Ten Years of Studio Bell: What’s Next?
Photo by Jeremy Bittermann
Studio Bell first opened their doors on Canada Day of 2016. In the ten years since they have crafted a powerful space for anyone to celebrate the power of music, the National Music Centre.
During a launch event on April 9, they announced their newest set of initiatives, programs, and exhibits they are unveiling over the next year. From the launch of EddyFest, to the Music Cities Convention and even an exhibit highlighting the great Joni Mitchell, there is lots to get excited for at NMC.
“Canada didn’t have a music museum, so we invented it,” said Andrew Mosker, President of NMC.
Photo by Natalia Suk
Launching in the spring of 2027, Joni’s Jazz will present music, stories, and art exploring Mitchell’s connection and relationship with jazz. This will be one of the largest artist focused exhibits that the NMC has ever held.
They are also gearing up to host the first ever EddyFest, a new annual festival held at King Eddy. After 120 years in the city, it feels like a perfect time to celebrate its history. The festival runs from Aug. 14 to 16 at one of Calgary’s most historic live music venues.
Keeping up with that celebratory spirit, NMC is hosting Live from the King Eddy. Launching in July, they have selected 10 Canadian artists and bands to come and record in the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. Sara Dufour, The Free Label, and The Damn Truth have already been selected to play.
Zooming out of the local music scene, NMC is looking to make Calgary one of Canada’s biggest music destinations. Later in the year, Studio Bell is hosting Alberta Music Cities Convention. “Great music cities, Nashville, Austin many of them around the world, they don’t just happen by accident,” said Mosker. “They need people talking about these things together.”
Eya-Hey Nakoda played the ceremonial first sound in Studio Bell when it officially opened 10 years ago. They played again at the 10 year anniversary. Photo by Jarrett Edmund
The convention aims to work on an action plan surrounding music in the city, the policies that have to be put into place and turning Calgary into one of Canada’s great music cities.
The celebrations continue into the fall for the Canadian Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. In previous years it was held at Studio Bell, but due to the significance and growth of the event they’re taking it to a larger stage. Taking place at Jubilee Auditorium, the event brings together industry leaders and Canadian favourites for live performances and, of course, the ceremony.
The excitement comes full circle on July 1, 2027, when they will be hosting their biggest celebration yet. Ten years ago, the doors opened on that date, and as Mosker put it, they made the impossible happen. “It was an ambitious idea, that if you believe in the impossible sometimes the possible does get created,” said Mosker. “And we believed in the impossible and it happened.”
