A Tribute to Spring in Song
Carly Martin to Perform at Centennial Botanical Conservatory
Story by Sidney Ulakovic, Photo by Wyeth McCormack
It’s the time of the year where we’re ready for spring, but spring isn’t quite ready for us. The snow in the forecast might have you down, but a sunny concert led by vocalist and producer Carly Martin in the tropical atmosphere of the Centennial Botanical Conservatory promises a much needed afternoon of warmth and community.
Martin is a classically trained vocalist whose passion led her to study musical theatre performance at Sheridan College. “Since being back [in Thunder Bay], I’ve had a few opportunities to do some performances at Magnus. I did some work with Superior Theatre Festival,” Martin says, adding that a performance with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra this past December was a bucket list item of hers. “And then also producing my own stuff and doing my own shows has been more of a recent project.”
As Martin journeys into the world of producing her own concerts, she says part of her development is bringing music to unconventional venues, especially ones that are unique to Thunder Bay. Martin’s first self-produced concert was at Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park (formerly Pioneer Village) last fall, with the goal of capturing the cosiness of the season. “People really had a nice time, felt connected to nature. And that’s kind of the idea for this one, too. That beautiful, lush, oasis of the conservatory.”
Martin’s performance will mark the first concert hosted at the conservatory since reopening. “I’m like, ‘Okay, a new season is coming. It’s time for another concert opportunity.’ And the conservatory was recently renovated,” she explains. “I wanted to create something that felt very seasonally appropriate.”
Martin says people can expect an afternoon of songs that welcome in the warmer weather and celebrate the beauty of the spring and summer seasons. “It’ going to be acoustic, so kind of a stripped back version,” she says, adding that she will be joined by Carter Fontaine on guitar and Wyeth McCormack on percussion. “I’m curating my setlist based off the spaces that I’m performing in and how they inspire me,” Martin says she plans to perform some Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, and Sheryl Crow, among many others. “Just some classic songs that feel bright and vibrant and feel like the promise of sunshine is upon us.”
Martin’s upcoming show will occur on April 26 starting at 2 pm. Tickets to this limited seat event are available online.
