News

October 12, 2006
For Immediate Release

Calgary Opera Celebrates Halloween on October 28

Calgary, AB… Calgary Opera is quickly becoming synonymous with Halloween in the downtown core as it presents the fourth annual Grave Gala costume dance party and the first annual Souls Alive daytime Halloween festival both on Saturday, October 28, 2006.

The Grave Gala: A Night of Urban Fantasy will be held in Hotel Arts for the second year in a row. It has evolved into a sophisticated party aimed at young urban professions, where artists and stylists rub elbows with lawyers and oil executives. This year’s theme is A Night of Urban Fantasy. Don’t be surprised if you also see some Urban Decay: Glamour Gone Wrong.

“Over the past four years we’ve seen The Grave Gala grow into one of the premiere costume dance parties in the city, which has sold-out two years in a row,” says W.R. (Bob) McPhee, General Director & CEO. “The Grave Gala has a broad appeal because it provides a theatrical environment where a diverse group of 700 people can party together with others they might never encounter in broad daylight.”

With the continued success of The Grave Gala, Calgary Opera hopes to expand its Halloween appeal to the whole family with Souls Alive: A Celebration of Urban Spirit. Souls Alive is a free daytime festival in Central Memorial Park which will include such activities as face painting, mask making, drumming, entertainment, and a parade down 13th Avenue.

“Souls Alive is a new project this year through which we are happy to partner with our friends and neighbours in the Beltline district in a celebration of creativity in the downtown core,” adds McPhee.

Community partners for Souls Alive include the Victoria Crossing BRZ, the Kahanoff Centre, Child and Youth Friendly Calgary, the Mustard Seed, and the Beltline Communities, among others.

The Grave Gala takes place on Saturday, October 28 at 8:30pm at Hotel Arts, 119 - 12 Avenue SW. Tickets for The Grave Gala are $75 each, and can be purchased by calling the Calgary Opera Box Office at (403) 262-7286. Tickets are limited. The Grave Gala is a fundraiser in benefit of Calgary Opera. No minors.

Souls Alive is a free outdoor festival also taking place on Saturday, October 28, 1pm – 5pm in Central Memorial Park. For more information on Souls Alive phone (403) 262-7286.

For further information, please contact: Brian O'Neill, Calgary Opera 802-3409.