September is almost here, and if this summer has been anything to go by live events are back! People are eager to get out and take in some great live entertainment.
Winnipeg’s GroundSwell has been an organization that has been a national leader in showcasing new music, new composers, and new ways of interacting and thinking about music. Showcasing top tier performers, very often in conjunction with multi-media elements. Their concerts, are immersive, thought provoking, and are always events that should not be missed!
This year’s Groundswell season features six live concerts, in addition to educational and online elements that they call "Linked and Learn".
The past two years under the pandemic lockdown, has created challenges for GroundSwell. Many of the live performers come from outside of the Province and due to travelling restrictions and other ephemeral issues relating to the pandemic, some of the live concerts could not happen last year.
This year, however GroundSwell is back in a big way. As Executive Director of GroundSwell David R. Scott says, “I’m feeling pretty optimistic.”
This optimism is warranted. This year’s season features amazing musicians from as far afield as France, and Vancouver, performing the best in new music. There will be several world premieres of new compositions, especially written for this upcoming season. As well as music written by the most up-and-coming Canadian composers on the scene today.
Here is a rundown of the 2022-23 GroundSwell season:
GS1: Ensemble Télémaque: Marseille in Manitoba
Sept. 21, 2022: Théâtre Cercle Molière, St. Boniface, Manitoba
Sept. 22, 2022: Lorne Watson Recital Hall, Brandon University School of Music, Brandon, Manitoba.
GS2: Standing Wave: Refractions
Oct. 18, 2022: Winnipeg Art Gallery, Muriel Richardson Auditorium
GS3: Megumi Masaki: Transformation
Nov. 17, 2022: Winnipeg Art Gallery, Muriel Richardson Auditorium.
GS4: Duo d’Entre Deux: Bleeps & Tubes
Nov. 29, 2022: West End Cultural Centre
GS5: Toninato/Thiessen: Winter[City]Speaks
Feb. 22, 2023: West End Cultural Centre.
GS6: Hard Thread Collective: Bloody Jack
April 27, 2023: Winnipeg Art Gallery, Muriel Richardson Auditorium
All of the concerts take place at 7:30pm at the various venues, and the cost is pay what you can, how-you-can. “We just decided to open it wide open….we want to remove barriers for people. It worked super well last year. It’s interesting, I have had a lot of people ask me about it, funders included. They were quite excited about it…saying it’s a really bold move.”
A big part of the GroundSwell 2022-23 season is committed to outreach, and education. Through the “Linked and Learn” series of events that GroundSwell offers, the public can be exposed to new music through a variety of platforms.
The “Linked” series of events includes, emerging composer competitions, video of past GroundSwell concerts, radio broadcast, and conversations with the composers who have curated past GroundSwell shows.
The “Learn” series of events includes outreach events. These also include some of Winnipeg’s most prominent arts organizations such as The Winnipeg Film Group, Sistema Winnipeg, Winnipeg Classical Guitar Society and the Send and Receive Festival; to name just a few.
Once again GroundSwell has created an outstanding season of events that will engage listeners sonically and visually. There is no wonder that Winnipeg’s GroundSwell is one of the premiere new music organizations around today. This 2022-23 season is definitely going to be a season to remember!