History of Halloween

Every year on October 31st we put on fun costumes and get our fill of Halloween candy. But how did it all begin?

The ancient Celts celebrated their new year on November 1st. They marked the end of harvest, and their new year’s eve with a festival called Samhain.

Believing that the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead were blurred, on October 31st the Celtic people would commemorate this event with huge sacred bonfires. They would burn sacrifices to ehrie Celtic deities, wore costumes, and tried to predict each other’s futures.

Fastforward to 40 AD and the majority Celts have been conquered by the Roman Empire. Over time there was a blending of Celtic and Roman festivals including Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead, and the day to honour Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. Perhaps this is why we bob for apples?

By the 9th century christianity had spread amonst Celtic lands and blended with older Celtic rights. Christians celebrated All Souls’ Day, potentially in an attempt to replace Samhain and other non christian celebrations with a church approved holiday. The All Saints day was also known as All-Hallows or All-hallowmans, and the night before as All-Hallows Eve, which ultimately became Halloween.

As settlers moved to North America, they brought their Halloween traditions from all over europe. People started handing out candy in exchange for not being tricked, and the day became more secular and community focused.

These days Halloween is filled with fun costumes, tiny candies, and themed concerts!

We hope you have a wonderful, and fun filled Halloween!

Linsey Levendall

Our program cover art was created by Linsey Levendall

Linsey is a self-developed multidisciplinary creative originally from the Cape Flats of Cape Town, South Africa but now living with his wife and two dogs in a small town in rural Saskatchewan, Canada.

He works closely withThe Black Heart Gang and Shy The Sun as a conceptual designer on groundbreaking animation for both the local and international market. He also makes up one half of the duo Bison.

In his spare time, Linsey compulsively illustrates in various mediums for both business (on freelance projects) and pleasure. He says his intricately executed and seemingly disturbing work is driven by a need to be in sync with his subconscious thoughts and dreams. Linsey defines his work as being engaging decadence, mildly trippy and takes great joy in entertaining the viewer with obscure controlled chaotic worlds and strangely interesting and complex characters.

While his skill lies in his versatility and ability to adapt to various styles, he finds himself mostly drawn to Cubism, Surrealism and Pop Surrealism. In his work he aims to stay open to evolving and preserving unconventional thinking.

See more of Linsey’s work by following him on instagram. @linsey_levendall

Join us at the Hub

The concert ends, you exit TCU Place, and you’re still brimming with excitement after such a fabulous evening. Where to next?

Cross the street and join us over at the Hub at Holiday Inn!

It’s the perfect place to grab a post-concert drink, and snack, alongside fellow SSO patrons, musicians, and the feature guest artists.

We have complimentary appetizers on a first come first-serve basis!

 

What’s happening at the Bassment

The Bassment is one of Canada’s premier jazz clubs and provides musicians of all skill levels a venue to showcase their talents in front of a live audience while accessing a variety of professional, concert-grade instruments. The club offers an intimate, personal concert space with a world-class stage for local, national, and international artists.

Here’s a sample of what’s happening next at The Bassment

Alexis Normand with Burnstick
September 15, 2023

 

SONGWRITERS SERIES • DOORS @ 7:30PM • SHOW@8:30PM • RUSH SEATIN

www.alexisnormand.com

www.burnstickduo.com

Alexis Normand’s music has been recognized across Canada to critical acclaim. Formerly of Rosie & the Riveters, she now uses her velvety voice as the centerpiece of a candid and bilingual approach to the contemporary folk world. This evening Alexis will release Mementos – an album that explores the dualities of a francophone identity on anglophone soil.

Burnstick’s folk music is brimming with the kind of chemistry that could only come from a husband and wife duo. Nadia, a Francophone-Métis singer-songwriter, and Jason, a Plains-Cree guitarist, blend their voices and weave together the unique sounds of Weissenborns with intriguing vocal harmonies.

Sponsored by David’s Distinctive Men’s Apparel

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Dizzy & Fay
September 22, 2023

JAZZ SINGER SERIES • DOORS @ 7:30PM • SHOW@ 8:30PM

www.dizzyandfay.com

Dizzy & Fay is the newest project from songwriters Mark Lalama and Amanda Walther. Based in Southern Ontario, the piano/vocal duo has released two full-length recordings of original music and is currently receiving extensive play on jazz radio stations throughout the United States and Canada.With compositions that are heartfelt and familiar, Dizzy & Fay craft songs that sound like timeless classics you’ve loved your entire life. Wholenote Magazine gave their new album Hooked a glowing review, calling them “highly musical tunesmiths and storytellers”.

Sponsored by David’s Distinctive Men’s Apparel

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Richard Inman & Zachary Lucky
September 27, 2023

COUNTRY ROADS SERIES • DOORS @ 6:30 • SHOW @7:30

In Austin, Texas in the 1970’s there were two dominant songwriters – Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. Fast forward 40 years and you have two Canadian independent roots songwriters picking up the thread that Townes and Guy left behind. Richard Inman and Zachary Lucky have been cutting their teeth in bar rooms and theatres across the country and around the world for over ten years. Performing on stage for the first time together on their “At the Kitchen Table” tour, Richard and Zachary will be trading songs, sharing the stories behind the songs, and shooting the breeze. Don’t miss your chance to see these songwriters in their prime as they perform together in this intimate setting.

Sponsored by David’s Distinctive Men’s Apparel

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The Mark Godfrey Quintet
September 30, 2023

JAZZ TRAVELLERS SERIES • DOORS @ 6:30PM • SHOW @ 7:30PM

www.markgodfreybass.com

One of the most in demand musicians on the Toronto jazz scene, bassist and composer Mark Godfrey has worked Barbra Lica, Matt Dusk, and the Toronto Jazz Orchestra. Known for his strong sound and rhythmic presence on the acoustic and electric bass, his accolades include the 2019 Emerging Jazz Artist of the Year Award at the Toronto Jazz Festival and a 2021 JUNO Award for his work on Sammy Jackson’s album, With You.

Mark has released two albums under his own name: Prologue (2018) and Square Peg (2020). The quintet will feature Allison Au (saxophone), Matt Woroshyl (saxophone), Chris Pruden (piano), and Nick Fraser (drums).

Sponsored by David’s Distinctive Men’s Apparel

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