The Confluence Concert series is noted for its imaginative and eclectic mix of musical styles so it’s no surprise that when they put on a programme of workshops for young artists and then let them loose on stage the only thing one can expect for sure is the unexpected.  And so it was with Side by Side at the Heliconian Club on Thursday night.

The programme didn’t list the participants so apart from Teiya Kasehara who acted as chief mentor I’m not sure who all was who but there was certainly plenty of talent.  There was a lot going on from “proper” arias like the Mozart/Salieri Lascia la greggia, O Filide through musical theatre numbers and mime to improvisation on electric guitar, electronics and keyboards.

I’m just going to pick out three pieces which i really liked and which seemed to embody the spirit of the evening.  First up the famous “Flower Duet” from Lakmé.  It sounds different but surprisingly “right” when Malika is replaced by a saxophone.  Don’t tell Calixto Bieito!

Having a ball involved two young ladies chasing a ball, à la mime ;with lots of commedia like gestures and body language, across the stage, into the audience and generally all over the place while an on stage trio of bass, piano and saxophone improvised.  It was very funny.

Finally Like a conclusion had a raft of singers arrayed across the stage.  Their “leader”; a mezzo, solemnly intoned “It crouches… on the ground… a toad” followed by a unison toad noise.  Simple but amphibiously effective.

What a great formula!  Take some talented kids and let some of Toronto’s most eclectic musicians give them ideas then let them loose.  I loved it.

Photo credits:CharaTan