Many may remember the concerts on the Ross Street patio last summer, and now locals may have a shot to be a part of it.

The City of Red Deer Culture Services has put out an open casting call for performing and visual artists to partake in the bi-weekly ‘Best Summer Ever’ lunchtime concerts on the Ross Street patio.

The City encourages those wishing to be apart of the free Tuesday and Thursday lunch hour concerts to visit their facebook page, www.facebook.com/reddeercultureservices for more information on the application process.

“The Ross Street Patio is coming back and we’re looking for performers this summer,” said Kristina Öberg, former culture superintendent for the City of Red Deer. “After the long winter we’ve had, it’s refreshing to start thinking about what summer has in store for us.”

Peter McGee, special event programmer for the City of Red Deer, invites performers from all musical genres and disciplines to submit their applications, which may be found at www.reddeer.ca along with guidelines for submissions.

This will be the third year that the Ross Street Patio concerts have taken place, and McGee hopes to expand on the diversity of performers this year.

Alongside the Tuesday and Thursday concerts, the 2014 Best Summer Ever events will include a free concert on the first Friday of every month on the patio, as well as two concerts at the Bower Ponds stage.

“Any thing from your solo acoustic musicians, to hip hop and country or rock groups are welcomed as well,” said McGee. “Theatrical groups like Tree House Youth Theatre and Bull Skit Comedy have been featured in the past and are encouraged to apply.”

One of this year’s Bower Ponds concerts will feature a performance by Juno award-winning children’s entertainer Norman Foot on July 6th.

The free downtown events will begin June 6th with the annual Ross Street Patio Kick Off Party.

McGee believes the downtown concerts play a vital role in transforming the area into a cultural hub.

“If you look at the most popular cities in Canada, they are ones that encourage and promote cultural activities,” said McGee. “I hope to see Red Deer in that role and I think we are certainly well on our way to seeing that.”

For a number of years City officials have been working towards the revitalization of Red Deer’s downtown area and McGee believes the concerts play a role in that as well.

“The cultural benefits of the concerts downtown can be seen when you talk to business owners who are located near the Ross Street Patio as well the people who attend the concerts,” said McGee. “Business owners have reported lower levels of vandalism, higher sales levels as well people at the concerts are always astounded at the level and recognition of local talent.”

jswan@reddeerexpress.com