Bert Church LIVE Theatre (BCLT) is Airdrie’s stage. The theatre strives to support regional community partners while maintaining a broad, family appeal with many of its shows.
“Ultimately, the goal is to be reflective of the diversity of interest found in our community,” says Clay Aragon, manager of Heritage, Culture & Events with the City of Airdrie. “We’re excited to welcome back favorites like the Prairie Mountain Fiddlers and Wild Mint Arts, while welcoming fresh faces like this season’s opener, Skerryvore.“
The theatre has two types of shows. The Presented Series, a collection of shows chosen by the theatre team, begins each September and ends in late spring or early summer of the following year. It also hosts many community events, which are performances hosted by external organizations renting the space.
“Our audience is made up with both seasoned theatre veterans [and] people experiencing live performances for the first time,” says Aragon. “We think that is what makes our stage so special; it’s part of the heart of the community. You don’t have to drive 30 to 45 minutes to experience quality artistic expression, it’s in your backyard, where your kid’s dance recital was last weekend and across the parking lot from where you go swimming.”
When visiting bclt.ca, customers can see what category (or categories) each individual show belongs to:
- All ages – content that is suitable for young children and a general audience.
- Comedy – humorous shows that may not be suitable for all audiences.
- Community partnership – involvement with local and regional community organizations.
- Music – performances that are predominately musical.
- R-rated – performances that are suggested for adult and mature audiences.
- Theatre – shows, performances and storytelling presented by movement, actions and performers.
The art and culture scene in Airdrie continues to evolve as the city grows. The BCLT team has noticed the community responds well to the variety of performances and shows an appreciation for the family shows. As a result, BCLT strives to bring family-friendly content at a budget-friendly price point. One of BCLT’s most popular productions is its annual Christmas/holiday show. This year, BCLT presents The Christmas Skates by DIY Theatre, running from Dec. 20-22.
Be it a night out with friends or the family, a cultural experience or a musical immersion, there is something for everyone at the Bert Church LIVE Theatre.
“The theatrical experience is so unique; a high note hits differently when it echoes off the walls of the theatre, and a melody resonates deeper when you can see the guitar strings being plucked in front of you,” says Aragon. “We hope the live shows continue to inspire creativity, connection and excitement within each of our patrons.”
BCLT’s season-opener, Skerryvore, appears on Sept. 26. The theatre is located at 1000 East Lake Blvd. N.E. For more information, visit tickets.airdrie.ca.
