Since opening its doors more than 115 years ago, the Crescent Fort Rouge United Church has seen a lot of things. An evening of electronic dance music – complete with DJs, projection, lighting, lasers and 350 music lovers – probably isn’t one of them.
That’s about to change on Friday, Sept. 12, when Sound Lounge takes over the stunning sanctuary in Osborne Village.
After hosting events at the Manitoba Museum's Nonsuch Gallery and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights earlier this year, the local music series has its sights set on one of Winnipeg’s oldest and most iconic churches.
“In addition to the music, we’re always looking to highlight the venue itself, honouring its architecture, energy, and cultural significance,” says Chantal Brodbeck, event organzier for Sound Lounge.
Ian Fillingham, building manager at the church, says it's exactly these features which make the old church a great fit for the event.
“The church has an energy that is quite noticeable as you enter, especially through the main doors,” Fillingham says. “The acoustics are really good and the sanctuary will enhance the sound and light experience."
Located at 525 Wardlaw Ave., the building was designed by noted Winnipeg architect J. H. G. Russell, who also designed the Ashdown Building on Main Street, Ashdown House at 529 Wellington Cres., and several other churches across the city.
It has all the architectural features you’d expect from a church constructed in 1910: elaborate brickwork, beautiful arches, gleaming oak and stained-glass windows. But perhaps most pertinent to the event: a three-manual, 33-stop Casavant pipe organ.
“I love adding the organ to things and taking any chance I get to show off the instrument,” says Mycze Cutler, music director and resident organ player at the church. “We haven't done much in terms of rehearsal, but I've listened to the music and I think it'll be a lot of fun.”
Manny Goossen and Jay Betker, the duo behind headliner Leossa, agree.
“I think having access to the organ will really elevate the music and amplify the emotions in our music,” says Goossen. “It’ll be cool for people to experience our type of music in such a historic and beautiful setting.”
“Traditionally, if you think of a concert or a show at a church, you'd be thinking there's either a choir or something more acoustic and traditional,” adds Betker. “I think having the combination of an old church and a huge organ with something more modern and electronic is something new, something I don’t think Winnipeg has really seen much of. We look forward to being able to showcase our type of music in a cool light, and I think it will be a magical, one-of-a-kind experience."
In addition to giving people that magical, one-of-a-kind experience, Brodbeck says Sound Lounge hopes to introduce more locals to progressive house music – and to the talented local artists who perform it.
“It’s popular in a lot of other places, but I don’t think it’s really caught on in Winnipeg yet because there's just not a lot of exposure to it,” says Brodbeck, who will also be performing at the event under the stage name DustyNuts. “It’s super fun to dance to, but a little bit more melodic, a little bit more chill than typical electronic music. It's very warm and heartwarming, and tends to attract a pretty emotional crowd.”
Perfectly fitting for a church whose beautiful U-shaped balcony can make it feel as though the building is giving you a hug.
Alongside Leossa, Cutler and DustyNuts, the sold-out event will feature sets by local DJs Emrys and Upcycle. There will also be an opening sound bowl ceremony (a meditative experience where you "bathe" in the sounds and vibrations made by different instruments) led by the Rogue Vinyasa team, and a few booths featuring local makers like Happy Houligan, Ever So Lovely and We Heart Winnipeg, who will be live printing exclusive merch.
It's all part of what Brodbeck calls an "immersive, multisensory experience through music, art and connection."
“We really try to feed into the energy that you already feel when you come to a special place and create that wow factor with the music, the lights, the connection,” Brodbeck says. “Our community is very loving and welcoming and ready to connect with likeminded people who are there for the same reasons.”
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