For many in Airdrie, Bert Church LIVE Theatre is already a familiar venue — a place to see performances, attend events or spend an evening out close to home. The 2026-27 Presented Series builds on that foundation, continuing the theatre’s role as Airdrie’s performance hub while expanding the range of experiences offered on its stage.
This season reflects a programming approach centered on variety. Rather than focusing on a single genre, the lineup brings together music, theatre, dance and multidisciplinary work. The goal is a balanced schedule that offers different ways for audiences to connect with live performance across the year.
That variety is reflected in both form and tone. Some productions lean toward high-energy, participatory experiences, while others are quieter and more narrative driven. There is also a shift between large ensemble productions and smaller, more-intimate works.
Taken together, the series creates contrast from show to show, keeping theatre regulars engaged.
The fall portion of the season introduces that range early. It opens Sept. 17 with Lemon Bucket Orkestra, a Toronto-based ensemble known for combining Ukrainian and Balkan musical traditions with contemporary influences and performances that encourage audience participation. In late October, The Boo Revue! by the Spine-Tingling Puppet Society brings a family-friendly option to the stage, using blacklight puppetry, original music and visual effects to create a Halloween-themed production suitable for younger audiences and those young at heart.
By November, the programming shifts to an 18+ offering, with Beyond the Big Top Cabaret by Le Cirque de la Nuit. Blending circus arts, live music and dance within a cabaret-style format, the show reflects the series’ inclusion of more-mature, niche experiences alongside broader community programming.
The new year continues that balance. January includes both Silly Billy by The Chimera Project Dance Theatre, which explores themes of identity and belonging through a mix of Indigenous and contemporary dance styles, and Take This Waltz by Ne. Sans Opera & Dance, an interdisciplinary work inspired by Leonard Cohen that combines opera, movement and chamber music. The season concludes in April with Becoming the Beatles, where musician and storyteller Haley Marie brings the band’s early years to life through live music, storytelling, 20 songs and a backdrop of 300 projections.
Across the series, audiences will find a deliberate mix of genres, scales and perspectives with traditional forms presented alongside more contemporary, hybrid approaches. The result is a season that continues to feel familiar, while growing what audiences can expect from live performance in Airdrie. Bert Church LIVE Theatre is located at 1000 East Lake Blvd. N.E.
