Backstage Pass - Lit Gala

Opening the Calgary Central Library in Style

We were honored to be a part of the grand opening of the New Calgary Central Library celebration. An impressive building like this required some impressive entertainment. We were tasked to help guide guests through the space using entertainment hits, allowing them to explore, all while making sure they got from point A to point B in a timely manner. Our character hosts began the evening and helped to introduce our main acts.

The Experience

Guest Movement and Interactive Entertainment

There were 4 floors in the library, each with its own personality. As guests moved from top to bottom, the entertainment shifted from less formal to more fun!

On the 4th floor, our Emcees welcomed guests to the event and introduced the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, along with the Calgary Opera and Jens Lindemann to the stage. This performance was followed by a “Stomp”-like piece in the “quiet room” of the library, where the word “SHH” was taken to a whole other level.

Rather than keeping the entertainment in one place, the entire library became part of the experience. Each performance gave guests something new to discover while naturally encouraging them to continue exploring the building. The entertainment changed along with the spaces, giving every floor its own energy while connecting the evening from one level to the next. It was a creative way to showcase the library itself while keeping guests engaged throughout their journey.

What Happened Next

Guests were then guided to the 3rd floor via an industrial percussion group who played the role of pied pipers for the evening. This percussion group passed off the baton to Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, performing an upbeat traditional jazz piece highlighting another area of the library. We transitioned out of the DJD piece back into the percussion group to lead us down to level 2.

On this level, we found interesting pop-up duets and structured mobile artists in the children’s area. With each transition, guests encountered a different style of entertainment, creating a sense of discovery as they made their way through the library. Instead of simply directing guests where to go next, performers became part of that movement, turning the journey between floors into another piece of the experience.

The final transition took us to the main floor with the Jens Lindemann jazz quartet, Tegan & Sara talk and performance, along with LED Dancers and a stellar DJ performance. By the time guests reached the main floor, the entertainment had evolved alongside them, bringing the progression through all four floors together for the final part of the celebration.