Stratford Summer Music welcomes back dozens of performers and introduces changes to make performances more audience friendly.
Kendra Fry, general manager of Stratford Summer Music, said 46 concerts will take place at nine different venues throughout the summer. The barge performances, a summer favourite for those looking to enjoy the concerts outdoors, will be stationary this year.
“Two-thirds of the performances are outdoors this year and about one-third is indoors. There are quite a bit more performances outdoors than what we normally do and it is working well so we will stick with this for the foreseeable future,” said Fry.
Performing on the Avon River, the barge will be docked in order to give audience members an opportunity to set up lawn chairs. With the barge remaining in one spot, people have the option to set up for the day and enjoy the shows a little longer.
“The barge was required for the last two years to move up and down in order to discourage crowds. This year, we are allowed to be stationary down at the bottom of Veteran’s Drive,” she said.
Performers include Marcus Nuance, the Vocal Opera Stars of Tomorrow and The Imbayakunas.
“The Imbayakunas are Andean music. The acoustics of the river and Andean music play really well together,” said Fry.
“Come, bring your picnic, and enjoy,” she added.
Taking place from July 22 to Aug. 14, the barge performances will take place every weekend. Performances will take place at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. every weekend.
The lineup for the 2022 barge performances includes:
Weekend One:
Friday, July 22 – 11 a.m. & 2:30 pm – Vocal Academy Opera Stars of Tomorrow
Saturday, July 23 – 11 a.m. – Vocal Academy Opera Stars of Tomorrow
2:30 p.m. – Marcus Nance: More Songs of the Troubadour
Sunday, July 24 – 11 a.m. – Vocal Academy Opera Stars of Tomorrow
2:30 p.m. – Marcus Nance: More Songs of the Troubadour
Weekend Two:
Friday, July 29 – 11 a.m. – Stratford Festival Brass
2:30 p.m. – Vocal Academy Art Song Stars of Tomorrow
Saturday, July 30 – 11 a.m. – Stratford Festival Brass
2:30 p.m. – Vocal Academy Art Song Stars of Tomorrow
Sunday, July 31 – 11 a.m. – Stratford Festival Brass
2:30 pm – TBA
Weekend Three:
Friday, Aug. 5 – 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. – The Imbayakunas, Andean Traditional
Saturday, Aug. 6 – 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. – Jazz Academy Superstars
Sunday, Aug. 7 – 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. – The Imbayakunas, Andean Traditional
Weekend Four:
Friday, Aug. 12 – 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. – The Bookends, Modern Celtic
Saturday, Aug. 13 – 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. – The Bookends, Modern Celtic
Sunday, Aug. 14 – 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. – The Bookends, Modern Celtic
Tickets can be purchased online.
