Started as a COVID alternative to its usual schedule at Winspear Centre, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra’s (ESO) outdoor concert series continues this summer. With fewer restrictions, members of ESO feature curated programs with familiar classic from Mozart, as well as music from the Netflix series, Bridgerton.
(No offense to Taylor Swift, but if you’ve watched the show, the symphony version of “Wildest Dreams” just hits differently, especially outdoors in a summer garden.)
“We’re giving everyone a chance to see how versatile the symphony scene in Edmonton is,” says Konstantine Kurelias, communications and media relations officer at Winspear Centre. “Even during the regular seasons, the ESO program features a blend of interests. It’s fun and we have something for everyone.”
From community parks like Borden Park to large outdoor venues like Snow Valley, there are 12 ESO Outdoors concerts happening throughout August. With about 100 people attending each outdoor concert last summer, Kurelias is excited to see many more people gather at the parks for the symphony this year.
“We’re reaching people who might not have a chance to make it to Winspear. The series covers parks all around the city, and in St. Albert, Fort Saskatchewan and Stony Plain as well.”
While this pay-what-you-can concert series does have an RSVP option, Kurelias explains that it’s for contacting prospective attendees with unforeseen changes, mostly according to the ever-changing summer weather.
“But who’s to say it’s not as romantic with a little bit of rain?”
Check out the full program and locate an ESO Outdoors concert in your neighbourhood, until August 21.
