1960s Rooftop Concert Inspires 50th Anniversary Recreation

Concerts atop the University of Victoria’s Student Union Building (SUB) occurred several times in the mid-1960s and the rooftop ruckus will be reprised on Friday, Sept. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. as part of the university’s 50th Anniversary Festival.

“The rooftop concert of 1967 made quite a ruckus, so it made sense to do it again when we were approached by CFUV station manager Randy Gelling about programing something like this as a way to celebrate 50 years,” says 50th Anniversary Coordinator Remy Hall, adding that rooftop concerts were also staged on the SUB in 1965 and 1966.

Former University of Victoria student Kathryn Calder, one of the city’s biggest musical exports, will headline the concert. Best known for her work with Vancouver supergroup, The New Pornographers, Calder’s career as a solo artist is accelerating after the release of two solo recordings.

“It’s cool to be included in an historic concert event at my alma mater,” says Calder. “Rooftop concerts are a cool thing to be a part of. From the Beatles to U2, they have a distinct informality to them that’s energizing. I’m looking forward to it.”

Opening for Calder are two bands with connections to UVic. The Chanterelles include current and former UVic students and describe themselves as a Motown-influenced R&B group that wants to bring a little bit of Memphis to Victoria. Also performing will be Rugged Uncle, a group formed in 2009 with members from Victoria bands Immaculate Machine, Paper Cranes and Clay George emerging with an indie alternative sensibility reminiscent of Dirty Projectors, Wolf Parade and The Arcade Fire.

The Friday rooftop concert is part of the larger 50th Anniversary Festival Sept. 28-29 and preludes the festival’s larger performance stage planned for the Quadrangle at the centre of campus on Saturday, Sept. 29, with artists including Acres of Lions, Hayley McLean, Carmanah and the Busy Island Gamelan. For more on the 50th anniversary, go to http://www.uvic.ca/anniversary/index.php. For a complete schedule of all live music taking place during the festival, including band bios, visit http://www.uvic.ca/anniversary/festival/music/index.php.
 

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