sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions.

Don’t miss out on this magical afternoon! 

Get into the holiday spirit with Pro Coro Canada’s newest festive tradition!

Venue: McDougall United Church,
10086 MacDonald Dr NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 1M1

For tickets and info, visit Pro Coro Canada presents A Christmas Carol, with Vocal Collective.

Diwali is one of the major religious festivals celebrated by those who practice the Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism faiths. It is a celebration of light, hope and community and brings a message of triumph over darkness. The arts traditionally play a major role in cultural expression for this festival, which is often depicted through vibrant paintings, intricate rangoli designs, and illuminated sculptures.

This year, Diwali falls on October 20, 2025 and is celebrated annually for five days. To coincide with the festival, communities across Alberta will commemorate the occasion with a number of events that incorporate the arts. Below is a sampling of what is available:

Edmonton

Sufi Night: Diwali Bash – Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Zillionaires Lounge & Bar (6256 99 Street)
Featuring live Sufi performances by Neha Batra and Abhishek Patyal.

Chamak Diwali 2025 South Asian Cultural Festival – Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Union Hall (6420 99 Street)
Featuring live performances from Mikey Singh.

Calgary

Utsav – Diwali Fest by Indian Society of Calgary – Saturday, October 18, 2025 (7555 Falconridge Blvd NE)
Featuring music, dance, and artistic expression from renowned local and international talents.

Diwali Fest 2025 – Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Genesis Centre (7555 Falconridge Blvd NE)
Featuring cultural performances, music, and dance.

Central Alberta

Diwali Night 2025 – Hindu Cultural Society of Central Alberta – Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Festival Hall (4214 58 St), Red Deer
Featuring an evening of cultural performances, music, and a DJ.

Northern Alberta

Diwali Milan 2025 – Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Syncrude Sports and Wellness Centre (9908 Penhorwood St), Fort McMurray 
Featuring Bollywood music and activities/showcases.

Southern Alberta

Gujarati Diwali Celebration – Sunday, October 19, 2025 at Agri-Food Hub & Trade Centre (101 Exhibition WyS), Lethbridge
Featuring a night of music and dance.

October 16, 2025

John Wort Hannam, a Lethbridge-based musician, is a JUNO nominee and three-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner with multiple Western Canadian Folk Music Award nominations under his belt. For more than 25 years, his music has celebrated the spirit of everyday Albertans, bringing their stories to life on stages across Canada and around the world.

The Artist in Residence program highlights the power of the arts to inspire creativity, connect communities and honour Alberta's rich cultural identity. Through this program, an Albertan artist receives a grant to serve a one-year term as Alberta’s Artist in Residence and Arts Ambassador, as they create an art project that showcases the power of the arts in Alberta. 

Through his one-year residency, John will engage with communities across Alberta, attend cultural events and offer an inside look at his artistic process as Alberta’s Arts Ambassador.

“I am excited to announce John Wort Hannam as Alberta’s new Artist in Residence. John’s music is powerful, echoing the stories of Alberta’s strength, culture and identity. I also want to thank our 2024 Artist in Residence, Samantha Williams-Chapelsky, for her inspiring collection of plein air paintings and meaningful contributions to Alberta’s arts community.”

Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women

John’s residency project, ‘Everyone Has a Story,’ will connect unique voices and put Alberta’s talent on centre stage with 10 songwriting workshops in rural, remote and inner-city communities across the province. Each workshop will conclude with a public listening session and performance, highlighting the stories and songs created during that session.

“Every Albertan carries a unique story and when we listen to one another, we connect and build stronger communities. As Alberta’s Artist in Residence and Arts Ambassador, I am honoured to use the power of music to bridge Albertans’ experiences and share their voices across the province.”

John Wort Hannam, 2025-26 Artist in Residence

Alberta is proud to be the only province in Canada to offer a provincial Artist in Residence program open to artists of all disciplines. The residency comes with a grant of up to $50,000. Hannam was selected from a shortlist of seven applicants, and his term runs until Sept. 30, 2026.

“The Artist in Residence program gave me time, space and support to explore my painting practice and truly connect with the landscapes across Alberta. It is a unique opportunity in Canada to be supported by a provincial government, and it was the honour of a lifetime to do this project.”

Samantha Williams-Chapelsky, 2024-25 Artist in Residence

“The Alberta Artist in Residence program celebrates the transformative power of art. Through the work of the selected artist, this initiative honours the cultural contributions of Alberta’s artistic community. At the AFA, we strive to inspire, connect and advocate for the arts across the province. Congratulations to John Wort Hannam on his selection as Alberta’s sixth Artist in Residence and Arts Ambassador.”

Cynthia P. Moore, Chair, Alberta Foundation for the Arts

Host the Artist in Residence 

As Alberta’s Arts Ambassador and a voice for artists across the province, John will be available to speak about the arts in Alberta at local and cultural events. Communities interested in hosting the Artist in Residence can apply online through Artist in Residence webpage.

Quick facts

• Budget 2025 invests a record $36.1 million in arts funding, with responsible investments growing to more than $43 million annually by 2027.
• In 2020, Alberta’s music sector generated $1.7 billion in provincial GDP and sustained more than 20,500 jobs in Alberta.

Related information

• Alberta’s Artist in Residence and Arts Ambassador Program

Multimedia

• Watch the news conference