“It [Raw Voices] was just supposed to be a one-time thing, but there was an appetite for it in the city.“
StarMetro Calgary, Calgary’s diversity weaved into DNA of artistic showcase
We began our journey of establishing creative spaces for Calgarians in July 2016 through the showcase Raw Voices.
Raw Voices is an eclectic showcase of spoken word, comedy and music with open mics and feature performers. The overwhelming support for the first show changed the decision of only making it a one-time event. By the third Raw Voices event, we also realized how beneficial it would be for Calgary to have a dedicated, full time creative recreational facility. The following years our small volunteer team of dedicated university students planned and hosted a unique event each month. Our volunteer operated team continued to host showcases every last Friday of the month from July 2016-February 2020, bringing in around 60-100+ people every event.
The experience of running Raw Voices has allowed us to create a welcoming, expressive platform for hundreds of Calgarians. We believe creative spaces and community based arts are vital for the well being of individuals and communities. In a span of almost four years, Raw Voices hosted 42 live showcases and managed to establish a beautiful community filled with supporters and patrons who are eager to see The Alcove come to life!
Raw Voices Event Showcase at Lord Nelson’s Pub (April 2017)
Filmed and Edited by
Brian Pioquinto
We believe that art and creativity are integral to the human experience and in building vibrant and dynamic communities.
To learn more about The Alcove, download an overview of our business plan below!
The Alcove Centre for the Arts 