New Works Calgary

New Works Calgary, through its concert series, supports the creation and performance of contemporary concert music with emphasis on Calgary and Southern Alberta composers and musicians. It encourages the exploration of relationships between music and other artistic disciplines, offering inquisitive audiences thought-provoking, enriching and unique experiences, creating a more vibrant cultural envi

ronment. New Works Calgary came about because the artist John Snow had commissioned a trio by Allan Rae and discovered there were no performance opportunities for the piece. Surprised by this, John and his wife Kathleen sponsored a concert of new music by Calgary composers and musicians, in association with the Canadian Music Centre, celebrating the 25th anniversary of its foundation in April 1984. The success of this concert encouraged John and co-founder Quenten Doolittle to continue with a concert series that would feature new works. As a result, the “New Works of Art Calgary Society” was established in 1984 and has maintained a continuous series of three to seven programs each season ever since. The need for this new society was best expressed by John Snow: “New paintings are easily seen by everyone, even if it is only by looking in the window of an art gallery. Written works are almost as easy being available from libraries, magazines, books, and many radio programs. More difficult are works for the theatre and most difficult of all is to have the opportunity to hear new music.” Besides being the first President of the society, John designed the programs and posters, which became collector’s items. John and Kathleen Snow again helped to fund the next program, which was held in the Pleiades Theatre, in April, 1985. New Works Calgary’s mission is to present Canadian music (with a particular emphasis on the music of Calgary and Albertan composers), and to create a cultural environment in which an appreciation of 20th and 21st century Canadian music can be developed. Our mandate also includes the presentation of landmark 20th Century compositions. As co-founder Quenten Doolittle has said, “Our general goal has been not only to present contemporary Canadian music in all its diversity but also to explore the rich collaborative possibilities between Canadian composers and poets, writers, video and performance artists, visual artists, dancers, actors, and

05/06/2026

We're looking forward to presenting 'Dragon: A Vertical City Performance' in just a few days!

Read an excerpt of our Q&A with 'Dragon' Devisor/Director and Vertical City Co-Director Bruce Barton ().🗞 (Live on our website soon!)

Stay tuned to hear from the performers in the show! See credits below.

ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE:
"Dragon" is an interdisciplinary meditation on the possibilities that lie beyond power. Bringing together three celebrated female artists from the fields of dance, theatre, and music, "Dragon" explores the complexities of adaptation, the beauty of maturity, and the richness of experience when the desire for domination is replaced with the openness of embrace. Ultimately, "Dragon" collapses 400 years of embodied discovery and surrender into an immersive hour, in a sensorial and sensuous attempt to imagine beyond human awareness’ (Bruce Barton & Pil Hansen).

"Dragon" credits:
Bruce Barton, director:
Pil Hansen, co-creator: .hansen.5
Jani Lauzon, co-creator – Theatre:
Juliet Palmer, co-creator – Music:
Karen Kaeja, co-creator – Dance:

Performance times:
May 8 - 8pm, Doors 7:30pm
May 9 - 2pm, Doors 1:30pm
cSPACE Theatre, 1721 29th Ave SW

Get tickets at showpass.com.

This event is made possible by Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, Calgary Arts Development, and Alberta Foundation for the Arts.

04/27/2026

More photos from the archives!

A retrospective look at our 2018 presentation of Vertical City's work "Did you mean 'rocket'?" ahead of "Dragon: A Vertical City Performance," May 8 and 9 at .mardaloop.

📸: Joni Miller

ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE:
"Dragon" is an interdisciplinary meditation on the possibilities that lie beyond power. Bringing together three celebrated female artists from the fields of dance, theatre, and music, "Dragon" explores the complexities of adaptation, the beauty of maturity, and the richness of experience when the desire for domination is replaced with the openness of embrace. Ultimately, "Dragon" collapses 400 years of embodied discovery and surrender into an immersive hour, in a sensorial and sensuous attempt to imagine beyond human awareness’ (Bruce Barton & Pil Hansen).

"Dragon" credits:
Bruce Barton, director:
Pil Hansen, co-creator: .hansen.5
Jani Lauzon, co-creator:
Juliet Palmer, co-creator:
Karen Kaeja, co-creator:

Performance times:
May 8 - 8pm, Doors 7:30pm
May 9 - 2pm, Doors 1:30pm
cSPACE Theatre, 1721 29th Ave SW

Get tickets at showpass.com.

This event is made possible by Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, Calgary Arts Development, and Alberta Foundation for the Arts.

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Website

http://www.newworkscalgary.com/

Address

Box 46012 Inglewood RPO
Calgary, AB
T2G5H7

New Works Calgary

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