Music

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

Ice, with Edmonton Young Voices

Sunday, May 31, 2026 | 3:00 to 5:00 pm

Join Pro Coro Canada for the final concert of our 2025/26 season, Ice!

This timely program features new works by Canadian composers and other creators on the pressing theme of climate change, including the World Premiere of Frank Horvath's Arctic Haikus, which was commissioned by Pro Coro Canada. This 12-minute piece will combine choir, live electronics, and video projections for an immersive experience highlighting the delicate relationship between humanity and the Arctic environment.

We are thrilled to be joined in this poignant concert by our guests Edmonton Young Voices (dir. Lyndsey Olsen) as we reflect on the impact of our actions on the earth and all the life around us.

Repertoire for this performance will include:

Frank Horvath - Arctic Haikus (World Premiere, commissioned by Pro Coro Canada)
Sarah Albu - We’ve gone too far
Rebecca Gray- The Great Patch
Alberto Grau - Kasar Mie La Gaji

Venue: St. Basil's Cultural Centre,
10819 - 71 Ave NW
Edmonton, AB T6E 0X8

For tickets and info, visit Ice, with Edmonton Young Voices.

Good Friday with Pro Coro Canada

Friday, April 3, 2026 | 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Join Pro Coro Canada for an evening of beauty and contemplation at the newly renovated All Saints' Anglican Cathedal, as we present Dvořák's reverent Stabat Mater. Dvořák's profound exploration of Mary's suffering and the compassionate reflection of those around her is brought to life at Pro Coro Canada’s annual Good Friday concert, offering a perfect blend of tradition, artistry, and reflection.

Joined by skilled pianist Megan Crane, Pro Coro Canada is also honoured to present the World Premiere of our former Composer-in-Residence Alberto Grau's setting of the classic Holy Week responsory, O Vos Omnes.

Experience a profound and moving Good Friday tradition with this poignant masterwork as the centrepiece of our annual reflection on the Passion of Christ, while we contemplate this spiritual and emotional occasion. 

Repertoire for this performance will include:

Antonín Dvořák - Stabat Mater, Op. 28, in the original version for piano
Alfred Momontenko - On the Passion
Alberto Grau - O Vos Omnes (World Premiere, commissioned by Pro Coro Canada)

Venue: All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral, 
10035 - 103 St NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 0X5 

For tickets and info, visit Good Friday with Pro Coro Canada.

Light of Paradise, with Quasar Saxophone Quartet

Sunday, March 1, 2026 | 3 to 5 pm

Pro Coro Canada is honoured to present the North American premiere of Paul Mealor's choral opera The Light of Paradise. This awe-inspiring choral work for choir, soloists, and saxophone quartet will feature the internationally acclaimed Quasar Saxophone Quartet from Montreal. 

Exploring the life of medieval mystic and theologian Margery Kempe, this profound work draws its texts from the Book of Margery Kempe, sometimes considered to be the first English-language autobiography. Margery's inner journey with her faith and devotion to God as she faces domestic struggles and embarks on pilgrimages across Europe and the Holy Land is illustrated through music in juxtaposition with the Stations of the Cross.

This unique and mystical performance is one you certainly won't want to miss.

The repertoire featured in this performance will include:

Paul Mealor - The light of paradise (North-American Premier)
Benjamin Britten - Hymn to St Cecilia
Stephanie Martin - Of the Glorious City
Cecilia McDowall - Cecilia, Busy Like a Bee

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

For tickets and info, visit Light of Paradise, with Quasar Saxophone Quartet.

New Year’s Eve with Pro Coro Canada

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Celebrate the arrival of the new year with Pro Coro Canada in a joyous evening of music and festivities. The evening will be filled with a delightful mix of popular and classical tunes that are sure to get you singing and tapping along. From timeless favourites to contemporary hits, the program promises something for everyone, blending the sophistication of classical music with the fun and energy of popular songs. 

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Pro Coro Canada or joining us for the first time, this New Year’s celebration is a chance to enjoy a night of exceptional music, great company, and a festive atmosphere. Raise your glass, sing along, and let the music carry you into the new year with joy and anticipation.

New Year’s Eve with Pro Coro Canada is a highlight of your holiday season, offering a perfect blend of entertainment and elegance in a beautifully curated setting. Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to ring in the new year with style and song!

Please note that this concert is not being live-streamed. Ticket sales will close at noon on New Year's Eve. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

Venue: First Presbyterian Church (Edmonton), 
10025 105 St NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 1C8

For tickets and info, visit Pro Coro Canada presents New Year’s Eve with Pro Coro Canada.

The Little Match Girl Passion

Sunday, December 21, 2025 | 7:30 to 9:00 pm

Now in its 14th year, Pro Coro Canada’s Advent tradition continues to captivate audiences with a poignant and powerful musical rendition of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, The Little Match Girl. This timeless story, set to music by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang, has become a cherished part of our seasonal offerings, evoking deep emotions and reflections with each performance.

Andersen’s story of a poor young girl struggling to find warmth and comfort on a cold winter’s night is brought to life through Lang’s hauntingly beautiful composition. The music, with its sparse and evocative style, perfectly captures the fragility and tenderness of the tale, resonating with themes of hope, despair, and the human spirit’s resilience.

For over a decade, this performance has intrigued and inspired our audiences, offering a moment of quiet contemplation during the busy holiday season. The story’s message is as timely as it is timeless, reminding us of the importance of compassion and empathy in a world often marked by hardship.

Come and experience this moving tradition for yourself, and let the delicate beauty of The Little Match Girl story, combined with David Lang’s evocative music, touch your heart in a profound and unforgettable way.

Repertoire will include:

David Lang - The Little Match Girl Passion
J. S. Bach - Selection of Chorales from the Christmas Oratorio
Harold Darke - In the bleak midwinter
Michael Praetorius - Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen

Venue: All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral, 
10035 103 St NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 0X5

For tickets and info, visit The Little Match Girl Passion.