Named after Calgary real estate developer and avid arts supporter, the Jack Singer Concert Hall opened in 1985 as the stage at the heart of Calgary’s arts community. The hall was built in response to the need for a community arts centre for organizations such as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Theatre Calgary.
Since then, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has called this venue home, and internationally acclaimed musicians, Broadway productions, comedians and dance companies have all taken the stage, not to mention award ceremonies and celebrations.
The Jack Singer Concert Hall is designed to deliver top-notch sound, no matter the type of performance. The adjustable 56-ton wooden acoustical canopy can be raised or lowered to better suit each performance. Paired with sound-absorbing curtains and banners, there’s a reason the hall is known for its amazing acoustics.
The Jack Singer’s 60-foot stage is backed by the massive crown jewel Carthy Organ.
“The Carthy organ is truly a unique instrument and experience. I recommend to anyone to attend a show when the instrument is in use,” said Cameron Clowe, Associate Director of Production at Jack Singer Concert Hall.
The Carthy Organ remains Canada’s largest since its 1987 debut, made with hand-carved oak and over 1,600 alloy and wood pipes. More than just a centrepiece of the concert hall, the instrument inspired the first Calgary International Organ Festival, bringing in performers and audiences from around the world to celebrate its sound.
Beyond the stage itself, the Jack Singer lobby has become a gathering space for some of Calgary’s most notable celebrations, hosting events from Avenue magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 to Calgary Citizenship Ceremonies and the Rozsa Awards.
The lobby is equipped with a dedicated stage for speeches and live entertainment, an integrated sound system, large-screen projection, and two built-in 80-inch monitors, making it as suited for galas and presentations as it is for pre-show gatherings and celebrations.
“The Jack is about more than just performance space; it’s a space to connect with others in the community,” said Clowe.
“We are also home to a number of galleries showcasing local and national artists. I love walking around the building and being exposed to a variety of different visual arts.”
For Clowe however, what makes the venue special isn’t just the extravagant architecture or the performances being held. It’s all the moments that continue to linger after the audiences have gone home.
“I’m not a spiritual person or very nostalgic, but occasionally I will find myself walking across the stage while the hall is empty and silent, which it rarely is, and I have to stop, take a moment and consider all the experiences that have happened in this space between the performers and the audience, touring crews and the local crews,” said Clowe.
For the people who keep it running, The Jack Singer is a space where thousands of moments have unfolded beneath the same stage lights.
“So much has happened in this one room between strangers. In those moments I try and remind myself how lucky I am to be a part of something that means so much, to so many people,” said Clowe.
The Jack Singer Concert Hall has spent more than four decades building its legacy, and the curtain is far from closing — but it is time for a bit of a refresh. Currently, construction is underway for the Werklund Centre Transformation Expansion. The new 1,000-seat Osten Victor Playhouse and 200-seat studio theatre, as well as the new Olympic Plaza, are expected to be completed in 2028. The second phase of the Werklund Centre Transformation — the modernization phase — will begin once funding and regulatory approvals are received. Through the future modernization phase, elements of the existing Werklund Centre facility — including the Jack Singer Concert Hall lobby, Centre Court, and more — will be upgraded to enhance guest experience, accessibility and programming.
In the meantime, with performances continuing to take place year-round, audiences can experience the next chapter for themselves by checking out the upcoming season at Werklund Centre.
QUICK FACTS:
Address: 225 8 Ave. S.E.
Website: werklundcentre.ca
Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00-6:00, Saturday: 10:00-6:00, Sunday: Closed
Capacity: 1797
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible seating available
Upcoming events:
Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony on Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Nordic Nights on Sept. 18-19 at 7:30 p.m.
Menopause The Musical on Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
